China Cracks Down on $1.5 Trillion Dark Corner of Fund Industry
- Mutual fund subsidiary assets doubled in 12 months to March
- CSRC regulations target funds’ role as shadow banking channel
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China’s asset managers are preparing for a regulatory crackdown in an area of their business that’s become a dark alleyway for shadow financing.
Subsidiaries of mutual funds need to adjust leverage ratios for investing in equities, fixed income and non-standardized products, according to a document sent to firms in May that doesn’t say when the rules will be enforced. Once the limits on risk-taking come into effect, units of public mutual funds will need to hold around $300 million in net capital for every $1 billion under management, consulting firm Z-Ben Advisors Ltd. estimates.