# Synchrony Asset Management -- Full documentation

> Synchrony Asset Management SA is an independent Swiss asset manager based in Geneva and Zurich, specialising in asset management for institutional, professional, and private clients through the Synchrony fund range and custom mandates.

## Company overview

Synchrony Asset Management SA is 100% owned by Banque Cantonale de Geneve (BCGE). This ownership structure combines the agility of a specialised entity with the strength of a leading banking group, providing clients with the security of a durable partner and the responsiveness of a dedicated structure. Assets under management exceed CHF 8 billion, managed by a team of 20 specialists.

## History

Founded in 1991, Synchrony Asset Management SA has a long track record of innovation in Swiss asset management.

- 1991: Company founded
- 1995: Launch of the first optimised index funds in Switzerland -- a pioneering move in Swiss passive management
- 2000s: Development of a proprietary multi-factor model applied to equities and bonds
- 2006: Launch of conviction-based active management in Swiss equities through a fund focused on small and mid-cap companies in the SPI Extra index
- 2008: Activities internalised within BCGE under the BCGE Asset Management brand
- 2019: Acquisition of Loyal Finance AG, a Zurich-based firm recognised for its fixed income expertise
- 2025: Strengthening of systematic management capabilities and machine learning models, backed by a team with approximately 10 years of proven results
- 2026: Rebirth as Synchrony Asset Management SA -- an independent entity bringing together all investment expertise: conviction-based management (Swiss equities and real estate), systematic management (active and passive), and fixed income management, all delivered through the Synchrony fund range and dedicated mandates

## Investment expertises

### Systematic management (active and passive)

Synchrony develops quantitative and systematic investment strategies based on the analysis of large-scale advanced financial datasets. Proprietary quantitative models integrate machine learning techniques to optimise investment decisions in equity markets. The offering covers both optimised passive management (enhanced indexing) and active quantitative management, supported by cutting-edge technology infrastructure and robust investment processes.

This approach efficiently handles the complexity of international markets, exploits data at scale, and controls risk -- without depending on teams dispersed around the world. It is built on data, models, and specialists.

### Conviction-based management (Swiss equities and real estate)

Active conviction management concentrates on Swiss equities and real estate with a rigorous fundamental approach. Teams perform in-depth company analysis, including regular meetings with management, to identify high-value investment opportunities. This approach builds concentrated, long-term-oriented portfolios suited to institutional investors.

This strategy draws on SAM's local roots, deep knowledge of the Swiss economic fabric, and privileged access to companies.

### Fixed income management

Fixed income expertise rests on a flexible, liquid, and diversified approach. SAM implements bond strategies integrating rigorous risk management and a proprietary credit selection model, to optimise risk-adjusted returns for clients.

Rather than simple index replication, SAM favours a pragmatic approach combining interest rate and credit risk to deliver an optimised return-risk profile.

## Fund range

The Synchrony fund range covers the following asset classes:

- Equities (Swiss and international)
- Bonds / Fixed income
- Asset allocation / Multi-asset
- Real estate
- Pension / Prevoyance (LPP)
- ESG-integrated strategies

Funds are available in active and passive variants, as well as conviction and multi-asset strategies. Fund documentation including factsheets, KIIDs, and prospectuses is available on the website.

## Custom mandates

Synchrony also offers fully customised mandates. Management is entirely personalised, built around each client's financial objectives, risk profile, and specific constraints. Available mandate types include:

- **Active management**: Conviction-based, fundamental, and dynamic management aimed at capturing market opportunities and adjusting allocation according to the economic cycle
- **Passive management**: A disciplined, transparent approach replicating market indices through optimised sampling, providing broad, efficient, and cost-controlled exposure
- **Systematic management**: Mandates based on proven quantitative models integrating market signals, risk factors, and robust allocation rules (including AI). Aimed at rigorous execution and reduction of behavioural biases
- **Fixed income**: Mandates built according to client objectives with a transparent, methodical approach focused on capital protection and sustainable value generation
- **Multi-asset**: Combining equities, bonds, cash, and diversifying solutions. Strategic and tactical allocation adjusted to the client's profile to maximise performance while controlling risk

Each mandate is constructed around the client's financial objectives, investment horizon, regulatory or balance sheet constraints, ESG preferences, and risk tolerance. SAM provides continuous monitoring, transparent communication, and regular adjustments.

## Leadership

### Board of directors

The board comprises four members with complementary expertise. Two represent the shareholder BCGE -- including its CEO -- affirming the group's strategic confidence and involvement. Two independent directors bring specialist knowledge in pension investments and crypto-assets.

- Nicolas Krugel, Chairman -- CEO of BCGE
- Eric Balmer, Vice-Chairman -- Member of the General Management of BCGE, Head of Corporate Banking and Trade Finance
- Biba Homsy, independent member
- Philippe Augsburger, independent member

### Executive management

- Katia Coudray, CEO -- Previously held senior roles at EFG, Pictet, UBP, and Syz before joining BCGE in 2024. Promoted CEO of Synchrony Asset Management SA in 2026
- Bruce Crochat, Deputy CEO and Head of Swiss Equities and Real Estate -- CFA charterholder, joined BCGE Asset Management in 2016, previously at IAM SA
- Guido Bolliger, Head of Systematic Investments -- PhD in Finance from University of Neuchatel, professor of finance, over 25 years of experience in systematic investment strategies
- Bernhard Urech, Head of Fixed Income -- CFA charterholder, career spanning Clariden Leu, Julius Baer, GAM, and Loyal Finance AG since 1994
- Ingo Bionda, Head of Product Development -- Joined BCGE Asset Management in 2014, previously at JP Morgan and IAM SA

## Why Synchrony

- Pioneering expertise in systematic management since 1995, continuously innovating with machine learning and proprietary quantitative models
- Strong conviction management capability in Swiss equities and real estate, built on deep local knowledge and direct company access
- Proven, pragmatic fixed income management designed to navigate market cycles with discipline
- Swiss-made quality with teams based in Geneva and Zurich
- Stability and transparency from a committed reference shareholder (BCGE)
- Independent, complementary investment expertises combining analytical depth, diverse approaches, and operational excellence
- Unique governance structure associating leading shareholder representatives and independent experts

## Glossary

- **SAM**: Synchrony Asset Management SA
- **BCGE**: Banque Cantonale de Geneve, the sole shareholder of SAM
- **Systematic management**: Investment approach using quantitative models, data analysis, and algorithms (including machine learning) to make investment decisions
- **Conviction management**: Active investment approach based on fundamental analysis and concentrated portfolios, focused on a specific market segment
- **Enhanced indexing / Optimised passive**: A passive strategy that tracks an index but uses optimised sampling rather than full replication to improve efficiency
- **Machine learning**: Artificial intelligence techniques used within SAM's quantitative models to identify patterns in financial data and optimise investment decisions
- **SPI Extra**: Swiss Performance Index Extra, an index of Swiss small and mid-cap companies
- **LPP**: Loi sur la Prevoyance Professionnelle (Swiss occupational pension law) -- SAM offers pension-compliant multi-asset funds
- **Mandate**: A customised portfolio management agreement where SAM manages assets according to the client's specific objectives and constraints
- **CFA**: Chartered Financial Analyst, an internationally recognised professional designation in investment management
- **Alpha**: Investment returns above a benchmark index, generated through active management decisions
- **ESG**: Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria integrated into investment analysis and decision-making

## FAQs

**What type of clients does SAM serve?**
SAM serves institutional investors (pension funds, insurers, foundations), professional asset managers, and qualified private investors. Services are delivered through the Synchrony fund range and through customised mandates.

**Where is SAM based?**
SAM has offices in Geneva (Quai de l'Ile 13, 1211 Geneva) and Zurich.

**Who owns SAM?**
SAM is 100% owned by Banque Cantonale de Geneve (BCGE), a major Swiss cantonal bank. This provides long-term stability while SAM operates as an independent, specialised entity.

**How much does SAM manage?**
Assets under management exceed CHF 8 billion, managed by a team of 20 investment specialists.

**What makes SAM different from other Swiss asset managers?**
SAM brings together three independent investment approaches under one roof -- systematic (quantitative/ML-driven), conviction-based (Swiss equities and real estate), and fixed income -- each run by dedicated specialists. This combination, plus a pioneering track record in indexing since 1995 and the backing of a major cantonal bank, is distinctive in the Swiss market.

**Does SAM use artificial intelligence?**
Yes. SAM's systematic management team uses proprietary machine learning models to analyse large financial datasets and optimise investment decisions, particularly in international equity markets. This capability has been developed over approximately 10 years with proven results.

**Can I get a customised portfolio?**
Yes. SAM offers fully customised mandates built around your specific financial objectives, risk profile, investment horizon, regulatory constraints, ESG preferences, and risk tolerance. Available across active, passive, systematic, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies.

## Contact

Synchrony Asset Management SA
Quai de l'Ile 13, CP 225
1211 Geneva, Switzerland

Website: https://synchrony.ch