The Importance of Active Fixed Income Management in a Post-COVID World – North Square Investments – 5.30.24

Summary:

Now On Demand

COVID marked the beginning of an economic and geopolitical transition requiring more active risk management. With expectations for volatility remaining elevated, how do you manage fixed income in a world that is changing and no longer a bull market for bonds? We believe you can capitalize on inefficient markets by dynamically investing across diverse asset classes including securitized and preferred security markets.

Topics to be covered:

• Managing risk in your fixed income portfolios in a post-COVID world.
• Bull market for bonds is over, where to find fixed income opportunities for clients.
• Preferred and Securitized Securities Opportunity: Potential to enhance yield, total returns, and minimize correlations.

Accepted for 1 CFP^® / IWI / CFA CE Credit

Speakers:

John L. Cassady III is Managing Partner, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for Red Cedar Investment Management. He started in the industry in 1987 and joined Red Cedar in 2018. Prior to that, he was an investment professional for ClearArc Capital where he served in varying roles from 2001- 2018, including Director of Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager. While at ClearArc Capital, Mr. Cassady managed Core Fixed Income, Core Plus Fixed Income, Asset Allocation and a multi-sector low correlation strategy. Before joining ClearArc Capital, he held a similar position at Lyon Street Asset Management, a subsidiary of Old Kent Bank, which was acquired by Fifth Third Bank (an affiliated company of ClearArc Capital). Previously, he was a fixed income Portfolio Manager at Atlantic Portfolio Analytics & Management (APAM) which has since been acquired by Semper Capital Management. He is a CFA^® charterholder and member of the CFA Society West Michigan. Mr. Cassady graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Industrial Management.

Brandon F. Bajema is a Partner and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Red Cedar Investment Management. He started in the industry in 2003 and joined Red Cedar in 2021. Previously, Mr. Bajema was a Portfolio Manager in the Fixed Income & Treasury Department with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) where he managed a multi-currency global credit portfolio from the United Arab Emirates. Before joining (ADIA), Brandon was a Director at Fitch Ratings in the Financial Institutions Group where he covered banks, asset managers and finance companies. Prior to that, he was an Audit Manager at BDO, USA where he focused on banks and insurance companies. Mr. Bajema is a CPA and a CFA^® charterholder. He has a B.S. in Economics and a Master of Science in Accounting from Grand Valley State University.