Canadian, UK investment firms partner for wealth, retirement expansion including in US market

Canadian, UK investment firms partner for wealth, retirement expansion including in US market
Transatlantic alliance with UK’s L&G includes distribution and investments to boost global wealth solutions offering.
MAR 29, 2026

A new long-term strategic alliance between Manulife Wealth & Asset Management (Manulife WAM) and Legal & General (L&G) is set to broaden the two firm’s international footprints and strengthen access to wealth and retirement solutions worldwide.

The agreement brings together the Canadian and UK firms across multiple areas, including distribution, investment management, and product development and aims to extend their combined reach across key regions such as Canada and the US, Europe, Asia, and Bermuda, responding to rising demand for integrated wealth offerings.

The partnership will draw on Manulife WAM’s established distribution networks and asset management capabilities across North America and Asia, alongside L&G’s global investment expertise and leadership in annuities and reinsurance.

The initiative is expected to span a broad mix of asset classes across both public and private markets. These include alternative credit, fixed income, multi-asset strategies, and real assets such as real estate, infrastructure, and natural capital. Investment vehicles like exchange traded funds are also expected to form part of the collaboration.

Both firms say the move reflects a shared ambition to scale capabilities and deepen their presence in international markets, while improving access to differentiated investment strategies for institutional, retail, and retirement clients.

Manulife WAM oversees more than $1.3 trillion in assets under management and administration, supported by operations across 20 markets, including a strong presence in Asia, while L&G currently manages approximately £1.2 trillion in assets and has been pursuing international expansion through a ‘build, partner or buy’ strategy outlined in 2025.

Paul Lorentz, CEO of Manulife WAM, said there are tremendous opportunities for both organizations: “This strategic partnership will support the expansion of our product platform to bring a more comprehensive and competitive offering to all markets where we currently operate – reinforcing our commitment to be the number one choice for customers around the world.”

The rollout of the partnership will take place over several years, with multiple initiatives expected to be introduced in stages.

Latest News

What wine culture can teach investors about decision-making
What wine culture can teach investors about decision-making

Choice anxiety, prestige bias, and the temptation to make selections based on outsourced confidence are just some of the parallels between investing and the world of wine tasting.

Merrill Lynch, BofA's brokerage arm, hit with $7.5M SEC fine over missed suspicious activity reports
Merrill Lynch, BofA's brokerage arm, hit with $7.5M SEC fine over missed suspicious activity reports

Regulators found Bank of America's monitoring software had a known flaw Merrill left uncorrected for years.

AI is changing how investors research, not who they trust
AI is changing how investors research, not who they trust

While AI has become a go-to research tool for affluent investors, new HSBC research suggests human advisors remain the deciding voice when investment decisions are made.

Supreme Court blocks Trump's bid to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook
Supreme Court blocks Trump's bid to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook

A 5-4 ruling preserves the Federal Reserve's independence for now, but the legal fight over presidential removal power is far from settled.

Morgan Stanley boosts returns on client cash, analyst says
Morgan Stanley boosts returns on client cash, analyst says

For years, large firms have been facing penalties and questions from regulators over interest rates for clients’ cash accounts.

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income

SPONSORED Why direct indexing stopped being optional

Direct indexing is on pace to outgrow ETFs and mutual funds. Northern Trust's Ken Lassner explains why the advisors who get it wish they had started sooner.