In this update, we look at the late 1980s and the pivotal decision of La Trobe Financial to enter retail asset management at that moment. The question of when a manager began a strategy, and why, matters. Because for those of us who have been around long enough, you’ll recognise that there’s nothing new under the sun.

Every so often, pivotal moments occur that shift a company or sector. Back in 1952, La Trobe Financial was founded when institutional investment was sourced to provide loans to returned servicemen to purchase a home. These were high quality borrowers who could demonstrate employment or running a successful business but were falling short on strict bank guidelines relating to continuity of income or level of savings.

In today’s evolving private credit landscape, financial advisers are navigating a wave of new products, platforms, and providers. As banks retreat from traditional lending, non-bank lenders and asset management firms have stepped in, offering investors access to attractive yield opportunities. But with growth comes complexity, the potential of volatility, and a whole range of other considerations.

La Trobe Financial CEO, Chris Andrews,  spoke with Forbes Australia, sharing a broad-ranging historical look at investment markets, why he sees alternative private assets as an innovative, why middle America could prove a boon for Australian investors, and why we shouldn’t bash the banks too hard.