Vontobel Appoints Brian Bandsma Co-Portfolio Manager for Far East Equity and Daniel Kranson Co-Portfolio Manager for European Equity

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Vontobel Asset Management, Inc., the New York-based global equity investment management firm, with over $35 billion in assets under management, announced that Brian Bandsma and Daniel (Donny) Kranson were promoted to Co-Portfolio Manager. Effective March 1, 2013, Mr. Bandsma will become Co-Portfolio Manager of the Far East (ex-Japan) Equity Strategy with Rajiv Jain as Lead Portfolio Manager. At the same time, Mr. Kranson will assume his role as Co-Portfolio Manager for the European Equity Strategy supporting Matthew Benkendorf as Lead Portfolio Manager. Both will maintain their respective stock research responsibilities.

In making the announcement, Heinrich Schlegel, President and Chief Executive Officer at Vontobel Asset Management, said, "The recognition of talent is a natural progression and a reflection of the growth of our firm. Under the leadership of Rajiv, Brian and Donny have continued to make significant contributions to the firm's success over the recent years. Vontobel is well-positioned for future growth and meeting the demands of our valued clients."

Mr. Bandsma, a 10-year veteran at Vontobel, joined the firm in 2002 as a senior research analyst covering primarily Information Technology, Financials, Telecommunications and Consumer Discretionary stocks. Mr. Bandsma received a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from New York University Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Grand Valley State University in Michigan.

Mr. Kranson joined Vontobel in 2007 as a senior research analyst with a primary focus on Consumer Staples, Energy, Health Care and Materials. Mr. Kranson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research from Columbia University. He is also a CFA Charterholder.

Regarding these appointments, Mr. Jain said, "These advancements from within are true indications of our strong investment culture and long-term talent retention. Brian and Donny have been valued resources to the team, and I am confident that each of them will continue to deliver strong results under my guidance.  We remain committed to augmenting our investment team by adding talented analysts to the research group."

About Vontobel
Vontobel Asset Management, Inc. is a global investment management firm dedicated exclusively to managing long-only global equity portfolios. Established in 1984, Vontobel has over $35 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2012. Vontobel serves both institutional and intermediary clients, including some of the world's leading corporations and public and private pension funds. Vontobel is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vontobel Holding AG and a sister company of Bank Vontobel AG, one of Switzerland's foremost private banks for over eighty years. Vontobel Holding AG is an exchange-listed Swiss company.

For additional firm information, please visit www.vusa.com.

SOURCE Vontobel Asset Management, Inc.