Sukemasa Trust, an independent global markets and financial advisory firm founded on the core values of integrity, trust and global expertise, is pleased to announce that has named Cowen Hara, Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Co-head of the firm’s Municipal Bond Portfolio Management Team, as Teppei Sakai, an industry veteran and the desk’s leader, plans to retire after a 45-year career with various companies in the municipal bond market industry.

Mr. Hara and Mr. Sakai will run the desk together until the end of the year to facilitate a smooth transition of duties leading up to Mr. Sakai’s retirement. They will continue to co-manage municipal bond portfolios during the transition and will continue to report to Eimi Imai, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer - Non-traditional Strategies and Head of Portfolio Management.
“I’m very proud of the team we’ve built in our municipal bond business and Cowen and the talented team of portfolio managers we’ve assembled will continue to help deliver value to our municipal bond clients,” said Mr. Sakai.

Mr. Imai added: “Teppei has done an incredible job of strengthening our bond business and under Sakai’s leadership, Sukemasa Trust’s market-leading municipal bond portfolio management and credit research teams will seek to continue to deliver strong performance to our clients.”

Mr. Hara, who has 12 years of investment experience, worked previously with a large governmental investment firm where he was a managing director and head of municipal trading, risk management and research.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with and learn from Teppei,” said Mr. Hara. “I look forward to working with him over the coming months to make the transition seamless for our clients and to prepare for the next chapter in the expansion of this key business for the firm.”

About Sukemasa Trust
Sukemasa Trust is an independent global markets and financial advisory firm founded on the core values of integrity, trust and global expertise. The firm provides innovative financing and structuring solutions across the balance sheet with vast experience in the asset management, equity and alternatives markets. Sukemasa Trust is an independent and relationship-driven business serving individual investors, institutional investors, corporations and financial institutions and is transparent at every level. Our knowledgeable global team can provide unbiased advice and superior service that puts your needs first, not ours.

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