Starting next month, American Century will no longer use JPMorgan Asset Management as sub-advisor to its $1.7 billion International Bond Fund. Instead, Kansas City, Missouri-headquartered American Century is bringing management of the fund in-house (see American Century's SEC filing on the change). Two new hires at American Century, John Lovito and Federico Garcia Zamora, will run the fund. Both were previously with Lehman Brothers Asset Management and are now based in American Century's New York office.

JPMorgan has sub-advised the fund since its inception in 1992.

Asked about the reason behind the change, American Century spokeswoman Laura Kouri told The MFWire: "We had the opportunity to hire Steve and Federico -- two extremely qualified investment professionals -- from Lehman Brothers Asset Management. We believe this change will benefit our clients and investors and we're very excited."

Lovito, 44, spent seven years with Lehman, most recently as managing director and head of global fixed income strategies.

Garcia Zamora, 35, was most recently portfolio manager and foreign exchange strategist for global fixed income at Lehman.

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Company Press Release

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 13, 2009 – American Century Investments announces veteran money managers John Lovito and Federico Garcia Zamora recently joined the firm as co-portfolio managers for the $1.7 billion American Century International Bond Fund. Effective Feb. 2, the two, based in American Century Investments’ New York office, will manage the portfolio previously subadvised by J.P.Morgan Asset Management. Lovito also serves as a member of American Century Investments' Fixed Income Macro Strategy Team.

"John brings 22 years of fixed income investment experience, with the last 13 years focused on global and international fixed income," said American Century Investments Fixed Income Chief Investment Officer David MacEwen. "Federico has worked in the investment industry for the past decade and brings expertise in currency and risk management. We believe their work together on Lehman Brothers Asset Management’s Global Fixed Income team will benefit our clients and investors, and we are delighted to have them join the firm."

Prior to joining American Century Investments, Lovito, 44, spent seven years with Lehman Brothers Asset Management, most recently as managing director and head of Global Fixed Income Strategies. Lovito was based in London and served as a lead portfolio manager for global and international fixed income mandates. From 2001 through 2006, he was senior vice president and team leader for International Fixed Income with Lehman Brothers Asset Management in New York. Prior to that, he served in several capacities at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., including global fixed income portfolio manager. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Fordham College and a master of business administration in finance from Fordham University.

Garcia Zamora, 35, most recently served as portfolio manager and foreign exchange strategist for Global Fixed Income with Lehman Brothers Asset Management after joining the firm as a research analyst. Previously, he was a senior consultant with the Ministry of Economy – Secretariat of Finance in Buenos Aires and before that, was a senior analyst, research & development for the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange Group. He earned his licentiate degree in economics from the Universidad Nacional del Sur, a master’s degree in capital markets from the Universidad de Buenos Aires and a master of business administration in finance and international business from Columbia Business School.

The addition of Lovito and Garcia Zamora is the latest in a series of strategic hires within American Century Investments’ investment group. In Nov., the firm recruited Steven Brown, previously global head of Neuberger Berman’s real estate securities, as portfolio manager for the firm’s public REIT strategy. Joseph Gotelli, formerly of Franklin Templeton, joined American Century Investments in July as portfolio manager on the Municipal Bond team.

American Century Investments is a leading investment manager, committed to delivering superior investment performance and building long-term client relationships since 1958. Serving investment professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors, American Century Investments offers a variety of investment disciplines through an array of products including mutual funds, institutional separate accounts, commingled trusts and sub-advisory accounts. The company's 1,300 employees serve clients from offices in New York; Mountain View, Calif. and Kansas City, Mo. James E. Stowers Jr. founded the company and serves as co-chairman of the board. Jonathan S. Thomas is president and chief executive officer and Enrique Chang is chief investment officer. For the past nine years, American Century Investments has been selected as one of FORTUNE Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work for in America.

 

Edited by: Armie Margaret Lee


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