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TCW Gundlach Update: 30% of MBS Team Has Resigned

Tyler Durden's picture




December 10, 2009

Dear Valued Clients,

I am writing to update you about developments stemming from our December 4 announcement concerning Metropolitan West Asset Management (MetWest). We believe this combination provides TCW with the continuity required to ensure stability in managing our clients’ high-grade fixed income assets.

Over the weekend, key MetWest professionals assumed portfolio management responsibilities for all of TCW’s high-grade fixed income client accounts. This transition has been orderly and seamless, a testament to the professionalism and enthusiasm of both MetWest and TCW employees.

Attached please find a complete list of our high-grade fixed income products and the respective portfolio managers, effective today. We expect you will notice a more collaborative, team-based approach to portfolio management. We believe this culture of cooperation will facilitate a quick, effective integration of our fixed income teams into a single unit.

We are partnering with a firm that promises to add “skill for skill” and mirrors our investment style, discipline and approach. After working intensively with MetWest CEO David Lippman and his team over the weekend to ensure an orderly transition, I remain convinced that this is the right team to manage our high-grade fixed income portfolios.

We anticipated possible resignations as a result of this announcement. However, as of today, we have retained 70% of our mortgage-backed securities team.

We have added 27 professionals from MetWest to our high grade fixed income team, including nine professionals dedicated to mortgage-backed securities. This gives us a staff of more than 50 dedicated to mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and other structured products. All of our risk, management and trading systems are fully functional. The developers who created our proprietary analytical systems remain with TCW. The MetWest team that joined us has significant experience in mortgage-backed securities, with more than half of its nearly $30 billion in assets invested in MBS and a track record in the asset class dating from the firm’s inception in 1996.

I want to assure you that your investment with TCW is being managed with the same focus and rigor. We look forward to speaking with you soon about your investments with TCW and we especially look forward to an opportunity to introduce you to our new Fixed Income team.

Sincerely,

Marc I. Stern
Chief Executive Officer
The TCW Group, Inc.




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Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:44 | Link to Comment Dr Horace Manure
Dr Horace Manure's picture

Sigh.  And this means what exactly?

No, never mind.  I don't really want to know.  Tomorrow will be another day of the same.

Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:50 | Link to Comment Hammer59
Hammer59's picture

Define oderly and seamless. More like odorly.

Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:52 | Link to Comment Green Sharts
Green Sharts's picture

Add one more to the TCW departure list, whoever was responsible for attaching the old org chart that still has Gundlach and some of his departed lieutenants on it and doesn't include the incoming Met West people.

Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:33 | Link to Comment Green Sharts
Green Sharts's picture

Did TCW really send out that old org chart attached to a letter announcing the changes?

Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:55 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:58 | Link to Comment Rainman
Rainman's picture

Metwest has over $15B in MBS....over half their assets. Suspicious 'bout a partnership involving highly professional and timely shit-dumping ......er, high grade fixed income portfolios....???

Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:02 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:03 | Link to Comment McGriffen
McGriffen's picture

1234...I smell a turf war.  Marketing professionals best be girding their loins for a miserable stretch of weeks/months.

I just hope MWTRX doesn't go tanking...otherwise i mightn't care less

Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:42 | Link to Comment Green Sharts
Green Sharts's picture

In case you're interested, Tad Rivelle is having a webcast for TGLMX shareholders tomorrow (Friday) at 10 AM PST, 1 PM EST.

I'd guess he will talk about his general outlook for fixed income in addition to the issues specific to the marketing war between TCW and where ever Gundlach turns up in a month or two.

Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:30 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 22:14 | Link to Comment albion402
albion402's picture

What other types of investments are in the Metwest portfolio?  Just curious.

Thu, 12/10/2009 - 23:56 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 00:48 | Link to Comment just.a.guy
just.a.guy's picture

The 30% of the people that left doubtless represents 99.7% of the talent.

Fri, 12/11/2009 - 01:03 | Link to Comment Assetman
Assetman's picture

That's usually the case in investment management.

The Matwest CEO just let out a huge turd in the memo.  What he has now isn't "better"-- and he should know better than to suggest otherwise to investors.

They likely paid up to assemble a new team of professionals-- who are no doubt probably very good at what they do.  Still, I'd gather there still will be meaningful capital flight.  And the new team will be seriously under the gun to deliver.

Fri, 12/11/2009 - 09:23 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 13:43 | Link to Comment Assetman
Assetman's picture

Oh... and I would guess that a handful of PMs will be getting paid (before bonus) a little better.

That's what muscial chairs in this business tends to do...

Fri, 12/11/2009 - 01:02 | Link to Comment Fibozachi
Fibozachi's picture

Great highlight.  Muchas gracias, TD.

Sun, 12/13/2009 - 17:52 | Link to Comment Anonymous
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