Allianz Terminates Two Portfolio Managers After Investment Fund Collapses

Posted on March 1st, 2022 at 1:47 PM
Allianz Terminates Two Portfolio Managers After Investment Fund Collapses

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

Allianz has fired two portfolio managers who monitored a group of investment funds that failed after generating massive losses at the outset of the pandemic, and after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced plans to investigate.


The $15 billion Structured Alpha funds were supervised by Greg Tournant, a portfolio manager who joined Allianz Global Investors in 2002, according to the SEC. The DOJ already had begun investigating the Structured Alpha funds as early as last October for the potential misrepresentation of risk to investors, according to Reuters. Numerous fund investors, including several U.S. public pension funds, have filed suit against Allianz and are seeking a total of $6 billion in damages.


The Allianz funds typically utilized complex options strategies to generate returns. However, the outset of the pandemic sparked market volatility, which caused the funds to suffer severe losses, up to 80% in some cases. Some of the U.S. public pension funds are alleging that Allianz deviated from its proprietary investment strategy of hedging to limit downside risk. Allianz announced last week that it had approved $4.2 billion to be set aside to handle the aftermath, which will reduce compensation for its chief executive as well as other board members and cause the company to suffer a fourth-quarter loss.


Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

 
 

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, SEC

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

As a financial advisor with over 20 years of experience, I feel fortunate to call Jim my attorney and friend. He is a fantastic lawyer and trusted advisor. He is skilled in the matters necessary to do the job well. He uses his thoughtful approach and calm demeanor to achieve a positive outcome for the client. If you want to feel confident that nothing will be missed and that you will be represented in a highly professional manner, call Jim Eccleston.

Bill C. and Dan M.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

October 27, 2025
FINRA Panel Orders Charles Schwab to Pay Damages Over Structured Product Losses Sold by Vora Wealth Management

A three-person FINRA arbitration panel ordered Charles Schwab & Co. to pay $165,440 in compensatory damages to a former client of Vora Wealth Management, after losses tied to complex structured products.

October 23, 2025
Retail Access to Private Markets Raises Investor Protection and Regulatory Concerns

Robinhood Markets recently registered its first alternative investment vehicle, Robinhood Ventures Fund I, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

October 21, 2025
Judge Denies Merrill Lynch's TRO in Advisor Transition

A federal judge has rejected Merrill Lynch’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against a group of former financial advisors who left the firm to launch their own independent practice, OpenArc Corporate Advisory, under Dynasty Financial Partners’ platform with custody at Charles Schwab.