The FABN Opportunity: A Look at Issuer Fundamentals and Market Appeal

Funding Agreement Backed Note (FABN) issuance has accelerated sharply in recent years, prompting the NAIC to propose enhanced disclosure requirements. This insight takes a closer look at FABN issuance, comparing the financial profiles of FABN issuers with the broader life insurance industry to assess whether their use has resulted in meaningfully higher risk. We also flag where recent regulatory and rating agency changes may be creating new portfolio opportunities within the CLO space.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, through investment funds managed by Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI), announced today the acquisition of a newly developed Class A industrial facility located in Stafford, Virginia for $172.1 million. The facility is subject to a long-term net lease agreement with J.E. Richards, with the lease guaranteed by investment grade parent company Quanta Services, Inc., a leading provider of specialty infrastructure solutions.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) announced today that The BEAT, MSIM's quarterly asset allocation thought leadership program, and Parametric Portfolio Associates Institutional Client Service have been recognized at the 2026 Asset Management STAR Awards North America. Parametric, a part of MSIM, is a leader in custom solutions that help investors efficiently access market exposure, solve implementation challenges and design multi-asset portfolios.

As AI reshapes work, which organizations can turn increasingly accessible intelligence into greater productivity? Counterpoint Global’s updated AI Beneficiaries research introduces the AI Productivity Spread, a new Culture Quant metric offering insight into organizational adaptability and potential value creation.