Established in 1991, AIMS Financial Group (AIMS) is a diversified financial services and investment group, active in the areas of mortgage lending, securitisation, investment banking, funds management, property investment, biomedicine investment, high-tech investment and AIMS also owns the Sydney Stock Exchange (SSX).

Since 1999, AIMS has raised approximately A$4.0 billion in funds from the capital markets. Of this, AIMS has issued approximately A$3.0 billion residential mortgage-backed securities, with most of them rated AAA by both Standard & Poors and Fitch Ratings, and has originated over A$9.0 billion mortgage since 1991.

Since 2009 after the GFC, AIMS Group had a total acquisition and investment amount of approximately A$4 billion assets.

AIMS' head office is in Sydney, Australia, and it has businesses across Australia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Our highly qualified, professional and experienced cross-cultural teams enable AIMS to bridge the gap between Australia and Asia across various sectors.

AIMS Financial Group Expands During GFC

During the global financial crisis, AIMS expanded its business in a time when many other businesses were experiencing immense difficulties.

In October 2008, AIMS acquired the Sydney Stock Exchange (SSX).

In April 2009, AIMS became the largest shareholder (15.8%) of the ASX listed fund manager, MacarthurCook Limited (MCK). In August 2009, AIMS' holding increased to 54.0% and by November 2009, AIMS' became the 100.0% owner of MCK which was subsequently delisted from the ASX.

MacarthurCook Turnaround Story

At the time of acquisition, MacarthurCook's fund management business was severely distressed with each of the 4 listed funds and a number of unlisted funds starved of capital and management expertise. Under AIMS' leadership, MacarthurCook's funds have been turned around, stabilised and outcomes improved for investors. Some examples include:

A. The MacarthurCook Industrial REIT (MI-REIT) listed on the SGX (now known as AIMS APAC REIT). At the time of the AIMS acquisition of MacarthurCook in 2009, MI-REIT was a vehicle which was in distress. MI-REIT had an obligation to refinance S$220.8million and purchase a S$90.2million property, which previous management had entered into in 2007, without first securing finance. As at 31 March 2009, MI-REIT's market capitalisation was approximately S$60.2 million and total assets were S$544.0 million. In December 2009, MI-REIT was renamed to AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT (AA-REIT). Under the new management of AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT Management Limited, a joint venture REIT management company owned 50% by AIMS and AMP Capital, on 28th March 2019, AIMS Financial Group bought out AMP Capital 50% holding in the AA-REIT managers, and which AA-REIT managers is 100% owned by AIMS Financial Group, the name of AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT renamed to AIMS APAC REIT (AA-REIT), AA-REIT has grown significantly with a market capitalisation S$998 million and S$2.4 billion total assets as at 31th Mar 2022.

B. The privatisation of the MacarthurCook Industrial Property Fund (MIF) which was formerly listed on the ASX and was distressed at the time of acquisition. The share price of the fund at the time AIMS took over MacarthurCook was $0.16. AIMS reduced vacancy in the MIF portfolio and improved the weighted average lease expiry to more than 5 years. In October 2010, unitholders voted in favour of accepting an offer from a US fund at A$0.44 per unit representing a 42.0% premium to the pre-announcement trading price.

C. The AIMS Property Securities Fund (APW) (formerly known as MacarthurCook Property Securities Fund), which is listed on the ASX. Since the takeover of MacarthurCook, through AIMS management, APW has been able to significantly reduce its debt from A$44.5 million (gearing ratio of 38%) to nil as at 31 May 2013. APW is now uniquely positioned to access the capital markets in Australia and Asia through its listing on the ASX. Under AIMS’ management, the Fund, observing prudent, conservative and patient investment principles, has invested in a portfolio of assets that have not only provided a stable income stream but have demonstrated increases in capital value, with further potential upside. Since June 2013 the fund has maintained a debt free position. The total asset value has grown from A$59.5 million in June 2013 to A$126 million in Jun. 2022.

We are pleased to have sucessfully turned around a number of MacarthurCook's distressed funds for our investors. This required AIMS Group to provide a significant amount of capital into the MacarthurCook's funds and operating business.