Market-based financing may see regulators such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) play a greater role with regards to superannuation funds.
ASIC chairman Greg Medcraft, speaking at a function in New York in his role as chairman of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions, pointed to structural changes driving market-based financing as creating a need for greater regulatory oversight.
He said increased banking regulation and the growth of the pension and superannuation sectors were propelling the structural change.
"New rules to strengthen the banking system are imposing higher capital and liquidity requirements," he said.
"The net effect of this is often a decreased access to debt capital and an increased cost to business.
"As a result, many businesses are turning to market-based financing to source their capital."
Medcraft cited the continuing global growth of the pension and superannuation sectors — much of which is invested in debt and equity capital markets — as another driver.
"A good example of the growth in super is in Australia, where funds in superannuation are expected to grow from $1.4 trillion to $3 trillion by the end of the decade," he said.
Medcraft said the growing importance of market-based financing presented a challenge for market regulators to make sure they had the right tools and resources to ensure debt and equity capital markets could perform their role in funding economic growth.
The deputy governor has warned that, as super funds’ overseas assets grow and liquidity risks rise, they will need to expand their FX hedge books to manage currency exposure effectively.
Super funds have built on early financial year momentum, as growth funds deliver strong results driven by equities and resilient bonds.
The super fund has announced that Mark Rider will step down from his position of chief investment officer (CIO) after deciding to “semi-retire” from full-time work.
Rest has joined forces with alternative asset manager Blue Owl Capital, co-investing in a real estate trust, with the aim of capitalising on systemic changes in debt financing.