Elaine Chou, CFA, Esq.

About

With over a decade at MEAG New York Corporation, I focus on liquid credit investment, leveraging my CFA designation, MBA, and LL.M to excel in asset management, quantamental research, and investment strategies. I spearhead the integration of AI-driven tools to enhance the investment process and uncover opportunities, while incorporating ESG considerations into decision-making frameworks.

Collaborating with stakeholders across technology and business, I analyze macroeconomic, political, and thematic trends to identify risk-adjusted opportunities across sectors. My dedication to optimizing portfolio performance aligns with organizational goals and drives value in corporate credit, derivatives, and structured products.

Experience

1. MEAG New York Corporation

   Liquid Credit (IG/HY/EM)

   Apr 2016 – Present

   New York

   • Spearhead AI initiatives to improve investment process and generate alphas.
   • Develop and utilize both quantitative and qualitative tools to uncover trends and relative value opportunities.
   • Identify macroeconomic, political, and secular themes to generate thematic trade ideas across various sectors.
   • Integrate ESG factors and new technologies into investment processes.
   • Conduct company analysis and financial modeling, advising on new issues, corporate events, special situations and distressed securities.

2. MEAG New York Corporation

   Senior Investment Risk Manager

   2012 – 2016

   • Served as deputy CRO, participating in Investment Committees and overseeing comprehensive risk functions.
   • Conducted in-depth fundamental and quantitative research on distressed and special situation credits, generating positive excess returns.
   • Developed and implemented risk assessment tools and stress testing scenarios to enhance portfolio performance and risk management.

3. Genworth Financial

   Spin-off from GE; ~$70B AUM

   Senior Investment Manager

   2010 – Jan 2012

   • Managed investment risk across corporate placements, structured products, and commercial real estate.
   • Enhanced credit surveillance processes and developed early warning signals for corporate credits.
   • Collaborated with vendors like BlackRock and KMV to co-develop risk analytics.
   • Designed stress testing and scenario analysis to improve risk-adjusted returns and investment policies.

   Structured Credit Trader & Portfolio Manager

   2007 – 2010

   • Researched, traded, and monitored Structured Credit, focusing on corporate CDS, CDX, iTRAXX, and CDOs.
   • Successfully built the business case for a new CLO asset class, gaining investment committee approval.
   • Managed a CLO portfolio exceeding $300mm and co-managed three synthetic CDOs valued at $300mm.
   • Collaborated with Credit Research to optimize relative value substitution trades, enhancing portfolio performance.

4. S&P Global Ratings

   Associate (Leadership Program / ACE Award recipient)

   2005 – 2007

   • Conducted formal comprehensive credit training across sovereign, corporate, and structured credits.
   • Researched and rated Securitizations/Structured Finance deals, focusing on Asset-Backed Securities.
   • Spearheaded improvements in rating methodology and cash-flow modeling for ABS deals.
   • Mentored junior analysts and managed large-scale projects within the firm.

5. BKF Capital Group, Inc.

   Securities Analyst

   2003 – 2004

   • Conducted fundamental research for a $2.5B Multi-Strategy Hedge Fund, focusing on Event Driven, Distressed, and Global Macro strategies.
   • Assessed the fundamental value of securities and identified catalysts for price dislocation.
   • Engaged in in-depth interviews with company managers and stakeholders to gain operational insights.
   • Collaborated with traders to analyze securities across capital structures and design effective trading strategies.