Dexia Asset Management is breaking into the Canadian marketplace with a new office in Toronto, the company announced on Thursday.

The European company, which specializes in financial analysis, fund management and institutional and private mandates, offers a full range of investment vehicles, including traditional, alternative and structured management, sustainable and responsible investment and micro-credit funds. The company has $120 billion in assets under management.

“Based on our unique approach and strong track record, we are extremely confident in our ability to provide real value to institutional investors in Canada,” said Christophe Vandewiele, head of Dexia Asset Management Canada. “As the Canadian market begins to emerge from the extended period of financial turbulence that has gripped the world, we are convinced that there is an interest in, and an appetite for, intelligent fund solutions.”

Dexia is particularly active in the area of sustainable and responsible investing. The company offers more than 20 SRI funds invested in a wide range of asset categories and regions.

While SRI is in its early stages of adoption in the Canadian market, Vandewiele noted that investors are beginning to express interest in the area.

“We are meeting with institutional investors across the country and many of them are indicating a keen interest in further diversifying their portfolios and obtaining foreign equity management expertise,” said Vandewiele. “These institutions are also becoming more acutely aware of the importance of social and responsible investing and are searching for quality investment solutions in this area.”

Dexia is also active in alternative investments, with 15 different alternative strategies covered by its analysts and fund managers. The company has more than $9.2 billion under management in alternative funds, funds of hedge funds and structured products.

The company’s new Canadian offices are located in the RBC Centre in Toronto’s financial district.