EXCLUSIVE: Former JPMorgan Fintech Guru Joins Point72 To Explore Innovation-Driven Investments

Peter Casella, former executive director of strategic investments at JPMorgan Chase, will explore investments relating to innovation at Point72 Asset Management, according to internal documents obtained by Benzinga. Casella's experience in venture and growth stage investment spans nearly 15 years, having served as a vice president for FTV Capital and director of principal investment at Credit Suisse as well as his role specializing in fintech investments at JPMorgan. Casella's LinkedIn account lists him as a director at Point72, but the nature of his role was unknown until now. Benzinga obtained a memo from Point72 chief investment officer Matthew Granade announcing Casella's addition to the firm. "Pete's expertise and experience are terrific assets as we continue to execute on Point72's mission to pursue innovation and excellence," Granade wrote in the document. Point72 brought on Granade last July to oversee the firm's data strategy as CEO Steve Cohen pushed the firm to recognize changes in the world of data. "Investing now isn't just about earnings estimates and 10Ks," Cohen was quoted by the Journal last summer. "It's about satellite imagery, sensors and mobile devices. The more you can process those things, the more edge you'll have." Point72 manages over $11 billion in assets.