The affiliated fund management boutiques of ABN Amro Asset Management, which include UK retail manager Artemis Investment Management, could be put up for sale by their new owner, the Belgian bank Fortis, which today released figures showing the businesses helped produce a €1.4bn ($2.1bn) profit for their former parent last year.

Fortis, which is in the process of merging with the funds business of Dutch bank ABN Amro, is "considering all options" for the stakes in the three affiliated businesses, according to sources close to the situation. It is understood that retaining all three is also an option.