Henderson Global Investors has confirmed that it is considering buying parts of RidgeWorth Capital Management, the US asset manager which is owned by SunTrust Banks and has a number of underlying investment management boutiques.

According to reports Henderson is eyeing $36 billion of RidgeWorth assets managed under a range of institutional and retail fixed income and equity mandates, which could cost the firm between $300 and $400 million.

"The Group reviews a range of strategic opportunities from time to time. Discussions with SunTrust regarding a possible transaction are ongoing and there is no certainty that any transaction in relation to RidgeWorth will proceed," Henderson said in a statement.

RidgeWorth’s boutiques include Alpha Equity Management, Ceredex Value Advisors, Certium Asset Management, IronOak Advisors, Seix Investment Advisors, Silvant Capital Management and Zevenbergen Capital Investments.  

RidgeWorth and its boutiques collectively manage $63.1 billion in assets. At 31 December 2009, SunTrust had more than $205 billion in assets under advisement.