Vanguard CEO Aims to Bring Low-Cost Investing to Private Assets

“What we’re really about is low-cost investing,” Ramji said. “There is a broader universe to which we can apply that.”

Under Jack Bogle’s leadership from 1975 to 1995, Vanguard revolutionized investing by marketing the concept of cheap and efficient index funds to the masses.

But in recent years, Vanguard has struggled to expand beyond its traditional core of index funds. It has tried to build a financial advisory business to tap into new clients and revenue. Its technology has been criticized in recent years for a series of glitches and being difficult to use.

On the international front, Vanguard has aimed to carry its low-cost mission of investing to new countries, offering index funds and exchange traded funds. Ramji said Monday he also sees more investing opportunities in Europe. The firm has pulled back in some areas, notably shuttering its business in China.