Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) was an Asian investment firm headquartered in Hong Kong.

[3] Jean Salata and two other senior colleagues from the investment arm of AIG were set to run it with the ING Group providing $300 million in seed money.

However, the two colleagues pulled out and ING downsized its commitment to $25 million due to the collapse or Barings Bank and the Asian financial crisis.

[4] In 2000, Salata led a management buyout of BPEA leading it to be established as an independent Firm.

The firm would keep the Barings brand name and the ING relationship in exchange for a share of the profits for a limited period.