M&A Deal Summary

The Blackstone Group, Corsair Capital and Sofina Acquire First Eagle Investment Management

On July 20, 2015, private equity firms The Blackstone Group, Corsair Capital and Sofina acquired financial services company First Eagle Investment Management from TA Associates for 4.0B USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is The Blackstone Group’s 10th, Corsair Capital’s 7th and Sofina’s 2nd transaction in the Financial Services sector.
  • This is The Blackstone Group’s 37th, Corsair Capital’s and Sofina’s largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is The Blackstone Group’s 122nd, Corsair Capital’s 6th and Sofina’s 2nd transaction in the United States.
  • This is The Blackstone Group’s 15th, Corsair Capital’s 1st and Sofina’s 1st transaction in New York.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2015-07-20
Target First Eagle Investment Management
Sector Financial Services
Buyer(s) The Blackstone Group
Corsair Capital
Sofina
Sellers(s) TA Associates
Deal Type Secondary Buyout
Deal Value 4.0B USD
Advisor(s) BofA Securities (Financial)
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Legal)

Target

First Eagle Investment Management

New York, New York, United States
First Eagle Investment Management is an asset management firm which manages assets on behalf of institutional and individual clients. With the core purpose of providing prudent stewardship of its clients’ assets, the Firm is focused on fundamental, flexible and benchmark-agnostic investing, including strategies which seek to provide clients with downside protection. First Eagle Investment Management was founded in 1864 and is based in New York City.

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Buyer(S) 3

Buyer

The Blackstone Group

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1987
PE ASSETS 131.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

The Blackstone Group is a global alternative investment management firm. The Firm's investment activities span real estate, secondary investments, hedge funds, credit, infrastructure, and private equity. Blackstone's private equity group targets opportunities globally including buyout acquisitions of established companies, development projects, growth equity financings, and industry consolidations. Sectors of interest include automotive, healthcare, chemicals, industrial, commercial property, lodging, communications, media/publishing, consumer & retail, packaging, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, energy, technology, entertainment, telecommunications, financial services, theme parks, food & beverage, and transportation. Blackstone's private equity real estate group looks for opportunities across North/South America, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, and Europe. The real estate group will consider both equity and debt investments. Areas of interest include healthcare, hotel, industrial, office, residential, and retail. The Blackstone Group was formed in 1987 and is based in New York City.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 192 of 336
Sector (Financial Services) 10 of 16
Type (Secondary Buyout) 28 of 80
State (New York) 15 of 22
Country (United States) 122 of 211
Year (2015) 7 of 18
Size (of disclosed) 37 of 172
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2015-06-30 AlliedBarton Security Services

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, United States

AlliedBarton Security Services LLC is a provider of superior security officer services to protect people, homes and businesses. AlliedBarton tailors security programs to meet clients’ needs with committed professionals who enhance clients’ brands. The most honored security services provider, AlliedBarton consistently delivers exceptional service which creates a differentiated experience for clients and the people they serve. More than 60,000 employees and 120 offices serve thousands of clients with levels of protection that anticipate needs and build enduring relationships.

Sell $1.7B
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2015-07-25 Groupe Vitalia

Paris, France

Groupe Vitalia is a private hospital group which operates 41 establishments around France.

Sell -
Buyer

Corsair Capital

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1992
Size Large
Type Sector Focused
DESCRIPTION

Corsair Capital is a private investment firm focused on investments in the financial services industry. Specific areas of interest include banks, insurance companies, credit card specialists, asset managers, private banks, mortgage lenders, financial technology firms, and finance companies. The Firm looks to invest between $50 to $100 million in companies with proven business models and 'meaningful' barriers to entry. Corsair will consider opportunities around the world, including the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Prospective transactions include recapitalizations, growth capital financings, management buyouts, and special/distressed situations. Corsair Capital was originally established in 1992 and is based in New York City. Corsair has an additional office in London.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 15 of 26
Sector (Financial Services) 7 of 10
Type (Secondary Buyout) 2 of 7
State (New York) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 6 of 12
Year (2015) 1 of 2
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 6
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-09-16 SPARTA Insurance Holdings

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

SPARTA Insurance Holdings, Inc. provides property and casualty insurance for specialty and alternative risk programs.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2015-08-11 Currencies Direct

London, United Kingdom

Currencies Direct is a provider of foreign exchange (“FX”) and international payment solutions to private and corporate clients. The company enables its customers to perform FX transactions and transfers at highly competitive rates through its proprietary online platform, via email or by phone. Currencies Direct was founded in 1995 and is based in London, United Kingdom.

Buy £200M
Buyer

Sofina

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1898
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Sofina SA is a family controlled, publicly traded investment firm focused on making long-term, direct minority investments in leading companies, investing in third party growth and venture funds, and providing equity investments in fast growing companies. The Firm's direct investment group will consider opportunities throughout Europe where it can commit €100 to €300 million per transaction in companies valued up to €4.5 billion. Sofina SA dates back to 1898 and is headquartered in Brussels.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 15 of 31
Sector (Financial Services) 2 of 2
Type (Secondary Buyout) 1 of 3
State (New York) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 2 of 3
Year (2015) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-03-01 Merieux NutriSciences

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Merieux NutriSciences is a provider of services to evaluate food safety, quality, and nutrition programs worldwide. Mérieux NutriSciences offers analysis and support services for the development of new products with the aim of preventing health risks related to food. Merieux NutriSciences was established in 1967 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2016-01-01 ACT Fibernet

Bengaluru, India

ACT Fibernet is one of the largest wired ISPs (Internet Service Providers) that has operations in 19 cities with more than 1.9 million customers. ACT Fibernet is known for its cutting-edge technology and high-speed broadband connectivity that the company provides to its customers. ACT Fibernet was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Bengaluru, India.

Buy -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

TA Associates

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1968
PE ASSETS 65.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

TA Associates is a private equity firm that targets investments in middle-market and large companies around the world. TA will consider control or minority investments in profitable companies and looks to commit between $70 and $500 million per transaction. TA proactively reaches out to companies directly in sourcing potential investment opportunities. Prospective businesses are generally valued between $100 million and $3 billion. Areas of interest include technology, software, communications, financial services, healthcare, business services, semiconductors/electronics, and consumer products/services. In addition to investing equity capital, TA also makes subordinated debt investments. TA's geographic preference is North America, Asia/Pacific, and Europe. TA Associates was formed in 1968 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 184 of 255
Sector (Financial Services) 24 of 31
Type (Secondary Buyout) 21 of 49
State (New York) 15 of 16
Country (United States) 165 of 206
Year (2015) 5 of 9
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 67
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2015-07-02 DNCA Finance

Paris, France

DNCA Finance is a French asset management firm with €5 billion in funds under management. The company was founded in 2000 and offers clients a number of different fund products investing in France, the wider Eurozone and internationally.

Sell €549M
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2015-08-04 CCRM Fertility

Louisville, Colorado, United States

CCRM Fertility is an international network of in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratories. CCRM’s mission is to bring together leaders in reproductive medicine to ensure birth rates that consistently exceed industry standards, provide excellence in patient care, and advance the future of IVF through research and development. CCRM Fertility was founded in 1987 and is based in Louisville, Colorado.

Buy -
Mergr

Product

Company

Legal