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Public Transactions of CFM

Public Transactions of CFM

Since its formation in 2012, CFM has successfully initiated and executed numerous transactions in the Swiss and international financial services space across a wide range of situations and sizes. The disclosed transactions include the following:

Thurgauer Kantonalbank / Arete Ethik Invest
  • CFM partners ag acted as exclusive financial advisor to Thurgauer Kantonalbank (“TKB”) on the acquisition of a minority stake in Arete Ethik Invest AG (“Arete”) based in Zurich.
  • With a track record of over 30 years, Arete is one of the pioneers of ethically-sustainable investments in the DACH region, conducting its comprehensive ethics research considering over 200 criteria internally. Managed by its owners, the company employees 12 employees and manages assets of around CHF 500m.
  • TKB with 850 employees, a balance sheet sum of over CHF 30bn and being listed on the Swiss stock exchange, belongs to the larger cantonal banks in Switzerland. It is the market leader in providing financial services in the canton of Thurgau, serving private, corporate, commercial and public sector clients.
  • Through the partnership, TKB is looking to expand its investment expertise and offering for sustainable investing. Arete will continue to operate independently while benefiting from the vast client network of TKB.

Leonteq / BX
  • CFM partners ag provided valuation services to Leonteq AG (“Leonteq”) upon its acquisition of a minority stake in BX Swiss AG (“BX Swiss”) from Boerse Stuttgart Group (“BSG”).
  • Leonteq is a Swiss fintech company with a leading marketplace for structured investment solutions and acts as both, a direct issuer of its own structured investment products as well as a partner to other financial institutions.
  • BX Swiss is a Swiss regulated stock exchange under the supervision of FINMA and provides investors access to a broadly diversified portfolio of financial products, including structured investment products, stocks from over 30 markets, ETFs, bonds, as well as cryptocurrencies.
  • Through the acquisition, Leonteq will gain valuable access to the ecosystem of BSG, the sixth largest exchange group in Europe, and will directly participate in the growth of BX Swiss. In turn, BX Swiss will derive benefits from Leonteq's investment solutions ecosystem, enabling seamless connectivity and collaboration with local and global entities in the Swiss financial services sector.

Assepro / Urech Consulting
  • CFM partners ag acted as exclusive financial advisor to ASSEPRO AG (“ASSEPRO”) on its acquisition of INSURA Consulting Urech & Partner AG (“INSURA”).
  • ASSEPRO is the leading insurance broker in the Swiss market for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and offers its clients comprehensive services in the areas of insurance, risk, pension and legal advice.
  • INSURA is a professional insurance broker headquartered in Aarau and offers its clients high quality and tailor-made insurance and risk consulting services.
  • The acquisition significantly strengthens ASSEPRO’s position in the Canton of Aargau and neighbouring regions. In turn, INSURA benefits from a medium-term successor solution and a broadening of its own range of services.
  • CFM provided M&A advisory and financial due diligence services to ASSEPRO.

Banca Stato / Altrafin
  • CFM partners ag acted as exclusive financial advisor to Banca dello Stato del Cantone Ticino (“BancaStato”) on its minority investment in Altrafin AG (“Altrafin”).
  • BancaStato is the cantonal bank of Canton Ticino offering a wide array of services to private and corporate clients mostly in Italian-speaking Switzerland.
  • Altrafin is a Zurich-based investment manager with several billion in assets under management. Clients are mostly entrepreneurs, single and multi-family offices as well as family-owned foundations & trusts. Altrafin’s strategic ambition was to expand in the Italian-speaking market.
  • CFM advised BancaStato on its strategic intention to enter the Zurich financial centre.
  • The partnership and collaboration will enable Altrafin to offer its personalized investment management services in Southern Switzerland and Italy. In turn, BancaStato will be able to offer Altrafin's high quality services to its entrepreneurs and high net worth clients through an expanded private client offering and strategic expansion in Zurich.

Artico Partners / Serafin Asset Management
  • CFM partners ag acted as exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of Artico Partners AG (“Artico”) based in Zurich on the conclusion of a strategic cooperation with Serafin Asset Management Holding GmbH, Munich (“Serafin”).
  • The transaction involves the disposal of an initial 51% stake in Artico, to be increased to 100% by mid 2024, and is subject to approval by FINMA.
  • Founded in 2011, Artico is a FINMA-regulated, systematic asset manager that invests in developed and emerging market equities with a significant focus on sustainability – Artico funds are classified under Article 9 SFDR and are aligned with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
  • Serafin is based in Frankfurt and has recently acquired a majority in Alpora AG as well as in AMG Fondsverwaltung AG, both based in Zug.
  • The acquisition of Artico is part of Serafin’s strategy to expand its expertise via acquiring specialized active fund management boutiques.
  • The Artico team will stay together and become the specialist for systematic emerging market and global equities with sustainable investment objectives within Serafin.

Belvédère AM - Fundamenta Group
  • CFM partners ag acted as exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of Belvédère Asset Management AG (“Belvédère”) in the sale of 100% of its shares to Fundamenta Group (“Fundamenta”). In return, the current shareholders of Belvédère will acquire a stake in Fundamenta. The transaction is subject to approval by FINMA.
  • Belvédère is a FINMA-regulated independent wealth manager with CHF 3 billion assets under management (“AuM”).
  • Fundamenta is a real estate manager covering the entire value chain from buying, developing, improving to managing and selling real estate. Fundamenta manages AuM of CHF 4 billion in its various investment vehicles in Switzerland and Germany. 
  • The group’s clients will benefit from the combined investment expertise in real estate and liquid markets, gain access to exclusive investment opportunities and benefit from an integrated wealth management approach. The combined group, servicing 350 institutional clients, 600 private individuals (UHWI and HNWI) and managing client assets of almost CHF 7 billion, will be among Switzerland’s top wealth managers and offer a unique value proposition.

AMG Fondsverwaltung / Serafin Asset Management
  • CFM partners ag acted as exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of AMG Fondsverwaltung AG (“AMG”) based in Zug on the conclusion of a strategic cooperation with Serafin Asset Management (“Serafin”).
  • The transaction involves the disposal of an initial 50% stake in AMG, to be increased to 100% by 2026.
  • Founded in 2004, AMG is a FINMA regulated asset manager, managing six equity funds with a total volume of CHF 630 million.
  • Serafin is based in Frankfurt and has recently acquired a majority in Alpora AG (“Alpora”).
  • Alpora and AMG will intensify their already successful cooperation in the field of innovation funds. At the same time, the strategic collaboration will open new markets and distribution channels for AMG products.
  • The aim of the companies involved is to build up a high-quality, future-oriented asset manager. A key success factor will be the close cooperation between the 3 companies: AMG has profound expertise in the management of investment funds, the analytical competence in the innovation area comes from Alpora and Serafin contributes its network, data management and multi-asset competence.

Liberty Vorsorge / Visana
  • Visana Group acquired a strategic minority stake in Liberty Vorsorge AG.
  • Visana’s participation will support Liberty Vorsorge upon its successful continuation of its growth strategy whilst allowing Visana to serve its client base with an even broader expertise and product range along the clients’ whole lifecycle.
  • Liberty Vorsorge, founded in 2005, is the leading independent online platform in Switzerland, offering comprehensive occupational and private pension solutions to individuals, SMEs, corporate clients and institutional investors. Liberty Vorsorge serves more than 30’000 clients with assets exceeding CHF 4bn on its platform.
  • Visana Group, headquartered in Bern, is one of the leading Swiss insurance companies focusing on health and accident insurances. It serves its clients with 50+ agencies around Switzerland and more than 1’400 employees.
  • CFM was mandated by Liberty Vorsorge and its shareholders as their exclusive M&A lead advisor.

Banque Degroof Petercam (Suisse) SA / Gonet & Cie SA
  • CFM partners ag advised Banque Degroof Petercam SA, a Belgian banking group, upon the disposal of its Geneva-based private banking entity to Gonet & Cie SA as part of its refocus of private banking activities on Belgium, Luxembourg and France.
  • The sale was made after more than 50 years of presence in the Swiss market to a well-recognised institution who shares common values with Degroof Petercam and who will continue servicing the client base to a high standard with an expanding range of solutions and services.
  • The transaction represents an excellent opportunity for Gonet to continue its growth strategy of developing its wealth management portfolio whilst offering Degroof Petercam a clean exit from the Swiss private banking market.
  • Having closed the share deal in April 2022, Degroof Petercam (Suisse) SA will be merged into Gonet’s organisation.

Woodman Asset Management / Pentagram Wealth Management
  • CFM partners ag advised Zug based Woodman Asset Management on the combination with Pentagram Wealth Management based in Lugano.
  • Woodman is an independent investment boutique, providing wealthy individuals & family offices with wealth management services and access to core, niche & sustainable investment strategies.
  • Pentagram Wealth Management was founded in 2005 and is present in Lugano and Geneva. It offers wealth and investment management services for private, professional and institutional clients.
  • The combined FINMA licensed firm will operate under the Woodman brand. With its 40 employees,  and assets under management of CHF 3.5 billion, it wants to further grow its existing presences in Zurich/Zug, Geneva and Lugano.

Kaleido Privatbank / Trusted Novus Bank
  • The shareholders of Kaleido Privatbank AG have entered into a binding agreement with Trusted Novus Bank Limited regarding the sale of all of the shares of Kaleido Privatbank AG. The closing of the transaction is expected by year end 2022, subject to regulatory approvals.
  • Kaleido Privatbank AG is a boutique private bank serving private and institutional clients. The award-winning boutique supports its clientele with innovative wealth structuring, wealth management and financing solutions. 
  • Trusted Novus Bank, established in 1855 and rebranded in 2020, is the oldest established bank in Gibraltar. The bank, which services more than 3,000 customers, offers a comprehensive set of banking products and services to private banking, corporate and retail customers.
  • “I am deeply impressed by the future shareholder’s competence and the strong commitment to continue supporting and executing Kaleido‘s growth strategy,” says Rolf Bauer, CEO of Kaleido Privatbank AG.
  • CFM acted as exclusive M&A advisor to the shareholders of Kaleido Privatbank AG.

Diem Client Partner / Quaestor Coach
  • Diem Client Partner (“DCP”) is a leading Zurich-based independent wealth manager targeting high net worth individuals and institutional investors. DCP is known for its expertise and capabilities in income strategies, particularly hybrid bonds and equities plus options.
  • Quaestor Coach is a Swiss company specializing in a buy & build strategy in discretionary wealth management.  Quaestor Coach completed the transaction at the end of December following FINMA approval. DCP will represent the foundation of a buy & build strategy aimed at taking advantage of potential consolidation opportunities in the Swiss wealth management market. By leveraging Diem Client Partner’s state of the art organizational setup, dynamic management team and unique investment style, Diem Client Partner will represent a highly relevant platform to attract other excellent independent wealth managers.
  • The DNA of DCP will remain intact following the transaction: client-focused, independent & entrepreneurial. Diem Client Partner’s investment style and team will also remain unchanged and will benefit from the addition of complementary activities from its new shareholder.
  • CFM was mandated by DCP’s shareholders as exclusive financial advisor to provide the whole range of M&A services. The combination of DCP with Quaestor Coach is an ideal combination enabling the parties to jointly grow the business.

Quintet / PKB
  • PKB Privatbank (“PKB”) is an international family-owned Swiss banking group specialized in private banking, offering tailored financial services to individuals, families, entrepreneurs and corporate clients. PKB Group is headquartered in Lugano and is present in 11 international locations, managing CHF 13bn of client assets. PKB benefits from a stable and long-term oriented ownership structure, having been fully family controlled since more than 60 years.
  • In October 2021 Quintet Group announced that it would discontinue its banking activities in Switzerland. In connection with the wind-down, Quintet’s current private banking clients are given the opportunity to transfer their assets to PKB and be managed by a dedicated team of private bankers located in Zurich. In this context, PKB signed a referral partnership agreement with Quintet Private Bank (Switzerland) Ltd regarding Quintet’s private banking clients in Switzerland.
  • CFM partners acted as exclusive financial advisor to PKB, leveraging on its unique positioning and expertise in the Swiss financial services market. CFM partners is a leading Swiss M&A and corporate finance advisory firm specialised on the financial services industry.

MBO of Hauck & Aufhäuser CH
  • In 2019, Hauck & Aufhäuser Privatbankiers AG, Frankfurt, a 99% subsidiary of the Chinese FOSUN conglomerate, outsourced its asset management activities to a newly founded company operating under the name H&A Global Investment Management GmbH ("HAGIM").
  • The focus of HAGIM was no longer compatible with the primary business purpose of its Swiss subsidiary Hauck & Aufhäuser (Schweiz) AG ("HACH"), which focuses on Ethically Sustainable Investments as well as the resulting independent portfolio management.
  • The management and employees took over HACH by means of an MBO and renamed it Arete Ethik Invest AG.
  • CFM acted as M&A advisor to HACH in this transaction.

Fideuram – Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking / REYL & Cie
  • Fideuram – Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking (“Fideuram - ISP PB”) is the private banking division of Intesa Sanpaolo Group.
  • REYL & Cie SA (“REYL”) is an independent and diversified banking group headquartered in Geneva.
  • Fideuram - ISP PB acquires a 69% interest in REYL and contributes its wholly-owned Swiss banking subsidiary Intesa Sanpaolo Private Bank (Suisse) Morval (“ISPBM”).
  • Following the closing of the transaction – which is subject to customary regulatory approvals and expected to be completed within the first half of 2021 – ISPBM will be merged into REYL, creating a sizeable international private banking group headquartered in Geneva with close to 400 employees, AUM of over CHF 18bn and regulatory shareholders’ equity of about CHF 250m.
  • CFM acted as M&A advisor to Intesa Sanpaolo in this transaction.

VPB / Öhman
  • VP Bank (Luxembourg) SA (“VPB”) is a fully owned subsidiary of VP Bank AG, an internationally positioned private bank listed at the SIX Swiss Exchange.
  • Öhman Bank S.A. (“Öhman”) is a Luxembourg based bank offering asset management and wealth management services. Öhman was established in 2006 and is part of the family-owned Öhman Group in Sweden.
  • Following a shift of the Öhman Group over the last years towards asset management, the private banking operation in Luxembourg was considered non-core. In line with VP Bank's “Strategy 2025”, VPB has entered into an asset transfer-agreement to acquire the client business of Öhman. The transaction involves the acquisition of about 11 employees and client assets of approx. EUR 760 million.
  • CFM acted as financial advisor to VPB in this transaction.

Private Client Partners / Banque Bonhôte
  • Private Client Partners AG (“PCP”) is an independent multi-family office with a banking license, owned by M.M.Warburg & CO Gruppe GmbH (“MMW”), a German banking group. PCP was founded in 1998 and provides the full range of family office services to ultra-high net worth individuals.
  • The shareholders of PCP decided to focus on the German market. In June 2020, the agreement to sell PCP through a share deal was signed with Banque Bonhôte & Cie SA (“Bonhôte”) and closed on 30 June 2020. Bonhôte is a traditional Swiss private bank based in Neuchâtel with an expertise in financial and wealth management services. The bank had the long-term goal to launch multi-family office services and to establish a Zurich location through active participation in the consolidation of the Swiss banking market.
  • CFM was mandated by MMW as exclusive financial advisor to provide the whole range of M&A services.

AgaNola / CSAM
  • AgaNola AG (“AgaNola”) is a FINMA licensed asset manager specialised in convertible bonds.
  • Credit Suisse Asset Management (Switzerland) Ltd. and AgaNola continue to expand their successful partnership in the area of convertible bonds. AgaNola will operate under the name Credit Suisse Investment Partners (Switzerland) Ltd. and continue to focus on the management of convertible bonds. The merger will create an integrated Swiss convertible bonds specialist with managed assets of around CHF 2.2 billion (as of February 2020).
  • CFM acted as exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of AgaNola.

BNPP / ZEDRA
  • BNP Paribas (“BNPP”) is a leading global universal bank headquartered in France providing solutions to private and institutional clients, as well as to other financial institutions.
  • BNPP has undergone a strategic review and decided to divest its Singapore based trust business, BNP Paribas Singapore Trust Corporation Limited (“STC”), servicing the Asian markets, to an independent and specialised service provider. BNPP signed an agreement to sell STC through a share deal to Zedra Holdings (“Zedra”).
  • Zedra is a global specialist in trust, corporate and fund services. Zedra is rapidly growing, also through acquisitions across various jurisdictions such as the Isle of Man, Switzerland and Nordic markets.
  • CFM advised BNPP exclusively on the sale of its Singapore based trust business.

FBG / IMAP
  • Frankfurter Bankgesellschaft (Schweiz) AG (“FBG”) is “The Private Bank“ of the Sparkassen Finanzgruppe and owned by Helaba, one of the leading banks in the financial centre of Frankfurt am Main.
  • IMAP M&A Consultants AG (“IMAP”) is the leading German M&A and corporate finance adviser to mid-sized companies and their owners. The Mannheim based entity is part of the global IMAP organisation, one of the world’s largest M&A consultancies for mid-sized companies.
  • The transaction is a long-term strategic succession solution for the majority shareholders of IMAP. FBG has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire around 75% of IMAP. Just under 25% of the shares remain with the founders and management of IMAP. Through this transaction, FBG broadens its service offering to family businesses in the future.
  • CFM was mandated by FBG as exclusive financial advisor to provide the full range of M&A services.

LO/JSS
  • Lombard Odier Group (“LO”) is a leading global wealth and asset manager focused on providing solutions to private and institutional clients, as well as to other financial institutions.
  • LO has undergone a strategic review and decided to exit its Gibraltar based private banking business. LO signed an agreement to sell the Gibraltar business through an asset deal to Bank J. Safra Sarasin (Gibraltar) Ltd.. Bank J. Safra Sarasin (Gibraltar) Ltd. is a subsidiary of Bank J. Safra Sarasin (“JSS”) which is a Swiss private bank headquartered in Basel. JSS is owned by the Brazilian Safra Group, and was formed in its present state in 2013, when Safra Group acquired Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd and merged it with its Bank Jacob Safra Switzerland subsidiary.
  • CFM advised LO exclusively on the sale of its Gibraltar based private banking business.

Sallfort/Heritage
  • Sallfort Privatbank AG (“Sallfort”) is a privately-owned Swiss based private bank focused on independent wealth management and advisory as well as exclusive private equity investments and M&A transactions for private clients.
  • Banque Heritage SA (“Heritage”) is a family-controlled financial group providing a comprehensive range of financial services and tailored investment products on a global scale.
  • Following a strategic review, the shareholders of Sallfort came to the conclusion that its long-term ambitions could be best executed by joining forces with an entrepreneurial partner featuring a compatible family heritage. In November 2018, the agreement to merge with Banque Heritage SA (“Heritage”) was signed, forming a private bank managing client assets of c.CHF 6bn.
  • CFM originated the merger and advised the shareholders of Sallfort exclusively on the transaction.

VPB / CATELLA
  • VP Bank (Luxembourg) SA (“VPB”) is a fully owned subsidiary of VP Bank AG, an internationally positioned private bank listed at the SIX Swiss Exchange.
  • Catella Bank SA (“Catella”) is a leading specialist in property investments and advisory, fund management and banking. Catella is a fully owned subsidiary of Catella AB (publ), a financial group listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
  • Following a strategic review, Catella was exploring the potential sale of the bank’s wealth management business unit. In October 2018, VPB entered an asset transfer agreement to acquire the wealth management operations in Luxembourg from Catella. The transaction in the form of an asset deal involves the acquisition of about 10 employees and client assets of approximately CHF 900 million. The corresponding purchase price is about CHF 12 million.
  • CFM acted as financial advisor to VPB in this transaction.

LO/VONTOBEL
  • Bank Lombard Odier & Co Ltd (“LO”) is a leading global wealth and asset manager focused on providing solutions to private and institutional clients, as well as to other financial institutions.
  • In October 2018, LO announced a strategic wealth management partnership with Bank Vontobel AG (“Vontobel”) for international US-based private clients. As part of this partnership, LO will sell its existing discretionary and advisory wealth management business with US-based private clients to Vontobel through an asset transfer. In addition, Vontobel will take over any US-based brokerage private clients who wish to switch from their previous brokerage mandate to a wealth management or advisory relationship as part of the transaction. LO and Vontobel further entered into a cooperation agreement under which LO will recommend Vontobel as the preferred partner to potential future private clients based in the US seeking a highly qualified, SEC-registered Swiss wealth management solution.
  • CFM acted as exclusive financial advisor to LO in this transaction.

SCHRODERS/CBH
  • Schroder & Co Bank AG (“Schroders”) is a private bank with its head office in Zurich and a branch in Geneva. It forms part of Schroders plc, a global asset manager headquartered in London. Schroder & Co Bank AG provides bespoke wealth management services to private individuals, family offices, external asset managers and charities.
  • Following a comprehensive review of its range of services provided to clients from Eastern European countries, Schroders decided that clients in this region would be better served by a bank that specialises in this geographic area. In summer 2018, the agreement to sell the Eastern European portfolio through an asset deal was signed with Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique (“CBH”). CBH has a long-standing banking tradition dedicated to wealth management and pursues a long-term growth strategy which is underlined by the strong organic and inorganic growth.
  • CFM advised Schroders exclusively on the sale of its Eastern European private banking business.

LB(SWISS) INVESTMENT/LLB
  • Frankfurter Bankgesellschaft (Schweiz) AG (“FBG”) is a Zurich-based private bank owned by Helaba, one of the leading banks in the financial centre of Frankfurt am Main. LB(Swiss) Investment AG (“LBSI”), a subsidiary of FBG, is a Zurich based fund management company regulated by FINMA and founded in 1995.
  • Liechtensteinische Landesbank (“LLB”) approached FBG regarding LBSI on the background of its dedicated strategy to offer fund management services in Switzerland. In February 2018, the agreement to sell LBSI was signed with LLB. FBG is convinced of the long-term oriented strategy, stability and client service quality of LLB. The transaction allows FBG to focus on private banking and LLB to enter the Swiss fund management market as well as to further strengthen the overall fund management business.
  • CFM was mandated by FBG as exclusive advisor to provide the whole range of M&A services.

M.M.WARBURG/SGKB
  • M.M.Warburg Bank (Schweiz) AG (“MMWB”) is an independent private bank owned by M.M.Warburg & CO (AG & Co.) KGaA, a German banking group, since 1996. The bank provides traditional private banking services to a predominantly private German and Swiss clientele.
  • The shareholders of MMWB decided to withdraw from the traditional private banking business in Switzerland. However, the group still retains a family office presence in Zurich (Private Client Partners AG). In November 2017 the agreement to sell a substantial part of its Swiss based private banking business through an asset deal with universal succession was signed with St.Galler Kantonalbank (“SGKB”). SGKB is a Swiss cantonal bank which offers the entire range of financial services and provides private banking services through a dedicated private banking offering.
  • CFM was mandated by MMWB as exclusive advisor to provide the whole range of M&A services.

LOMBARD ODIER/INSINGERGILISSEN
  • Banque Lombard Odier & Cie SA (“LO”) is a leading global wealth and asset manager focused on providing solutions to private and institutional clients, as well as to other financial institutions.
  • LO has undergone a strategic review and decided to exit its Dutch private banking business. In November 2017 the agreement to sell the Dutch business through an asset deal was signed with InsingerGilissen Bankiers N.V. (“IG”). Upon closing of the transaction, the entire Amsterdam based LO staff will join the buyer. IG is a member of KBL European Private Bankers and headquartered in Amsterdam. In October 2017, IG resulted from the merger between Bank Insinger de Beaufort and Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers.
  • CFM advised LO exclusively on the sale of its Dutch private banking business.

BELVEDERE/INTERESTA
  • Belvédère Asset Management AG (“Belvédère”) is an independent, FINMA regulated wealth management company founded in 2001 in Zurich. The company provides comprehensive wealth and art collection management as well as family office services to affluent private individuals and families.
  • Interesta AG (“Interesta”) is an independent wealth management company that provides investment consulting, personal asset management and family office services. The company was established in 2009 in Glarus and has offices in Zug and Zurich. 
  • As of 2017 the two companies merged and combined their core competencies, forming one of the largest independent wealth management and family office services provider in Switzerland with CHF 2.4bn assets under management.
  • CFM advised Belvédère exclusively on the acquisition and subsequent merger with Interesta AG.

CBH/FIBI
  • CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique SA (“CBH”) has a long-standing banking tradition dedicated to wealth management. CBH pursues a long-term growth strategy – which is underlined by the strong organic growth of assets under management – but is also committed to investigate external growth opportunities. The acquisition of the business of FIBI Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. allows CBH to significantly reinforce its activities in Zurich and Israel.
  • FIBI Bank Ltd. decided to sell the business of FIBI Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. In December 2016, the asset deal with CBH was signed.
  • CFM advised CBH exclusively on the acquisition of selected client assets.

UNION BANK/PRIVATE INVESTOR
  • Union Bank AG (“UBAG”) is a small Liechtenstein based private bank. It was originally founded in 2008 under different ownership and name. The bank offers private banking and family office services to a domestic and international, in particular Eastern European clientele.
  • The shareholder of UBAG decided to open the share capital to an additional investor in order to expand the bank’s client base and to tap further geographic markets. In 2016, an agreement was entered with a new majority shareholder.
  • CFM acted as exclusive financial advisor to the UBAG shareholder providing the whole range of M&A services.

CS/CIC
  • Banque CIC (Suisse) has a long-standing banking tradition dedicated to its retail- and private banking clients. The universal bank pursues a growth strategy across Switzerland. 
  • Credit Suisse, a universal bank in Switzerland, performed a strategic review which lead to the conclusion that parts of its client book were deemed “non core”. As a result, Credit Suisse decided to offer the book containing client assets between CHF 2bn to 3bn for sale. In summer 2016 the referral agreement with the Banque CIC (Suisse) was signed.
  • CFM advised Banque CIC (Suisse) exclusively on the analysis and valuation of the client book and the negotiation of the referral agreement.

HSBC / Santander
  • HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) S.A. (“HSBC”), a big banking conglomerate, provides traditional banking services to a Swiss and international private banking clientele. After a strategic review, HSBC decided to exit the Latin American clients and focus their business on selected core markets. Therefore, HSBC put the Latin American book up for sale.
  • In summer 2016, the agreement to sell the clients from the non-core region through an asset deal with universal succession was signed with Banco Santander (Suisse). Banco Santander (Suisse) is a well established international banking conglomerate.
  • CFM was mandated by HSBC as advisor to provide the whole range of M&A services.

GOTTEX
  • LumX Group Limited (“LumX Group”), formerly known as Gottex Fund Management Holding is an independent provider of alternative multi-manager and multi-asset solutions and related advisory and risk management services for institutional clients.
  • In July 2016 LumX Group announced its successful recapitalization under which it secured cash funding of CHF 12.7 million. Moreover, the company managed to convert a large part of outstanding debt into equity.
  • CFM acted as exclusive financial advisor to support the recapitalisation and debt restructuring.

NORD/LBBW
  • NORD/LB Norddeutsche Landesbank (“NORD/LB”) is a universal bank in Northern Germany. NORD/LB was of the opinion that the depositary bank market in Germany is highly competitive and under increasing margin pressure. The business requires significant infrastructure and the demand towards economies of scale has triggered market consolidation among competitors. As the depositary bank business does not form part of NORD/LB’s core banking activities, the bank was no longer prepared to further invest into this business, and has therefore decided to sell it.
  • The business was acquired by Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (“LBBW”), which, with EUR 50bn of depositary bank assets prior to the transaction, was one of the top ten players in the market. The acquisition enabled LBBW to increase the total volume of its depository business and to enhance its product offering.
  • CFM was engaged by NORD/LB as exclusive M&A advisor to sell the business.

AVB
  • AVB is an independent asset manager for private clients located in Zurich. The company was owned by three partners. Two of the three partners wanted to sell their shares and find a succession solution.
  • An independent asset manager, acting as a private person, was interested to expand his business and reached an agreement with the shareholders of AVB to buy a majority stake.
  • CFM was exclusively mandated by AVB to manage the succession planning process and find a suitable solution.

CBH/ESPIRITO SANTO
  • CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique SA (“CBH”) has a long-standing banking tradition dedicated to wealth management. It pursues a long-term growth strategy, which is underlined by the strong organic growth of assets under management. 
  • Bancque Privée Espírito Santo (Suisse) was heavily affected by problems of the Espirito Santo group. As a consequence, the business of the Swiss bank had to be sold in a fire sale. In July 2014 the asset deal with CBH was announced. The whole transaction was closely monitored by FINMA.
  • CFM advised CBH exclusively on the acquisition of selected clients assets.

HSBC/LGT
  • HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) S.A., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc provides private banking services to a Swiss and international clientele. HSBC’s private bank has around 1’350 employees in Switzerland, where it managed around CFH 70 billion of client assets at the end of 2014. HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) decided, in line with its group strategy, to focus its business on selected core markets and regions. While HSBC remains fully committed to Switzerland as a key international centre for its Global Private Banking Business, HSBC decided to divest those clients, which do not fall within their defined priority markets.
  • In June 2014, HSBC announced the sale of its non-strategic private banking portfolio in the form of an asset deal with universal succession. The portfolio of roughly USD 7 billion was bought by LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the LGT Group Foundation.
  • CFM was mandated by HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA together with Rothschild & Sons Ltd as advisor to provide the whole range of M&A services.

FALCON/EFG
  • Falcon Private Bank (“Falcon”) is a Swiss private banking boutique with 50 years of expertise in wealth management providing financial services to private clients and wealthy families. After a strategic review, Falcon decided to exit the Hong Kong based private banking business.
  • In the beginning of 2014, Falcon announced an asset deal whereby Falcon introduced its clients and certain employees of its Hong Kong branch to EFG International.
  • CFM was engaged by Falcon as exclusive M&A advisor to provide the whole range of M&A services.

GOTEX/E.I.M.
  • Gottex Fund Management (“Gottex”) is an independent provider of alternative multi-manager and multi-asset solutions and related advisory and risk management services.
  • Gottex acquired E.I.M SA in an all share deal. E.I.M. SA has been specialized in the development and management of tailored alternative and traditional multi-manager solutions for a variety of private and institutional clients for over 20 years.
  • CFM was mandated by Gottex to provide an independent report (“Internal Fairness Opinion”) to assess the fairness of the transaction from a financial point of view.

SGKB/HYPOSWISS/MIRELIS
  • St. Galler Kantonalbank (“SGKB”), a Swiss cantonal bank, offers the entire range of financial services to its clients and provides private banking services through a dedicated private banking offering. SGKB is listed on the Swiss stock exchange and is the ninth largest universal bank in Switzerland. SGKB undertook a strategic review of the activities of the Group and decided to focus on its core businesses and exit certain private banking activities.
  • In June 2013, SGKB announced the sale of its Geneva subsidiary, Hyposwiss Private Banking Geneva SA, and the sale of the Eastern European and LATAM businesses of Hyposwiss Private Bank AG. The other parts of the business of Hyposwiss Private Bank AG, which are part of the core business of the SGKB group, will be integrated into the SGKB group.
  • CFM was engaged by SGKB as exclusive M&A advisor to provide the whole range of M&A services.

SGKB/HYPOSWISS/ESPTIRITO SANTO
  • St. Galler Kantonalbank (“SGKB”), a Swiss cantonal bank, offers the entire range of financial services to its clients and provides private banking services through a dedicated private banking offering. SGKB is listed on the Swiss stock exchange and is the ninth largest universal bank in Switzerland. SGKB undertook a strategic review of the activities of the Group and decided to focus on its core businesses and exit certain private banking activities.
  • In June 2013, SGKB announced the sale of its Geneva subsidiary, Hyposwiss Private Banking Geneva SA, and the sale of the Eastern European and LATAM businesses of Hyposwiss Private Bank AG. The other parts of the business of Hyposwiss Private Bank AG, which are part of the core business of the SGKB group, will be integrated into the SGKB group.
  • CFM was engaged by SGKB as exclusive M&A advisor to provide the whole range of M&A services.

SGKB/HYPOSWISS/FALCON
  • St. Galler Kantonalbank (“SGKB”), a Swiss cantonal bank, offers the entire range of financial services to its clients and provides private banking services through a dedicated private banking offering. SGKB is listed on the Swiss stock exchange and is the ninth largest universal bank in Switzerland. SGKB undertook a strategic review of the activities of the Group and decided to focus on its core businesses and exit certain private banking activities.
  • In June 2013, SGKB announced the sale of its Geneva subsidiary, Hyposwiss Private Banking Geneva SA, and the sale of the Eastern European and LATAM businesses of Hyposwiss Private Bank AG. The other parts of the business of Hyposwiss Private Bank AG, which are part of the core business of the SGKB group, will be integrated into the SGKB group.
  • CFM was engaged by SGKB as exclusive M&A advisor to provide the whole range of M&A services.

PRIVATE INVESTOR/LAMDA
  • Lamda Privatbank AG was a Liechtenstein based private bank headquartered in Vaduz. It was established in 2008 and granted the banking license in 2009. The bank has been offering independent investment advisory and discretionary mandates to wealthy private individuals, focusing on both Liechtenstein and European clients. In 2012, its shareholder Lavrentiadis Family Trust, being under some external pressure, decided to find a new shareholder for the bank.
  • In 2013, a Private Investor entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Lamda Privatbank.
  • CFM was mandated exclusively by the Private Investor to support the acquisition process.

BGG/CREDIT ANDORRA
  • Banque Genevoise de Gestion’s origins go back to 1968, when it was founded as a financial advisory firm. Twenty years later, in order to expand the company’s sphere of operation, its founder decided to establish a bank in the purest Swiss tradition. To further leverage and grow the existing platform to the next level both in terms of size and profitability, BGG has entered into a dialogue with suitable potential partners.
  • In 2013 BGG announced that they entered into an agreement with Crèdit Andorrà, Andorra’s largest financial group, specializing in private banking services, to sell a strategic minority stake.
  • CFM was mandated by BGG to search for such a new shareholder and to conduct the process of selling the shares of BGG.

SECQUAREO/SCHRODERS
  • Secquaero Advisors Limited (“Secquaero”) was founded in 2007 and has since then established itself in the field of ca. 20 managers worldwide who are specialized in the area of insurance securitization and risk assessment. Secquaero was approached by Schroders who intended to support the further growth with its distribution power.
  • In 2013, it was announced that Schroders acquired 30% of Secquaero in an initial phase and will start to offer Insurance Linked Securities for Institutional clients.
  • CFM was mandated by Secquaero as financial advisor to support the transaction.

GAC/ASSET MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
  • GAC Beteiligungen is the holding company of a number of financial services companies in the area of asset and fund management, including IFAG Institutionelle Fondsleitung AG and Accuro Group.
  • The shareholders of Asset Management Consulting were looking for a succession solution. With GAC Beteiligungen AG, a buyer was found who was also a former client of Asset Management Consulting.
  • CFM was engaged by Asset Management Consulting AG as exclusive financial advisor.