Milton Samios

Investec in Australia has announced it had reached agreement to sell its local corporate and acquisition finance (CAF) loan portfolio to Metrics Credit Partners.

Investec Australia CEO and Country Head, Milton Samios, said: “We are pleased with this development as it will ensure local corporates continue to be served by a highly regarded local lender.

“It is a high-quality portfolio, which is a testament to the Investec approach to credit selection and risk management as well as to the Investec Corporate and Acquisition Finance Team (CAF), led by Simon Beissel, which has built this business over the past 10 years.”

The acquisition will cement Metrics Credit Partners as the country’s leading non-bank corporate lender, with a portfolio exceeding $6.5 billion.

Metrics’ Managing Partner, Andrew Lockhart, welcomed the acquisition, saying it would deliver enhanced investment opportunities for Metrics’ clients.

“This is a great outcome for investors because it will add to the diversity and liquidity across our funds and lead to an uplift in expected total returns. The credit quality of this portfolio is sound and provides a great opportunity to expand our relationship with Australian corporate borrowers.”

The portfolio comprises leveraged finance and fund finance loans to corporates and funds across business services, entertainment, retail, childcare, healthcare, mining services and financial services in Australia.

Investec’s Resource Finance and Project and Infrastructure Finance loan portfolios were not included in the sale process, which was run by the Investec Corporate Advisory team. This team is shortly to be spun out into a separate independent advisory boutique.

Investec, which has been in Australia for more than 23 years, announced at the end of last year that it was exiting the local market as part of its parent Investec Bank plc move to simplifying its business structure and focusing on its principal market in the UK.

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Milton Samios

Investec Australia Limited yesterday announced its investment in investor platform business Wholesale Investor Pty Limited (Wholesale Investor). Wholesale Investor’s platform introduces emerging companies to sophisticated high net worth and professional investors in Australasia.

Investec has acquired a substantial interest in Wholesale Investor which makes it one of the largest shareholders in Wholesale Investor.

Wholesale Investor was established in 2008 and has built a large following in Australasia amongst sophisticated investors with over 13,000 subscribers in Australia and Asia. The business operates as an online-led intermediary, connecting companies and investors.

Investec Australia CEO Milton Samios said: “We are excited about our investment in Wholesale Investor and to further enhance our offering to growth and emerging companies.

“We are particularly attracted to Wholesale Investor’s overseas events and connectivity which aligns with our businesses in the UK and Hong Kong,” he said.

David Phillips and Hein Vogel from Investec’s Emerging Companies business added: “We have a strong history of working with and backing entrepreneurs and growing businesses.

“Our investment into Wholesale Investor is an extension of our presence within this ecosystem. Together with Steve and his team at Wholesale Investor, we are looking forward to continue helping emerging companies find capital and investors.”

Wholesale Investor Founder and CEO Steve Torso said: “We are delighted about the opportunity to work with Investec Australia and look forward to growing our business with Investec as our partner. Investec’s international presence, along with their focus on emerging companies and entrepreneurs matches our enthusiasm for this segment of the market.”

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Investec says the completion of the sale of its Private Banking business marks a significant milestone for its Australian operation and it will now be able to focus on delivering solutions for corporate, institutional and Government clients across its core niches.

Investec Australia Limited (IAL) today becomes the new Australian entity for the Investec Group after Bank of Queensland acquired Investec Bank (Australia) Limited (“IBAL”) on the 31^st July 2014. IBAL was acquired in order to facilitate the transfer of the Professional Finance and Asset Finance & Leasing businesses.

Investec has transformed its business in Australia to focus on its core specialist niches of Corporate Advisory; Aviation Finance; Resource Finance; Infrastructure Finance and Investment; Corporate & Acquisition Finance; Financial Markets; and Property.

Milton Samios of Investec Australia said: “Our commitment to our Corporate, Institutional and Government clients remains unchanged and IAL is now better positioned to offer clients access to the larger balance sheet and global capabilities of the broader Investec Group”.

Mr. Samios noted a range of recent high profile transactions that demonstrated Investec’s breadth of expertise and reinforced the ongoing strength of the business.

“In recent months Investec has advised PAS and SCA on their listing; and recently advised the shareholders of Ingeus on the sale of their business to Providence Service Corporation; provided acquisition facilities to Northern Star and Troy Resources; launched a new aircraft leasing business; and announced a partnership with the South Australian Government to deliver a unique affordable housing solution in Adelaide.”

Investec has three principal markets – South Africa, UK and Australia – along with offices throughout Asia, Europe and the US.

Investec retains a strong presence in Australia with over 100 staff in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide.

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