NEW YORK and ARLINGTON, Va., Sept.
4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- EJF Capital LLC ("EJF"), a
global alternative asset management firm focused on regulatory
event driven themes across the financial and real estate sectors,
today announced that Kudu Investment Management, LLC ("Kudu"),
a New York-based independent provider of permanent capital
solutions to asset and wealth managers worldwide, has made a
strategic minority investment in EJF. Terms of the transaction were
not disclosed.
The investment by Kudu, a firm with a passive, patient capital
model, will not impact the day-to-day operations of EJF, and the
firm's investment and decision-making processes will remain the
same. EJF intends to use the proceeds as strategic growth capital
to invest in its existing and future funds and securitization
vehicles.
"Kudu has significant experience investing in specialized
investment managers and we welcome them as a long-term strategic
partner," said EJF co-founders Manny
Friedman and Neal Wilson.
"This investment provides EJF with permanent capital that will
strengthen our business and bolster our ability to build and scale
our global platform over time."
"We are thrilled to support EJF, a firm distinguished by its
talented team led by Manny and Neal, creative investment approach
and strong track record of performance," said Rob Jakacki, Kudu's CEO. "Our investment will
help EJF expand its global investment offerings and we look forward
to a long-term relationship."
EJF also announced that Neal
Wilson, co-founder and chief operating officer, has been
named the firm's co-chief executive officer alongside Mr.
Friedman.
"Neal and I launched EJF 14 years ago with the goal of creating
a collaborative and collegial environment with a client-first
approach. It gives me great pleasure that Neal is joining me
as co-CEO. He is a true partner, visionary investor and
natural leader. I am excited to work alongside Neal for years to
come," Mr. Friedman said.
In addition to EJF, Kudu's valued partners include alternatives
platform TIG Advisors; real assets investor Versus Capital;
European alternative credit specialist Fair Oaks Capital; property
fund manager Savanna; and wealth managers B|O|S and First Long
Island Investors. These firms collectively manage approximately
$30 billion in AUM for institutional
and individual investors worldwide.
Barclays Capital Inc. served as financial advisor and Fried
Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP served as legal advisor to
EJF. Seward & Kissel LLP served as legal advisor to Kudu.
About EJF Capital
EJF is a global institutional alternative asset management firm
focused on regulatory event-driven investing within financials and
real estate. EJF is headquartered outside of Washington D.C., with offices in London and Shanghai; the firm manages approximately
$7.6 billion (as of June 30, 2019) in assets across hedge funds,
private equity, real estate funds, and separately managed accounts,
in addition to approximately $3
billion in structured products. EJF's approach combines
investment expertise across the capital structure with a corporate
finance focus to unearth creative investment solutions.
About Kudu Investment Management
Kudu is an independent firm specializing in providing permanent
capital solutions—including generational ownership transfers,
management buyouts, acquisition and growth finance, as well as
liquidity for legacy partners—to asset and wealth managers. Kudu
was founded in 2015 and is backed by capital partner White
Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM). For more information,
please visit Kudu's website.
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SOURCE Kudu Investment Management