Morgan Stanley Investment Management Announces Acquisition of Mesa West Capital, LLC

Leading U.S. commercial real estate credit platform to become a part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management

NEW YORK--()--Morgan Stanley Investment Management (“MSIM”) and Mesa West Capital, LLC (“Mesa West” or the “Company”) are pleased to announce they have entered into an agreement whereby MSIM will acquire Mesa West.

With over $5 billion in gross assets under management, Mesa West will add a premiere commercial real estate credit platform to MSIM’s existing investment strategies and product offerings across real assets and private credit. Mesa West will retain its brand and operate as a separate business unit within MSIM’s Real Assets group, which currently manages $47 billion of client assets and is overseen by John Klopp, Global Head of Real Assets. The Company’s headquarters will remain in Los Angeles, and Mesa West senior management, led by Co-Founders Jeff Friedman and Mark Zytko, will continue to manage the Company on a day-to-day basis.

“Morgan Stanley Investment Management is dedicated to providing clients with differentiated investment solutions, and Mesa West is a perfect addition to our suite of strategies across real assets and private credit. We are excited to have the Mesa West team join MSIM, and we are confident that the combination will be seamless given their shared focus on clients, strong investment performance and collaborative culture,” said Dan Simkowitz, Head of Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

“MSIM is the ideal long-term strategic partner for Mesa West. Its strong commitment to real estate and deep global relationships and resources will help us continue to provide the best solutions and investment performance for our investors and long-term opportunities for our team,” said Jeff Friedman and Mark Zytko, Co-Founders of Mesa West. “We have known John Klopp for nearly 20 years, have worked closely with the MSIM Real Assets team, and are excited to be joining forces with them to carry on our focused strategies in the growing private real estate debt market.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including obtaining applicable regulatory approvals and requisite investor consents, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 42 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

About Morgan Stanley Investment Management

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, together with its investment advisory affiliates, has more than 580 investment professionals around the world and $435 billion in assets under management or supervision as of June 30, 2017. Morgan Stanley Investment Management strives to provide outstanding long-term investment performance, service and a comprehensive suite of investment management solutions to a diverse client base, which includes governments, institutions, corporations and individuals worldwide. For further information about Morgan Stanley Investment Management, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im.

About Mesa West Capital, LLC

Founded in 2004, Mesa West is a leading, originations-focused, commercial real estate credit platform with over $5 billion in gross assets under management as of June 30, 2017. Mesa West deploys capital primarily through originating transitional first mortgages to strong sponsors in core and secondary markets in the U.S. Since inception, Mesa West has originated over 250 loans totaling approximately $12 billion in principal balance. Mesa West has approximately 40 dedicated professionals across offices in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. For further information about Mesa West Capital, please visit www.mesawestcapital.com.

CRC 1908427 09/2017

Contacts

For Morgan Stanley Investment Management
Media Relations:
Mary Claire Delaney, 212-761-2427
or
Lauren Bellmare, 212-761-5303

Contacts

For Morgan Stanley Investment Management
Media Relations:
Mary Claire Delaney, 212-761-2427
or
Lauren Bellmare, 212-761-5303