MONTREAL & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fiera Capital Corporation (“Fiera Capital”) (TSX: FSZ) and Natixis Investment Managers (“Natixis”) today announced they have entered into a long-term strategic partnership that will establish Fiera Capital as Natixis’ preferred Canadian distribution platform, giving Fiera Capital’s clients access to Natixis’ wide range of highly active investment strategies. As part of the agreement, Natixis has strengthened its commitment to the Canadian market through the acquisition of an 11.0% stake in Fiera Capital (limited impact on Natixis’ CET1 ratio), and Natixis Investment Managers’ CEO, Jean Raby, will join Fiera Capital’s board of directors.
The partnership between Fiera Capital and Natixis includes:
- the acquisition by Natixis of a total of 10.68 million Class A subordinate voting shares of Fiera Capital (the “Fiera Class A Shares”) from a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Bank of Canada (“NBC”), and DJM Capital, an entity controlled by Jean-Guy Desjardins (“DJM Capital”), for a total consideration of C$128.16 million (“Natixis Share Acquisition”);
- a long-term distribution agreement under the terms of which Fiera Capital will become Natixis’ preferred Canadian distributor for its investment strategies and products, and Natixis is able to offer its international clients complementary Fiera Capital investment strategies through its Dynamic Solutions platform;
- a purchase agreement pursuant to which Fiera Capital will acquire Natixis’ Canadian operations (the “Natixis Canada Transaction”).
Fiera Capital also intends to repurchase for cancellation 2.45 million Fiera Class A Shares from a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC for a total consideration of C$29.40 million (the “Share Repurchase”).
Closing and settlement of the Natixis Share Acquisition and of the Share Repurchase is expected to occur concurrently on May 9, 2019.
“This partnership with Natixis will further strengthen Fiera Capital’s global leadership position as we continue to execute on our 2022 strategic plan to become one of the top 100 asset managers in the world,” said Jean-Guy Desjardins, Chairman and CEO, Fiera Capital. “We are excited to offer Natixis’ highly rated active global investment strategies to our Canadian client base and to establish a long-term partnership with a global player with C$1.2 trillion AUM and a presence in 38 countries.”
“We are pleased to expand our commitment to the Canadian market by establishing this long-term partnership with one of its premier asset managers, Fiera Capital,” said Jean Raby, CEO of Natixis Investment Managers. “Fiera Capital has an experienced team, a strong track record and a leading distribution network in Canada, and this partnership will enable both firms to better serve our clients by offering a broader range of active investment strategies.”
“Our relationship with Fiera remains strong, and Fiera continues to be a key provider of asset management services to us. We recently agreed to extend that relationship for a further three-year period. We look forward to continuing to work with their management team,” said Louis Vachon, CEO, National Bank of Canada.
“The long-term distribution agreement with Natixis marks a major milestone for Fiera Capital and is a testament to our leadership in Canada and our growing presence worldwide. Furthermore, our distribution agreement will provide Fiera Capital clients with an expanded suite of investment strategies and offers the potential for international growth through Natixis’ Dynamic Solutions offering,” said Vincent Duhamel, Global President and COO, Fiera Capital.
Natixis Share Acquisition and Share Repurchase Details
Under the terms of a share purchase agreement entered into between, among others, Natixis Investment Managers Canada Holdings Ltd. (“Natixis Canada Holdings”) (a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary of Natixis), NBC, DJM Capital and Fiera Capital, Natixis will acquire, through Natixis Canada Holdings, 8.23 million Fiera Class A Shares from a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC and 2.45 million Fiera Class A Shares from DJM Capital, totalling 10.68 million Fiera Class A Shares and representing, upon completion of the Share Repurchase, 13.7% of the total issued and outstanding Fiera Class A Shares and 11.0% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Fiera Capital at a purchase price equal to C$12.00 per share (the “Investment Price”) for a total consideration of C$128.16 million. Natixis will not directly or indirectly hold any shares of Fiera Capital immediately prior to the completion of the Natixis Share Acquisition.
Fiera Capital also intends to repurchase for cancellation 2.45 million Fiera Class A Shares from a wholly-owned subsidiary NBC at a per share price equal to the Investment Price for a total consideration of C$29.40 million. The Investment Price represents a discount of 1.0% to the closing price of the Fiera Class A Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on May 8, 2019. A favourable decision was obtained from the Autorité des marchés financiers to exempt Fiera from the issuer bid requirements of securities laws applicable to the Share Repurchase.
Upon completion of the Natixis Share Acquisition and the Share Repurchase, NBC will own 6,903,484 Fiera Class A Shares and DJM Capital will own 288,206 Fiera Class A Shares, representing 8.9% and 0.4%, respectively, of the total issued and outstanding Fiera Class A Shares, and 7.1% and 0.3%, respectively, of all issued and outstanding Fiera Capital shares. After completion of the Share Repurchase, Fiera Capital will have 77,976,287 Fiera Class A Shares and 19,412,401 Class B special voting shares (the “Fiera Class B Shares”) issued and outstanding.
Distribution Agreement Details
The Distribution Agreement will have a term of five years, with an initial renewal term of three years and subsequent annual renewal terms thereafter. Under the terms of the Distribution Agreement, Fiera Capital will distribute Natixis investment strategies to Canadian institutional, private wealth and retail clients, and Natixis will offer complementary Fiera Capital investment strategies, such as their suite of private market alternative investment strategies, in international markets through its Dynamic Solutions group as warranted. Natixis affiliates may retain direct client distribution rights.
Natixis Canada Transaction Details
Fiera Capital will acquire Natixis’ Canadian operations and funds, as well as enhance the range of strategies it distributes by adding Fiera Capital’s public and private investment solutions to this established client network. Natixis’ Canadian operations are based in Toronto and have approximately C$1.8 billion in AUM.
The manager of the funds will continue to operate as a distinct legal entity with the existing senior management team intact. There are no immediate plans to change the investment objectives of the funds, increase the management fees or operating expenses paid by the funds or change the role of the manager as manager of the funds.
The Natixis Canada Transaction, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2019, is subject to customary conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.
Natixis Board Representation
Natixis, through Natixis Canada Holdings, entered into an Investor Rights Agreement with Fiera Capital entitling Natixis to propose one director for election to Fiera Capital’s Board of Directors (the “Natixis Nominee”), subject to Fiera Capital’s consent. In order to accommodate such appointment, Martin Gagnon has resigned, effective upon completion of the Natixis Share Acquisition and the Share Repurchase, from the Board of Directors of Fiera Capital and Jean Raby, CEO of Natixis Investment Managers, will be appointed to fill the vacancy. It is also expected that Mr. Raby will be a candidate for election at Fiera Capital’s upcoming annual shareholders’ meeting to be held on May 30, 2019. In addition, under the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement, Natixis was granted certain anti-dilution rights allowing it to maintain its ownership interest in Fiera Capital. The Investor Rights Agreement shall be effective so long as Natixis holds at least 9.5% of the outstanding shares of Fiera Capital (on a non-diluted basis and adjusted downward to take into account certain dilutive events).
Voting Arrangements, Sale Rights; Call Option Agreement and Early Warning Disclosure
Natixis (through Natixis Canada Holdings) and Jean-Guy Desjardins have agreed that, in the event that the Fiera Class B Shares are converted into Fiera Class A Shares or otherwise lose their entitlement to elect two-thirds of the directors of Fiera Capital, Natixis shall vote in favour of the election of the slate of directors proposed by management of Fiera Capital and Jean-Guy Desjardins shall vote, and cause his affiliates (including Fiera Capital L.P.) to vote, in favour of the election of the Natixis Nominee.
In addition, Jean-Guy Desjardins was granted the right to require Natixis to buy up to a maximum of 4.8 million Fiera Class A Shares (or equivalent units of Fiera Capital L.P.) held, directly or indirectly, by Jean-Guy Desjardins or entities controlled directly or indirectly by him, including DJM Capital, exercisable in up to two tranches subject to satisfaction of the terms and conditions of a Voting Arrangements/Put Option Agreement (the “Put Options”). The Put Options will be exercisable based on the market price (as such term is defined in section 1.11 of National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids) when the Put Options are exercised. The grant and exercise of the Put Options is exempted from applicable take-over bid requirements under the private agreement exemption.
Natixis, through Natixis Canada Holdings, also granted an option (the “Call Option”) to Fiera Capital L.P. entitling Fiera Capital L.P. to purchase Natixis’ Fiera Class A Shares at their market value at the time of exercise of such option in consideration for units of Fiera Capital L.P. Such purchase would not be subject to or be exempted from applicable take-over bid requirements under the private agreement exemption. Fiera Capital L.P. currently holds 6,275,288 Fiera Class A Shares and 19,412,401 Fiera Class B Shares, representing, in the aggregate and after completion of the Share Repurchase, 26.4% of all issued and outstanding shares of Fiera Capital. Fiera Capital L.P. will be entitled to and intends to exercise the option if its ownership interest in Fiera Capital decreases to under 20%. Assuming full exercise of the option on the date hereof, Fiera Capital L.P. would hold 16,955,288 Fiera Class A Shares and 19,412,401 Fiera Class B Shares, representing, in the aggregate and after completion of the Share Repurchase, 37.3% of all issued and outstanding shares of Fiera Capital. Mr. Desjardins indirectly controls Fiera Holdings Inc., the sole general partner of Fiera Capital L.P. Fiera Holdings Inc., as general partner of Fiera Capital L.P., determines how the shares of Fiera Capital held by Fiera Capital L.P. are voted.
Following completion of the Natixis Share Acquisition and Share Repurchase, Mr. Desjardins will indirectly beneficially own 230,565 Fiera Class A Shares and 7,195,714 Fiera Class B Shares, representing, in the aggregate, 7.6% of all issued and outstanding shares of Fiera Capital. The Fiera Class A Shares and Fiera Class B Shares owned or beneficially owned by Mr. Desjardins, or the persons considered to act as joint actors with respect to Mr. Desjardins, are held for investment purposes, and Mr. Desjardins and such joint actors intend to review on a continuing basis their investment in Fiera Capital. Mr. Desjardins and any joint actor in relation thereto, may, depending on market and other conditions, increase or decrease their beneficial ownership, control or direction over securities of Fiera Capital through market transactions, private agreements, public offerings or otherwise. Mr. Desjardins and/or any joint actors however may at any time and from time to time, review or reconsider and change their position and/or change their purpose and/or develop such plans or future intentions with respect to the business and affairs of Fiera Capital.
An early warning report with additional information in respect of the aforesaid Natixis Share Acquisition, Share Repurchase and Call Option will be filed and made available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under Fiera Capital's issuer profile. In order to obtain a copy of the early warning report, you may also contact Ms. Violaine Des Roches, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal and Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary at Fiera Capital, at telephone number: (514) 954-3750. Fiera Capital's head office and the address of Fiera Capital L.P. and of Jean-Guy Desjardin's for these purposes is 1501 McGill College, Suite 800, Montreal, Quebec H3A 3M8. Natixis Investment Managers, a French société anonyme, has its head office located at 43 Avenue Pierre Mendès-France, 75013 Paris, France. Natixis Canada Holdings, a Quebec incorporated corporation, an indirect subsidiary wholly-owned by Natixis, has its head office located at the offices of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP at 1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 2500, Montreal, Quebec H3B 1R1.
RBC Capital Markets served as exclusive financial advisor to Natixis, and GMP Securities served as exclusive financial advisor to Fiera Capital.
Forward-Looking Information
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events and reflect management's expectations or beliefs regarding such future events, based on information currently available to management of Fiera Capital and Natixis. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "plans", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "anticipates", "estimates", "projects" or words or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements made with respect to the completion of the Natxis Share Acquisition and the resulting ownership of shares in the capital of Fiera Capital by Natixis, the completion of the Share Repurchase, NBC and DJM Capital’s expected ownership of shares in the capital of Fiera Capital upon completion of the Natixis Share Acquisition and the Share Repurchase, the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Fiera Capital upon completion of the Natixis Share Acquisition and the Share Repurchase, the entering into the Distribution Agreement, the closing of the Natixis Canada Transaction, Fiera Capital L.P.’s expected ownership of shares in the capital of Fiera Capital upon exercise of the Call Option, Mr. Desjardins’ ownership of shares in the capital of Fiera Capital as a result of the completion of the Natixis Share Acquisition and Share Repurchase. The forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the management of Fiera Capital and Natixis as at the date the statements are made.
Other assumptions upon which the forward-looking statements are based, include assumptions regarding the satisfaction of all closing conditions in the share purchase agreement pertaining to the Natixis Canada Transaction, the completion of the Natixis Share Acquisition and the Share Repurchase as expected, the accuracy of all records relating to Fiera Capital’s share capital.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and a number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, readers should specifically consider various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, market and general economic conditions, the nature of the financial services industry, the failure to satisfy all closing conditions in the share purchase agreement pertaining to the Natixis Canada Transaction including the failure to receive required regulatory approvals or third party consents and the risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Fiera Capital's interim and annual consolidated financial statements and its Annual Report and Annual Information Form filed on www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and neither Fiera Capital or Natixis assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Each of Fiera Capital and Natixis are responsible only for the disclosure herein relating to their respective affairs and neither Fiera Capital or Natixis assumes any liability for disclosure relating to the other party.
About Fiera Capital Corporation
Fiera Capital is a leading independent asset management firm with approximately C$144.9 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2019. The Firm provides institutional, retail and private wealth clients with access to full-service integrated money management solutions across traditional and alternative asset classes. Clients and their portfolios derive benefit from Fiera Capital’s depth of expertise, diversified offerings and outstanding service. Fiera Capital trades under the ticker FSZ on the Toronto Stock Exchange. www.fieracapital.com
In the U.S., asset management services are provided by the Firm’s U.S. affiliates who are investment advisers that are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Additional information about Fiera Capital Corporation, including the Firm's annual information form, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
About Natixis Investment Managers
Natixis Investment Managers serves financial professionals with more insightful ways to construct portfolios. Powered by the expertise of 24 specialized investment managers globally, we apply Active Thinking® to deliver proactive solutions that help clients pursue better outcomes in all markets. Natixis ranks among the world’s largest asset management firms1 (US$924.5 billion/€808.6 billion AUM2). Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Investment Managers is a subsidiary of Natixis. For additional information, please visit the company’s website at im.natixis.com | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/natixis-investment-managers.
Natixis Investment Managers includes all of the investment management and distribution entities affiliated with Natixis Distribution, L.P. and Natixis Investment Managers S.A.
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Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2018 ranked Natixis Investment Managers as the 16th largest asset manager in the world based on assets under management as of December 31, 2017. |
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Net asset value as of December 31, 2018. Assets under management (“AUM”), as reported, may include notional assets, assets serviced, gross assets, assets of minority-owned affiliated entities and other types of non-regulatory AUM managed or serviced by firms affiliated with Natixis Investment Managers. |
About Natixis
Natixis is a French multinational financial services firm specialized in asset & wealth management, corporate & investment banking, insurance and payments. A subsidiary of Groupe BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France through its two retail banking networks, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne, Natixis counts nearly 16,000 employees across 38 countries. Its clients include corporations, financial institutions, sovereign and supranational organizations, as well as the customers of Groupe BPCE’s networks. Listed on the Paris stock exchange, Natixis has a solid financial base with a CET1 capital under Basel 3(1) of €11.8 billion, a Basel 3 CET1 Ratio(1) of 10.8 % and quality long-term ratings (Standard & Poor’s: A+ / Moody’s: A1 / Fitch Ratings: A+). (1) Based on CRR-CRD4 rules as reported on June 26, 2013, including the Danish compromise - without phase-in. Figures as at 31 December 2018.
