Italy’s independent asset manager Azimut has signed a deal to acquire 50% of Brazil’s LFI Investimentos through AZ FuturaInvest, one of its Brazilian joint ventures, said italian media.
LFI is an independent wealth management company based in Sao Paulo, founded in 2009 with a proven track record on developing customized investment solutions for Brazilian HNWI.
The Brazilian company counts seven experienced professionals, with an average tenure of more than 25 years in the industry and approximately R$500m (US$190m) AUM.
AZ FuturaInvest is Azimut financial advisory arm for the Brazilian market providing professional advisory services on asset allocation, funds selection and financial education.
“With LFI, AZ FuturaInvest will be able to offer new and efficient wealth management solutions to families and HNWI clients leveraging on LFI experience to structure customized portfolios. The team of LFI will add up to the FuturaInvest advisory team which currently counts more than 40 professionals,” the company said.
The transaction, which is not subject to the approval by the competent authorities, involves a purchase price of around R$ 8.5m (around US$ 3.2m) to be paid to LFI founders in four tranches during the next five years depending on the attainment of specific targets.
Marcelo Vieira Elaiuy and Fabio Frugis Cruz, founders of LFI commented: “Joining Azimut project is a fundamental step to improve our business. We will be able to leverage on the entire Azimut structure maintaining our independent governance and focus on clients’ interests. We are confident that the quality of the new structure will result in huge benefits for our customers.”
Pietro Giuliani, Chairman and CEO of Azimut Holding, added: “Despite a tough 2014 for the Brazilian investment fund industry, our local operations registered an encouraging growth, confirming the value of our business model and the quality of our partners. The complementary nature of LFI and AZ FuturaInvest gives new strength to our project, which rests on providing asset allocation and financial advisory services to our clients. We continue to scout all the international markets in which Azimut operates in order to attract more talents, and the JV with LFI reinforces our focus on Brazil as one of the key markets for Azimut international expansion.”
Capital Strategies Partners, a third party mutual fund distribution firm, holds the distribution of AZ Fund Management products in Latin America
Por Elena Santiso