CMIG International, a Singapore-based holding company, has signed a contract with the South African group Old Mutual to acquire 100% of its business in Latin America. The operation, which is still pending approval by the corresponding authorities, would include, as it has transpired, the companies Old Mutual Mexico, Old Mutual Colombia and the Latin American investment adviser Aiva. It is also speculated if Old Mutual plans to sell its business in China.
The buyer, China Minsheng Investment Group International (CMIG), is a private investment holding company founded in August 2014 with 59 companies and with a registered capital of 50,000 million yuan. CMIG focuses on emerging sectors and actively promotes industrial modernization and economic transformation. The price of the transaction was not disclosed but according to international media, CMIG would have paid close to 400 million dollars in this operation.
The executive president of CMIG International, Kevin E. Lee, wanted to emphasize that “Old Mutual Latin America is a well-managed company with constant and sustained growth. It has always prioritized the interests of its clients, which is aligned with our values as a company. At CMIG International, we have a long-term commitment to strengthen and grow the company in the region. The acquisition of Old Mutual Latin America is an excellent platform for CMIG International and its entry into the regional market, which has great potential.”
In this regard, Lee added that, after carefully analyzing Old Mutual Latin America, “we are very excited about the prospect of becoming its shareholders. Our investment thesis is to find good assets, managed by exceptional teams, in such a way that we can guarantee the continuity of the business.”
According to the firm, Old Mutual’s decision to sell its business in Latin America follows a strategic review of its business, which concluded with the decision to concentrate on its operations in Africa. The presence of the firm in Latin America dates back to 1959 in Mexico, where it began to operate as a reinsurer under the Skandia brand. Subsequently, the company was established as an insurer and an operator and distributor of investment funds under the same Skandia brand; which had a very important growth in Mexico. Now this brand, recognized in the institutional field, will come back to represent the business in the region.
David Buenfil, CEO of Old Mutual for Latin America and Asia, said that “we are very proud to have an international investor of the stature of CMIG International, who believes in the growth potential of our region. This is a well-known company in Asia, and with a very good reputation. We are also very excited to know that they value our much-loved Skandia brand, and that they plan to return it to the market once the transaction is closed.”
Old Mutual Latin America includes pensions, life insurance, mutual funds, a broker-dealer, and an investment advisory with assets under management of over 13.5 billion dollars.
According to Julio César Méndez Ávalos, CEO of Old Mutual Mexico, “this is great news for all our clients, employees, advisors and strategic allies. CMIG International is a company that has valued our great potential and is committed to a continuity of our business model, as well as our human capital and management team, all our clients can rest assured with their investments and products because they will continue under the professional management that has distinguished us in these almost 25 years that we have participated in the Mexican market.”