Stifel Financial and Korea Investment & Securities (KIS), a subsidiary of Korea Investment Holdings, formed a substantial leveraged lending joint venture, SF Credit Partners.
Concurrently, Stifel and KIS have entered into a strategic collaboration, by which each firm will build on the other’s broad capabilities and regional market expertise. Both the strategic collaboration and the joint venture are subject to pending regulatory approvals.
“Over the past several years, Stifel has greatly expanded its focus on the vibrant private equity community, as both an advisor and lender to financial sponsors and their portfolio companies,” Ronald J. Kruszewski, chairman and CEO of Stifel, said. “We are excited to launch SF Credit Partners with Korea Investment & Securities. This joint venture is an innovative source of additional capital, enabling us to increase commitment capacity and provide enhanced leveraged finance product capabilities and lending solutions to our financial sponsor and corporate clients. This joint venture anchors a broader strategic collaboration with KIS, a unique relationship that will benefit each firm and our respective clients.”
“Seizing opportunities in the U.S. market is a critical element of the long-term growth strategy of KIS,” Namgoo Kim, chairman and CEO of Korea Investment Holdings, said. “In Stifel, we have found the ideal partner for this effort. Strategic collaboration with Stifel allows both KIS and Stifel to better serve clients, and extends the reach of each firm into new markets. This significant investment of capital and talent will build on our 2021 opening of our New York offices, and our creation with Stifel of SF Credit Partners demonstrates our resolve to build a durable profit center in the United States.”
GreensLedge Capital Markets and GreensLedge Korea advised the parties to this joint venture and strategic collaboration. KBW, a Stifel Company, also advised Stifel. Dechert and White & Case provided legal and regulatory advice to Stifel and KIS, respectively.
