M&A Awards 2017

24 Acquisition International - M&A Awards 2017 Best Financial Services Acquisition: KBL/The Roberts Partnership & Private Banking Firm of the Year - Luxembourg KBL European Private Bankers KBL epb , founded in Luxembourg in 1949 and headquartered in the Grand Duchy, operates in 50 European cities. The firm strives to be perceived as a trusted partner and leading private bank everywhere it operates. With a range of historically important domestic private banks staffed by professionals with local knowledge, KBL epb builds on the heritage and track record of its pan-European network to offer its clients the best of both worlds: deep local insight and a broader, pan-European perspective. The firm stands apart from competitors thanks to client proximity, organizational efficiency and consistency over time, with an offering that combines investment management, financial planning and lending. The company’s mission is to preserve and grow each client’s wealth across generations, a long- term goal that reflects its partnership approach to client service. Staff provide tailored, one-stop- shop solutions for individuals, entrepreneurs and families, as well as institutions, family offices and external asset managers. At a time when the European private banking market continues to consolidate, KBL epb is expanding its reach through a growth strategy that combines organic, semi-organic and external initiatives. In the past two years, the group has made four acquisitions in its existing markets, providing greater scale and resources. Indeed, while 2016 was marked by global market turbulence – including a challenging interest-rate environment and increased regulatory burdens – KBL epb deepened its local presence through the acquisition of a leading Dutch private bank and a UK-based financial planning and wealth management firm. The company also further strengthened its network last year by moving forward on the integration of a long-term, large- scale project in partnership with Lombard Odier, which will see the firm migrate to a new IT platform. Over the same period, KBL epb reported a group core operating profit, including bond capital gains, of € 37.1 million, while group revenues stood at € 465.9 million. Private banking assets under management rose by 2.1 billion to € 50.8 billion as of December 31, KBL European Private Bankers (KBL epb ) is a pan-European private banking group focused on meeting the needs of aspirational individuals and institutions. We profiled the firm to find out a bit more about the success of the company. MA170045 2016, demonstrating the strength of the group’s core private banking activities across its pan-European footprint. Following the acquisition of Insinger de Beaufort – which was finalized on January 1, 2017 – group private banking assets under management rose to € 60.5 billion as of that date. As of December 31, 2016, the group’s Basel III core tier-1 capital ratio stood at 16%, underscoring the bank’s strong solvency position. Deepening its existing footprint in core markets, KBL epb acquired the Dutch private bank Insinger de Beaufort in the Netherlands, its third acquisition in 18 months, with the intention to merge it with Theodoor Gilissen (Dutch member of KBL epb ), subject to regulatory approval. The combined AuMs of the Dutch business will rise to over € 20 billion, positioning the merged entity as one of the strongest pure-play private banks in the Netherlands. More recently, KBL epb acquired The Roberts Partnership, a UK-based financial planning and wealth management firm. Twenty staff and over € € 500 million in AuMs have been added to Brown Shipley, KBL epb ’s UK affiliate, further supporting its mission to build and deliver a leading financial advice proposition for its clients. The digital solutions the firm extends to its clients are among its priorities. The 2015 signing of a long-term strategic partnership with Geneva-headquartered private bank Lombard Odier will contribute to enhancing overall client experience as KBL epb upgrades its IT and Operations infrastructure by migrating to a new platform, ensuring the group’s status as a premier private bank in Europe. As an industry leader, KBL epb ’s standing within the profession has long been recognized by its peers. In 2016, KBL epb was extremely proud to be named the “Best Private Bank in Luxembourg” at the PWM/ The Banker Global Private Banking Awards. Across the group’s global footprint, the firm seeks to grow its core HNWI client base, attracting UHNWIs by offering products and services tailored to their needs, and continuing to serve affluent clients through a highly efficient delivery model. Company: KBL European Private Bankers SA Contact Email: [email protected] Address: 43, boulevard Royal, L-2955 Luxembourg Phone: +352 47 97 1 Website: www.kbl.lu € €