RMB teams up with global advisory firm

Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), a division of FirstRand Bank, will gain a foothold in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe following its partnership with European-based advisory firm Clairfield.

The announcement of the tieup was made on Monday morning. The financial advisory groups said their partnership would allow each firm to increase its footprint and services. The new partnership will offer advice on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

RMB will be used as a gateway for Clairfield clients who wish to enter SA, Nigeria and the broader sub-Saharan African market, while Clairfield opens doors for RMB into Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Clairfield International advises entrepreneurs, multinational corporations, and financial investors on M&A and corporate finance. It said it has special expertise in cross-border situations and has 30 different teams in different countries.

“This partnership underscores our commitment to building an M&A advisory capability that is internationally relevant to our clients,” says Krishna Nagar, co-head of corporate finance at R M B.

He said the increase in M&A activity across Africa positioned RMB well to help companies seeking global opportunities and expertise.

“We look forward to a continued partnership and access to Clairfield’s expertise in developing and facilitating that global deal flow,” Nagar said.

Clairfield International said it has completed 780 transactions in the past five years totalling €30bn (R626bn) in disclosed deal value.

“RMB employs a corporate finance team of more than 70 people, and with their expertise, Clairfield can vastly expand its client offerings across subSaharan Africa,” says Alexander Klemm, executive chair of the Clairfield board of directors.

“We are optimistic about Africa’s long-term growth, driven by technology, the high demand for infrastructure and rapid urbanisation, and we are eager to explore business opportunities across the continent.”

CLAIRFIELD CAN VASTLY EXPAND ITS CLIENT OFFERINGS ACROSS SUBSAHARAN AFRICA

/Supplied Expansion: The offices of FirstRandowned RMB in Sandton. The financial advisory group says the tie-up will allow each company to increase its services.