Credit Suisse forms new small-cap focused business



Credit Suisse has moved to extend its strategic partnership with First NZ Capital via the formation of a new business aimed at the Australian small-cap sector.
The two companies announced this week that, subject to regulatory approvals, they would jointly establish a new offering spanning equities and investment banking coverage, focusing on small-cap companies and institutional investors in this sector.
The announcement said the new entity would "bring together the market leadership and global reach of Credit Suisse with the small-cap expertise of its strategic partner, First NZ Capital.
The announcement described First NZ Capital as the leading broker in New Zealand, with an average 30 per cent market share in NZX trading over the past 12 months.
Commenting on the move, Credit Suisse Australia chief executive, Rob Stewart said he was pleased to be expanding the partnership with First NZ Capital, after the two entities formed a strategic alliance in 2002.
He said he believed the new business would create opportunities for the Private Bank, as it broadened Credit Suisse's footprint and platform in a sector that was highly relevant to entrepreneurs and high-net worth individuals.
"The small-cap sector is extremely important to Credit Suisse and our institutional and private banking clients, therefore we made the decision that this is an area we would invest in and expand our capabilities," he said.
Recommended for you
With the final tally for FY25 now confirmed, how many advisers left during the financial year and how does it compare to the previous year?
HUB24 has appointed Matt Willis from Vanguard as an executive general manager of platform growth to strengthen the platform’s relationships with industry stakeholders.
Investment manager Drummond Capital Partners has announced a raft of adviser-focused updates, including a practice growth division, relaunched manager research capabilities, and a passive model portfolio suite.
When it comes to M&A activity, the share of financial buyers such as private equity firms in Australia fell from 67 per cent to 12 per cent in the last financial year.