Credit Suisse's Customized Fund Investment Group Hosts Conference on Small & Emerging Managers in Private Equity, Real Estate and In-State Investments

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 19 - 20, 2012, Credit Suisse's Customized Fund Investment Group ("CFIG") hosted the sixth annual "Credit Suisse Conference on Small & Emerging Managers in Private Equity, Real Estate and In-State Investments," in Dallas, Texas.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091204/CSLOGO )

The Conference, which was open to all private equity professionals, was attended by over 450 representatives of U.S.-based pension plans, endowments, foundations, private equity managers and other industry participants. Through open networking sessions and panel discussions led by market-leading investors and high-quality emerging managers, the Conference provided a venue for developing strategic initiatives.  This year's conference featured designated panel discussions for both real estate and private equity topics.

"As in years past, this conference was crucial in facilitating discussions between participants and small and emerging managers," said Kelly Williams, Head of CFIG. "CFIG remains committed to helping clients identify ways to gain exposure to the growing number of small and emerging managers in the private equity, real state and in-state investment spaces."

CFIG was pleased to host this year's conference in a state in which it has a strong presence, with attendees, including Cheryl Alston, Executive Director of the Employees' Retirement Fund of the City of Dallas.

"Dallas is a strong supporter of entrepreneurship, diversity and small business, and the city is the home of several successful global private equity and real estate firms," said Ms. Alston. "The record turnout for the 2012 conference is an encouraging sign for the industry's future and CFIG's position as a leader in this field."

Also in attendance at the Conference was Stuart Bernstein, Director of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas Emerging Manager Group.  Mr. Bernstein said, "The annual CFIG conference continues to be one of the main focal points of the year, bringing capital and investors together in an increasingly crowded investment community. Kelly Williams and the CFIG team serve as dedicated investors with great access across private equity and real estate. We were glad to have them in the great state of Texas once again."

The keynote address was delivered by preeminent philanthropist and former San Antonio Spurs player David Robinson.  Mr. Robinson is also the Co-Founder of Admiral Capital Group, a real estate fund in partnership with USAA.

The Conference included the following panel discussions on noteworthy industry topics:

• Untapped Opportunities with Impact/In-state Investments – Panel addressed ways to pursue attractive investment opportunities that generate a positive impact without sacrificing strong returns;
• Current Market Trends and Transformative Regulatory Topics – Discussion amongst GPs, LPs and advisers on current themes relevant for emerging managers driven by recent regulatory changes and LP expectations; 
• State of the Real Estate Emerging Manager Market – Panel provided an overview of the real estate small and emerging manager market, including the number of funds raising capital, which strategies and asset types are gaining traction and progress made by first-time funds;  
• Alternative Capital Concepts for Real Estate Emerging Managers – Panel explored the options available to the emerging manager in lieu of or in addition to raising a commingled fund.

Speakers and attendees that participated in the Conference included investment officers and trustees from the Employees Retirement System of Texas; Teacher Retirement System of Texas; Employees' Retirement Fund of the City of Dallas; California Public Employees' Retirement System; North Carolina Department of State Treasurer; Public Employees' Retirement Association of Colorado; and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

CFIG, which is based in New York City, currently manages approximately $29 billion in client commitments to private equity fund of funds and co-investment programs, and has programs in multiple states, including Texas, North Carolina, Oregon, New York, Indiana, and Michigan.

Credit Suisse AG

Credit Suisse AG is one of the world's leading financial services providers and is part of the Credit Suisse group of companies (referred to here as 'Credit Suisse'). As an integrated bank, Credit Suisse offers clients its combined expertise in the areas of private banking, investment banking and asset management. Credit Suisse provides advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high-net-worth private clients globally, as well as to retail clients in Switzerland. Credit Suisse is headquartered in Zurich and operates in over 50 countries worldwide. The group employs approximately 48,200 people. The registered shares (CSGN) of Credit Suisse's parent company, Credit Suisse Group AG, are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit-suisse.com.

Asset Management

In its Asset Management business, Credit Suisse offers products across a broad spectrum of investment classes, including hedge funds, credit, index, real estate, commodities and private equity products, as well as multi-asset class solutions, which include equities and fixed income products. Credit Suisse's Asset Management business manages portfolios, mutual funds and other investment vehicles for a broad spectrum of clients ranging from governments, institutions and corporations to private individuals. With offices focused on asset management in 19 countries, Credit Suisse's Asset Management business is operated as a globally integrated network to deliver the bank's best investment ideas and capabilities to clients around the world.

All businesses of Credit Suisse are subject to distinct regulatory requirements; certain products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all client types.

Customized Fund Investment Group
The Customized Fund Investment Group (CFIG) at Credit Suisse is one of the largest and deepest investment teams dedicated to private equity fund investing.  The Group is headed by Kelly Williams, who founded CFIG in 1999 and currently manages approximately $29 billion in client commitments to private equity funds of funds and co-investment programs, both in the U.S. and internationally.  CFIG is composed of more than 115 professionals based in the Group's offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Austin, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Portland, and Raleigh.

CFIG specializes in developing customized private equity investment programs that address the specific needs of investors and which benefit from leveraging the Credit Suisse platform.  CFIG develops fund investment programs for active institutional investors who have a specific portfolio need and for emerging institutional investors who have a need for assistance with asset allocation, portfolio development and administration, due diligence, and other advisory services, or any combination thereof.  Once established, CFIG takes a service-oriented, long-term partnership approach to its customized accounts. 

CFIG's clients include sophisticated institutions and high-net worth investors. Credit Suisse's extensive transaction experience, which includes coverage of many top-tier private equity sponsor groups, allows CFIG to access and analyze many leading private equity and venture capital funds.  CFIG currently has approximately $6 billion in commitments to funds sponsored by small and emerging managers for sophisticated institutional investors including the Teacher Retirement System of Texas[1]. Through this active investment in small and emerging managers on behalf of client programs, CFIG has grown exceptionally familiar with the small and emerging market and its impact on the future growth of the economy.

[1] Please note that the use of the client name herein does not imply an endorsement of CFIG or its advisory services.

SOURCE Credit Suisse AG