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. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 11 – 12, 2013, Credit Suisse's Customized Fund Investment Group ("CFIG") hosted the seventh annual "Credit Suisse Conference on Small & Emerging Managers in Private Equity, Real Estate and In-State Investments," in San Diego, California.

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The Conference, which was open to all private equity professionals, was attended by approximately 400 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.  Given CFIG's growing activities in both private equity and real estate, the Conference included separate conference discussions for private equity and real estate attendees. 

"As in years past, this conference provided a forum for constructive discussion among small and emerging private equity managers and key institutional investors," 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 estate 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 speakers including Liza Crisafi, Chief Investment Officer of the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System.

Also speaking at the Conference was Christine Gogan, Senior Portfolio Manager of the California Public Employees' Retirement System ("CalPERS").  Ms. Gogan said, "We were pleased that CFIG held their annual emerging manager conference in California. As part of our ongoing partnership with CFIG to identify talented managers, numerous members of the CalPERS team participated in the conference.  CalPERS is always searching for new and emerging talent, and we encourage managers to share their opportunities with us." For more information regarding the submission of investment proposals to CalPERS, please visit: www.calpers.ca.gov/investmentproposals.

The private equity keynote address was delivered by renowned entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Steve Case. Mr. Case is the Co-Founder of America Online, Chairman and CEO of Revolution and Chairman of The Case Foundation. Revolution is an investment firm that has backed more than two dozen companies.  Mr. Case was interviewed by Michael Sacks, Chief Executive Officer of Grosvenor Capital Management, L.P. The real estate keynote address was delivered by Michael Acton, Managing Director of AEW Research. Mr. Acton has 27 years of experience as an economic analyst and forecaster. He addressed the outlook for U.S. real estate as Fed policy points to a rising interest rate environment.

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

• CFIG's Approach to Evaluating and Investing in Emerging Managers
• Outliers: Limited Partner Perspectives on Bucking the Trends
• The State of the Real Estate Emerging Manager Market 
• The Challenges and Rewards for a First-Time Fund

Speakers and attendees that participated in the Conference included investment officers and trustees from Allstate Investments; California Public Employees' Retirement System; Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association; Employees Retirement System of Texas; Houston Municipal Employees Pension System; San Diego City Employees' Retirement System; Teacher Retirement System of Texas; U.S. Small Business Administration and Virginia Retirement System. 

CFIG, which is based in New York City, currently manages approximately $31 billion in client commitments to private equity fund-of-fund and co-investment programs, and has programs in multiple states, including California, Texas, North Carolina, Oregon, New York 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 is able to offer clients its expertise in the areas of private banking, investment banking and asset management from a single source. Credit Suisse provides specialist advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high net worth private clients worldwide, and also to retail clients in Switzerland. Credit Suisse is headquartered in Zurich and operates in over 50 countries worldwide. The group employs approximately 46,300 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.

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 $31 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 approximately 140 professionals based in the Group's offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, Austin, Charlotte, Columbus, Detroit, Los Angeles, Portland and Raleigh.

CFIG specializes in developing customized private equity investment programs that address the specific needs of investors.  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. 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.

Please note that on August 1, 2013 Credit Suisse announced an agreement to sell CFIG to Grosvenor Capital Management, subject to customary closing conditions. During this process CFIG intends to continue to operate in the same way it always has, providing unique customized solutions and superior service to its clients.

SOURCE Credit Suisse AG