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

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 22, 2011, Credit Suisse's Customized Fund Investment Group ("CFIG") hosted the fifth annual "Credit Suisse Conference on Small & Emerging Managers in Private Equity, Real Estate and In-State Investments," in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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The Conference, which was open to all private equity professionals, was attended by over 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.

"We recognize that many in-state investment initiatives remain committed to creating local jobs and stimulating regional economic growth through investments in private equity managers in the small and emerging ("SEM") and minority spaces," said Kelly Williams, Head of CFIG. "This conference was instrumental in facilitating constructive discussions among small and emerging managers, in-state General Partners and key institutional investors active in the SEM and in-state private equity space."

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

• Best Practices from the Top Performing Funds – Concurrent panels on real estate and private equity, that highlighted internal CFIG analysis of best practices from top performing managers;
• Trends in the Emerging Manager Space – Panel that discussed new trends among emerging manager strategies, ideas and perspectives; and
• Getting Liquid – Panel that focused on case examples of recent exits and portfolio momentum.

CFIG was pleased to host this year's conference in a state in which it has a strong presence, and feature local speakers including Janet Cowell, the State Treasurer of North Carolina, and renowned industry veteran Hugh McColl, Chairman of the Charlotte-based McColl Group, who delivered the keynote address.

Treasurer Cowell said, "We have been fortunate to work with Credit Suisse on our Innovation Fund, which targets a risk-adjusted rate of return for our pension fund's private equity portfolio while creating jobs and supporting innovation in North Carolina."

CFIG, which is based in New York City, currently manages approximately $28 billion in client commitments to private equity fund of funds and co-investment programs, and has programs in North Carolina, Oregon, New York , Indiana and Michigan. CFIG manages the $232 million Credit Suisse NC Innovation Fund that is focused on co-investing in portfolio companies and committing capital through other private equity fund managers, all of which have significant operations in or a nexus to North Carolina.

Speakers and panelists that participated in the Conference included investment officers and trustees from the, North Carolina Department of State Treasurer, U.S. Small Business Administration, Teacher Retirement System of Texas and Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association.

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 50,700 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 $28 billion in client commitments to private equity funds of funds and co-investment programs, both in the U.S. and internationally(1).  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(2).  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 $6.0 billion in commitments to funds sponsored by small and emerging managers for sophisticated institutional investors including the North Carolina Retirement Systems, Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and Virginia Retirement System(3). 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) Includes approximately US$6.7 billion of commitments relating to funds that CFIG currently manages, but which were not raised by and which were not invested by CFIG.
(2) CFIG is an independent business unit within Credit Suisse.  CFIG's contact and interaction with Credit Suisse's Equity Research practice and all other practices within Credit Suisse, along with its ability to share information with clients (e.g., via FundCentral, in connection with CFIG's collaborative investment process, etc.), are subject to Credit Suisse internal compliance, confidentiality, regulatory and other applicable restrictions.
(3) Please note that the use of the client names herein does not imply an endorsement of CFIG or its advisory services.

SOURCE Credit Suisse AG