Virtus Investment Partners and Kleinwort Benson Investors Announce Strategic Partnership for U.S. Market

DUBLIN and HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kleinwort Benson Investors (Dublin) ("KBID"), which provides specialized equity strategies primarily to institutional investors, and Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRTS) ("Virtus"), which operates a U.S.-based multi-manager asset management business, today announced an agreement to enter into a partnership to develop business interests in the US retail marketplace.

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The strong commitment of both parties to this agreement is demonstrated by Virtus acquiring a 24 percent interest in Kleinwort Benson Investors International, Ltd. (KBII), a 100%-owned subsidiary of KBID. KBII is a U.S. registered investment adviser that subadvises the Virtus Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, an open-end mutual fund that Virtus launched in September¹.

Sean Hawkshaw, chief executive officer of Kleinwort Benson Investors, said that Virtus' multi-boutique model and its powerful distribution position in the U.S. retail market were important considerations in establishing the alliance.

"Providing specialist equity strategies to institutional investors has been the core of our U.S. business until now and our commitment on this front will continue. When we considered further growth opportunities for KBII, we looked to partner with a company that has a proven track record in retail distribution, which Virtus has clearly demonstrated."

George R. Aylward, president and chief executive officer of Virtus, said the agreement was consistent with the Virtus strategy of bringing distinctive product from boutique investment managers to the retail marketplace. 

"Kleinwort Benson Investors is a distinguished firm with a global client base. Its institutional-quality investment processes specializing in income-oriented equities and resource strategies are very attractive. This agreement expands on the relationship when we first partnered with KBII to offer our new Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, and provides for a strong alignment of interests in pursuing multiple growth opportunities," Aylward said.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to be completed early in 2013, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.

About Kleinwort Benson Investors
Kleinwort Benson Investors (Dublin) ("KBID") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RHJ International (Euronext: RHJI): a financial services group with principal activities in wealth management, asset management and merchant banking.  KBID is an institutional asset manager with a global client base offering investors innovative strategies with a specialization in income oriented equities and global resources.  As of 30 September 2012 it had €3.4 billion ($4.3 billion) of assets under management.  KBII, the 100%-owned subsidiary of KBID, managed €742 million ($979 million) of assets for North American clients of December 31, 2012. Additional information can be found at www.kleinwortbensoninvestors.com

About Virtus Investment Partners
Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a distinctive partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to the long-term success of individual and institutional investors.  The company provides investment management products and services through its affiliated managers and select subadvisers, each with a distinct investment style, autonomous investment process and individual brand.  Virtus Investment Partners offers access to a variety of investment styles across multiple disciplines to meet a wide array of investor needs.  Its affiliated managers include Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co., Euclid Advisors LLC, Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, LLC, Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, Newfound Investments LLC, Rampart Investment Management, and Zweig Advisers LLC.  Additional information can be found at www.virtus.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws of the United States. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future performance, asset levels, earnings, liquidity, cash flow, industry or market conditions, regulatory developments, market interest in a fund and other aspects of a fund's operations or general economic conditions. In addition, when used in this press release, words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "projects" and future or conditional verbs such as "may," "could," "should" and "would," or any other statement that necessarily depends on future events, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

¹Investing internationally, especially in emerging markets, involves additional risks such as currency, political, accounting, economic, and market risk. A fund that focuses its investments in a particular geographic location will be highly sensitive to financial, economic, political, and other developments affecting the fiscal stability of that location.

Please carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. For this and other information about any Virtus mutual fund, call 1-800-243-4361 or visit Virtus.com for a prospectus. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

Distributed by VP Distributors, LLC, member FINRA and subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

SOURCE Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.; Kleinwort Benson Investors