Tokyo, 16 October 2013 - Japan’s SBI Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter “SBIH”) and the Netherlands Development Finance Company (hereinafter “FMO”) are pleased to announce the formal launch of the SBI-FMO Emerging Asia Financial Sector Fund. The fund will invest in promising financial sector opportunities in Emerging Asia (with a focus on India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam) and will be managed by SBI Ven Capital, Singapore.
The fund has already exceeded its first close target of USD 60 million and will now formally start making investments. Given the strong response by marquee investors at first close, SBI Ven Capital is increasing the target fund size to USD 100-125 million (from previous fund target of USD 80 million).
So far, the SBI Group has made numerous financial sector investments in emerging Asia with high potential while, FMO provides debt and equity to more than 180 financial institutions in emerging markets (including to a number of financial institutions in emerging Asia). This fund will leverage the extensive financial services’ platforms of both SBI Group and FMO, including their expertise in identifying and managing promising investment opportunities in this rapidly evolving sector, while adhering to FMO’s client protection principles and exclusion list policies.
About SBI
In addition to being one of the largest Japanese PE firms (with AUM in excess of USD 3 billion), the SBI Group is a leading global internet-based financial conglomerate. The SBI Group’s core businesses include Financial Services Business, Asset Management Business and Biotechnology-related Business. As of March 31, 2013, the SBI Group consists of more than 200 companies (including consolidated partnerships, equity method affiliates and 7 publicly listed companies). SBI currently has investments in more than 13 countries across Asia.
About FMO
FMO (the Netherlands Development Finance Company) is the Dutch development bank. FMO supports sustainable private sector growth in developing and emerging markets by investing in ambitious entrepreneurs. FMO believes a strong private sector leads to economic and social development, empowering people to employ their skills and improve their quality of life. FMO focuses on three sectors that have high development impact: financial institutions, energy, and agribusiness, food & water. With an investment portfolio of EUR 6.3 billion, FMO is one of the largest European bilateral private sector development banks. www.fmo.nl
Press contact:
SBI Holdings, Inc.
Corporate Communications Dept., Tel: +81 3 6229 0126
