Fiera merges Natcan into its operations
Montreal, 27 February 2012 -
- Fiera grows to $54 billion in assets under
management
- National Bank takes 35% strategic stake in Fiera
- Fiera and National Bank enter into long-term asset
management agreement
- Jean-Guy Desjardins remains controlling shareholder of
Fiera
- Strong support by independent Class A shareholders
MONTREAL, February 27, 2012- Fiera Sceptre Inc.
("Fiera" or the "Firm") (TSX: FSZ) and National Bank of
Canada ("National Bank" or the "Bank") (TSX: NA) announced
today that they have entered into a strategic alliance that
will result in Fiera becoming one of the top five independent
asset managers in Canada, with the scale and talent to assume
a leading role in the Canadian asset management industry. The
parties have signed a binding agreement (the "Agreement")
under which Fiera will acquire the business of Natcan
Investment Management Inc. ("Natcan") from the Bank for
$309.5 million subject to reduction. The Natcan
operations will then be fully integrated into Fiera's
existing business. In return, the Bank, through Natcan, will
receive class A subordinate voting shares (the "Class A
Shares") representing 35% of the issued and outstanding
shares of Fiera along with an option to increase its stake to
40%. Upon closing of the transaction, the Firm will change
its name to Fiera Capital. Jean-Guy Desjardins
will continue as Chairman, CEO, CIO and controlling
shareholder of Fiera.
"The acquisition of the Natcan business adds to
our established earnings base, brings additional research and
portfolio management depth, and enhances an already strong
platform, positioning us for future growth. Our
goal is to quickly become a major player in the ranks of
North American asset managers," said Jean-Guy Desjardins.
"Fiera will have approximately $54 billion in assets under
management as a result of the transaction, vaulting our firm
into the ranks of the largest independent asset managers in
Canada."
"We see tremendous growth potential for the
Canadian asset management business. By combining
Natcan's business with Fiera and by becoming a significant
long-term partner with them, we help Fiera to gain the
critical mass and expertise required to compete with the best
asset management businesses in Canada and globally.
We are confident this will be a benefit both to
Fiera and to National Bank," said Louis Vachon, President and
CEO of National Bank.
"The transaction fits perfectly with our plan of
developing key partnerships in order to grow our reach in
selected areas of our Wealth Management business. It also
helps us keep focused on our own core business of growing our
advice-based distribution capabilities, which is one of our
strategic priorities," according to Luc Paiement, National
Bank's Executive Vice President, Wealth Management.
As a founding shareholder of Fiera, Desjardins Financial
Group supports Fiera's growth strategy as one of Canada's
leading independent asset managers and will continue to focus
on the distribution of highly performing funds to its clients
across the Desjardins network.
Fiera Board of Directors and Special Committee Review
Because certain aspects of the transaction involve
arrangements between Jean-Guy Desjardins and the Bank, a
Special Committee of Independent Directors of the Fiera Board
of Directors was established to review and evaluate the
transaction and provide a recommendation to the Board.
The Special Committee is comprised of David R. Shaw (Chair),
Arthur R.A. Scace and W. Ross Walker. Over the course of
numerous meetings, the Special Committee considered a number
of factors in connection with the transaction, received
advice from its independent legal counsel and financial
advisors, including a fairness opinion, and determined that
the transaction was in the best interests of Fiera and
unanimously recommended to the Board of Directors that it
approve the transaction.
The Board of Directors of Fiera has, following consultation
with its financial advisors and legal counsels, determined
that the transaction is fair, from a financial point of view,
to Fiera shareholders and is in the best interests of Fiera,
and unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favour
of the transaction.
Under the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the
transaction is subject to the approval of a majority of the
votes cast by the holders of Class A Shares of Fiera
excluding votes attaching to the 833,333 Class A Shares
indirectly held by Jean C. Monty (a director of Fiera) and
the 60,000 Class A Shares held by Fiera L.P. (the limited
partnership through which Jean-Guy Desjardins, Desjardins
Financial Group and others indirectly hold their interest in
Fiera).
In connection with the transaction, certain institutional
shareholders who collectively hold approximately 6.3 million
Class A Shares representing over 40% of the outstanding Class
A Shares, have executed agreements to vote their shares in
favour of the transaction, subject to certain rights of
termination. Jean-Guy Desjardins and Fiera Capital L.P. have
also executed an agreement to support the transaction,
subject to certain rights of termination which survive any
termination of the Agreement. Details of these agreements
will be available in the management information circular.
Fiera has scheduled an annual and special meeting of
shareholders for March 29, 2012 to, among other things,
consider a resolution authorizing the issuance of the Class A
Shares to be issued to the Bank at the closing of the
transaction, along with certain other transaction-related
matters (including the below-described entitlement of the
Bank to acquire additional Class A Shares representing a
total of 5% of the total number of issued and outstanding
shares of Fiera). A management information
circular outlining the details of the transaction is expected
to be mailed to shareholders of Fiera on or about March 7,
2012. Class A Shareholders registered on the books of Fiera
at the close of business on February 23, 2012 will be
entitled to receive notice of, and vote at, such annual and
special shareholders meeting.
Financial Terms of the Transaction
Under the terms of the Agreement, to acquire the Natcan
business, Fiera will pay $309.5 million subject to reduction
in certain circumstances, including $235 million at the
closing of the transaction, and an amount of $74.5 million
paid over time after closing unless certain minimum asset
under management thresholds are not satisfied by the Bank and
its affiliates. At closing, Fiera will issue
approximately 19.71 million Class A Shares of Fiera, with the
balance of the $235 million to be paid in cash.
The value of the shares issued at closing will
be calculated based on the simple average of (i) the 10-day
volume-weighted average price of Fiera shares prior to the
announcement and (ii) the 10-day volume weighted average
price prior to closing, provided that the share price for
this purpose will not be less than $7.00 nor more than
$9.00.
Upon completion of the transaction, the Bank, through Natcan,
will hold 35% of the total outstanding shares of the Firm.
National Bank will also receive options to
acquire additional Class A Shares of Fiera at a market price
determined on the day of exercise, equal to 2.5% of total
shares outstanding at the end of September in each of 2013
and 2014. If the options are fully exercised,
the Bank would own 40% of the outstanding Fiera equity.
The Bank will also be entitled to protect its
ownership in Fiera pursuant to anti-dilution rights.
Assets under Management ("AUM") Agreement
It is a condition to the closing of the transaction that
Fiera and the Bank enter into a long-term AUM Agreement.
Under its terms, the Bank will be required to pay certain
amounts to Fiera in the event a specified minimum AUM ratio
is not maintained. This ratio is calculated by reference
to the aggregate market value of the assets managed by Fiera
under investment management agreements with the Bank, and the
aggregate market value of certain specified categories of
investment assets under the control, direction or influence
of the Bank.
These contractual arrangements, along with its shareholdings
of Fiera, will provide the Bank with a strong economic
incentive to maintain a significant percentage of its AUM
with Fiera for at least the seven year term of the AUM
Agreement (the agreement is subject to renewal for an
additional three years, in accordance with its terms).
Board Representation and Voting Arrangement; Buy Sell
Rights
Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, the Bank will
enter into a voting arrangement agreement with Jean-Guy
Desjardins, who will remain the controlling shareholder, CEO
and Chief Investment Officer of Fiera. The Bank will be
entitled to appoint two members to the board of directors of
Fiera, chaired by Mr. Desjardins. Sylvain Brosseau will
remain President and Chief Operating Officer of Fiera.
Under the voting arrangement agreement, in certain
circumstances where the Bank and Jean-Guy Desjardins are
unable to agree in respect of an extraordinary matter
proposed to be presented to Fiera shareholders, Jean-Guy
Desjardins would become entitled to require the Bank to buy
75% of his indirect interest in Fiera. In these
circumstances, Desjardins Financial Group would also be
required to sell up to 75% of its indirect interest in
Fiera to the Bank. All such transactions would occur at
then current market values.
In addition, a principal investors agreement and related
agreements will be entered by, among others, Desjardins
Financial Group, the Bank and Arvestia Inc. (the corporation
through which Jean-Guy Desjardins and other managers
currently hold their indirect interests in Fiera). Under this
agreement, and subject to certain conditions, Desjardins
Financial Group will have certain rights during a 4-year
period to require the Bank to buy up to 75% of its indirect
interest in Fiera at stated prices which vary, depending on
circumstances, between 95% and up to 115% of then current
market values.
These buy sell rights and obligations will be described in
detail in the management information circular to be mailed to
shareholders in connection with the transaction.
Closing Timing and Conditions
The transaction, which is expected to close by April 30,
2012, is subject to the approval of a majority of the
independent holders of Class A Shares, along with regulatory
approvals and other customary conditions.
Compelling Benefits for Clients
"The 'power of thinking' is the cornerstone that contributed
to the success of Fiera in the past and remains at the core
of the Firm's fundamental values today. Our investment
philosophy is based on optimal performance and intelligent
innovation, combined with superior client service. This
integration of Natcan into Fiera will result in more
competitive and tailored multi-style investment solutions for
a diversified clientele of investors," according to Jean-Guy
Desjardins. "Combining the portfolio management expertise and
research capabilities of Natcan and Fiera will create a
powerhouse asset manager that will have the talent to create
innovative products and the bench strength to successfully
compete for a broad range of investment mandates."
Advisors
GMP Securities LP is acting as financial advisor to Fiera,
and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is acting as Fiera's legal
advisors. Stikeman Elliott LLP is acting for Arvestia
Inc. Norton Rose Canada LLP is the legal advisor
to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Fiera.
National Bank Financial is National Bank's
financial advisor for the transaction and its legal advisor
is McCarthy Tétrault LLP.
Financial Impact of the Transaction for National
Bank
The Bank has determined that the transaction will result in
it realizing a gain of approximately $177 million, or $1.09
per share, and will increase its Tier 1 Capital by
approximately 20 basis points. The transaction is
expected to be earnings neutral for the Bank on a recurrent
basis.
Conference Call
A conference call for analysts and portfolio managers to
discuss this announcement will be held on February 27, at
10:45 A.M., Eastern Time, by phone at 1-800-704-5375. Please
join the call at 10:40. Media are invited to participate in
the call on a listen-only basis.
Live Internet broadcast of the conference call will also be
accessible at:https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1ndl49nyyscn6
.(You will be asked to register to access the
presentation slides and the audio live stream of the
call).
Management's comments will be available on the websites of
Fiera, Natcan and the National Bank shortly after the
call.
Rebroadcast of Conference Call
The conference call recording will be available until March
28, 2012 by dialing 416-626-4100 and entering access code
21581009.
About Fiera
Fiera is a leading publicly traded, independent investment
firm. The Firm is one of only a handful of full service,
multi-product investment firms in Canada, offering clients a
proven top tier track record in equity and fixed income
management as well as depth and expertise in asset allocation
and alternative investments. For more information,
visitwww.fierasceptre.ca.
Additional information relating to the Firm, including
the Firm's annual information form, is on SEDAR
atwww.sedar.com.
About Natcan
Natcan is a subsidiary of National Bank of Canada that
provides asset management services to pension funds, mutual
funds, insurance companies, exchange-traded funds,
foundations and other institutional clients. With $25
billion in assets under managementand more than
45 investment professionalsin its Montreal and
Toronto offices, Natcan offers a diversified and
comprehensive range of products across all global markets and
multiple investment styles. It's highly disciplined and
rigorous risk-management approach focuses on fundamental
analyses, an approach all of our investment managers
implements with utter conviction and unrivaled integrity.For
more information, visitwww.natcan.com.
About National Bank
National Bank is an integrated group that provides
comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and
medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core
market, while offering specialized services to its clients
elsewhere in the world. National Bank offers a full array of
banking services, including retail, corporate and investment
banking. It is an active player on international capital
markets and, through its subsidiaries, is involved in
securities brokerage, insurance and wealth management as well
as mutual fund and retirement plan management. As at
October 31, 2011, National Bank has over CDN$156 billion
in assets in accordance with Canadian GAAP and, together with
its subsidiaries, employs more than 19,000 people. The Bank's
securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX: NA). For more information, visit the Bank's
website atwww.nbc.ca.
To access National Bank's financial literacy portal,
visitwww.clearfacts.ca.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Fiera's public communications often include oral or written
forward-looking statements. Statements of this type are
included in this press release and may be included in other
filings with Canadian securities regulators or in other
communications. Forward-looking statements may include
comments with respect to Fiera's objectives, strategies to
achieve those objectives, expected financial results
(including those in the area of risk management), and the
outlook for Fiera's businesses and for the Canadian, United
States and global economies. Such statements are typically
identified by words or phrases such as "believe," "expect,"
"anticipate," "intent," "estimate," "plan," "may increase,"
"may fluctuate," and similar expressions of future or
conditional verbs, such as "will," "should," "would" and
"could."
By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve
numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both
general and specific, and the risk that predictions and other
forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate. Do
not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, as a number of
important factors, many of which are beyond Fiera's control,
could cause actual results to differ materially from the
estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking
statements. These factors include, but are not limited to:
the economic and financial conditions in Canada and globally;
fluctuations in interest rates and currency values;
liquidity; significant market volatility and interruptions;
the failure of third parties to comply with their obligations
to Fiera and its affiliates; the effect of changes in
monetary policy; legislative and regulatory developments in
Canada and elsewhere, including changes in tax laws;
operational and reputational risks; the risk that Fiera's
risk management models may not take into account all relevant
factors; the accuracy and completeness of information
received by Fiera; Fiera's ability to complete Natcan's
acquisition and integrate the Natcan business and its other
growth strategies; changes in accounting policies and methods
Fiera uses to report its financial condition and the results
of its operations, including uncertainties associated with
critical accounting assumptions and estimates; the effect of
applying future accounting changes; Fiera's ability to
attract and retain key executives; technological
developments; fraud by internal or external parties;
consolidation in the Canadian investment management sector;
competition, both from new entrants and established
competitors; judicial and regulatory proceedings; acts of
God, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; the possible impact
of international conflicts and other developments, including
terrorist acts and war on terrorism; the effects of disease
or illness on local, national or international economies;
disruptions to public infrastructure, including
transportation, communication, power and water; and Fiera's
anticipation of and success in managing the risks implied by
the foregoing.
These and other factors may cause Fiera's actual performance
to differ materially from that contemplated by
forward-looking statements. For more information, see the
discussion starting on page 1 of Fiera's annual
information form dated December 15, 2011 for the
financial year ended September 30, 2011.
From time to time, the Bank makes written and oral
forward-looking statements, such as those contained in the
Major Economic Trends and Outlook for National Bank
sections of the 2011 Annual Report, other filings with
Canadian securities regulators, and in other communications,
for the purpose of describing the economic environment in
which the Bank will operate during fiscal 2012 and the
objectives it has set for itself for that period. These
forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe
harbour" provisions of Canadian and U.S. securities
legislation. They include, among others, statements with
respect to the economy-particularly the Canadian and U.S.
economies-market changes, observations regarding the Bank's
objectives and its strategies for achieving them, Bank
projected financial returns and certain risks faced by the
Bank. These forward-looking statements are typically
identified by future or conditional verbs or words such as
"outlook," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "project,"
"expect,""intend," "plan," and terms and
expressions of similar import.
By their very nature, such forward-looking statements require
assumptions to be made and involve inherent risks and
uncertainties, both general and specific. Assumptions about
the performance of the Canadian and U.S. economies in 2012
and how that will affect the Bank's business are among the
main factors considered in setting the Bank's strategic
priorities and objectives and in determining its financial
targets, including provisions for credit losses. In
determining its expectations for economic growth, both
broadly and in the financial services sector in particular,
the Bank primarily considers historical economic data
provided by the Canadian and U.S. governments and their
agencies. Tax laws in the countries in which the Bank
operates, primarily Canada and the United States, are major
factors it considers when establishing its effective tax
rate.
There is a strong possibility that express or
implied projections contained in such forward-looking
statements will not materialize or will not be accurate. The
Bank recommends that readers not place undue reliance on
these statements, as a number of factors, many of which are
beyond the Bank's control, could cause actual future results,
conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the
targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in
the forward-looking statements. These factors include the
management of credit, market and liquidity risks; general
business, economic and financial market conditions in Canada,
the United States and certain other countries in which the
Bank conducts business, including the effects of the debt
crisis in certain European countries; the lowering of the
U.S. long-term sovereign debt rating by Standard & Poor's and
the lowering of the sovereign debt rating of certain European
countries; the impact of the movement of the Canadian dollar
relative to other currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar;
the effects of changes in monetary policy, including changes
in interest rate policies of the Bank of Canada and the U.S.
Federal Reserve; the effects of competition in the markets in
which the Bank operates; the impact of changes in the laws
and regulations regulating financial services and enforcement
thereof (including banking, insurance and securities);
judicial proceedings, regulatory proceedings or claims, class
actions or other recourses of various nature; the situation
with respect to the restructured notes of the master asset
vehicle (MAV) conduits, in particular the realizable value of
underlying assets; the Bank's ability to obtain accurate and
complete information from or on behalf of its clients or
counterparties; the Bank's ability to successfully realign
its organization, resources and processes; its ability to
complete strategic acquisitions and integrate them
successfully; changes in the accounting policies and methods
the Bank uses to report its financial condition, including
uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions
and estimates; the Bank's ability to recruit and retain key
officers; operational risks, including risks related to the
Bank's reliance on third parties to ensure access to the
infrastructure essential to the Bank's business as well as
other factors that may affect future results, including
changes in trade policies; timely development of new products
and services; changes in estimates relating to reserves;
changes in tax laws; technological changes; unexpected
changes in consumer spending and saving habits; natural
disasters; the possible impact on the business from public
health emergencies, conflicts, other international events and
developments, including those relating to the war on
terrorism; and the Bank's success in anticipating and
managing the foregoing risks. A substantial amount of the
Bank's business involves making loans or otherwise committing
resources to specific companies, industries or countries.
Unforeseen events affecting such borrowers, industries or
countries could have a material adverse effect on the Bank's
financial results, businesses, financial condition, or
liquidity.
The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive.
Additional information about these factors can be found in
the Risk Management and Factors That Could Affect Future
Results sections of the 2011 Annual Report. Investors and
others who base themselves on the Bank's forward-looking
statements should carefully consider the above factors as
well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they
entail. The Bank also cautions readers not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as
required by law, the Bank does not undertake to update any
forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may
be made from time to time, by it or on its behalf.
The forward-looking information contained in this document is
presented for the purpose of interpreting the information
contained herein and may not be appropriate for other
purposes.
Information(The telephone numbers provided
below are for the exclusive use of journalists, other media
representatives and shareholders.):
For Fiera Sceptre
Roch Landriault
NATIONAL Public Relations
Tel 514-843-2345
For National Bank of Canada
Claude Breton
Senior Manager, Public Affairs
National Bank of Canada
Tel.: 514-394-8644
Hélène Baril
Senior Director, Investor Relations
National Bank of Canada
Tel.: 514-394-0296