Bank recognised as “Investment Bank of the Year” in ceremony in Warsaw
In recognition of the EBRD’s continuing impact on the economies of central and eastern Europe (CEE) the Bank has been named “Investment Bank of the Year” in a ceremony in Warsaw after a selection by an independent jury comprising over 30 private equity, venture capital and M&A professionals operating in the region.
The EBRD also accepted the “Cross-border Deal of the Year” award on behalf of all investors for the buyout of Allegro Group, the leading online market platform and the largest non-food online retailer in Poland. The internet company was taken over by funds advised by private equity funds Cinven, Permira and Mid Europa Partners. The EBRD joined the consortium with the provision of a PLN 400 million (€92 million equivalent) subordinated second-lien loan and a €24 million equity commitment as part of Mid Europa Partners’ equity syndication process. The total cost of the transaction was US$ 3.2 billion.
Notably, among the winners at the first M&A awards for central and eastern Europe in Warsaw were two private equity funds in which the EBRD is an investor (Enterprise Investors and BaltCap), underlining the crucial role the Bank continues to play in the development of the local capital markets with new and innovative products based on the needs and demands in the market.
Grzegorz Zieliński, EBRD Regional Director, Poland and the Baltic states, said: “We are very pleased with this recognition and we see it as a signal to intensify our efforts to support the Polish economy. As the economy matures and needs new tools, so we are adapting our offering and services. It is hugely rewarding to win recognition for this and it will strengthen our commitment.”
The M&A Awards celebrate the outstanding efforts and achievements of all those involved in identifying, coordinating and completing the important deals, which have produced consistent results, and the potential to change the fate of businesses and industries throughout the region.
The awards also highlight the dedication, outstanding results and top-quality client service provided by many M&A industry leaders. They showcase the hard work, dedication and determination of firms throughout the region, as voted for by their clients and industry peers.
There are 12 categories focusing on the investors and the companies supporting them.
The selected criteria are as follows: innovation, industry achievement, growth, prosperity, deal-making excellence and market insights, outcome of closed transactions, year-to-year improvements, regional market expertise, team leadership, record of executing transactions, client service. Criteria of work conducted includes: strategic nature, complexity, scale, efficiency, and groundbreaking or innovative processes. In this way the M&A Awards strive to be the CEE region’s most coveted and complete awards event.
Countries and regions covered at the M&A Awards include: CEE: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic, Ukraine. NEE: Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Kaliningrad. SEE: Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia.
For more details go to www.ceemaawards.com