Defoe Partners takes its name from Anatole Defoe, senior
co-founding partner of Defoe Fournier & Cie.. Immediately at its founding in 1824, the spirit of partnership
became a core value for the firm, as much of the
character of this merchant bank was attributed to its
junior co-founding partner Mathis Fournier. Fournier came to maturity
during the turbulent times of French Revolution followed by Napoleonic Wars and
The Empire, a period when the atmosphere was of rebirth, innovation and
tradition. When he co-founded Defoe Fournier & Co., his partner Anatole
Defoe had been in banking for more than 20 years, however it was Fournier's
avant-garde approach to banking, a profession of utmost conservatism, was the
reason of strong foothold the partnership gained within the establishment.
Serving the needs of clients in remote areas and specialty situations,
exemplified by colonial assets and major projects, the younger partner was the
most celebrated traveling banker in Paris, mostly serving partnership needs by traveling were business required, and referring to his occupation
as "merchant". The ability of Defoe Fournier & Cie. and the
willingness of one of its senior partners to travel to any length and provide
the highest level of support to clients has earned the company its
respectable rank, result oriented reputation and high levels of profitability
for the next two centuries to come.
In 2010, concurrent with organizational changes of Defoe Fournier
& Cie. geared to re-focus on its core historical large-cap Continental European business, the
merchant banking activities targeting emerging companies and markets were span-off and
Defoe Partners was created as a separated company.
Since commencing U.S. based merchant banking operations in 1998,
targeting emerging companies and markets, number of key events have contributed to
Defoe Partners' growth:
Year
Key Event
2010
Activities of the Firm in OECD economies and emerging markets reach parity.
Corresponding office in Ulan Bator established, targeting the East Asian region.
Concurrent with organizational changes of Defoe Fournier & Cie. geared to re-focus on its core historical large-cap Continental European business, the merchant banking activities targeting emerging companies were span-off and Defoe Partners was created as a separated company.
2009
Hill van Breen & Co., a project and commodity trade structured finance house founded in 1989, merged into Defoe Partners.
Seven additional Partners and Associate Partners join the firm.
Research and Analytics Desk has increased its coverage to over 400 companies.
2008
Corresponding office in Zagreb established, targeting the Balkan region.
The Tenth Anniversary of presence in the US is marked.
2007
Credit Sovereign Group's New York office merged into Defoe Partners.
Corresponding office in London established.
Globally integrated Research and Analytics Desk is established with six researchers.
Corresponding office in Yerevan established, targeting the Southern European region.
2006
Two additional Partners join the firm.
Pittsburgh office opened.
Becomes co-founder of Arsenal Corporate Industries, a company formed to strategically acquire and invest in contract manufacturing companies in the U.S. and Europe. Invests in the company and facilitates growth through strategic and transactional advice.
Structured capital products are pioneered in contract manufacturing industry, positioning the firm as a leading financier of the sector.
2004
The Board of Corresponding Advisors is formed.
New York office opened.
Two additional Partners join the firm.
CS Opportunity Fund, an Atlanta based boutique merchant bank focused on real estate intensive small and medium size corporates, merger becomes the backbone of Defoe Partners growth in the U.S.
2002
Becomes part of Defoe Fournier Cie. focused on merchant banking activities for emerging companies and markets.
The first real estate structured finance transaction in a CEE market completed.
The combined value of all executed mandates exceeds the mark of $3 billion.
Corporate assets structured finance group is launched.
Separates from Lehman Brothers.
2000
The combined value of all executed mandates exceeds the mark of $1 billion.
The combined value of all executed mandates exceeds the mark of $500 million.
Structured capital products are pioneered in franchised quick-serve and casual dining industry, positioning the firm as a leading financier of the sector.
1999
Becomes part of Lehman Brothers.
The first corporate debt transaction mandate in a CEE market completed.
The combined value of all executed mandates exceeds the mark of $200 million.
Launches a leading franchise finance focused team.
Becomes correspondent of Lehman Brothers, originating acquisitions of and investments in portfolios of downstream energy companies.
Structured capital products are pioneered in downstream petroleum industry, positioning the firm as a leading financier of the sector.
The combined value of all executed mandates exceeds the mark of $100 million.
Becomes correspondent of Deutsche Bank, originating structured debt transactions.
1998
Participates in the formation of a company geared to strategically acquire and invest in downstream petroleum industry companies, investing and facilitating growth through strategic and transactional advice.
The first transaction, advisory and capital raise mandates for Phillips Petroleum's Atlanta assets divestment,is completed.
Becomes correspondent of Nomura Securities, originating structured debt transactions.
Atlanta office opened.
Formed with two working Partners and one associate.
- NOTICE -
CS Defoe Partners LLC, a Delaware (USA) limited liability company dba Defoe Partners, and related entities (collectively Defoe Partners) only offers services and products where it is allowed to do so: therefore, not all of our products or services may be available to you. Defoe Partners, when acting as investor, does so as a private investment group. It does not solicit funds for management or co-investment from unrelated parties. All investment activities are conducted exclusively for the benefits of shareholders/partners/owners of Defoe Partners who also bear all risks related to all investment activities. Please review this Legal Notice