Mizuho Financial to acquire US-based M&A advisory firm Greenhill for $550m

Mizuho Financial Group (MHFG), one of the largest financial institutions in Japan, has reached an agreement to acquire Greenhill, an investment banking and merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory firm based in the US, in a move to expedite its investment banking growth strategy.

The deal, valued at approximately $550 million, including Greenhill’s debt, will be an all-cash transaction.

Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of Greenhill, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), will receive a payment of $15 per share.

Scott Bok — Greenhill Chairman and CEO said: “We are pleased to be announcing a transaction that provides significant benefits to each of our stakeholders—clients, employees and stockholders.

“Our clients will continue to receive the same high quality advice from the same team, operating under the same brand, overseen by the same management. In addition, those clients will now benefit from access to the wide range of financing, capital markets and other products offered by Mizuho, one of the world’s leading banks.”

This acquisition aligns with Mizuho Financial Group’s strategy to accelerate its growth in the investment banking sector. It leverages Greenhill’s 27-year track record of providing financial guidance to major clients in areas such as mergers and acquisitions (M&As), restructurings, and capital-raising transactions.

Masahiro Kihara — Mizuho Financial Group President and Group CEO and Shuji Matsuura — Mizuho Americas Chairman and CEO said: “We are thrilled to add one of the preeminent M&A firms globally to our platform, and we see meaningful synergies in the combination that will benefit all of our stakeholders.

“Our Banking division today serves over 1,300 clients in the Americas and 900 in Europe, as well as over 70 percent of all listed companies in Japan. We look forward to making Greenhill’s M&A and restructuring capabilities available to our clients, and to offering our full range of solutions to Greenhill’s clients.”

Greenhill operates offices in various parts of the world, which include Chicago, San Francisco, Madrid, Tokyo, Houston, Frankfurt, Stockholm, Sydney, New York, London, Melbourne, Singapore, Paris, Hong Kong, and Toronto, serving corporations, institutions, partnerships, and governments.

Following the acquisition, the company will continue its global operations as Mizuho Financial Group’s M&A and restructuring advisory unit, maintaining the Greenhill brand and retaining its existing leadership team. Greenhill’s 370 employees will be joining Mizuho Financial Group after the closing of the transaction.

The completion of the deal is contingent upon approval from Greenhill’s stockholders, regulatory approvals, and customary conditions. It is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.