DGAP-News: Swiss Merchant Group AG has acquired a 9,9% equity stake in the US Asset & Wealth Management Group CARDEA Corporate Holding, Inc.

Swiss Merchant Group AG Corporate News:

Swiss Merchant Group AG announces a strategic participation of 9,9% of the share capital of the US-based CARDEA Corporate Holding Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

CARDEA Corporate Holding Inc. («CARDEA»), www.cardeacap.com is a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - regulated Asset- and Wealth Manager Group, active in the US with about USD 3,2 Billion of Assets under Management (AuM). CARDEA offers a broad range of services around Asset- & Wealth Management for its own and external Asset Manager Teams and pursues a consolidation strategy in the fragmented Asset Management space through acquisitions of suitable outfits fitting the investment criteria in the US and Europe. The CARDEA Group has subsidiaries and affiliates in the US, UK, Spain and Germany. With a substaintial target acquisition pipeline of European and US Asset Managers, CARDEA aims to reach in the mid-term total AuM above 15 Billion.

Luke Heatley, Senior Portfolio Manager of the Swiss Merchant Group AG: "We are delighted to be part of the CARDEA platform and to contribute our commitment and efforts to the further successful execution of the acquisitions strategy aiming to add European and US based Asset- and Wealth Managers"

Jordan Waring, CEO of Cardea Corporate Holdings, Inc. "Partnering with and welcoming as a shareholder Swiss Merchant Group is an exciting step forward for us. We believe their knowledge and experience will make a substantial contribution to Cardea as we move into the next phase of our growth story, and as we look to make important strategic acquisitions in Europe."

Swiss Merchant Group AG is a Swiss Investor, specializing in asset-backed investments and participations in the real estate and financial services sectors.

Swiss Merchant Group AG
Bahnhofplatz
CH-6300 Zug
+ 41 41 511 37 00
info@swissmerchantgroup.com
www.swissmerchantgroup.com

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End of announcement