Houlihan Lokey Advises Mizuho Americas on Its Acquisition of Capstone Partners

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Mizuho Americas has acquired Dallas-based Capstone Partners (Capstone), a leading independent, middle-market placement agent focused on fundraising and advisory services to private equity, credit, real assets, and infrastructure investment firms. Founded in 2001, the Capstone team includes 40 experienced professionals globally. The deal closed on March 7, 2022.

Mizuho Americas is an integral part of the Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group, one of the largest financial institutions in the world with approximately 900 offices and 60,000 employees in nearly 40 countries. As of December 31, 2020, its total assets were $2.1 trillion.

The deal underscores Mizuho Americas’ commitment to enhancing its investment banking offering and furthering the suite of solutions for clients in the alternative investment market, specifically financial sponsors. It also reinforces the bank’s leading capital-raising and distribution capabilities through Capstone’s global network of 1,500+ limited partners across the U.S., Europe, and Asia with expanded opportunities for cross-selling complementary investment banking solutions.

In recent years, Mizuho Americas has been expanding its investment and corporate banking franchise, leveraging its flagship investment grade bond and loan businesses to grow its non-investment grade and financial sponsors franchise, lead IPO and SPAC transactions, and provide M&A services on notable transactions.

Houlihan Lokey acted as the strategic buyside advisor to Mizuho Americas in the transaction.