China Everbright Limited (“China Everbright”) today (May 1st, 2006) announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with Lincoln International, a global investment banking firm that specializes in mergers, acquisitions and private capital raising. China Everbright Limited has investment banking offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shenzhen and through its affiliate, Everbright Securities Co. Ltd., in Shanghai (“ESCL”). China Everbright and ESCL have over 100 investment bankers. ESCL is the eighth largest securities firm in China. Through the partnership, Lincoln International will enhance its ability to reach buyers and acquisition targets in China and pursue joint engagements on a global basis. 

 

With offices in Chicago, Frankfurt, New York and Paris, Lincoln International employs approximately 100 M&A professionals, equally represented in the U.S. and Europe. This new partnership with China Everbright expands Lincoln International’s reach in the global marketplace. The vision of Lincoln International is to create the leading global mid-market M&A advisory organization by combining a strong domestic presence in each of the key world economies with outstanding staff and an open and integrated working environment. 

 

Globalization is no longer just the domain of the largest companies or major transactions. Today, businesses and transactions in the mid-market are competing and being marketed globally. These businesses need investment banking firms, like Lincoln International and China Everbright, that not only understand the global market, but also have the broad industry knowledge, resources and contacts to consistently produce outstanding results in mid-market transactions. 

 

“China is fast becoming one of the most active M&A markets in the world. M&A growth in China can be linked to a variety of factors, including economic diversification and the rapid expansion of China’s private sector,” said Jim Lawson, Co-chairman of Lincoln International. “We are delighted to partner with a firm that shares our commitment to providing our global clients with high-quality M&A advisory services.” 

 

China Everbright Group – the parent company of China Everbright Limited was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Hong Kong and Beijing. The firm focuses its efforts on banking, securities and investment management practices. With more than 10,000 employees and an extensive network of offices throughout China, China Everbright and ESCL serve clients in a wide range of industries, including power, textile, real estate, retail and transport. Some of the firm’s most prominent clients include Bank of China in Hong Kong, Bank of Communications, China Life and China Telecom HK (renamed China Mobile). 

 

To ensure that the benefits of the strategic alliance are fully captured, several employees in each of China Everbright’s four main locations will be dedicated to working with Lincoln International. These employees also will be working closely with Lincoln International’s offices in the U.S. and Europe. 

 

“Clients on three continents will benefit from our close collaboration and experience,” said Wang Mingquan, Chairman of China Everbright. “The exchange of intellectual capital, resources and contacts between Lincoln International and China Everbright make this valuable partnership beneficial to our clients.”