News

The TSB Community Trust said Aug. 3 that it is buying the 51 percent of Fisher Funds it does not currently own. TSB has also agreed to sell a 24.99 percent stake in Fisher Funds to TA Associates. Financial terms of the transactions were not announced. Following regulatory approval, TA’s stake in Fisher Funds will jump to 34 percent while TSB will have 66 percent. Fisher Funds is New Zealand’s fifth largest KiwiSaver provider and fifth largest fund manager overall.

PRESS RELEASE

The TSB Community Trust has today announced its commercial arm has reached an unconditional agreement to acquire the 51% shareholding in Fisher Funds it does not currently own.

The TSB Community Trust, through its Group companies, has had a shareholding in Fisher Funds since 2013. The Trust has enjoyed its association with Fisher Funds, sharing a commitment to client service and best practice wealth management. The Group currently owns 49% of Fisher Funds having increased its shareholding from 26% in September 2015. The Group had an option to acquire the balance of the company in 2017 and has chosen to exercise that option. In addition, TSB Group has reached agreement to initially sell a 24.99% shareholding in Fisher Funds to TA Associates, a global growth private equity firm with extensive funds management experience. The intention is that the TA Associates shareholding will subsequently increase to 34% following receipt of required regulatory approvals, leaving the Group with a controlling 66% stake in the Company.

TSB Community Trust and TA Associates wish to acknowledge the quality business established and built by Carmel and Hugh Fisher over the last 19 years. With over 270,000 clients and $7 billion under management, Fisher Funds is New Zealand’s 5 th largest KiwiSaver provider and 5th largest fund manager overall. The chair of TSB Group Ltd, Hayden Wano, says, “Fisher Funds is an iconic New Zealand business that has built a reputation for excellence in investment management and client service. Our intention is to continue to build on the great business that exists today, adhering to its values and mission of making investing understandable, enjoyable and profitable for New Zealanders. We also are pleased to welcome TA Associates as an investor and partner alongside TSB Community Trust.” Fisher Funds will continue to be led by Chief Executive Bruce McLachlan and there will be no change to the personnel or operations of the Company as a result of this transaction. Carmel Fisher, who retired from her executive role in May 2017, will remain as a Director on the Fisher Funds board and a member of the Investment Committee. Carmel Fisher says, “The TSB Community Trust have been a very supportive shareholder over the past four years, and I know they share our passion for excellent client service. Hugh and I are proud to have been able to help so many New Zealanders with their wealth and retirement savings over the past two decades, and we’re pleased to hand over the future control of our business to a strong and stable entity committed to delivering excellent investment returns and great client service into the future.” Settlement will be completed in August 2017.

For further information contact: Carmel Fisher for Fisher Funds 021424610 Hayden Wano for TSB Community Trust 0274434238 TSB Community Trust was established as a charitable trust in 1988 at the heart of the Taranaki community. The Trustees of the TSB Community Trust are the shareholders of TSB Group Ltd, a holding company that manages the Trust’s asset investments. These are 100% of TSB Bank Ltd and currently 49% of Fisher Funds Management Ltd. TA Associates is one of the largest and most experienced global growth private equity firms. Focused on five target industries – technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services – TA invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in nearly 500 companies around the world. TA has significant experience in the funds management industry, having made 19 investments in the sector to date. Comfortable as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term investing approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in growth companies. TA has raised US$24 billion in capital and is investing out of current funds of US$7.25 billion. The firm’s more than 85 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. The Fisher Funds Board of Directors will remain largely unchanged, being: