Evercore has acquired Kuna & Co, the Frankfurt-based investment banking advisory boutique, and appointed Walter Kuna as Senior Managing Director of Evercore's German advisory business.
Kuna founded Kuna & Co in 2004 and has built it into a leading independent advisory business with a focus on real estate in Germany. Prior to forming Kuna & Co, he was Managing Director of Lazard Germany, having been a founding partner of Lazard's German M&A advisory business in 1989.
Kuna & Co is an independent advisory firm with a team of ten professionals based in Frankfurt. Over its 11 year history, it has advised on over EUR25 billion of M&A, financing and restructuring transactions, including some of the largest and most complex real estate transactions in Germany over recent years. Its client base includes international investment firms such as Cerberus and Blackstone, as well as leading German corporates and family offices. In addition to its primary focus over recent years on the German real estate market, Kuna & Co. has also been active in other sectors including retail and industrials. Following completion of the acquisition, which is expected at the beginning of July, the business will be rebranded Evercore.
Ralph Schlosstein, Evercore's President and Chief Executive Officer, says: "We are delighted to welcome Walter and his team to Evercore. Kuna & Co has built a very successful and profitable business with a strong track record in executing large and complex transactions in Germany. We look forward to working with Walter on further broadening the base of the business and leveraging his network together with the deep industry expertise of our sector bankers both in London and the US."
Andrew Sibbald, Chief Executive of European Investment Banking at Evercore, says, "Adding Kuna & Co provides us with an excellent entry point into the German advisory market. Walter has the experience, reputation and network to be a highly effective partner for us as we continue to build out our platform in Europe. We are delighted with the expansion of our business in Europe, and with the recent additions of senior bankers in Debt Advisory, Chemicals, Technology, and now Germany, we are well-positioned for a further phase of profitable growth."
Kuna says: "Evercore is today the most professional and trusted global advisory firm providing high quality and independent advice to clients. This combination will provide significant benefits to our clients through Evercore's global reach, broad industry expertise and institutional brand. We are truly excited to become a part of the Evercore family and to be able to lead Evercore's expansion into Germany."
