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Lattanzio to lead new Bear Stearns middle-market private equity group

Bear Stearns Merchant Banking has announced the formation of a new group, which will focus on identifying middle-market private equity investment opportunities. The group will be led by industry veteran Paul Lattanzio.

Bear Growth Capital Partners is designed to target companies that fall below the investment parameters of Bear Stearns Merchant Banking Partners II fund. It will target firms valued at between $10m and $100m.

‘There are a significant number of private equity opportunities in smaller companies that up until now we haven't been well positioned to capitalise on,' said John Howard, head of Bear Stearns Merchant Banking. ‘The addition of an accomplished and seasoned private equity investor like Paul and the formation of this new group will further strengthen our franchise across the private equity spectrum.'

Lattanzio previously served as managing director of TD Capital, the merchant banking division of the Toronto Dominion Bank. Prior to that he was a co-founder of NMS Capital Management, a $600m private equity fund.

‘I am excited to join Bear Stearns and to work closely alongside the team at Bear Stearns Merchant Banking,' Lattanzio said. ‘The group's expertise in the private equity space as well as its knowledge and exposure to potential investment opportunities should provide us with a promising platform on which to build this new effort.'

Bear Stearns invests private equity capital in leveraged buy-outs, recapitalisations and growth capital opportunities, and is currently investing from its latest $1.5bn fund. Since its inception in 1997, the firm has invested in 29 portfolio companies across a broad range of industries. Recent acquisitions include Vitamin Shoppe Industries, New York & Company and Packaged Ice.

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