Credit Suisse invested US$100m in Ant, setting up windfall

[HONG KONG] Credit Suisse Group invested nearly US$100 million in Ant Group during its last funding round, according to people familiar with the matter, setting the Swiss bank up for a potential windfall as the Chinese internet giant prepares to go public.

The Zurich-based lender, a frequent adviser on deals across Jack Ma's empire, made the equity investment during Ant's 2018 fundraising, which valued the company at US$150 billion. Credit Suisse stands to make paper gains on the previously undisclosed investment if the offering gets a strong reception. One estimate from Bernstein projected Ant's valuation at US$210 billion, meaning a 40 per cent increase from the earlier investment level.

The bank doesn't plan to sell its stake, the people said, requesting not to be named because the matter is private. A representative for Credit Suisse declined to comment. Ant declined to comment via email.

Credit Suisse joins a growing number of banks from Goldman Sachs Group to China International Capital in investing in private companies, particularly those in the technology sector. The investments hold the promise of generous returns at a time of intensifying competition and thinning fees for underwriters. Credit Suisse has also invested in L&P Cosmetics in Korea and Hero Fincorp in India.

Ant, the crown jewel of Mr Ma's Alibaba empire, has said it plans to pursue a simultaneous dual-listing in Hong Kong and on the Shanghai stock exchange's Star board. Alibaba Group Holding owns a third of Ant.

Ant is leaning toward giving Credit Suisse the smaller role of joint global coordinator for its Hong Kong initial public offering after the bank was left off an initial list of sponsors for the deal, people familiar have said.

Credit Suisse has worked closely with Mr Ma's empire over the years, handling at least 30 deals within the larger Alibaba ecosystem, according to people familiar. The bank has also advised Alibaba on at least US$14 billion of acquisitions, more than any other bank, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Credit Suisse was not among the group of investors disclosed during Ant's 2018 funding round. Ant said it raised about US$14 billion from backers including GIC, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Warburg Pincus, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Silver Lake, Temasek Holdings and Carlyle Group.

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