Apex Announces Acquisition of Banco Modal’s Fund Admin Business

This is the Group’s second acquisition announcement this month, following that of FundRock, and supports its longstanding strategy for delivering local service on a global scale. MAF adds 75 employees to the Group, increasing its overall Americas headcount to over 400 people, while simultaneously broadening its existing presence in LatAm through offices in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, complementing its Uruguay office, established in 2013.

The MAF business adds nearly BRL70 billion (c. US$12 billion) in assets under administration and custody, across clients representing institutional funds (FIPs, FIDCs and FIIs) for both international and Brazilian asset managers. It has a leading reputation for private equity and real estate administration in the Brazil market and by joining the Apex Group, MAF’s clients will benefit from the ability to tap into its market leading fund administration expertise and its single-source solution via new products and markets, serviced by over 4,000 people across 45 offices worldwide.

This latest acquisition brings the Apex Group to the landmark milestone of $1 trillion in assets serviced across administration, custody, depositary and under management, reinforcing its strength as a leading financial services provider in the asset management space.

As part of the transaction, Banco Modal and Apex plan to enter into a strategic partnership agreement to further collaborate on the provision of depositary and banking services to Brazilian clients, whether based domestically, in Europe and the Rest of the World, and reinforcing the Group’s statement of intent for continued growth in the LatAm market.

Peter Hughes, Founder and CEO of Apex Group Ltd. comments: “There is a significant opportunity in the LatAm market and we have been looking for the right business in Brazil to complement our global service model. MAF is well established in the Brazil fund administration market and is a strong addition to our business, expanding the reach of our single-source model across the Americas and also giving our existing clients direct access to the Brazil market.”

Eduardo Centola, Co-CEO of Banco Modal adds: “We are excited for the future of our Alternative Fund Administration Division as it becomes part of the Apex Group, which has grown to become one of the largest international providers in the financial services industry. Our clients will now have the opportunity to access the Group’s international network and extensive range of products, and we are particularly excited about the value Apex’s pioneering ESG Ratings and Advisory service will bring.”

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Completion of the transaction is subject to the execution by the parties of a definitive agreement containing customary terms and conditions and regulatory approvals, including approval of the Brazilian Central Bank. 

About Apex

Apex Group Ltd., established in Bermuda in 2003, is a global financial services provider. With 45 offices worldwide and 4,000 employees, Apex delivers an extensive range of services to asset managers, capital markets and family office. The Group has continually improved and evolved its capabilities to offer a single-source solution through establishing the broadest range of products in the industry; including fund services, digital onboarding and bank accounts, depositary, custody and super ManCo services, business services including HR and Payroll and a pioneering ESG Ratings and Advisory service for private companies.

About Banco Modal S.A.

Established in 1996, Banco Modal is one of Brazil’s leading financial groups and through Modalmais it is the first fully integrated and complete digital bank for investors in Brazil. Modalmais (“modalmais”)  has over 1 million active accounts, providing access to more than 400 funds and over 140 investment managers. Modalmais also offers digitally, all of the traditional banking services such as checking accounts, services and credit card to all its clients.

About MAF

MAF is one of Brazil’s largest alternative fund administration providers, with nearly BRL70 billion of assets under administration and custody servicing some of the largest fund managers in Brazil, including leading global fund managers investing in the country.

Press contact:

Apex Group: Antonia Powell, Head of Media Relations | Antonia.powell@apexfs.com

Banco Modal S.A.: Lidia Carvalho Mathias | lidia.mathias@modal.com.br