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Canada's Fifth-Largest Lender To Buy Chicago Wealth Manager

Josh O'Neill Assistant Editor July 11, 2017

Canada's Fifth-Largest Lender To Buy Chicago Wealth Manager

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year and is subject to regulatory approvals.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, or CIBC, has agreed to acquire Chicago's Geneva Advisors, a private wealth firm, for up to $200 million.

Last month, CIBC completed its $5 billion acquisition of Chicago-based PrivateBancorp, its largest ever, as it branched into new territory. 

Geneva Advisors, which focuses on serving high net worth clients, has $8.4 billion in assets under management and around 100 staff. 

CIBC will initially pay $135 million and a further $65 million if performance conditions are met. Some 25 per cent will be paid in cash and the rest in CIBC common shares. 

Once the deal is finalized, Geneva Advisors will meld into CIBC Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management. 

"This investment will add scale in key markets where we can offer clients differentiated, high-touch service,” said Larry Richman, CIBC's group head, US region.

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