The last of the 2021 ESOP advisory awards have finally been handed out. In a year marked with increasing interest in employee ownership solutions, and continued economic volatility, CSG Partners again stood out from the pack.
ESOP Advisor & Deal of the Year Award-Winner
In a repeat of 2020, CSG's team earned top honors across leading industry organizations and publications.
- M&A Advisor: Debt Financing Deal of the Year (led by George Thacker)
- M&A Atlas Awards: ESOP Investment Bank of the Year & ESOP Deal of the Year (led by Thacker & David Blauzvern)
- Finance Monthly Magazine: ESOP Advisory Firm of the Year
The recognition reflected a banner year despite lingering COVID-19 anxieties and uncertain credit markets. The two highlighted deals alone accounted for nearly $700 million in transaction value and hundreds of new employee owners.
CSG's ESOP experts led 25 ESOP transactions in 2021.
While new ESOP formations accounted for the majority of overall transaction volume, employee-owned companies also turned to CSG for plan maintenance, secondary sales, capital advisory, and M&A deals. In all, clients reflected the diversity of America's economy.
Nearly $800 million in leveraged ESOP financing was secured.
20 national and regional financial institutions participated in transactions, and dozens more submitted competitive term sheets. While commercial term loans and revolving credit facilities were the most the common instruments secured, CSG's capital markets team continued to cultivate new and innovative ESOP financing structures.
Continued Growth Expected in 2022
In many respects, CSG's 2021 resides on a familiar arc that began with the firm's founding over 20 years ago. Managing Partner Lawrence Kaplan anticipates a similar trajectory in the year ahead.
"A dedicated team, unique insights, and rigorous, data-driven processes have always been part of our DNA. That enduring culture gives us the stability to excel in any market and the strength to innovate."
"We're proud of what we've been able to accomplish, but at this point we're focused on delivering employee ownership solutions to an even broader range of clients in 2022."
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