Transactions
November 2016
New York, NY
has been acquired by
Lake Success, NY
Background
Based in New York City, M&O Systems, Inc. (“M&O”) provides compensation management and compliance solutions that help broker-dealers and wealth management firms manage broker/advisor compensation, open accounts, support advisors and service clients.
M&A had an ongoing dialog with M&O’s CEO and co-founder Bob Minningham for many years. When he died, his widow, who inherited control of the business, approached M&A for strategic advice. After reviewing the situation, M&A guided M&O on steps to take to better position the company for a sale process. Over the next few years M&A maintained a dialog with the company’s shareowners and management as the company brought in new management and strengthened the firm. When the shareowners were ready, M&A then guided them through a disciplined process that resulted in expressions of potential interests from 8 parties. Ultimately Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) was selected as the right partner for the firm, its employees, its customers and its shareowners.
M&A knows the financial technology space, its strategic participants, the financial sponsors that target companies in this industry, and the drivers of their interest and value. With that knowledge, M&A organized a dedicated team to work closely with M&O’s management to develop materials that would seamlessly communicate M&O’s unique value proposition, growth potential, strategy, execution plan and financial projections. Among other things, M&A helped to communicate to potential partners the likely positive impact of the US Department Of Labor (DOL)’s new Fiduciary Rule on financial advisors (M&O’s core target market). M&A then worked with the company’s management to conduct a disciplined sale process – coordinating with each of the potential partners to ensure that they fully understood the company’s strengths.
After a careful review of its options, M&O’s shareowners agreed to sell the company to Broadridge Financial Solutions, a leading provider of technology-driven solutions for broker-dealers, banks, mutual funds and other corporations. M&O solutions complement Broadridge’s wealth offerings; provide an enhanced career path for M&O’s employees; and offer expanded solutions for M&O’s customers.
Marlin & Associates advised the company through all phases of the process from preparation through negotiations, due diligence reviews and the closing providing guidance on matters such as partner selection, valuation, structure and key terms. With a relationship spanning more than 10 years, initially, M&A provided only informal guidance. Once timing was optimal, Marlin & Associates worked diligently to help the company craft materials, initiate conversations, negotiate alternative offers with multiple parties, manage the due diligence process and complete final legal documentation swiftly. Marlin & Associates acted as exclusive strategic and financial advisor to the shareholders and managers of M&O.
“Marlin's advice, consultation and leadership throughout the process directly drove the best outcome for our firm. Their deep industry knowledge and close relationships with prospective acquirers provides unparalleled value as well. They are a principally centered and tireless team of professionals,”
Mike Brodeur, President, M&O