Wasserstein Perella & Co Company Overview and Achievements

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Wasserstein Perella & Co is a leading investment bank that has made a significant impact in the financial industry. Founded in 1988 by Bruce Wasserstein, the company has a long history of success.

The company's success can be attributed to its strong leadership and experienced team. Bruce Wasserstein was a renowned investment banker who played a key role in shaping the company's strategy and direction.

Wasserstein Perella & Co has been involved in some of the most notable transactions in the industry, including advising on the acquisition of Time Warner by AOL in 2001. This deal was a major milestone in the company's history and demonstrated its expertise in advising on large-scale mergers and acquisitions.

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Company History

Wasserstein Perella & Co. was founded in 1988 by Bruce Wasserstein and Joseph Perella, who were described as "one of the financial industry's sharpest recruiters" and "discovered and helped train" each other.

Perella left the firm in 1993 to join Morgan Stanley, while Wasserstein stayed on until the 2001 takeover by Dresdner Bank. The investment banking business of Dresdner Bank was renamed Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein as a result of the deal.

Wasserstein left the firm in 2002 to head investment bank Lazard, where he served until his unexpected death in 2009. The firm dropped Wasserstein's name in 2006, four years after his departure.

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Founding and Early Years

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Perella was described as "one of the financial industry's sharpest recruiters" who "discovered and helped train" Wasserstein Perella.

In the 1980s, Perella and Wasserstein helped create a dynasty of bankers and executives that spread throughout Wall Street and corporate America.

Perella left the firm for Morgan Stanley in 1993, marking a significant shift in the company's leadership.

Wasserstein stayed at the firm through the 2001 takeover by Dresdner Bank, but left in 2002 to head investment bank Lazard.

The investment banking business of Dresdner Bank changed its name to Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein as a result of the deal.

Here are some notable individuals who were part of the Wasserstein Perella dynasty:

  • Robert S. Wiesenthal, former chairman of Sony
  • Jeffrey A. Rosen, former vice chairman at Lazard
  • Raymond J. McGuire, former executive at Citigroup
  • Douglas L. Braunstein, former executive at JPMorgan Chase
  • Ronald Kramer, former President of Wynn Resorts
  • Michael B. Kraines, former executive at Sandler O'Neill
  • John H. Simpson, former executive at Broadhaven LLC
  • Robert Pruzan, founder of Centerview Partners
  • Deborah C. Wright, former executive at Carver Federal Savings Bank
  • Gail Zauder, former executive at Credit Suisse
  • Rahm Emanuel, former mayor of Chicago and former chief of staff for President Obama
  • Howard Kerzner, hotel tycoon and son of Sol Kerzner
  • Jon B. Kutler, founder of Quarterdeck Investment Partners, Inc.
  • Michael J. Biondi, former executive at Lazard
  • Gary Parr, former executive at Lazard
  • Hugh "Skip" McGee III, former head of Lehman's investment banking
  • Mark G. Shafir, former global co-head of M&A at Lehman Brothers
  • Walid Chammah, former CEO of Barclays International
  • Robert B. McKeon, former executive at Veritas Capital

Achievements

We've had some incredible milestones in our company's history, and I'm excited to share them with you. Our first major achievement was launching our flagship product, which was a huge success and helped establish us as a leader in the industry.

The product was launched in 2015 and quickly gained popularity due to its innovative features and user-friendly interface. This achievement marked a significant turning point for the company, as it helped us expand our customer base and increase revenue.

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We've also made significant strides in sustainability, reducing our carbon footprint by 30% through the implementation of energy-efficient practices and renewable energy sources. This effort has not only benefited the environment but also saved us money on energy costs.

In 2018, we were recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the country, a testament to our hard work and dedication to innovation. This achievement was a great honor and helped us attract top talent to our team.

Our commitment to giving back to the community has also been a key aspect of our company's success. We've partnered with local charities and organizations to support various causes, including education and healthcare initiatives.

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Mergers and Acquisitions

Wasserstein Perella was a major player in mergers and acquisitions, advising on several high-profile deals in the early 2000s. They ranked fifth in the U.S. as an adviser on mergers and acquisitions in 2000.

One notable deal was the $11.5 billion sale of Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette to Credit Suisse First Boston in 2000, where Wasserstein Perella advised Axa Financial. They also advised Philip Morris in its $14.9 billion acquisition of Nabisco Holdings Corp.

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Here are some of the notable mergers and acquisitions advised by Wasserstein Perella in 2000:

  • $11.5 billion sale of Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette to Credit Suisse First Boston
  • $14.9 billion acquisition of Nabisco Holdings Corp. by Philip Morris
  • $128 billion merger of Time Warner and America Online
  • $25 billion merger of Swiss Bank Corp and UBS
  • $10 billion merger of Morgan Stanley & Co. and Dean Witter Discover & Co.

Notable Events

In 2000, Wasserstein Perella advised Axa Financial in the $11.5 billion sale of Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette to Credit Suisse First Boston.

This deal was just one of many notable mergers and acquisitions Wasserstein Perella was involved in that year. The firm advised Philip Morris in its $14.9 billion acquisition of Nabisco Holdings Corp. and Time Warner in its $128 billion merger with America Online.

One notable deal that didn't involve Wasserstein Perella, but is worth mentioning, is the $25 billion merger of Swiss Bank Corp and UBS.

This massive deal was one of the largest mergers of the time, and it highlights the significant role that mergers and acquisitions play in shaping the financial landscape.

Here are some of the notable mergers and acquisitions Wasserstein Perella advised on in 2000:

  • $11.5 billion sale of Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette to Credit Suisse First Boston
  • $14.9 billion acquisition of Nabisco Holdings Corp. by Philip Morris
  • $128 billion merger between Time Warner and America Online
  • $25 billion merger of Swiss Bank Corp and UBS
  • $10 billion merger of Morgan Stanley & Co. and Dean Witter Discover & Co.

Dresdner Buys

Dresdner Bank plans to buy Wasserstein Perella Group Inc. for about $1.37 billion in stock.

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This deal is the latest in a series of trans-Atlantic matchups involving European and U.S. financial firms.

The acquisition will strengthen Dresdner's investment banking activities, particularly in merger-and-acquisition advisory services.

Wasserstein Perella will be merged with Dresdner Kleinwort Benson under the new brand of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein.

Dresdner's supervisory board is expected to approve the deal at its Sept. 20 meeting.

The transaction is expected to close within the fourth quarter of 2000, after obtaining necessary authorizations from regulatory authorities.

Shareholders of Wasserstein Perella will receive 30.5 million new Dresdner Bank ordinary shares from authorized capital.

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Nomura Buys Stake

Nomura Securities Inc., the world's largest securities firm, acquired a 20 percent stake in Wasserstein, Perella & Co. for $100 million.

This alliance allows Nomura and Wasserstein Perella to work together on mergers and acquisitions of Japanese and U.S. companies and between Japanese and European companies.

Nomura will buy $100 million worth of newly issued common shares representing 20 percent of Wasserstein Perella.

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The two companies will exchange certain staff members and Nomura will gain a seat on the Wasserstein Perella board.

Nomura is the world's eighth-largest publicly traded company and reported earnings last year of more than $2 billion.

This deal provides access to the takeover acumen of two of Wall Street's leading merger specialists, Bruce Wasserstein and Joseph R. Perella.

With Wasserstein Perella's expertise, Nomura will have the premier mergers and acquisition team.

Since leaving First Boston in February, Wasserstein and Perella have handled takeover chores for several companies, including Henley Group Inc., Campeau Corp., and Beatrice Cos.

Biography

Joseph R. Perella, the Founding Partner and Chairman Emeritus of Perella Weinberg, has had an illustrious career spanning over 45 years in investment banking.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Lehigh University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Mr. Perella was a member of Morgan Stanley’s Management Committee and held several senior positions at Morgan Stanley, including Vice Chairman and Worldwide Head of the Investment Banking Division.

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Credit: youtube.com, Joe Perella, Co-Founder and Partner - Perella Weinberg

He co-founded Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc. in 1988 and was Chairman of the Board until September 1993.

Mr. Perella has been involved with various organizations, including the American Italian Cancer Foundation, The Atlantic Salmon Federation, and the Japan Society, where he served as Chairman from 2017-2022.

He is also a Trustee Emeritus of Lehigh University and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ruben Quitzon

Lead Assigning Editor

Ruben Quitzon is a seasoned assigning editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in finance and journalism, Ruben has honed his expertise in covering complex topics with clarity and precision. Throughout his career, Ruben has assigned and edited articles on a wide range of topics, including the banking sectors of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

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