Citigroup Inc. today announced that it is buying hedge fund manager, Old Lane Partners LP, and that former Morgan Stanley executive, Vikram Pandit, will become head of the firm’s alternative investment division.

Citi and Old Lane Partners announced that they have reached a definitive agreement for Citi to acquire 100% of the outstanding partnership interests in Old Lane Partners, LP and Old Lane Partners, GP, LLC, the manager of a global, multi-strategy hedge fund and a private equity fund with total assets under management and private equity commitments of approximately US$4.5 billion. Old Lane will operate as part of Citi Alternative Investments, Citi’s integrated alternative investments platform. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Old Lane was founded by industry veterans Hari Aiyar, Jonathan Barton, John Havens, George James, Brian Leach, Vikram Pandit, and Guru Ramakrishnan, it has 16 members and employs 120 professionals and staff in offices in New York, Radnor, Pa., London, Mumbai, and Chennai.

Following completion of the transaction, Pandit will become chief executive officer of CAI, a business head, and a member of Citi’s operating and management committees. Havens will serve as president of CAI and also join Citi’s management committee. Ramakrishnan, co-CIO of Old Lane, will become president and CEO of Old Lane and a member of Citi’s management committee. George James, co-CIO of Old Lane, will become vice chairman of CAI and will also join the management committee.

Charles Prince, chairman and CEO of Citi, said:, “This transaction is an investment as much as it is an
acquisition. It is an investment in world-class talent at Old Lane; in a senior leadership team with a track record of building profitable businesses in institutional securities; and an investment in Vikram and John, each of whom has a clear record of achievement in cutting-edge financial services spanning more than 20 years, to lead CAI.

“Old Lane represents for us a unique opportunity to continue our growth in the highly competitive alternative investment area,” Prince continued. Old Lane fulfills CAI’s goal of enhancing its presence across all major asset classes, he said, adding, “The result will be a powerful combination of tremendous talent and a formidable platform, with US$59 billion in assets, exciting growth potential and the ability to attract additional world-class talent.”

Pandit said, “We are extremely impressed with the wealth of talent at CAI and Citi and the vision and commitment of Chuck to continue to build a significant presence in cutting-edge market segments. Partnering with Citi — one of the world’s largest and most well-respected financial services institutions — is a highly compelling opportunity and one that makes sense for both our clients and colleagues.”

The transaction, which is subject to customary regulatory reviews, is expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Subject to performance, it could be slightly dilutive to Citi’s earnings per share in the first year or two, due largely to accounting treatment, and accretive thereafter.