Mizuho's U.S. arm agreed to acquire all of Capstone Partners, an independent Dallas-based placement agent that helps private equity, credit, real-asset and infrastructure managers raise money from limited partners. Capstone has about 40 professionals and a network of more than 1,500 LPs; its clients closed funds totaling over $10 billion in 2021. Terms were not disclosed. About Capstone Capstone Partners had grown over 20 years by helping private equity firms raise money from blue-chip investors, and Private Equity Wire named it the best placement agent of 2021. It was led by managing partner and chief executive Clay Deniger and president Steve Standbridge. Mizuho's US push Mizuho had been growing its US investment bank beyond its core investment-grade bond and loan business into high-yield finance, private equity clients, IPOs and M&A advice. Mizuho Americas chief executive Shuji Matsuura said Capstone fit its integrated approach to serving private equity firms. Mizuho also hoped to steer Asian investors into North American funds.
