Manning & Napier to Acquire Rainer Investment Management

Manning & Napier, a provider of retirement plan investment services, is expanding its target-date fund capabilities through the pending purchase of active investment manager Rainer Investment Management.

According to the firms, the deal will allow Manning & Napier to deliver new market capitalization-based equity strategies, especially within target-date funds, described by the company as “the foundation of a broad participant menu and custom target-date products built by advisers and consultants.”

Officially, Manning & Napier will acquire a majority interest in the Seattle-based Rainier Investment Management LLC, which currently pilots more than $3 billion in cap-based U.S. and non-U.S. equity strategies and fixed-income products. The investment teams of both Manning & Napier and Rainier will remain autonomous, however, “and the transaction will not result in changes to either firm’s investment personnel or processes.” Rainier will continue to operate from their Seattle headquarters.

Jim Ridgeway, president of Rainier, predicts the transaction will provide greater financial, structural and distribution resources for both companies. Under the terms of the transaction, “key professionals at Rainier will maintain a 25% ownership stake in Rainier, with Manning & Napier owning the remaining 75%.” The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2016, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Manning & Napier CEO Patrick Cunningham says the firm will focus initially on expanding product solutions offered to defined contribution plan sponsors and participants. “Rainier’s fundamental approach to active management is an ideal complement to Manning & Napier’s capabilities,” he suggests.

More information is available on the Manning & Napier website.