Barings Supports Kohlberg’s Investment in Leading Employee Benefits Platform

• Global asset manager’s private finance group provides credit facility to finance acquisition
  
• U.S. Retirement & Benefits Partners focuses on K-12, government and SME markets

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 06, 2018 --  Barings, one of the world’s leading asset management firms, announced it served as lead agent for a second-lien credit facility to support Kohlberg & Company LLC’s acquisition of U.S. Retirement & Benefits Partners, Inc. (or “USRBP”).

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USRBP is a leading provider of technology-enabled employee benefits and retirement services to the K-12, government and small- and medium-size enterprise (SME) markets.  USRBP has achieved robust growth and established a nationwide footprint by developing a network of regional “partner firms” that each serve local clients with the proprietary benefits technology platforms and retirement advisor tools of the combined service offering.

“Kohlberg is pleased to collaborate with Barings on our investment in U.S. Retirement & Benefits Partners,” said Evan Wildstein, partner at Kohlberg & Co. “Over two decades of working together, Barings has consistently met our needs with its ability to provide speed of execution and certainty to close, and we look forward to partnering with Barings on future investments.”

“Barings deeply values our relationship with Kohlberg & Co. and appreciates the opportunity to support the investment in U.S. Retirement & Benefits Partners,” said Jessica Lee, a managing director at Barings. “USRBP has established a loyal client base by offering a level of customer service, expertise and administrative support that many competitors are unable to match, and we are confident Kohlberg’s deep experience in benefits and insurance distribution will help USRBP accelerate its growth trajectory.”

About U.S. Retirement & Benefit Partners
U.S. Retirement & Benefit Partners is an independent national financial services firm specializing in public school, governmental, and not-for-profit employee benefits plans and employer-sponsored retirement plans. By providing our regional Partner Firms with resources and tools typically reserved for larger companies, U.S. Retirement & Benefits Partners is able to provide employers with the personalized care and attention their employees deserve and help them make retirement planning decisions that align with their goals and objectives and benefit choices suited for their personal needs. For more information, please visit www.usrbpartners.com.

About Kohlberg & Company
Kohlberg & Company, L.L.C. (“Kohlberg”) is a leading private equity firm headquartered in New York. Since its inception in 1987, Kohlberg has organized eight private equity funds, through which it has raised $7.5 billion of committed equity capital. Over its 30-year history, Kohlberg has completed 72 platform investments and over 160 add-on acquisitions, with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $15 billion. For more information, please visit www.kohlberg.com.

About Barings
Barings is a $304+ billion* global financial services firm dedicated to meeting the evolving investment and capital needs of our clients. We build lasting partnerships that leverage our distinctive expertise across traditional and alternative asset classes to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service. Part of MassMutual, Barings maintains a strong global presence with over 1,800 professionals and offices in 16 countries. Learn more at www.barings.com.

*As of December 31, 2017

Contact: 
Brian Whelan, Barings, 704.805.7244, [email protected]

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