Private Equity Capital for Financial Services

Specialized

Lightyear is a specialist in financial services, a dynamic and diverse industry representing a significant portion of the U.S. economy. Financial services is opportunity rich but oft-overlooked: regulatory, tax, accounting, and business model complexities all require expertise. Our knowledge, gained over 21 years in financial services, positions Lightyear well to navigate the opportunities of this specialized space.

Experienced

Our Investment Committee has, on average, invested together at Lightyear for 14 years and worked in financial services for over 27 years, including in senior operational roles. Having completed 50 investments since 2000 through its affiliated investment funds, the Lightyear team has extensive experience investing in and managing financial institutions.
Lightyear is deeply embedded in financial services, having invested in the industry for 21 years through multiple market cycles and environments. We believe our expertise in financial services and its sub-sectors allows Lightyear to identify opportunities and offer resources beyond capital to portfolio companies.

Industry Expertise

Financial services is a large and complex industry, representing approximately 11% of the S&P 500. We use top-down analysis, theme-based research, and our network to drive our sourcing. We view the industry as composed of seven sectors and target growth sub-sectors within these seven. Within each fund, we strive to create a diversified portfolio.
  • Asset Management and Wealth Management
  • Banks and Brokerage
  • Commercial and Consumer Finance
  • Financial Technology
  • Healthcare Financial Services
  • Insurance
  • Tech-Enabled Business Services

Creating Value

We believe our experience in the financial services industry helps create value for our portfolio companies and our investors. We strive to work hand-in-hand with management teams and owners to unlock value and create stronger companies. Below are some of the benefits and value drivers Lightyear aims to offer to our portfolio companies.

  • Access to Lightyear Network
  • Transaction Structuring
  • Add-on Acquisition Support
  • Experience in Regulated Environments
  • Operational Improvements
  • Data Analytics and Reporting Enhancements
  • Strengthened Governance
Double Acquisition Establishes Northern Ireland Presence for Wren Sterling Alongside Further North-West Expansion
05.11.2023
PracticeTek Announces Strategic Alliance with Inception Online Marketing
05.09.2023
Allworth adds $506M McDaniel Knutson Financial Partners of Lawrence, Kansas
04.26.2023
Webinar: Talent in Private Equity
03.16.2023
Allworth Acquires Nevada’s Redrock Wealth Management
03.08.2023
Allworth Financial Acquires $417M BD Affiliated Advisory Team From Indiana's One To One Financial Advisors
03.08.2023
Wren Sterling Group Appoints Former CEO of Ruffer, Clemmie Vaughan to NED Role
01.16.2023
Cerity Partners Welcomes ARGI Financial
01.10.2023
Allworth Financial Acquires California and Texas-based Teams from Journey Advisory Group
11.01.2022
PracticeTek Acquires GrowthPlug to Help Healthcare Practices Modernize
09.22.2022
Lightyear Capital adds Michael Langer as Managing Director and Member of the Investment Committee
09.15.2022
Ron Markezich Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Lighthouse
09.07.2022
Allworth Expands Midwest Presence with Acquisition of Second Opinion Partners
08.24.2022
Allworth Acquires New York's Muchler Financial Services
08.24.2022
Benjamin Pajak named CEO of HealthPlanOne, LLC
07.19.2022
Webinar: Delivering Better Healthcare
07.11.2022
Wren Sterling announces acquisition of Critchleys Financial Planning, LLC, an Oxford-based financial advisor with £150m of assets under advice
07.06.2022
Cerity Partners Welcomes a Recapitalization led by Genstar Capital
06.13.2022
Wren Sterling adds £675mn AUM with adviser purchase
06.08.2022
Allworth Financial Partners with New Mexico’s UAS Wealth Advisors
06.08.2022
Allworth Financial Partners with North Carolina’s Adams Chetwood Wealth Management Group
06.08.2022
Vehlo Announces Strategic Growth Investment
06.06.2022
Five Leading Orthodontic Software Providers Form Collaboration Under PracticeTek
06.02.2022
Will Rising Rates & Volatility Derail the Advisor M&A Boom
05.17.2022
Cerity Partners Welcomes Permit Capital Advisors
05.03.2022
Lightyear Capital appoints Maria Veltre as Senior Advisor to Lightyear Fund V
04.04.2022
Allworth Financial Expands Midwestern Presence with Horseman Group Partnership
03.24.2022
Virtual Fireside Chat: Wealth Management Redefined
03.02.2022
Cerity Partners Merges with Boston-based Daintree Advisors, Expanding East Coast Presence
03.01.2022
Lightyear Capital Hires Courtney Sullivan as Head of Fundraising and Investor Relations
02.28.2022
Cerity Partners Expands Texas Presence Via Merger with Investec Wealth Strategies
02.22.2022
Allworth Financial Expands California Presence with Johanson Financial Advisors Partnership
02.01.2022
Schellman Acquires Scott S. Perry, CPA PLLC To Expand and Strengthen Crypto and Web 3.0 Trust Practice
01.24.2022
Allworth Financial Appoints Mike Linton, Eash Sundaram and Maria Veltre to Board of Directors
01.06.2022
Merger of Cerity Partners and Brouwer & Janachowski, LLC Creates $45 Billion Wealth Management Firm
01.05.2022
Wren Sterling has Completed its Secondary Management Buyout
12.27.2021
Lightyear Capital Leads Recapitalization of PracticeTek, Joining Founding Investor Greater Sum Ventures For Next Phase of Growth
12.06.2021
Merger of Cerity Partners and Bingham Osborn & Scarborough Creates $40 Billion Wealth Management Firm
11.23.2021
Lightyear Capital Completes $1.6 Billion Fund V Fundraise
11.15.2021
Allworth Partners with Arizona's RG Capital
11.10.2021
Lightyear Capital Appoints Steve Auerbach as Senior Advisor to Lightyear Fund V, L.P.
11.05.2021
Allworth Financial Expands Southwestern U.S. Presence with DeGreen Capital Management Partnership
11.03.2021
Allworth Financial Announces New Partnership with California's DeBoer
10.13.2021
Lightyear Capital Partners with Schellman & Company, LLC to Support Next Phase of Growth
09.17.2021
Webinar: Embedded Finance
09.15.2021
Allworth Financial Announces $385 Million Partnership with Novak Financial Planning
09.01.2021
Lightyear Capital Names Former Fiserv Executive Marc West as a Senior Advisor
08.17.2021
Lightyear Capital Closes on Sale of Datalot to Centerfield
08.02.2021
Lightyear Capital Agrees to Acquire Wren Sterling
07.21.2021
Allworth Financial Continues National Expansion - Partners with Giordano Wealth Management Group
07.14.2021
Lighthouse Aims to Transform the Document Review Market with the Acquisition of H5
07.08.2021
Cerity Partners featured in AdvisorHub
06.01.2021
Lightyear Capital Announces Sale of Datalot to Centerfield
06.29.2021
Lightyear Capital, Oak HC/FT, and Greater Sum Ventures Close on Sale of Therapy Brands to KKR
05.18.2021
Lightyear Capital on the Future of WealthTech: Financial Planning InVest Conference
05.13.2021
Allworth Financial Partners with $340 Million RIA Shone Wealth Management
04.13.2021
Lightyear Capital, Oak HC/FT, and Greater Sum Ventures Announce Sale of Therapy Brands to KKR
04.07.2021
Steven G. Auerbach Joins HPOne Board of Directors
02.11.2021
Allworth Founders Scott Hanson & Pat McClain Named to InvestmentNews' 2021 Icons and Innovators List
02.10.2021
Cerity Partners Adds Bainco International Investors
02.02.2021
Lightyear Capital Announces Senior Promotions
01.28.2021
Cerity Partners Announces the Addition of Two Teams
12.15.2020
Lightyear Capital and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Agree to Acquire Allworth Financial to Invest in Next Phase of Rapid Growth
10.20.2020
Lightyear Capital Names Kevin Watters Senior Advisor
09.24.2020
Lightyear Capital Announces the Formation of ProfitSolv
09.24.2020
Lightyear Capital Research Featured in Forbes Embedded Finance Article
08.03.2020
Lightyear Capital Announces Majority Investment in HPOne
06.22.2020
Cerity Partners Merges with 30-Year Industry Veteran, Sullivan & Serwitz
01.21.2020
Cerity Partners Announces Merger with $3 Billion AUM Wealth Management Firm, EMM Wealth
01.14.2020
Lightyear Capital and PSP Investments Close on Sale of Advisor Group to Reverence Capital Partners
08.02.2019
Wealth Enhancement Group Announces Acquisition by Leading Global Growth Private Equity Firm TA Associates
07.31.2019
Lightyear Capital and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan to Acquire Lendmark Financial Services
06.27.2019
Lightyear Capital and PSP Investments Announce Sale of Advisor Group to Reverence Capital Partners
05.09.2019
Cerity Partners Announces Merger with $500 Million Wealth Management Firm, Karsten Advisors
05.02.2019
Lightyear Capital Enters Purchase Agreement with Engage PEO
05.01.2019
Lightyear Capital Announces Investment in Lighthouse
05.01.2019
Cerity Partners Announces Merger with $11 Billion Blue Prairie Group
04.02.2019
BGC Partners Completes Acquisition of Ed Broking Group Limited
02.01.2019
Lightyear Capital Announces Senior Promotions
01.24.2019
Investment and Wealth Management Firm HPM Partners Rebrands to Cerity Partners
01.07.2019
Advisor Group's Woodbury Financial Selected as the Preferred Affiliation Partner for Questar Advisors
10.11.2018
Lightyear Capital Acquires Controlling Stake in Augeo FI Loyalty
09.26.2018
Lightyear Capital Closes Sale of Alegeus to Vista Equity Partners
09.06.2018
Vista Equity Partners to Acquire Leading Consumer Directed Healthcare Firm Alegeus
08.07.2018
Therapy Brands Closes Investment from Lightyear Capital and Oak HC/FT to Accelerate Growth
07.24.2018
Wealth Enhancement Group Acquires Retirement Strategies, Inc. in Latest Step Toward National Strategic Expansion
07.24.2018
Lightyear Capital Names Allison Cole Head of Fundraising and Investor Relations
07.09.2018
Advisor Group's Royal Alliance Associates Acquires Signator Investors
06.21.2018
HPM Partners Announces Sale of Emigrant Bank's Interest to Lightyear Capital
01.16.2018
Lightyear Capital Closes Fourth Financial Services Buyout Fund
11.29.2017
Lightyear Capital Announces Investment in Datalot
10.03.2017
Lightyear Capital Acquires eCommission Financial Services
08.29.2017
Lightyear Capital Announces $95 Million Investment in Ygrene Energy
12.21.2016
Lightyear Capital Announces Sale of RidgeWorth Investments to Virtus Investment Partners
12.16.2016
Lightyear Capital and PSP Investments Complete Purchase of Advisor Group
05.06.2016
Lightyear Capital and PSP Investments Agree to Acquire AIG Advisor Group
01.26.2016
Lightyear Capital Announces Sale of Clarion Partners to Legg Mason
01.22.2016
Lightyear Capital Names Daniel Freyman Managing Director
01.19.2016
Lightyear Capital Completes Acquisition of Majority Equity Stake in Pathlight Capital
11.23.2015
Lightyear Capital Completes Acquisition Of Majority Equity Stake In Wealth Enhancement Group
06.08.2015
Lightyear Capital Completes Sale of Paradigm Acquisition Corp. to Summit Partners
06.02.2015
Lightyear Capital Names Martin Sullivan Operating Partner
10.20.2014
RidgeWorth Buyout Closes, Becomes Independent Investment Firm
06.02.2014
Lightyear Capital Completes Sale of Cetera Financial Group
04.29.2014
Lightyear Capital Names Michal Petrzela Managing Director
04.04.2014
Lightyear Capital Announces the Sale of Antares Holdings
02.13.2014
Lightyear Capital Announces the Sale of Cetera Financial Group
01.16.2014
Lightyear Capital Announces Closing of Controlling Investment in Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford
01.16.2013
Lightyear Capital Leads Significant Investment in Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford
10.22.2012
Lightyear Capital Closes Third Financial Services Buyout Fund
09.25.2012
Lightyear Capital Completes Acquisition of the Healthcare Benefit Solutions Business from FIS
08.15.2012
Lightyear Capital to Acquire FIS Healthcare Benefit Solutions Business for $335 Million
06.25.2012
Lightyear Capital Acquires Control Stake In Paradigm Acquistion Corp.
02.01.2012
Lightyear Capital Announces Sale of BakerCorp to Permira
04.13.2011
Lightyear Capital Sells Argus Software to Altus Group
04.12.2011
Leading Asset Manager ING Clarion Partners In Agreement to Be Acquired by Management Team and Lightyear Capital
02.15.2011
Lightyear Capital Completes Sale of Leading Crop Insurer NAU Group
07.01.2010
Lightyear Capital Sells Majority Stake in Leading Crop Insurer NAU Group
04.16.2010
Lightyear Capital Completes Acquisition of Three Broker-Dealers from the ING Advisors Network
02.01.2010
Lightyear Capital to Acquire ING Advisors Network
11.03.2009
Lightyear Capital Makes Significant Investment in Higher One Holdings
08.11.2008
Lightyear Capital Completes Antares Holdings Transaction
12.03.2007
Lightyear Capital Leads Investor Group to Create Antares Holdings
10.04.2007
Lightyear Capital Completes Final Closing on Second Financial Services Buyout Fund
03.05.2007
Lightyear Fund Completes Acquisition of Baker Tanks
11.28.2005
Lightyear Fund To Acquire Baker Tanks
10.17.2005
Lightyear Capital Sells Kepler Equities to Landsbanki Íslands. Transaction Valued at €94 Million
09.06.2005
The Lightyear Fund Invests in The NAU Group. Investment Positions Crop Insurance Company for Growth
05.25.2005
Lightyear Capital Launches New Triple-A Rated Credit Protection Company
01.03.2005
Lightyear Capital

40 West 57th Street
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10019
(212) 328-0555
Business Proposals If you have a business opportunity you would like to share with us, please e-mail proposals@lycap.com

Employment Opportunities If you would like to be considered for a position at Lightyear, please e-mail a resume to careers@lycap.com
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