Comment

Leading Marketplace Lender SoFi Secures $200 million in Series D Funding

(Source: SoFi's Press Page)

San Francisco, Calif. — February 3, 2015 — Social Finance, Inc. (SoFi), a leader in marketplace lending, today announces $200 million in Series D funding led by Third Point Ventures and affiliates of Third Point LLC, with Wellington Management Company LLP, Institutional Venture Partners and existing investors also participating in the round. Goldman Sachs served as sole placement agent to the company on the financing.  SoFi will use these funds to fuel the expansion of its consumer lending products throughout the United States and build out its marketplace with new options for investors.

SoFi launched as an alternative to traditional banking in 2011, and was the first to offer refinancing of both federal and private student loans.  Since that time, the company has originated over $1.75 billion dollars in loans, and expanded to offer a suite of solutions for early stage professionals, including mortgages, MBA loans, and personal loans. Its low down payment mortgages and mortgage refinancing are currently available to qualified borrowers for primary residences in 12 states plus Washington, DC and will expand to additional states soon.

“Member response to the SoFi experience – our nontraditional underwriting approach, product innovation, and seamless customer service – has proven that we’re becoming the preeminent financial services provider for early career professionals,” said Mike Cagney, CEO of SoFi.  “This financing allows us to continue to expand our unique offerings to them while delivering access to premium credit for our marketplace investors.”

To read the rest of the article, go to SoFi's website

Comment

Comment

AllClear ID Offers Services to Sony Pictures After Cyber Attack

We are pleased to announce that one of Grail’s portfolio companies, AllClear ID, is in a position to help protect employees of Sony Pictures Entertainment from further breach of privacy in the wake of their recent cyber-attack. Sony is providing all employees with credit protection services from AllClear, which is already leading the market for breach response services with such significant clients as Home Depot, Homeland Security, and UPS.

Grail is proud to be associated with a company that is aiming to be part of the solution during a difficult time for Sony and its employees. 

For further details, please see the press release on NewsWire

Comment

Comment

United Capital Acquires $500M Firm

(via InvestmentNews.com)

"United Capital announced its biggest acquisition of the year Monday, a $500 million asset firm that was previously affiliated with Ameriprise Financial.

United Capital's latest acquisition, Ellis & Ellis, serves 700 households and is based in The Woodlands, Texas. Byron Ellis, managing director, said the team conducted an extensive search before deciding to join forces with United Capital."

Read the full article here.

Comment

Comment

Hillcrest Wins Q3 Performance Awards

Grail is pleased to announce that Hillcrest has won our 22nd and 23rd performance awards in Q3. They are a Lipper Best Manager for both 3 years and 5 years in small cap value. See 3 year performance data here and 5 year performance data here.

Comment