Fiera Capital Acquires Prominent Wealth Management Firm In Los Angeles And Global Manager In New York

Bel Air

Founded in 1997, Bel Air is a prominent private wealth management firm focused on the ultra-high net worth segment of the private wealth market, with $7.3 billion in client assets.  Bel Air is a highly-recognized wealth management brand in California, the fastest growing wealth management market in the United States.  The firm will be acquired for consideration of $125 million subject to various adjustments, including a maximum of US$115 million in cash with the balance issued in Fiera Class A Subordinate Voting shares over a 32-month period upon closing.  As part of the transaction, Bel Air's management team and other key personnel will also receive a minimum of $15 million in performance share units in Fiera, and will play a pivotal role in the continued success of the business.

"Fiera has built an impressive investment business under the leadership of Jean-Guy Desjardins and Sylvain Brosseau," said Morgan.  "Fiera shares our philosophy of placing the clients' best interests first, and is willing to commit the necessary resources to expand our business throughout North America.  Collectively, we will have greater global intelligence and research, while garnering greater access to more alternative investment strategies."

Wilkinson O'Grady

Founded in 1972, Wilkinson O'Grady is a well-established global asset manager that manages approximately $2.1 billion for individuals, families, trusts, endowments, and foundations located around the world.  Serving more than 500 client accounts, Wilkinson O'Grady is part of the larger Global Investment Capital Holding Limited Group ("GIC").

Wilkinson O'Grady will be acquired for an aggregate purchase price of US$31.25 million.   As part of the Transactions, key employees of Wilkinson O'Grady will join the Fiera team under long-term employment agreements with an equity participation in Fiera Capital.

"We are excited to join forces with Fiera," said Donald M. Wilkinson, III, Chief Executive Officer of Wilkinson O'Grady.  "Our combined resources will only enhance the competitive investment solutions and highly personalized service that our clients are accustomed to receiving.  We have every confidence that the transaction will be a success for both clients and our respective firms."

Approvals

The transactions are subject to customary conditions, including applicable regulatory and stock exchange approvals, and are expected to close on or about October 31, 2013.

Advisors

GMP Securities L.P. acted as financial advisor to Fiera in connection with the Transactions. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP acted as U.S. legal counsel to Fiera while Fasken Martineau acted as Canadian legal counsel.

Silver Lane Advisors acted as financial advisor to Bel Air and Bingham McCutchen LLP acted as Bel Air's legal counsel.

McGuireWoods LLP acted as Wilkinson O'Grady's legal counsel.

About Fiera Capital Corporation

Fiera Capital Corporation is a leading independent investment firm. The Firm is one of only a handful of full service, multi-product investment firms in Canada, offering clients a proven top tier track record in Canadian and foreign equity and fixed income management as well as depth and expertise in asset allocation and non-traditional investments. www.fieracapital.com

Additional information relating to the Firm, including the Firm's annual information form, is on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document may contain certain forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or future performance, and reflect management's expectations or beliefs regarding future events, including business and economic conditions and Fiera Capital's growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue", "target", "intend" or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and a number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, readers should specifically consider various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement.

These factors include, but are not limited to, market and general economic conditions, the nature of the financial services industry, and the risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Fiera Capital's interim and annual consolidated financial statements, and its Annual Report and Annual Information Form filed on www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document, and Fiera Capital assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

SOURCE Fiera Capital Corporation