Defoe Fournier & Cie.

Defoe Fournier & Cie. is an investment company taking strategic and passive investment positions in various industries, investing only partner capital. No outside investors are admitted into investment activities. Currently, Defoe Fournier & Cie. conducts its investment activities in the private placement marketplace and mainly acts as investor in large project financing transactions, such as Langeled pipeline. The firm coinvests with alikes of ABN AMRO and HSBC. Many offshore oil drilling platforms, power generation plants, and toll roads were funded by the group's investments, and investments often involve large ownership positions in blue chip European companies.

History

Founded as Defoe Fournier & Cie. in 1824 in Paris by Anatole Defoe and Mathis Fournier, the firm became a leading gold bullion trading house, establishing itself as a gold custodian and transfer agent.

It was considered to be one of the most reliable groups and was recognized by many French and Belgian colony rulers who appointed Defoe Fournier & Cie. as their keepers of wealth. The utmost cofidentiality maintained by Defoe Fournier & Cie. along with absolute financial prudence were the cornerstones of its business.

Over next 180 years Defoe Fournier & Cie. did not really change. In the 1970s it expanded its private banking capabilities and was relocated to Luxembourg, when it was a bank with very tight lips to the very wealthy European establishment, with just 70 employees, working under the governance of 30 or so partners. Dozens of subsidiaries and business units reported to the bank and its partners. With over $5 billion in capital, the bank was considered to be very solid. It never solicited business, and its partners, mostly hailing from European wealthy dynasties, were the discreet face of the bank, which had no obvious presence and its single Luxembourg office had no name plate.

In June 2007, the group reverted its name back to Defoe Fournier & Cie. and became an investment company.

References

External links

• Defoe Fournier & Cie. Official Web Site
• Defoe Capital, Ltd., the investment banking unit of Defoe Fournier & Cie., co-headquartered in New York and Vienna and regional offices worldwide.
• IFIL Investments
• CNP: Compagnie Nationale à Portefeuille