ATLAS MERCHANT CAPITAL ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH A&D MORTGAGE

• JV will support the expansion of A&D’s $7 billion mortgage securitization platform

• Fund will purchase and securitize mortgage loans originated and serviced by A&D and invest in the securities of the sponsored transactions

NEW YORK, NY / FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 – Atlas Merchant Capital LLC (“Atlas”), a global alternative investment firm based in New York and London, A&D Mortgage, LLC (“A&D”), a leading nationwide wholesale lender, and Imperial Fund Asset Management (“Imperial”), a residential mortgage investment manager and a capital markets advisor, today announced a joint venture partnership (“JV”) between A&D Mortgage and Atlas Merchant Capital that will support the expansion of A&D’s $7 billion mortgage securitization platform.

The JV, which will draw from a combination of internal and third-party capital, will purchase mortgage loans originated and serviced by A&D and other lenders with the goal of securitizing them, while investing across a range of securities in the sponsored transactions.

“Atlas Merchant Capital has sought ways to capitalize on the dislocation in the mortgage market caused by the rapid rise of interest rates throughout the last few years and we are thrilled to be partnering with A&D, a best-in-class lender, to execute on this opportunity,” said Bob Diamond, co-founder and chief executive officer at Atlas Merchant Capital. “The timing of this partnership could not be better as the tone in the mortgage market has been improving, which would provide a large tailwind for this asset class.”

A&D is a vertically integrated, national lender-servicer focused on the prime, non-Agency mortgage segment, with over $10 billion in originations since 2020 and a servicing portfolio exceeding $8 billion. A&D sources its production primarily through a nationwide wholesale network.

“Atlas Merchant Capital is an ideal partner to help us take our business to the next level,” said Max Slyusarchuk, founder and chief executive officer at A&D Mortgage. “Over the past two decades, we’ve expanded our operation to become the top non-agency mortgage lender nationwide. Our JV partnership with Atlas will accelerate A&D’s growth and our mission of helping more Americans achieve their dream of homeownership.”

On August 26, 2024, the JV launched a new securitized products investment fund and closed its first sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) deal with $370 million of mortgage collateral sourced from A&D. The deal was rated by S&P Global and Kroll Bond Rating Agency.

“This marks our 21st transaction, but the most recent deal is especially significant for our team because it is the first one completed with our partners at Atlas Merchant Capital. Now, more investors will gain access to top-tier fixed income products backed by the strongest foundation—U.S. residential mortgages,” said Victor Kuznetsov, co-founder and managing director of Imperial.

Atlas Merchant Capital, with its deep expertise in the financial services investment sector, will play an active role in the management of the mortgage investment strategy.

“Opportunities for private credit in the residential mortgage sector have continued to grow as commercial banks have increasingly divested these loans from their balance sheets. A&D is the ideal partner for us to align with to take advantage of the tremendous growth and opportunities that lie ahead,” said David Schamis, co-founder and chief investment officer at Atlas Marchant Capital.

About Atlas Merchant Capital

Atlas Merchant Capital LLC, founded in 2013 by Bob Diamond and David Schamis, is an alternative asset management company with offices in New York and London. Atlas invests globally in compelling opportunities, particularly within the financial services sector, through a diverse range of funds, including private equity, credit opportunities, and SPAC-focused public equity funds. The firm’s investment strategy is rooted in a long-term, partnership-based approach, leveraging its deep operating and technical expertise. Atlas’s executive team brings decades of experience from top-tier global financial institutions, including Barclays Capital, Cerberus Capital Management, Citigroup, J.C. Flowers & Co, and Fortress Investment Group.
For additional information, please visit atlasmerchantcapital.com

About A&D Mortgage

A&D Mortgage is a leading nationwide wholesale lender and a top lender in the non-agency segment. A&D is also responsible for servicing an $8 billion+ portfolio of mortgages. The firm has received several prestigious industry awards recognizing the company’s role as an innovative leader in the mortgage market. As a nationwide direct lender, A&D Mortgage offers a full spectrum of conventional, government, and non-QM loan products.

About Imperial Fund Asset Management

Imperial Fund Asset Management (“Imperial Fund”) is the investment manager for Imperial Funds founded in 2014 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Imperial seeks to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns by exploiting inefficiencies in the residential and commercial real estate lending market. Imperial Fund acquires and manages investment portfolios primarily comprised of mortgage loans, real estate debt securities, loans, and related instruments. Imperial Fund’s team combines a deep understanding of credit, loan level analysis, acquisition and management of mortgage loans, and mortgage origination platforms. Imperial Fund employees bring more than 55 years of combined experience in residential and commercial mortgage origination, asset and risk management, finance, capital markets, and structured finance.

Atlas Merchant Capital Media Inquiries:
Catherine Polisi Jones
Polisi Jones Communications
cjones@polisijones.com

A&D Mortgage / Imperial Fund Media Inquiries:
Anya Gezunterman
Imperial Fund Asset Management
anya.gezunterman@imperialfund.com