BNP Expands LatAm M&A Reach

BNP Paribas has acquired Hill Street Capital, an investment banking boutique, in a deal that gives it M&A and restructuring coverage in Mexico. “It’s going to add Mexico,” Hill Street founder Lorenzo Weisman tells LatinFinance. “It’s a very good fit.” He adds that BNP has typically concentrated on Brazil and the Andean region. Weisman becomes head of corporate finance for the Americas at BNP, while co-founder John Brim is appointed head of corporate finance energy and commodities for North America. “We have made solid inroads into mergers and acquisitions and other forms of corporate advisory services in North and South America in recent years,” says Alain Papiasse, head of corporate and investment banking at BNP. “We have decided to take this additional step in a targeted expansion of that franchise.” The price of the deal was not disclosed. No outside banks were used to advise the M&A. Hill Street becomes an integral part of BNP.