For more than 20 years, 3i has worked with ambitious, growing financial services businesses at all stages of their development.  Our current portfolio of 11 investments is worth more than €470m.

Investing through our offices across Europe, Asia and the US, we ensure that smart, successful thinking in one location is rapidly migrated to benefit the businesses we partner elsewhere.  Among the investments that illustrate our approach are:

• Asia Capital Reinsurance (ACR) – a leading Asian reinsurer, based in Singapore.  In 2006, 3i was a founding investor in ACR, the first start-up with an A-credit rating in Asia.  ACR writes property and casualty reinsurance, reflecting Asia’s fast-growing need for specialised insurance, driven by burgeoning economic growth and heavy investment in capital projects.  The management team combines rich technical expertise, excellent contacts and intimate local knowledge, and used 3i’s international experience to help finalise a highly-effective business model.
• Bestinvest – independent UK investment manager and financial adviser.  A pioneer in providing investment advice with discounted charges, Bestinvest looks after client assets of more than £3.7bn – around a quarter of which is invested through its specialist service for high net worth individuals.  3i’s acquisition of the business in July 2007 was driven by Bestinvest’s excellent brand, high-quality, loyal customer base, and profitable, scalable business model.  3i is working with the management team to help them evolve a highly-successful company to the next level.
• GAIN Capital - a leading independent provider of online foreign exchange (forex) trading services for individuals and institutions. GAIN Capital is a market leader with a strong presence in North America, Europe and Asia. As GAIN looks to further increase its presence internationally, 3i’s financial services expertise, strong global network and recognised ability to add value will help the company achieve its objective of continued growth, whilst increasing its international customer base.
• KNEIP and Fulcrum – outsourced service providers based in Europe and North America.  KNEIP has offices in Luxembourg and Switzerland, and is a trusted international partner for more than 9,000 funds, helping them transmit flows of vital information.  Fulcrum is a leading independent hedge fund administrator, providing a wide range of services to over 60 funds from offices in New York, London and elsewhere.  In mid-2007, 3i acquired significant minority holdings in both companies, and is using its international network to help management accelerate growth.
• Travelex – a UK pioneer in currency exchange.  At the time of 3i’s investment, Travelex was already well known for its network of currency exchange kiosks at airports across Europe, the US and Australia.  For six years, 3i worked with Travelex as a majority shareholder, supporting the management team as they developed sizeable new revenue streams and made a series of transformational acquisitions that included the purchase of Thomas Cook.  By the time 3i sold its holding, Travelex had become the world’s largest foreign exchange specialist and was worth €1.56bn.