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Mike McEachern has been hired as a senior investment officer and member of the investment policy committee to work closely with the investment team in managing the firm’s array of credit strategies. Sam Zona has joined in the new role of director of business development for North America to significantly increase the firm’s institutional and high-net-worth client base.

“For years we have focused on developing a high-quality institutional business in Europe,” said George Muzinich, president and founder. “Expanding our US footprint is a natural step in the evolution of our firm, and we are very pleased to have Mike and Sam join us. Their extensive experience in credit markets will be invaluable as we build out our business.”

Muzinich, with $15 billion in assets under management, has a more than 20-year track record managing a variety of credit strategies. The firm’s offerings include strategies dedicated to investment grade and high yield credit as well as to bank loans. In addition, the firm launched a long-short credit strategy in 2004.

Muzinich’s proprietary investment approach relies on in-depth, bottom-up research performed by the firm’s team of analysts in London and New York as well as rigorous risk controls. Most strategies are dedicated to generating income and long-term capital appreciation with limited volatility. The firm offers funds and separate accounts and can tailor strategies to meet specific client investment objectives and risk guidelines.

“I am delighted to join Muzinich and be part of the firm’s highly experienced team of portfolio managers and research analysts,” said Mr. McEachern. “The firm’s independent ownership is attractive to me and its commitment to deep, fundamental credit research and risk control is completely in line with my investment philosophy. Credit investing will continue to play a prominent role in the capital markets for many years to come, and I believe our investment approach is particularly well suited to achieve client objectives.”

Mr. Zona, who will lead the firm’s distribution effort in North America, said institutional investors are increasingly looking for strategies that can generate income in this extended period of low interest rates. He said many investors are attracted to credit strategies, particularly high yield, owing to the many favorable fundamentals of this sector.

“Today, institutions and other sophisticated investors are looking to find strategies that earn income while providing the possibility of capital appreciation,” said Mr. Zona. “We believe that credit strategies that invest in high yield bonds and bank loans can be effective in helping them achieve their desired investment goals.”

Mr. McEachern joins Muzinich from Seix Investment Advisers, where he spent 14 years, most recently as president and head of the high yield team. Prior to launching that firm’s high yield business, he worked for American General Corporation and Capital Holding Corp. in a variety of research and portfolio management capacities. He holds a BA in Management Science from the University of California, San Diego and an MBA from Rice University.

Mr. Zona was director of client service and marketing at Seix, where he worked for 13 years. Earlier in his career, he was vice president of marketing for Daiwa International Capital Management, and he began his career at JP Morgan & Co. Mr. Zona holds a BA in Economics from the University of Delaware.

Muzinich

Press Release

BM