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Merit Investment Bank & Company, a leading boutique investment bank, is celebrating Chairman Joseph Durnford’s acceptance of the 2022 Leadership award and induction into the M&A Hall of Fame at the 21st Annual M&A Advisor Awards.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15th, Joseph Durnford, chairman and senior managing director at Merit Investment Bank & Company, received the M&A Advisors 2022 Industry Leadership Award and was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame.
The M&A Advisor is the preeminent organization recognizing professional excellence in completing complex and industry significant mergers and acquisitions. The M&A Advisor strives to honor the best deals and dealmakers while advancing thought leadership with respect to how the best deals get done.
In his acceptance speech, Durnford stated, “The best part of being a dealmaker has been the honor and privilege of serving creative entrepreneurs and business builders, helping them along their journeys.”
Jeff Sasakura, managing director at Merit Investment Bank & Company, received mentorship from Durnford. Sasakura introduced Durnford for the award and expressed, “He has played a pivotal role in not only my personal development as an investment banker but in our firm’s development into an award-winning boutique. I cannot think of anyone more suited to receive this award, and I’m happy to see him recognized broadly for his achievements as a banker and industry leader.”
Durnford concluded his speech by acknowledging the clients and colleagues he has worked with, saying, “A very important thank you goes out to the hundreds of deal professionals, colleagues, and clients who have trusted me for over the past 30 years.”
The event also saw Merit Investment Bank & Company recognized for completing the Materials Deal of the Year for advising the recapitalization of International Greenhouse (aka GreenhouseMegaStore.com) with BFG Supply, a portfolio company of Pamplona Capital Management.
About Merit Investment Bank:
Merit Investment Bank is a leading boutique investment bank focused on serving middle-market founders and family-owned companies. Merit Investment Bank executes sell-side M&A, buy-side M&A, and capital advisory services with specific emphasis on consumer, infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology sectors. In addition, Merit Investment Bank offers other investment banking services such as debt and equity capital raises, restructuring advisory services, business valuations, and project financing through its subsidiary, Merit Investment Bank Securities, member FINRA / SIPC, a full-service broker-dealer licensed in 50 states.
www.meritinvestmentbank.com
Date:
Analyst:
Client / Target:
Buyer / Acquirer:
1. Executive Summary
Provide a concise overview of the buyer, their relevance to the transaction, and the recommendation outcome.
- Buyer Type: [Strategic / Financial / Individual / Family Office / PE Group]
- Transaction Objective: [Acquisition / Merger / Investment / Minority Stake]
- Fit Summary: [Strong / Moderate / Weak]
- Recommendation: [Proceed / Further Review / Not Recommended]
2. Buyer Overview
Detail the buyer’s background, structure, and operational scope.
- Legal Name:
- Headquarters Location:
- Founded:
- Ownership Structure: [Public / Private / Subsidiary / Fund-backed]
- Key Executives: [List Names and Titles]
- Business Description:
- Core business model and markets served
- Recent performance highlights
- Strategic direction and acquisition history
3. Financial Profile
Provide financial strength and acquisition capacity.
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FY2023 |
FY2022 |
FY2021 |
Notes |
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$ |
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| EBITDA |
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$ |
$ |
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| Net Income |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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| Liquidity (Cash & Equivalents) |
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Observations:
- Assess financial stability, leverage, and acquisition funding capacity.
- Note any recent financing rounds or divestitures that may impact transaction readiness.
4. Strategic Fit Analysis
Evaluate how the buyer aligns with the target’s sector, operations, and value proposition.
| Factor |
Evaluation |
Comments |
| Market / Sector Alignment |
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| Product / Service Synergies |
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| Geographic Overlap |
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| Cultural / Leadership Compatibility |
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Summary:
- Highlight integration opportunities and strategic rationale.
- Discuss any potential conflicts (e.g., overlapping clients or competitive products).
5. Transaction Readiness
Assess buyer’s ability and intent to complete a transaction.
| Criteria |
Rating |
Notes |
| Deal Experience |
High / Medium / Low |
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| Management Commitment |
High / Medium / Low |
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| Financing Certainty |
High / Medium / Low |
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| Speed to Close |
High / Medium / Low |
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| Due Diligence Responsiveness |
High / Medium / Low |
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6. Risk Assessment
Identify potential issues that could affect deal success.
- Operational Risks: [Integration complexity, cultural mismatch, regulatory exposure]
- Financial Risks: [Over-leverage, uncertain funding, market volatility]
- Reputation Risks: [Litigation, ethics concerns, public perception]
- Execution Risks: [Deal fatigue, management bandwidth, approval bottlenecks]
7. Conclusion and Recommendation
Summarize the findings and proposed course of action.
- Overall Buyer Rating: [A / B / C / D]
- Transaction Feasibility: [Strong / Moderate / Low]
- Recommended Next Step:
- Proceed to next phase of discussions
- Request additional diligence materials
- Discontinue engagement
8. Appendices
- Financial statements (summary extracts)
- News articles and acquisition announcements
- Management bios
- Comparable transactions
Merit Investment Bank as a leading boutique investment bank is focused on entrepreneurial middle-market companies. Merit Investment Bank Executes sell-side M&A, buy-side M&A, and capital advisory services, debt and equity capital raises, corporate finance, and valuation services.
Securities offered through Finalis Securities LLC Member FINRA/SIPC. Merit Investment Bank and Finalis Securities LLC are separate, unaffiliated entities.
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