ANIMA Holding (“ANIMA”), a leading Italian independent asset management operator, with around €177 billion of assets under management (as of December 2022), signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of an 80% stake in the share capital of Castello SGR S.p.A. (“Castello”), a leading company in the promotion and management of alternative investment products focused on real estate.

Following the close of the transaction, funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”), the current majority shareholder, will retain a 20% stake in the company (with a put/call option). Oaktree’s Global Opportunities strategy will also continue to leverage Castello’s platform for future real estate investments in the Italian market.

In partnership with Oaktree, ANIMA intends to grow Castello's existing alternatives platform and enhance its position in the domestic market both through organic growth and strategic M&A.

Vitale acted as financial advisor to ANIMA Holding offering support in the structuring of the transaction, in the valuation and negotiation phases.