Morgan Stanley acquires Calgary’s Solium Capital
When a home-grown fintech firm is acquired by a global financial services giant for more than $1 billion, it speaks to the game-changing companies emerging in the financial service sector in Calgary.
Morgan Stanley said one reason it is making its largest acquisition since the 2008 financial crisis in acquiring Solium Capital is the company’s connection to younger workers through the startup economy.
Solium, which has grown steadily since its launched in 2002, provides technology and services to support stock-based incentive plans. It’s 3,000 corporate clients employ one million workers.
News of the deal made headlines around the world.
“The acquisition provides Morgan Stanley with broader access to corporate clients and a direct channel to their employees, as well as a greater opportunity to establish and develop relationships with a younger demographic and service this population early in their wealth accumulation years,” said Chief Executive Officer, James Gorman.
Solium CEO Marcos Lopez said the company's leadership team is expected to remain in place and Morgan Stanley has plans to bolster the operations in Calgary.
“The financial services sector in Calgary is globally significant and companies like Solium show that the bright minds here are producing best-in-class solutions to challenges in all aspects of finance,” said Mary Moran, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. “As we diversify our economy, financial services is one of our core industries, and this Morgan Stanley-Solium agreement adds the presence of a global leader in that ecosystem.”