Money Games - The Inside Story of How American Dealmakers Saved Korea's Most Iconic Bank: The Inside Story of How American Dealmakers Saved Korea's Most Iconic Bank

„To private equity investors, the making of a deal, no matter how big, complex or high profile, is only the beginning. The success or failure of the investment can only be ascertained when the investor fully exits. In between, teams of private equity professionals expend great amounts of energy and resources to create value with the acquired company, to transform it and to grow it. To exit from a big investment is often as complicated a deal as the initial acquisition -- if not more so. Any mistake in this deal cycle can lead to disaster and financial losses, erasing whatever satisfaction the closing of the transaction brought years prior, and possibly ending the careers of the dealmakers themselves. A seasoned private equity investor knows that in everydeal, he is walking on thin ice with a heavy load on his shoulders, taking great care with every step to avoid falling into darkness. He can celebrate only after reaching the far shore and delivering his load to his investors.“--
Money Games is a riveting tale of one of the most successful buyout deals ever: the acquisition and turnaround of what used to be Korea’s largest bank by the American firm Newbridge Capital. Full of intrigue and suspense, this insider's account is told by the chief architect of the deal itself, the celebrated author and private equity investor Weijian Shan. With billions of dollars at stake, and the nation's economic future on the line, Newbridge Capital sought to become the first foreign firm in history to take control of one of Korea’s most beloved financial institutions. In a proud country still reeling from a humiliating International Monetary Fund bailout in the Asian Financial Crisis, Newbridge Capital had to muster every ounce of skill, determination, and patience to bring the deal to closing. Shan takes readers inside the battle to win control of the bank—a delicate, often exasperating process that meant balancing the goals of Newbridge with those of the government, bank employees, and Korea's powerful industrial titans. Finally, the author describes how Newbridge transformed and rebuilt the struggling bank into a shining example of modern banking—as well as a massively profitable investment. In the secret world of private equity, few buyouts have been written about with such clarity, detail, and insight—and none with such completeness, covering not only the dealmaking but also the transformation and eventual exit of the investment. For anyone who has ever wondered how private equity investors strike bargains, turn around businesses, and create immense value—or anyone interested in a captivating story of high-stakes money-making—this book is a must-read.