DEFA14A 1 d374188ddefa14a.htm DEFINITIVE ADDITIONAL MATERIALS Definitive Additional Materials

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934,

as amended

Filed by the Registrant  x                            Filed by a party other than the Registrant  ¨

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨   Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨   Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
¨   Definitive Proxy Statement
x   Definitive Additional Materials
¨   Soliciting Material under ss. 240.14a-12
SIGNATURE GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Not Applicable
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x   No fee required.
¨   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

   

 

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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

 

   

 

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Investor Presentation
July 2012


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This presentation may contain certain “forward-looking statements”
within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements with regard to the future performance of
Signature
Group
Holdings,
Inc.
(“Signature”
or
the
“Company”).
Words
such
as
“believes,”
“expects,”
“projects,”
“anticipates,”
and
“future”
or
similar
expressions
are
intended
to
identify
forward-looking
statements.  These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting
future results and conditions.  Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected in these forward-looking statements, and such factors are identified from time to
time in our
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Pursuant to the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Signature undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
No
representation
or
warranty,
express
or
implied,
is
made
as
to
the
accuracy
or
completeness
of
the
information contained herein, and nothing shall be relied upon as a promise or representation as to the
future of the Company.
For more specific financial information please refer to the Company’s Annual Report on form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2011, the Quarterly Report on form 10-Q for the quarter ended March,
31, 2012  and other SEC filings.
2


OVERVIEW
3
Signature Group Holdings, Inc.
Reorganization
On June 11, 2010, Fremont General Corporation (“Fremont”) emerged
from bankruptcy and was renamed Signature Group Holdings, Inc.
Facilities
Headquartered in Sherman Oaks, CA
Corporate development office in New York, NY
Ticker
SGGH, traded on OTCQX
Cash and Cash
Equivalents
$52.8 million
(1)
Total Assets
$139.2 million
(1)
NOLs
Shareholders’
Equity
$63.3 million
(1)
Shares Outstanding
119,931,857 as of May 11, 2012
(1) Information provided as of March 31, 2012
$889.9 million as of 12/31/2011 – Expire beginning in 2027 (Federal)


MISSION STATEMENT
“To maximize long-term shareholder value by redeploying
our cash and other assets to leverage our favorable tax
position through acquisitions and other special situations
opportunities.”
4


SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS SINCE EMERGENCE
In less than two years we have addressed numerous legacy challenges remaining from the
Fremont General Corp. (“Fremont”) bankruptcy which include:
Became
current
with
our
periodic
reporting
requirements
under
the
Securities
Exchange
Act
of
1934
as
amended,
which
included
preparing
five
years
of
audited
financial
statements,
bringing
the
Company
current from its last audit in 2006
Remediation included the preparation and filing of three Annual Reports on Form 10-K and eight
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q 
Resolved in excess of 200 legal proceedings associated with Fremont and its subsidiaries
Implemented value maximizing strategies for the residential loan portfolio and other legacy assets,
including significant divestitures
Reduced staffing and expenses associated with the Fremont legacy operations
Rebuilt an experienced accounting and finance team and made significant progress in remediating the
Company’s
“Material
Weakness”
in
internal
control
surrounding
financial
reporting
Reduced quarterly net operating losses by 89% from June 2010 to March 2012
5


QUARTERLY NET INCOME (LOSS) AND EPS
6
Company Emerged from Bankruptcy, June 2010
89% reduction in
Quarterly Net Loss
since emergence
from bankruptcy
Made significant progress towards sustained profitability since emergence from bankruptcy


BUSINESS PLAN
Our Board and Management have provided a new direction for the organization
Signature is now a diversified business and financial services enterprise whose
primary objective is to redeploy assets into successful businesses and utilize our net
operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”)
Actively seeking  acquisition  opportunities of successful companies
North American Breaker Company, Inc. (“NABCO”) acquired July 2011
Cosmed Inc. formed in February 2011 to acquire the assets of Costru, LLC
SEC compliance allows the Company to be in a position to access the broader
capital markets and potentially complete a large acquisition
Acquire and originate debt opportunities through Signature Special Situations division
Ultimately
position
the
Company
to
take
advantage
of
its
federal
and
state
NOLs
Clean-up and wind-down of Fremont’s legacy business currently classified as
discontinued operations
7


ACQUISITIONS
Target Transactions
EBITDA of $7 million to $25 million
Enterprise values up to $300 million
Equity investments up to $100 million
Larger investments are achievable
Industry agnostic
Key Acquisition Criteria
Proven and committed management
team with the ability to operate
autonomously
Market leading or niche oriented
Sustainable business that can be held
long term
Low capital expenditures
8
Ideal Situations
Companies that do not have a natural strategic buyer or stand alone IPO potential
Private
equity
or
hedge
fund
holdings
which
need
an
exit
per
LP
requirements
Companies with limited or declining tax deductions
Non-core divisions of larger enterprises
Family businesses seeking to diversify and/or liquify holdings


STRATEGY
9
*per Pitchbook, $25MM to $1B transaction value
With
our
opportunistic
strategy,
we
believe
there
is
a
higher
probability
of
purchasing
deals significantly below average multiples allowing our resources to go further
NABCO acquired for a multiple significantly below the averages shown
Sourcing
proprietary
deals
through
our
extensive
relationship
network
gives
us
opportunities away from costly auction transactions


NORTH AMERICAN BREAKER COMPANY, INC.
Wholly owned subsidiary acquired July 29, 2011
Aggregate purchase price consideration of approximately $36.9 million with a net cash
outlay of $10.9 million after giving effect to a debt financing facility closed in September
2011
High margin distributor of specialty electrical components, primarily circuit breakers, to
electrical wholesalers throughout the country
Increased profit and revenues in each of the three years prior to acquisition despite a
troubled economic climate:
Gross Margins approaching 40%
Q1 2012 over Q1 2011 sales growth of 14.9%
Minimal capital expenditures
Low risk business model:
“Need it now”
product critical for safety
Operates in steady replacement market with low product obsolescence
Strong national market presence with knowledgeable staff
Headquartered in Burbank Calif. With four regional distribution centers
10


SIGNATURE SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Target Types
Interest income
Fees
Recovery of discounted principal
balances
Market value appreciation
Asset Types
Distressed and sub-performing debt
Secured loans
Real estate mortgages
Corporate bonds
Tranche B loans
Public and private debt
Annuity streams
11
Philosophy and Strategy
Provides alternatives that generate favorable risk adjusted financial returns over holding
virtually zero return cash and helps to defray expense burn while the Company engages
in its acquisition strategy
Positions are frequently purchased at a discount
Maintain focus on managing  downside risk and exposure
Residential Loans held for sale transferred to division and reclassified as held for
investment


SPECIAL SITUATIONS –
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTION
March 2011 Signature Special Situations purchased a revolving line of credit and a
term loan from a national lender at a significant discount (50% of par)
Borrower is a manufacturer of store fixtures and merchandising systems for the
retail industry
March
2012
Signature
restructured
the
debt
as
part
of
a
complete
recapitalization
transaction led by the founder who was the former CEO of the business and several
members of his management team
Existing debt was converted to new term and revolving loans and Signature received
preferred
equity
shares
in
newly
capitalized
company
with
a
face
value
of
$2
million
and convertible to 45% of the total outstanding common stock
The debt position has generated greater than a 13.75% effective yield for Signature
since our initial purchase through March 2012
12


DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS –
LEGACY MATTERS
13
Converted a substantial portion of Fremont’s legacy assets to cash, including the
sales of:
Non-performing residential mortgages for $12.5 million
Residential real estate properties for $11.4 million
The former headquarters building for $3.9 million
Commercial real estate investments for $4.9 million
Monitor repurchase demands for Fremont’s subprime loan originations:
Total
outstanding
repurchase
claims
of
approximately
$101.7
million
(1)
Repurchase reserve of $8.3 million (1)
No new demands or activity since June 2011
Manage and resolve ongoing and new legacy related litigation:
Resolved over 200 lawsuits inherited from the McIntyre-led legacy businesses of Fremont
Negotiated over $15 million of savings 
(1) As of March 31, 2012


COMPENSATION SUMMARY
Signature
management
team
was
initially
employed
by
a
3
rd
party
management
company
as approved by the bankruptcy court and shareholders
In
May
2011
after
receiving
critical
negative
feedback
from
McIntyre
and
two
former
directors regarding the external management structure, the GNCC recommended and the
Board
engaged
a
highly
respected
independent
3
rd
party
executive
compensation
consulting firm to evaluate management structure alternatives:
Ultimately,
in
July
2011,
the
Board
terminated
the
3
rd
party
management
agreement
and entered into employment agreements with executives
Base
compensation
rates
based
on
the
25
th
percentile
of
publicly
traded
asset
management  companies  were identified by the firm and adopted by the Board
Equity compensation was issued based on market comparable terms with the largest
component being options for better alignment with shareholder interests and value
creation
McIntyre’s assertion that the warrants purchased under the plan of reorganization are
related to compensation is erroneous
14


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Signature’s board has been constructed with a mindset toward strong corporate
governance
A majority of the board is independent and only independent directors hold positions on
the audit committee and the governance, nominating and compensation committee
There are separate Chairman and CEO positions and the Chairman is independent
The
Board
of
Directors
is
very
active
-
in
2011,
the
company
held
16
board
meetings
and
29 committee meetings
The Board and senior management own a significant number of shares aligning the
interests with shareholders
Recently, Insiders purchased significant numbers of shares during the first trading
window that opened since the bankruptcy, further aligning interests
The additions of Mr. Tinkler and Mr. Colville will further the Company’s commitment to
strong governance as both have significant senior management experience with public
companies
The GNCC evaluated McIntyre’s slate and elected to nominate more qualified candidates
for the proxy
15


BOARD PROPOSED SLATE
Signature’s proposed slate is composed of highly qualified, proven business leaders with successful
experience in mergers and acquisitions, operations, and governance in various industries and diverse roles
The
proposed
slate
reduces
the
size
of
the
Board
from
eight
members
to
five
which
is
expected
to
result
in
improved efficiency and communication while also reducing costs
The board nominated three current members to the slate who have significantly contributed to the many
accomplishments the Company has made since emerging from bankruptcy:
Craig
Noell
implementation  
Ed Lamb
Company to compliance with the SEC’s Exchange Act Reporting requirements as well as provided valuable
insight to management on a multitude of strategic, governance and operating issues
John
Koral
has been actively involved in our SEC compliance project and business plan.  Mr. Koral previously served
on the Official Equity Committee during the bankruptcy.
The
board
nominated
two
new
candidates
who
are
or
represent
large
shareholders
and
have
specific
skills
and experience to bring to Signature
Philip
Tinkler
securities offerings.  Has successfully worked with other companies to optimize the utilization of their
NOLs
Chris
Colville
of acquired entities
Messrs. Lamb, Colville and Tinkler have all held senior executive management roles in financial and
accounting capacities in $1+ billion public companies
16
,
our
CEO,
oversees
all
aspects
of
our
business,
including
business
strategy
and
, the Chairman of our Audit Committee, has overseen the extensive project to return the
, the Chairman of the GNCC, a member of our Audit Committee and a significant shareholder
, significant acquisition experience including structuring, diligence, bank financings, and
, significant acquisition experience with special emphasis on the operations and integration


OTHER PROXY ITEMS
Proposal 2
-
Increase
the
authorized
number
of
shares
of
common
stock
of
the
Company
Currently have 190,000,000 authorized shares, the amendment would increase the amount to
350,000,000
Intended to give the company the ability to execute a large transaction whereby the shares could
be utilized for full or partial purchase price consideration
The amended amount is the maximum number of shares Signature could issue taking the change
of control limitations into consideration so as not to jeopardize the NOLs
New shares can also  be used in a non dilutive rights offering to raise equity capital for a large
transaction or a series of transactions
If shares are not available, a seller may be discouraged from entering into a transaction
Proposal 3
-
Increase the authorized number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under
the Amended and Restated 2006 Performance Incentive Plan
Currently have 9,633,105 reserved for issuance, the amendment would increase the amount to
25,000,000
Will allow Signature to issue shares to the management of acquired firms
Intended to provide equity incentives to a broad base of employees, officers, directors,
consultants, and independent contractors to align long term interests with the Company
Share
awards
issued
out
of
this
plan
will
avoid
triggering
the
ratchet
provision
of
the
warrants
which is in the best interest of the shareholders
Proposal
4
and
5
Ratify
the
independent
accountants
and
adjourn
meeting
for
insufficient
votes
17


MCINTYRE CAMPAIGN
James McIntyre is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fremont
Seeking to replace entire board, threatens to reverse the progress made since emerging from
bankruptcy
Subjecting Company to costly and disruptive proxy fight
We believe McIntyre is attempting to mislead stockholders regarding the root causes of the
Company’s legacy issues which stem from McIntyre’s prior leadership of Fremont
Leadership nearly destroyed Company during his tenure, while he extracted outsized
compensation
Leaves a legacy of failed businesses and poor decisions
No tangible business plan for Company
18
FAIR GAME
When Regulators Knock Twice
By GRETCHEN MORGENSON
Published: March 18, 2007
The companys management certainly has experience exiting a business at the request of regulators. In 2000, many of the
same executives were on hand when Fremonts workers compensation insurance unit was placed under the supervision of
the California Department of Insurance. Looking back at that debacle shows striking parallels between Fremonts troubles
in insurance in the late 1990s and its current subprime woes. In both cases, Fremont used questionable practices to
generate great revenue growth, benefiting executives. Shareholders were left holding the bag. In other words, same plot,
different decade


MCINTYRE’S RECORD
Significant operating losses and stock declines
During the last two years of his stewardship, Fremont recorded net losses of $202.3 million and
$1.0 billion in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007, respectively
Company’s stock price of $29.25 per share peaked in March 2004 and declined to $3.01 per share
on the date of McIntyre’s resignation from the Board in January 2008
Decline of 89% for a total loss in stockholder value of nearly $2.0 billion for the period from March
2004 to January 2008
Runaway compensation
From
1998
through
2003,
during
McIntyre’s
tenure
as
CEO,
he
received
an
aggregate
of
$25.9
million in compensation, which amount includes $4.8 million in salary, $3.3 million in bonus, $13.5
million in equity grants and $4.2 million in other forms of compensation
From
2004
through
2007,
during
McIntyre’s
tenure
as
Chairman
of
Fremont,
he
received
an
aggregate of $22.4 million in compensation, which amount includes $3.1 million in salary, $1.2
million
in
bonus,
$8.9
million
in
equity
grants
and
$8.9
million
in
other
forms
of
compensation
Self interested
Filed
a
$4
million
bankruptcy
proof
of
claim
which
sought,
among
other
things,
more
than
$700,000 in compensation for 2008.  McIntyre resigned from the Company on January 8, 2008.  So
he was seeking about $100,000 per day (including weekends) for his work during 2008
19


MCINTYRE’S RECORD
20
* Per SEC filings


MCINTYRE’S RECORD
Run-Ins with Regulators
Fremont Investment & Loan:
In 2007, the bank consented to enter into a Cease and Desist Order
with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and a Final Order with the California
Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”), finding that FIL operated without effective risk
management policies and procedures and without adequate loan underwriting criteria and
required a variety of changes, including a mandate to retain qualified management acceptable to
the FDIC and DFI
Fremont Life Insurance Company:
In 1996,  the California Attorney General sued both Fremont
General and Fremont Life Insurance Company alleging that they engaged in unfair business
practices in the sale of more than $200 million in annuities to senior citizens, which resulted in
millions
of
dollars
in
civil
fines
and
penalties
and
other
costs
to
the
Company
Failed Mergers and Acquisitions
Fremont Indemnity Company:
From 1995 to 1998,  Fremont Indemnity acquired 3 workers’
compensation companies for an aggregate purchase price of $810 million.  By 2000, the combined
companies were placed under enhanced regulatory oversight; ultimately the California Insurance
Commissioner seized them in 2003.  Fremont wrote off approximately $120.0 million on account
of these failed acquisitions
21


MCINTYRE’S RECORD
On August 26
th
2010 Mr. McIntyre was interviewed by the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission
in Washington D.C.  An excerpt from his recorded call includes:
Investigator:
So then what happened after 2004?
McIntyre:
Well,
I
can't
answer
that
question
exactly
because
I
like
I
said
was
on the periphery of anything that happened and things were going
along
well
as
far
as
I
was
I
could
see
or
as
far
as
I
understand
and
then things sort of imploded there in 2007 and so.
Investigator:
Right.
McIntyre:
So I just don't have an answer for that.
Investigator:
I mean you were the Chairman of the Board, right?
McIntyre:
Yeah, but that was more of a titular thing. I didn't, I wasn't involved in
management or I wasn't involved in policy making.  I wasn't on the
executive committee.  I wasn't even on the board or officer of the thrift,
which
was
the
primary
business
during
that
period
of
time.
So
I
can't
say that, you know, anything precise about that period of time because
I can't recall having a phone call or e-mail or meeting with any of the
directors, outside directors, during that period of time. They all dealt
with the CEO and COO at the time so I'm just, I’m not trying to, I just
don't know a lot about that period of time, that's all.
McIntyre
collected
$22.4
million
from
2004
to
2007
as
a
“titular”
Chairman
22


CONCLUSION
Signature’s
Board
has
assembled
a
very
strong
and
highly
experienced
five
member
slate
The
Board
and
management
have
successfully
navigated
the
Company
through a
challenging post-bankruptcy phase of the business plan and accomplished much: 
Current with its SEC reporting obligations and timely with its filings
Resolved hundreds of legal cases with favorable results
Reduced quarterly net operating losses by 89% from June 2010 to March 2012
Made one material acquisition in 2011, NABCO,  and is actively seeking additional
deals
Hired an effective team that is committed to the success of Signature
Established comprehensive corporate governance
The Company is strategically positioned to achieve our Mission Statement described on
slide 4
McIntyre was a disruptive force at Fremont and has no credible business plan for the
Company
We urge stockholders to vote “FOR”
your boards recommended slate and “FOR”
each of
the other four proposals listed on the White Proxy Card
23


Appendix
24


SIGNATURE’S PROPOSED BOARD
G.
Christopher
Colville
(54):
Since
2007,
Mr.
Colville
has
served
as
a
strategic
advisor
to
various
privately
held
enterprises, including, since 2008, KEG 1, LLC, a special purpose acquisition entity focused on consolidating segments of
the wholesale beer distribution industry. In connection therewith, Mr. Colville’s principal role is to advise and counsel
on capital structures, including negotiation of bank credit facilities, corporate governance and organizational
development. Prior thereto, Mr. Colville served as an executive officer of Consolidated Graphics, Inc. (NYSE: CGX), the
largest general commercial printing company in North America, from 1994 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2007. From 2000
to 2002, Mr. Colville served as Managing Director at Murphy Noell Capital, LLC, an investment banking firm. Mr. Colville
holds Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters in Accounting degrees from Texas Tech University and is a
Certified Public Accountant.
Philip
G.
Tinkler
(47):
Mr.
Tinkler
is
the
Chief
Operating
and
Financial
Officer
at
Equity
Group
Investments
(“EGI”).
Mr.
Tinkler has served in various leadership capacities for EGI and its affiliates since 1990. In his role at EGI, he works
closely with the investment team on structuring, diligence, bank
financings, and securities offerings. Since 2009 he has
also been Chief Financial Officer for Chai Trust Company, LLC, an Illinois registered trust company that is trustee for
many of the Zell family trusts. Mr. Tinkler oversees EGI’s financial services group, which houses EGI’s accounting,
treasury, and tax functions. He also serves as Chief Operating Officer, managing EGI’s human resources, administration
and facilities functions. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Tinkler worked at the company that is known today as Covanta Holding
Corporation (NYSE: CVA), an internationally recognized owner of energy-from-waste and power generation projects.
During his tenure there, Mr. Tinkler served as Chief Financial Officer while the company’s predecessor, Danielson,
purchased Covanta, emerged from bankruptcy, and underwent an integration. He also served on the board of directors
of Covanta’s wholly-owned California-based insurance subsidiary. Earlier in his career, Mr. Tinkler served as the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer at First Capital Financial, L.L.C., and the Managing General Partner of the
First Capital real estate funds. He began his career at Ernst & Young. He is currently on the board of directors of Home
Products International, a global consumer products company specializing in the design and marketing of innovative
house wares products. Mr. Tinkler also serves on the board of directors of WRS Holdings Company, an environmental
construction and remediation company, which is one of EGI’s investments. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from
Northern Illinois University and a Masters of Science in Taxation from DePaul University.
25


SIGNATURE’S PROPOSED BOARD
Patrick
E.
Lamb
(52):
Mr.
Lamb
currently
serves
as
a
Director
of
Signature
and
is
the
Chairman
of
the
Audit
Committee. Mr. Lamb has served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA since July 2007.
Mr. Lamb has over 20 years of chief financial officer experience
in various public and public subsidiary entities,
specifically
in
the
financial
services
arena,
including
banking,
commercial
finance,
commercial
and
residential
real
estate, capital markets and insurance, as well as experience in public accounting. From 2004 to July 2007, Mr. Lamb
served as the Senior Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of Fremont General
Corporation (“Fremont”). Before joining Fremont, Mr. Lamb worked at Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) in San
Francisco, serving primarily in the financial services industries in various audit and consulting engagements. Mr. Lamb
holds Bachelor of Science and Masters in Accounting degrees from
the Marriott School of Management at Brigham
Young University.
John
Koral
(53):
Mr.
Koral
currently
serves
as
a
Director
of
Signature
and
is
also
the
Chairman
of
the
Governance,
Nominating, and Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit
Committee. Mr. Koral has been an active
investor in asset-based loans for the past eighteen years. Mr. Koral is a Senior Vice President responsible for managing
the lending operations of U.S. Capital, Incorporated, an asset-based private lender with a current loan portfolio of
approximately $30 million. In that capacity, Mr. Koral is actively involved in resolving borrower defaults and overseeing
related legal proceedings in default scenarios. Mr. Koral also participates in all of the firm’s efforts to raise capital,
including private participations, general capitalization, subordinated notes and institutional lines of credit. Mr. Koral is
also involved in the development of commercial land and building
projects, having overseen more than $100 million in
construction since 1982. Previously, Mr. Koral served as President of Apex Mechanical Services. Mr. Koral holds an
Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Alfred State University with a minor in Business Administration.
26


SIGNATURE’S PROPOSED BOARD
Craig
Noell
(49):
Mr.
Noell
is
Chief
Executive
Officer
and
a
Director
of
Signature
and
is
also
a
member
of
the
Executive, Legal and Risk Management Committee. Mr. Noell co-founded Signature Capital Partners, a special situation
investment firm in 2004. Mr. Noell brings to Signature over 25 years of experience in corporate finance, investment
banking, and special situation investing with Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo Foothill, Security Pacific, Barclays and Murphy
Noell Capital. At Murphy Noell Capital, Mr. Noell was involved in dozens of corporate finance transactions including
traditional M&A, distressed M&A, capital raises, recapitalizations and restructurings. Previously, as a member of the
distressed investing area at Goldman Sachs, Mr. Noell founded and ran Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending, investing
Goldman’s proprietary capital in special situations opportunities. At Wells Fargo Foothill, Mr. Noell directed the firm’s
New York and Los Angeles business development teams and was involved in numerous recapitalizations/
restructurings, debtor-in-possession loans and plan of reorganization financings. Mr. Noell was also involved in
establishing multiple joint venture relationships including the acquisition of the loan portfolio of Home Savings of
Alaska from the FSLIC, a joint venture with Ansley Associates to
provide specialized financing to the resort industry and
a joint venture relationship with Ozer to form Paragon Retail Finance, which was subsequently acquired by Wells Fargo
and is now the second largest asset-based lender to the retail trade. Mr. Noell holds a Bachelor of Science from the
Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
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