SAN FRANCISCO--(Business Wire)--Nov. 2, 2005--
Friedman Fleischer & Lowe, LLC ("FFL") and Hellman & Friedman LLC ("H&F"), leading San Francisco-based private equity firms, today announced that investment affiliates of the firms have completed their previously announced acquisition of the CATRisk operation of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: STA).
Going forward, CATRisk will operate under the name GeoVera Holdings, Inc. ("GeoVera"). Based in Fairfield, California, GeoVera is a specialty property and casualty insurance operation that provides non-admitted homeowners insurance in Florida and Texas, among other states, and admitted residential earthquake insurance in California and Washington. Products are offered through three specialty insurance companies: residential earthquake insurers GeoVera Insurance Company and Pacific Select Property Insurance Company, and surplus lines carrier USF&G Specialty Insurance Company.
GeoVera's management team, which has led the CATRisk operation since its inception in 1993, will continue to lead the business under FFL and H&F's ownership. Kevin Nish will serve as Chief Executive Officer and Karen Padovese will serve as Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Nish said, "We are excited to begin a new chapter as an
independent company, with outstanding new partners in FFL and H&F and a
new name that has strong brand equity. Following the recent hurricanes,
GeoVera remains well capitalized and positioned to expand product and
service offerings. We look forward to capitalizing on this financial
strength to pursue the many growth opportunities available to our
business."
About Friedman Fleischer & Lowe, LLC
Friedman Fleischer & Lowe, LLC is a San Francisco-based private
equity firm with $1.2 billion under management focused on investing in
U.S. middle-market companies. Formed in 1998, FFL's strategy is to
invest in companies where the substantial strategic and operating
expertise of FFL's principals can help management improve margins, make
acquisitions and grow earnings. FFL's targeted sectors include financial
services, outsourced business services, consumer products, education,
healthcare and marketing and media. Previous investments in the
financial services sector include Montpelier Re Holdings, Ltd. (MRH),
CapitalSource, Inc. (CSE) and Wilton Re Holdings Limited. Other
significant investments include Tempur-Pedic International (TPX),
Korn/Ferry International (KFY) and Chief Manufacturing. For more
information on Friedman Fleischer & Lowe, visit www.fflpartners.com
About Hellman & Friedman LLC
Hellman & Friedman LLC is a San Francisco-based private equity
investment firm with additional offices in New York and London. Since
its founding in 1984, the Firm has raised and managed over $8 billion of
committed capital and invested in approximately 50 companies. The Firm's
strategy is to invest in superior business franchises and to be a
value-added partner to management in select industries including
financial services, media, professional services, energy and information
services. The Firm has pursued investments in the insurance sector for
over a decade, which include Arch Capital Group Limited (ACGL), Mitchell
International, Inc., and Vertafore, Inc. Other investments in the
financial services sector also include the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.
(NDAQ) and Mondrian Investment Partners. For more information on Hellman
& Friedman, visit www.hf.com

