Mizuho Financial Group and Golub Capital announced a strategic partnership.

As part of the agreement, Mizuho has purchased a passive, non-voting minority stake in Golub Capital’s management companies, and Mizuho will serve as a strategic distribution partner for Golub Capital in Japan, including being the exclusive distributor of Golub Capital’s investment products to retail and high net worth investors in the country. Additionally, Mizuho and Golub Capital will explore collaborating on future “win-win” business opportunities to better serve their respective key stakeholders.

Golub Capital plans to use the proceeds from Mizuho’s investment to further enhance its ability to deliver distinctive, compelling and reliable financing solutions to private equity sponsors. All proceeds from the transaction will remain invested in Golub Capital.

“This strategic partnership represents a strong endorsement of our franchise by a global financial institution with a home office in Japan,” said David Golub, President of Golub Capital. “We remain focused on deepening our commitment to investors in Japan and delivering more opportunities to investors seeking access to our proven private credit strategies.”

This announcement marks the first time Mizuho has taken a direct stake in a U.S.-based private credit asset manager. Golub Capital’s strategy, management team and day-to-day operations will not change as a result of Mizuho’s investment. Mizuho’s stake represents an economic interest in Golub Capital’s management companies of less than 5%. Additional terms of the investment were not disclosed.

“We are delighted to partner with Golub Capital, a leading alternative asset manager, to meet the increasingly diversified needs of investors in Japan,” said Masahiro Kihara, President and GCEO of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. “Mizuho will continue to enhance its investment capabilities and expand its product lineup, contributing to both individual wealth growth in Japan and the continued success of our asset management business.”

Mizuho and its affiliate, Greenhill & Co., acted as financial advisor and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP acted as legal advisors to Mizuho. Evercore served as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Golub Capital on the transaction.