Debt pros Neal Neilinger and Robert Smith have formed Greenwich, Conn.-based NSM Capital Management. Neilinger is the former global head of corporate debt syndication for Dresdner Kleinwort and Smith is a former president of collateralized debt obligation manager NIBC Credit Management. The firm is in the process of readying a CDO and is seeking to raise $1 billion, said Neilinger. It will invest in high-grade asset-backed securities with no exposure to mezzanine debt.
Also in the cards are a credit hedge fund and a structured investment vehicle (SIV). The firm is seeking to raise $100 million for the market-neutral credit fund, which may launch this quarter. Initially it will be pitched to funds of funds, but will also expand its efforts to include insurance companies, banks and pensions, said Neilinger.
The SIV will take longer to get off the ground, as the firm will work with the ratings agencies to get the offering rated, said Neilinger. It will be funded through commercial paper sales and will purchase illiquid assets from companies looking to free up balance sheets.