Financial services

Stone Point seeks buyer for Black Mountain Systems

Francisco Partners to buy PayScale from Warburg

Warburg Pincus to exit PayScale with sale to Francisco Partners

Francisco Partners said April 25 that it acquired a majority of PayScale Inc in a deal valued at $325 million. Warburg Pincus, the seller, is exiting. PayScale, of Seattle, provides compensation data, analytics and software. Raymond James & Associates Inc provided financial advice to PayScale, while Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP acted as legal adviser. Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal adviser to Francisco Partners.

Lightyear in talks to sell Advisor Group to Centerbridge: Bloomberg

Centerbridge Partners LP is in talks to buy Advisor Group, which could sell for more than $2 billion, Bloomberg reported. Lightyear Capital and Public Sector Pension Investment Board of Canada are the sellers, the story said.

Värde Partners closes investment in Masthaven

Värde Partners has closed its previously announced investment of 60 million pounds in UK-based bank Masthaven. The capital infusion will enable Masthaven to increase its lending to consumer and SMEs.

Herr exits NewStar Financial for Solar Capital

Jefferies backs new investment firm Stonyrock

Leucadia Asset Management, a division of Jefferies, is backing Stonyrock Partners LP, a new investment firm. Stonyrock will target minority equity stakes in high-quality, middle-market alternative managers. Craig Schortzmann and Sean Gallary, former managing directors at Blackstone and Carlyle respectively, are leading Stonyrock.

AIB, First Data to buy majority of Payzone for 100 mln euros

AIB Group plc and First Data Corp have acquired a majority Payzone via a joint venture. The deal is valued at up to 100 million euros ($113 million). Carlyle Cardinal Ireland is the seller. Arma Partners provided financial advice to Carlyle Cardinal.

iM Global Partner takes minority stake in Scharf Investments

iM Global Partners has acquired a minority stake in California-based Scharf Investments, an investment firm. No financial terms were disclosed.

Thoma Bravo completes take-private Ellie Mae buyout

Thoma Bravo has closed its take-private acquisition of Ellie Mae, a platform for the mortgage finance industry, for $99 per share. As a result of the closing, Ellie Mae is no longer trading on the New York Stock Exchange. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial adviser to Ellie Mae on the deal while Jefferies LLC did likewise for Thoma Bravo.