PE Firm · Capital Allocator

DLJ Merchant Banking Partners

Medium
New York City, United States · Founded 1985 · AUM $12 billion · Website
Leveraged BuyoutGrowth CapitalMezzanine DebtReal EstateInfrastructureSecondary InvestmentsRetailMediaHealthcareInsuranceFinancial ServicesSpecialty ChemicalsEnergyIndustrialConsumer ProductsNorth AmericaEurope
Last verified
7/8/2026

Firm Overview

10
Portfolio tracked
9
Sectors
2
Regions
7/8/2026
Last verified

DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (now aPriori Capital Partners) is a private equity firm focused on leveraged buyout transactions and diverse alternative investment vehicles.

Founded in 1985 as the merchant banking arm of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ), the firm originally invested capital in leveraged buyouts alongside the bank's clients. Following Credit Suisse's acquisition of DLJ in 2000, the group continued to manage multi-billion dollar institutional funds, reaching a peak fund size of $5.3 billion for its third flagship vehicle.

The firm underwent significant structural changes in the mid-2000s, including high-profile spinouts that led to the creation of Diamond Castle Holdings and Avista Capital Partners. In 2014, the remaining DLJ Merchant Banking Partners business was officially spun out from Credit Suisse to become an independent entity known as aPriori Capital Partners.

In addition to its core leveraged buyout focus, the firm has HISTORICALLY managed a broad range of investment strategies including real estate, mezzanine debt, infrastructure, and growth capital. It maintains a presence in major financial hubs including New York, London, and Los Angeles.

Founded1985
HeadquartersNew York City, United States
AUM$12 billion
Target investment$1 billion to $5.3 billion (fund size range)
EmployeesNot specified
StrategiesLeveraged Buyout, Growth Capital, Mezzanine Debt, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Secondary Investments
Sector focusRetail, Media, Healthcare, Insurance, Financial Services, Specialty Chemicals, Energy, Industrial, Consumer Products
Geographic focusNorth America, Europe

Leadership

Nicole Arnaboldi
Head of DLJMB
Nicole Arnaboldi was named head of the firm in 2008 following the resignation of Steven Rattner.
Steven C. Rattner
Managing Director (former)
Managing Director who resigned in 2008 during fundraising for the firm's fifth fund.
Thompson Dean
Former Managing Partner
Larry Schloss
Former Co-head

Notable Investments

Neiman MarcusMGMNuveen InvestmentsRockwood HoldingsHealthMarketsAccellentAdvanstarSymetra FinancialNIBC BankWastequipGuala Closures GroupDeffenbaugh Industries

Historical and current deals referenced in public sources.

Portfolio Companies

CompanySectorStatusWebsite
Enduring Resources IIEnergyExited
Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc.PharmaceuticalsExited
Gala Group LimitedConsumer / RetailExited
HealthMarkets, Inc.Financial ServicesExited
JGWPT Holdings, LLCFinancial ServicesExited
Laramie Energy I, LLCEnergyExited
Luxury Optical Holdings Co.RetailExited
NextPharma Technologies, S.A.PharmaceuticalsExited
The Service Companies, Inc.Business ServicesExited
Zucamor SAIndustrialExited

Source: aprioricapital.com/portfolio

Sources

This profile is based on publicly available information and may be incomplete or outdated. PE Firm Index is not affiliated with DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and does not provide investment advice.

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