MBK Partners raises $1.56 billion

MBK Partners closed its first buyout fund on July 12 with commitments totaling $1.56 billion.

Simultaneously, MBK Partners announced it had closed two investments in Korea a $92.7 million acquisition of Hanmi Capital, a leasing company and a $126 million acquisition pending regulatory approval of HK Mutual Savings Bank, the second largest mutual savings bank in Korea. These two transactions follow the investment in Beijing Bowei Airport Support, a leading airport maintenance service provider in China, made in October 2005.

MBK Partners was established in 2005. One of the most prominent names associated with the fund's launch is Michael Kim, who was a president of Carlyle...