ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Nov. 15, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asta Funding, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASFI), today announced the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary Simia Capital, LLC to continue its position as a leader in the personal injury claims funding business.
The Company has been in the personal injury funding claims business since 2011, operating through Pegasus Funding, LLC ("Pegasus"), an 80% owned indirect subsidiary. The Pegasus joint venture expires December 28, 2016, and will not be renewed. Instead, the Company has made the decision to liquidate its existing Pegasus portfolio and expand its position in the personal injury claims business by forming Simia, a wholly owned subsidiary.
Gary Stern, Asta Chairman, president and CEO said, "We have enjoyed success over the last five years in the personal injury claims funding business, and we have renewed our commitment to this business segment by establishing a wholly owned entity to conduct its operations moving forward. Effective January 2, 2017, the Company will begin funding personal injury claims through Simia. We are excited to expand our presence in this business segment, and look to this as being an important component of the Company's overall growth strategy."
As part of the formation, Simia has retained former GWG MCA Capital, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Patrick F. Preece, who joined Simia as its Chief Executive Officer on November 11, 2016 and has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company, effective November 15, 2016. Mr. Preece was head of asset securitization for Autobahn Funding, a $6 billion commercial paper conduit for DZ Bank that specialized in alternative asset classes. Throughout his career Mr. Preece has focused on the origination and management of structured finance and asset-backed lending with an emphasis on litigation finance.
Mr. Stern added, “Patrick has a wealth of experience, exceptional industry knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the marketplace. I am confident that Patrick’s significant experience in structured settlements, asset-backed lending and esoteric assets will enhance the Company's position in the personal injury funding business, as well as other asset classes that the Company may consider as future investments, and will be a great addition to our existing management team.”
"I am honored and grateful to the board for the opportunity to lead this new company. Our goal is to build on Asta’s success by continuing to develop innovative and relevant products for the litigation finance industry," says Patrick Preece.
Mr. Stern concluded, "We have been pleased with our steady progress in the personal injury claims funding business, our renewed commitment in this business positions the Company to substantially grow market share in the coming years. We've put together a talented management team, and an ambitious plan for the future; one that is based on growing the business and creating shareholder value."
About Asta
Asta Funding, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASFI), headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, is a diversified financial services company that assists consumers and serves investors through the strategic management of four complementary business segments: Personal Injury Claims, Structured Settlements, Consumer Debt and Disability Advocacy.
Founded in 1994 as a sub-prime auto lender, Asta now manages business units that include funding of personal injury claims through its 80 percent owned subsidiary, Pegasus Funding LLC, and starting on January 2, 2017, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Simia Capital, LLC; structured settlements through its wholly owned subsidiary, CBC Settlement Funding LLC; acquiring and managing international distressed consumer receivables through its wholly owned subsidiary, Palisades Acquisitions LLC; and benefits advocacy through its wholly owned subsidiary, GAR Disability Advocates, LLC. For additional information, please visit our website at http://www.astafunding.com.
