(Bloomberg) — Within the go-go years when China minted a billionaire each two days, banking rainmaker Bao Fan virtually reached that milestone himself.
Most Learn from Bloomberg
His ability in advising tech giants like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. made him one of many nation’s most sought-after financiers, serving to him amass a fortune value greater than $800 million by his possession stake in China Renaissance Holdings Ltd.
Bao’s profession got here crashing down final yr when he vanished from public view after being detained by authorities amid a broader crackdown. The extent of his monetary freefall was revealed Monday when Renaissance shares tumbled after a 17-month halt. His stake is now value $55 million, down 93% from its peak in February 2021, based mostly on a submitting and calculations by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Bao beneficially owns a roughly 35% stake instantly within the agency, by two holding automobiles and a belief.
A spokesperson for China Renaissance had no instant remark when contacted by Bloomberg Information.
Bao’s sudden comedown forged a pall on China’s monetary sector, which has develop into a frequent goal of President’s Xi Jinping’s “widespread prosperity” drive. Greater than 100 monetary executives and officers have been ensnared within the anti-corruption push in 2023 alone, whereas bankers face pay cuts and belt-tightening to curb what officers contemplate “hedonistic” existence.
“The shortage of transparency in regards to the cause why all of those monetary sector stars — a few of them not even stars — are detained is de facto not going to assist the return of capital into China,” stated Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis.
The crackdowns and relentless job losses are forcing bankers to rethink their careers, as they attempt to navigate Beijing’s dramatic shift to high-end manufacturing and renewables, and away from finance and actual property that drove China’s financial system for many years.
Bao, 53, is without doubt one of the most high-profile losers to comply with that pivot. The previous banker at Morgan Stanley and Credit score Suisse based China Renaissance in 2005, making a reputation for himself after brokering mergers that led to the creation of ride-hailing service Didi International Inc. and food-delivery large Meituan.
His means to identify rising tech stars made him certainly one of China’s most influential bankers, persuading billionaire Jack Ma to develop into a cornerstone investor when his agency went public in 2018. He later branched into personal fairness to again startups and tech companies, managing greater than $8.8 billion in belongings on the finish of 2020.
That every one started to unravel when Bao was detained in February final yr with none official rationalization. China Renaissance stated solely that it had misplaced contact with him. He was later positioned beneath detention for an unspecified investigation by Chinese language authorities amid a broader sweep of the monetary sector. Earlier this yr, the previous chairman and chief government officer resigned “for well being causes and to spend extra time on his household affairs,” in line with an organization assertion.
The corporate supplied no clues as to the founder’s whereabouts Monday when it launched earnings that had been delayed for greater than a yr. His present authorized standing is unclear.
The turmoil has taken its toll on the enterprise, which has additionally been hit by a hunch in offers as China’s financial system slips right into a deflationary spiral. The corporate recorded a lack of practically 74 million yuan ($10.4 million) within the six months to June as income dropped 39% to 329 million yuan. It posted a lack of 471.9 million yuan for all of 2023, the second yr in a row within the crimson.
Nearly a 3rd of workers in Hong Kong, which incorporates funding banking, personal fairness and wealth administration groups, both resigned or misplaced their jobs, Bloomberg Information reported in February.
China Renaissance’s shares plunged 66% in Hong Kong Monday, its first day of buying and selling since March final yr, decreasing the agency’s market worth to HK$1.39 billion ($178 million).
Elsewhere, there have been a minimum of 130 investigations and penalizations of monetary executives and officers in 2023 alone. China has appointed a brand new head to crack down on monetary corruption, indicating the probes aren’t completed.
Within the absence of Bao, the agency has pledged to “usher in a brand new period.”
“Regardless of every kind of difficulties and challenges, China Renaissance nonetheless actively seeks progress and forges forward with dedication within the midst of changes,” in line with the earnings report.
–With help from Pei Yi Mak, Cathy Chan and Lulu Yilun Chen.
Most Learn from Bloomberg Businessweek
©2024 Bloomberg L.P.