Monday, March 11, 2019

Three Popular Hikes Near New York City


The chief financial officer of New 2ND Capital, a private equity fund based in New York City, Kate Merli possesses more than 10 years of experience in the finance sector. In her free time, Kate Merli maintains an active lifestyle and enjoys hiking.

New York City is not commonly associated with hiking, though several hiking spots are nearby. A few of the popular hiking trails near the city are:

- The Appalachian Trail. The world’s longest hike, it runs from Maine to Georgia, but New York hikers can access the trail near Bellvale Mountain, about 90 minutes from New York City.

- Kazimiroff Nature Trail. A two-mile hike, this trail winds through Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx. The looped trail takes hikers through meadows and forests along the rocky coastline facing Long Island Sound. The hike offers great views of the surrounding landscape.

- Breakneck Ridge Trail. For a challenge, this trail comes with some rock climbing and steep ascents. The 10-mile trail takes roughly six hours to complete, though hikers can enjoy smaller segments of the trail.

Monday, March 4, 2019

The Astor House - NYJL Headquarters and Event Venue


Financial executive Kate Merli serves as the CFO of New 2ND Capital in New York City. Outside of work, Kate Merli enjoys volunteering and is an active member of the New York Junior League (NYJL).

The largest women’s volunteer organization in New York, the NYJL has more than 2,800 volunteers who give over 250,000 hours of service to their community each year. NYJL operates from its headquarters at the Astor House. The organization moved into the house in 1950.

Located on the Upper East Side, the Astor House is a five-story townhouse that overlooks Park Avenue. Recognized as a historical landmark, the building features a combination of modern amenities and traditional details. The Astor House is near major public transportation, including the Penn and Grand Central railroad stations.

One of the largest rooms in Astor House is the Harriman Room. Approximately 70 tables can fit comfortably inside the room. When combined with the Pine Room, the space can accommodate 225 guests.

Saturday, February 23, 2019

An Overview of Secondary Transactions


Certified public account Kate Merli serves as the chief financial officer of the New York City-based investment and private equity firm New 2nd Capital. She brings a decade of experience in accounting and fund management to her position, which includes extensive work with vendors. Kate Merli and the New 2nd Capital team concentrate on investing in and developing high-potential mid-market companies through customized secondary transactions based on the special situations each potential investment may encounter.

While private equity firms often make new investments through primary transactions, acquired through the issuing company as the seller, they may also find it advantageous to build up value through pursuing secondary transactions. 

In a secondary transaction, an equity firm purchases interest in a fund from an already-existing investor. The price of these assets is negotiated directly between buyer and seller, and the buyer typically agrees to take on any currently-unfunded financial obligations from the seller. The company whose assets are being exchanged typically plays no part in the deal.

Transactions in the secondary capital market can become particularly attractive during periods of market turbulence. In this case, a rush for liquidity often drives many of a fund’s original investors to cash out their interests in a variety of products that may include endowment and pension funds, as well as funds of funds.

Friday, February 8, 2019

An Overview of Common Private Equity Fees


Possessing more than a decade of financial experience, Kate Merli serves as the CFO of New 2nd Capital, a private equity fund based in New York City. Over the course of her career, Kate Merli has gained extensive experience in private equity fund matters.

Private equity funds, investment vehicles composed of investors and the funds they are investing in private companies, have two common fees: management fees and performance fees. Management fees are collected to cover the operating expenses of a private equity firm. These fees ensure that fund managers are compensated for their time and expertise. 

While the exact structure of a management fee depends on each fund’s needs, the average fee is 1.5 percent to 2 percent of the total asset amount. Management fees are assessed regardless of how investments in the fund perform.

Conversely, the performance fee is directly affected by how private equity funds perform. If the fund experiences only losses, performance fees are not charged that year. Many private equity funds adhere to the “2 and 20” fee rule in which a 2-percent management fee and a 20-percent performance fee are charged on the fund’s asset value and profits each year.