MFS' [profile] Canadian parent is about to buy another U.S. asset manager.

Today Toronto-based Sun Life Financial's Sun Life Investment Management arm unveiled a deal to acquire New York City-based Ryan Labs. Ryan, which goes by the Ryan Labs Asset Management brand, dates back to 1988 and specializes in liability driven investing and total return fixed income investing.

A spokesman for MFS referred inquiries to Sun Life.

The deal comes as Ryan, an institutional fixed income manager with about $5.1 billion in assets under management, is entering the mutual fund side of the business. Bob Dorsey, co-founder and managing director at Ultimus Fund Services, confirms that the Cincinnati-based vendor to fundsters is helping Ryan launch its first mutual fund, an institutional one with a $1-million minimum. Dorsey praises Ryan as a shop with a "great history".

Sun Life's purchase of Ryan is slated to close this quarter. The Canadian insurance giant says that Ryan "will operate as a unit of Sun Life Investment Management," keeping the Ryan brand and its Fifth Avenue headquarters. Ryan president Sean McShea will continue to lead the shop. He'll report to Sun Life Investment Management president Steve Peacher, who also serves as chief investment officer of all of Sun Life Financial.

Peacher praises Ryan as "an established and innovative firm" and describes the deal as "a significant first step in building Sun Life Investment Management's third-party business in the U.S."

McShea states that, despite the deal, "it will be business as usual" for Ryan's clients.

Berkshire Capital advised Sun Life on the deal, while Corporate Partners advised Ryan. Weil, Gotshal & Manges served as Sun Life's legal advisor, and Arnold & Porter filled a similar role for Ryan. 

Stay ahead of the news ... Sign up for our email alerts now
CLICK HERE