Apollo History

Apollo launched the first marketplace for trading private credit, bringing public-market efficiency and transparency to the asset class at scale. The initiative underscores Apollo’s drive to innovate and redefine how private markets operate.

Jim Zelter is named President of Apollo Global Management in a newly created position and John Zito is elevated to Co-President of Apollo Asset Management alongside Scott Kleinman. Gary Cohn, Vice Chairman of IBM and former director of the US National Economic Council, joins the Board of Directors as Lead Independent Director, as Marc Rowan assumes the role of Chair. Athene appoints long-time company veteran Grant Kvalheim as Chief Executive Officer and names Mike Downing and Sean Brennan Co-Presidents of Athene USA. These appointments reflect Apollo’s commitment to strong governance and help position Apollo to achieve our full potential as an innovator in both alternative asset management and retirement services.

Since 2022, Apollo’s Asia Pacific business has grown from 80 to over 150 professionals, spanning the region to deliver the firm’s leading capabilities across private investment grade credit, hybrid capital, wealth, retirement and insurance. Apollo’s approach in Asia reflects our broader strategy: long-term focused, structurally flexible and built on partnership and alignment.

S&P Global announces that Apollo will join the S&P 500 Index in December, marking a significant milestone in Apollo’s evolution as a public company and a testament to our differentiated strategy.

Members of the senior management team outline Apollo’s views on the future of the alternative asset management industry, as well as providing insight on the firm’s progress, long-term growth opportunities, strategy and financial outlook.

In September 2024, Apollo and Citi announced a first-of-its-kind $25 billion private credit and direct lending program, combining Citi’s expansive banking client reach, origination and capital markets expertise with Apollo’s scaled, extensive capital base to deliver private credit financing for companies across North America.

By mid-2024, Athene ratings are upgraded to A+/A+/A1/A+ by Fitch, S&P, Moody’s, and AM Best. (1)

Funds managed by Apollo acquire the Credit Suisse Securitized Products Group in February 2023 and announce the launch of ATLAS SP Partners (ATLAS), a new standalone credit firm focused on asset-backed financing and capital markets solutions. ATLAS is one of 16 distinct origination platforms backed by Apollo and the largest to-date. (2)

Apollo takes an important and innovative step in furthering the development of the firm’s Global Wealth business, by launching a new Luxembourg-based product platform designed to offer a holistic set of alternative investment solutions across asset classes, including Credit, Equity and Real Assets, to investors outside of the United States. 

Apollo’s Sponsor and Secondary Solutions business, S3, launches to provide flexible capital solutions to asset managers and limited partners across Apollo’s Equity, Credit, and Real Assets ecosystems. 

In January 2022, Apollo completes its merger with Athene, bringing the two strategic partners together in full alignment under one publicly-traded parent company with the Apollo name.

Apollo commits more than $100 million over the next decade to invest in philanthropic initiatives focused on educational access, workforce development and economic empowerment.

Apollo launches a comprehensive Sustainable Investing Platform focused on financing and investing in the energy transition and decarbonization of industry, with a target to deploy $50 billion in clean energy and climate investments over the next five years.

Apollo kickstarts an office modernization initiative, upgrading workplaces across New York, Greenwich, India, London and Singapore.

Apollo announces governance changes to expand and empower the Board of Directors and move to a one share/one vote structure, and appoints former SEC Chair Jay Clayton as independent Chair of the Board of Directors. These efforts pave the way for a simpler structure and eligibility for inclusion in a broader set of market indices.

In 2021, Apollo officially establishes its Capital Solutions business, Apollo Capital Solutions, centralizing its origination, structuring, and distribution capabilities. 

In May 2021, Apollo establishes a dedicated Global Wealth Management Solutions (GWMS) vertical within Apollo’s Client and Product Solutions group (CPS), furthering the firm’s strategic imperative to better serve individual investors. 

In June 2021, Apollo, Ares and Oaktree co-found AltFinance with an up to $90M commitment to build pathways for more students and alumni of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) to explore and pursue careers in alternative investing.

Apollo partners with Motive Partners and Figure to capitalize on transformation in financial services, enhance distribution channels, increase origination opportunities, and build efficiency across platforms. 

In June 2020, Athene completes a strategic transaction with Jackson National Life Insurance Company as a part of its long-term commercial diversification strategy. 

Apollo converts from a publicly traded partnership to a corporation, enabling a broader set of shareholders to participate in the firm’s long-term growth and profitability.

Apollo launches Insurance Solutions Group to provide tailored portfolio and asset management services to retirement services and insurance clients.

Funds managed by Apollo acquire a portfolio of nearly $1B in energy investments from GE Capital’s Energy Financial Services unit.

Throughout 2018, Athene completes several strategic transactions, showcasing the retirement services company’s leadership and expertise in providing customized solutions for the ongoing restructuring in the life insurance industry. 

Athora, a European savings and retirement services group, launches when AGER Bermuda Holdings Ltd. is deconsolidated from Athene. 

Athene Holding Ltd. makes its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ATH.

Apollo acquires Venator Real Estate Capital Partners and establishes a meaningful presence in Asia.

Apollo acquires MidCap Financial, a commercial finance company focused on the middle market in the United States, establishing the firm’s origination capabilities and platforms. 

Athene acquires Aviva USA, which, combined with the Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company, becomes the second largest issuer of fixed indexed annuities in the US.

Apollo Global Management, LLC makes its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol APO, further solidifying Apollo’s position as a leading global alternative asset manager.

Athene is founded with aspirations to become a leading retirement services company.

Apollo issues its first annual Sustainability Report and establishes a dedicated ESG reporting program incorporating more than 150 individual ESG metrics to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights.

Apollo establishes the EPF business to capture a broad range of European deleveraging opportunities. 

Apollo opens its first two international offices - Singapore and London in 2006. Seven other offices open across Europe and Asia Pacific over the next decade.

Apollo continues to diversify and closes on its first real estate opportunity fund in 1993. 

In one of the firm’s earliest and most successful deals, Apollo acquires Executive Life Insurance Company’s bond portfolio, establishing what will become the largest credit platform among alternative asset managers.

Apollo is established in 1990 as an entrepreneurial firm built for the shifting financial landscape, and is quickly recognized for its innovative and disciplined investment approach.