Sources revealed that Coller Capital Ltd. is currently in discussions to purchase Credit Suisse Group AG's shares of DLJ Merchant Banking Partners. The UK-based Coller Capital Ltd. is known for buying private-equity assets.

Coller Capital is nearing an arrangement to purchase the Credit Suisse's stake in the New York-based DLJ Merchant Banking's funds, sources with knowledge of the discussions said.

To take care of the assets on behalf of Coller Capital, DLJ's managers are going launch their own firm. The management spin-off will be led by Nicole Arnaboldi, one of DLJ's managers, said the sources, who requested not to be recognized as the talks are still private.

In 2000, Credit Suisse acquired DLJ Merchant Banking Partners via its purchase of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. The unit brought up almost US$2.1 billion for its fund project, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners IV. DLJ went on to invest in companies of various industries. The list of companies they have investments in include Education & Adventure Travel Group, a U.K. travel agency and Deffenbaugh Industries Inc., a U.S. waste management firm.