LOS ANGELES, CALIF., Sept. 15, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wedbush Securities, one of the nation's leading diversified financial services firms, is pleased to announce the establishment of its Financial Institutions Capital Markets Practice with the additions of Equities Research and Investment Banking teams. This expansion will enable Wedbush to serve its clients in four key verticals – Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, and now, Financial Institutions. Wedbush is committed to serving its clients by further investing in the Equities Research and Investment Banking businesses.
Wedbush's expansion includes new senior research analyst and senior investment banking hires: Henry Coffey (Specialty Finance), Peter Winter (Regional Banks), Jason Weaver (Real Estate Finance & Financial Infrastructure), and Burke Dempsey (Financial Institutions Investment Banking).
Henry Coffey joins Wedbush as Managing Director, covering Specialty Finance. Henry has nearly 30 years of following the full range of traditional, alternative, and new economy lenders. His major areas of focus are housing finance, mortgage servicing, and alternative areas of consumer finance, such as branch-based installment lending and pawn shops.
Peter Winter joins as a Managing Director, covering Regional Banks. Peter has 16 years of sell-side experience, as well as experience in private banking, and credit portfolio management and underwriting.
Jason Weaver joins Wedbush as a Senior Vice President, covering the Real Estate Finance and Financial Infrastructure sectors. He has spent over five years covering Mortgage Finance and Real Estate Services companies, and prior to that, was a long/short equity Portfolio Manager and Proprietary Credit Trader.
Kirsten Fraunces, Co-Head of Equities, states, "The addition of the Financial Institutions Practice at Wedbush significantly broadens our research offering for our clients. We look forward to the continued growth of our research team, as we strive to provide the highest quality product." Ian Winer, also Co-Head of Equities, adds, "We believe this is the perfect environment to expand into areas where we can be a trusted resource for clients. Our business continues to grow year over year and we hope to replicate the success we have had this year, in the Financial Institutions vertical."
Wedbush is also pleased to announce the hiring of Burke Dempsey, who joins the firm as a Managing Director and Head of Financial Institutions Investment Banking. Burke brings to Wedbush, over 30 years of financial institutions investment banking and strategic development experience. He has advised on nearly 200 transactions representing over $65 billion in value. He joins the firm from Sterne Agee CRT, where he was Co-Head of Financial Institutions.
"The Financial Institutions sector is undergoing intense adjustment in terms of regulation, capital adequacy, risk management, and technological delivery," said Burke. "Our sector is at an unprecedented financial and technological crossroads. We want to help our clients chart the best path forward. Our team's experience, with a broad array of financial business models through many cycles, gives us a unique perspective, which can add value."
"The timing is perfect for the establishment of Wedbush's Financial Institutions capital markets practice." said Gary Wedbush, Executive Vice President and Head of Capital Markets. "There is a sweeping revolution underway affecting enterprises across the financial services sector driven by rapidly evolving technologies and business models. And we couldn't be more fortunate to have the opportunity to assemble such a deeply experienced team to address the accelerating needs of our clients."
Wedbush Capital Markets Group offers a wide range of products and services to institutional and corporate clients through its Equities, Investment Banking, Fixed Income, Correspondent Services, and Advanced Securities Divisions. Wedbush encompasses the largest Equities platform based on the West Coast, covering more than 250 stocks. Its award-winning Equities Research Team provides in-depth analysis, while its Equities Sales and Trading Team utilizes primary research resources to deliver superior information flow and actionable ideas to investing clients in small, mid, and large-cap companies. The firm's Investment Banking, Fixed Income, Correspondent, and Advanced Securities Divisions are composed of senior professionals who provide financial services to corporate enterprises, institutional investors, entrepreneurs, government institutions, and broker-dealers specializing in comprehensive and customized advisory, financing, brokerage, and clearing solutions, for over 40 years.
About Wedbush Securities
Founded in 1955, Wedbush Securities is a leading investment firm that provides brokerage, clearing, investment banking, equity research, public finance, fixed income, sales and trading, and asset management, to individual, institutional, and corporate clients. Headquartered in Los Angeles, with nearly 100 offices nationwide, the firm focuses on a dedication to quality service, client financial safety, continuity, and advanced technology. Wedbush Securities is the largest subsidiary of holding company WEDBUSH, Inc., which also includes affiliated firms Wedbush Asset Management, Wedbush Capital Partners, Wedbush Opportunity Partners, and Lime Brokerage LLC.
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