Wunderlich Securities Launches Equity Capital Markets Group

MEMPHIS, Tenn & DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At a time when many Wall Street firms are reducing headcounts, Wunderlich Securities, a Memphis-based brokerage firm with an expanding national footprint, today announced creation of an Equity Capital Markets group, and is embarking on a significant hiring initiative.

The Equity Capital Markets group will establish an institutional equity presence for Wunderlich Securities principally through creation of a focused sell-side research product that will complement the firm’s strong multi-city retail brokerage network.

Jeff Fowlds, who managed research, institutional equity sales and trading as a managing director at several firms, including Ferris, Baker Watts; Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. (Hanifen Imhoff); and Tucker Anthony Capital Markets, will lead the new division.

“The Equity Capital Markets group represents a significant expansion both in terms of product offerings and geography for the firm,” said CEO Gary Wunderlich. “The key to success is building the right team and we know that with Jeff’s leadership and the caliber of talented and experienced professionals signing on, we’re off to a very strong start.”

Tom Stephens, former head of institutional sales at Tucker Anthony and most recently at Ferris, Baker Watts and Stanford Group, takes on that role at the new Wunderlich division. Steve Iskalis, who headed institutional sales trading at Stifel, Nicolaus before the Legg Mason acquisition and who was most recently also at Ferris, will lead the institutional sales trading effort at Wunderlich.

Noting the uniqueness of his new situation, Fowlds said, “This is that rare opportunity to create a new division within a dynamic, growing firm to take advantage of a significant market opportunity. Gary and President Philip Zanone are clear in their mandate – build a first class, focused research department concentrating on 3-5 deep industry verticals that will enable Wunderlich Securities to deliver value added research and trading execution to our institutional client base.”

Also joining Wunderlich Equity Capital Markets:

• Matthew Harrigan, senior vice president- Research; formerly with Ferris, Baker Watts; Janco Partners; JP Morgan and Bear Stearns. Industry coverage: Media and Entertainment;
• Martin Pyykkonen, senior vice president; formerly senior securities analyst at Global Crown Capital; Janco Partners and CIBC. Industry coverage: Entertainment, Media and Internet;
• Brad Parobek, senior vice president-Institutional Equity Sales; formerly a partner and managing director of Institutional Sales at Janco Partners;
• Greg Brown (CFA), senior vice president- Institutional Equity Sales; formerly with Ferris, Baker Watts and Janco Partners;
• Thomas Hadley, senior vice president- Institutional Equity Sales; formerly with Ferris, Baker Watts and Janco Partners;
• Brooke Hrimnak, vice president-Institutional Equity Sales; formerly with Ferris, Baker Watts;

• Donna Stone, supervisory analyst/editor-Research; formerly with Ferris, Baker Watts and Legg Mason.

In addition to joining an exciting new venture, recruitment was aided by the firm’s geographic model, according to Stephens. “Our technology and culture support flexibility, particularly pertaining to location, and this enables experienced and proven analysts to work where they choose – a real benefit for established professionals.”

About Wunderlich Securities

Established in 1996, Wunderlich Securities is a full-service brokerage firm based in Memphis, Tenn. Wunderlich Securities caters to individual and institutional clients with financial advisory, brokerage and investment banking services. Fundamental Capital Markets and Fundamental Brokers Inter-Dealer, divisions of Wunderlich Securities, serve institutional clients with fixed-income brokerage services. The firm operates in 35 offices across 7 states and employs over 250 professionals. For more information about the organization, please visit its Web site at www.wunderlichsecurities.com, or call 901-251-1330.