News

AmeriCap Credit Selects Top Investment Bank, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

CHICAGO, IL (March, 2005) -- Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW), one of the leading investment banks specializing in the financial services area, has been engaged by the AmeriCap Credit to provide certain investment banking services, including assisting AmeriCap Credit in raising growth capital to support the company's long-term financing plans.

Founded in 1962 and 100% employee owned, KBW is recognized as a leading authority for financial services companies. KBW's focus includes banking companies, insurance companies, broker/dealers, mortgage banks, asset management companies and specialty finance firms. KBW has established industry-leading positions in the areas of research, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and sales and trading for financial services companies.

Investment Banking Advisory

KBW’s advisory practice encompasses long-term strategy, mergers & acquisitions transactions, takeover defenses, valuations, fairness opinions, corporate restructuring, and investor relations strategies. KBW has maintained its role as a leading advisor in bank M&A transactions as the banking industry has continued to consolidate at a rapid pace. Since 1997, KBW has acted as financial advisor in over 281 announced mergers and acquisitions of banks and thrifts, representing in excess of $63 billion in aggregate transaction value. During the same period, KBW has advised more than 61 non-bank financial institutions, with an aggregate transaction value exceeding $20 billion. KBW has ranked first among the leading financial advisors based on number of transactions in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004, while placing second in 1998 and 2002. KBW also consistently ranks among the leaders in aggregate deal value of announced transactions, ranking among the top advisors in 2004 with $14.2 billion in announced deal value.

Corporate Finance

KBW's corporate finance practice manages participation in all capital markets products, including underwritten public offerings and private placements of common stock, preferred stock, trust preferred securities and other fixed income securities. KBW's reputation for research in the financial services sector naturally attracts potential corporate finance clients. KBW’s leading position as a market maker in over 400 financial services stocks is also an important factor in obtaining capital-raising assignments.