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PORTLAND, Ore.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--[ D.A. Davidson & Co. ], an employee-owned, full-service investment firm, today announced that it has hired Stephen Nelson and Eugene Katz in Davidsonas [ Chicago ] office. Nelson and Katz join D.A. Davidson as managing directors in the Financial Institutions Group (FIG) focusing on banks and thrifts. Nelson and Katz will be responsible for leading and expanding the firmas FIG footprint in the Midwest and advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, capital market transactions and other strategic advisory assignments.

"Steve and Gene are well-respected and highly experienced in the FIG industry and we are pleased to welcome them to our firm"

aSteve and Gene are well-respected and highly experienced in the FIG industry and we are pleased to welcome them to our firm,a said [ Brad Gevurtz ], head of investment banking at D.A. Davidson. aD.A. Davidson has a successful track record advising banks and thrifts in the Western U.S. and adding Steve and Gene to our Chicago office creates an ideal opportunity to expand our Midwest presence following our acquisition of McGladrey Capital Markets.a

aSteve and Gene are two of the most active middle market investment bankers in the U.S. depository financial services industry and we look forward to the growth of D.A. Davidsonas FIG group with their leadership in a region where we see significant opportunity as the industry continues to evolve,a said Rory McKinney, managing director in the firmas Los Angeles office. aSteve and Gene will be able to leverage the firmas existing full-service investment banking platform with their considerable advisory experience.a

Nelson and Katz most recently were managing directors at Hovde Financial, Inc., responsible for advising financial institutions. Prior to joining Hovde, Nelson was a member of the FIG group at The Chicago Corporation. Nelson received an undergraduate degree from Brown University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Nelson formerly served on the board of directors of a publicly traded banking institution in the Chicago area. Katz received an undergraduate degree from Babson College. Katz previously served as director of CenTrust Bank, Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY) and MRL Industries, Inc.

About D.A. Davidson & Co.

Founded 77 years ago, D.A. Davidson serves clients nationwide from offices in 17 states. [ D.A. Davidsonas Investment Banking Group ] provides full-service underwriting and advisory services for mid-size and growing companies, including public offerings, mergers and acquisitions and private placements. In early 2012, D.A. Davidson acquired McGladrey Capital Markets, a highly respected investment banking firm based in Costa Mesa, Calif. and focused on middle-market transactions.

D.A. Davidson is part of Davidson Companies, an employee-owned financial services company with $32 billion in client assets under management.