Transactions and Assignments

Consulting Assignments

Retainer & Fixed Fees

  • Top 30 U.S. Bank: Senior Consultant retained to explore strategic partnerships with Home Equity Investment companies and bring product to market through credit risk, compliance, finance, operations and sales
  • Top 3 Accounting / Consulting firm – introduction and education of sales staff on middle market financial institution selling strategies
  • Asset manager in Single Family Rental property space - Capital Markets consulting: find corporate lenders and partners, negotiate terms, introduce and consult on equity capital investors
  • Sixtyfive - Startup with alternative to reverse mortgage product - Capital Markets consulting
  • Koalafi, a fintech AI consumer lender in buy now pay later space – Capital Markets consultant
  • Use Hitch startup advisory for technology business focused on HELOC and HE Loans in less than 5 days
  • MyHomy startup advisory for a lease to own business to assist millennials afford a home in higher priced markets.

Success Fee

  • Introductions to forward flow buyers, structured A/B cash-flow instruments and portfolio leverage for five Home Equity Investment contract providers
  • Developed fund structure with OCC by which banks could invest in HEI contracts; non-bank investors could also invest in structure. Banks would gain CRA credit by investing in fund
  • Introductions and negotiating coaching for Prodigy Finance to forward flow buyers of international student loan

Bank M&A advisory for small investor groups and credit unions pursuing bank targets

  • Wisconsin credit union with over $1 billion in assets bids and negotiates for northern Illinois community bank
  • Startup advisory for de novo bank; $115 million equity capital raise with a co-lead broker dealer
  • South American company with US operations buying small federal bank
  • Retained by Florida Family Office to find and coach on acquisition of community banks in southeast
  • Retained by Obsidian One Bank Corp to find and coach on acquiring a federal bank

Recent Past Experience

COMMUNITY CAPITAL TECHNOLOGIES Fintech startup, B2B SaaS marketplace to streamline the trading of loans not of the syndicated market.

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER / FINANCE OFFICER Responsibilities: strategy, partnerships, joint ventures, business development, pricing, sales, operations, promotion, government affairs, feedback from voice of customer and product market fit.

  • Searched out and structured business partnerships for $2B in loans being offered on platform

Transaction History

2022 Retained by Obsidian One Bank Corp to find and coach on acquiring a federal bank
2022 Engaged South American company with US operations to find and coach on buying small federal bank (CO)
2022 Engaged by BP Asset Management to find and coach on buying several state and federals (IL, GA, NY)
2021 Engaged and introduced small troubled rural bank (IL) to investor group
2021 Retained by Wisconsin credit union with over $1 billion in assets to find, bid and negotiate for acquisition of northern Illinois community bank
2020 Retained by Hudson Cove Partners (NJ) to target, strategize and coach on purchase of Georgia community bank
2020 Retained by Banc Partners LLC (NY) to target, strategize and coach on purchase of $1bn asset bank
2020 Retained by Cheever Family Office (CT) on valuation and viability of business strategy for EuroBank (Greece)
2018 Retained by Cheever Family Office (CT) on valuation and viability of business strategy for Piraeus Bank (Greece)
2018 Retained by JTE Corp. (IL) via Bancorp I on advisement to find a bank to acquire MN community bank
2018 Engaged by Pioneer Bankorp (FL) with Performance Trust Capital Partners for $7mm PIPE common equity
2018 Retained by Dancar Business Company (FL) for strategy, structure, finding a community bank
2018 Sold American Enterprise Bank (IL). For owner to Wintrust Financial (IL)
2018 Retained by Liberty Federal Savings Bank (OK) for valuation and opinion on need for Voluntary Supervisory Conversion Merger with Great Plains National Bank (OK).
2017 Engaged by Ginter Capital (IL) in structuring and negotiating purchase of McHenry Savings Bank (IL)
2017 Retained by Chasing Alpha LLC (IL) to research feasibility of new Fintech charter,
2017 Retained by Concorde Group Holdings (NJ) for analysis, introductions and advisement to banks
2017 Retained by Edgar County Bancshares (IL) for valuation on company and advisement on ESOP or leveraged buyout from single owner
2017 Retained by SomerCor 504 (IL) for analysis, introduction and advisement for partners in banking industry
2016 Retained by Aetio Capital (PA) to research and conduct feasibility of purchase waste to energy company to use waste plastic and turn into fuel or electric power.
2015 Signed exclusive agreement with Leeward Capital (USVI) to offer capital product to financial institutions
2015 Engaged by OWL shares ETF (CA) to find bank loan or financing for expansion
2015 Engaged by Ditto Trade (IL) to form alliance to buy privately owned bank Oak Bank (IL).
2015 Retained by principal owners of Broadway Bank (TX) to peer performance study
2015 Engaged by Blackhall Partners LLC (IL) to find project financing
2015 Engaged by United World Holdings (DE) (foreign investors) to find a US financial
2015 Engaged by United Bancorp (IL) to raise capital and/or sell institution (estimated $4 million value)
2015 Created JAS LLC to offer inventory financing to wholesale and retail jewelry industry; signed exclusive agreement with largest jewelers' trade association in USA
2015 Engaged by principal owners of Bridgeview Bancorp (IL) to find buyer of 1.6 million shares
2015 Advised 1st Brookfield (IL) on sale to investor group
2015 Retained by Marshall Atlas as expert witness in consulting on bank practices for loan underwriting
2015 Retained by Hansen Reynolds Dickinson Crueger LLC law firm for expert testimony in stock legend procedures. Case settled on behalf of law firm’s client.
2015 Retained as consultant on to develop products for banks by Tall Tree Investment Management - IL
2014 Advised APC LLC (used and reclaimed auto parts) on consolidation of $11 million of debt and additional financing with one large financial institution
2014 Advised College Savings Bank ($500mm in assets) on sale – premium P/E valuation
2014 Engaged by Bridgeview Bancorp Inc for strategic initiatives
2014 Retained by Bridgeview Bank Group to sell $35 million of senior life settlement contracts
2014 Advised private investor group in purchase of ailing Midwest financial institution target
2014 Engaged by Edgar County Bancshares in review and analysis of acquisition candidatesRetained by CenTrust (IL) to initiate and negotiate joint venture discussions on new business lines
2014 Retained by CenTrust (IL) to initiate and negotiate joint venture discussions on new business lines
2014 Retained by Schoenberg, Finkel, Newman & Rosenberg, LLC as expert witness on bank corporate governance policy, procedures and industry norms. Court ruled in favor of law firm’s clients.
2014 Initiated and negotiated acquisition of National Bancorp-IL to Auto Club Trust for $52 million
2014 Retained as consultant on to develop products for banks by Tall Tree Investment Management - IL
2014 Retained as consultant on to develop products for banks by Tall Tree Investment Management - IL
2013 Retained by Ginter Capital-IL to find distressed financial institutions for acquisition
2013 Retained by Corsair Partners-NY to find interest in SBIC fund from banks
2013 Negotiated joint venture relationship for 1st Brookfield Bancshares for Construction Lending program
2013 Retained as consultant on to develop products for banks by Tall Tree Investment Management - IL
2013 Retained by Schoenberg, Finkel, Newman & Rosenberg, LLC as Expert Witness
2012 Retained as consultant on to develop products for banks by Tall Tree Investment Management - IL
2012 Retained by Bridgeview Bank Group to find asset disposition solution for $292 million in criticized assets
2012 Retained by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check for Expert Witness in OSBC ESOP case
2012 Advised 1st Brookfield Bancshares on asset disposition and strategic initiatives
2011 Advised McHenry Savings Bank on capital initiatives and NPA disposition
2011 Advised Horizon Bancorp – IN on possible acquisition targets
2011 Introduced and negotiated multi-million dollar deposit relationships between banks and Stone Castle Partners
2011 Introduced and negotiated customer acquisition programs for Crest Communications with several banks nationwide
2011 Targeted and negotiated lending partnership for Franklin Capital Network – IL (specialty finance) and several banks
2011 Targeted and negotiated lending partnership for Prairie Business Credit – IL and several Midwest area banks
2011 Initiated and negotiated distressed debt transactions for Gotham Real Estate Partners LLC – NY with several banks
2011 Advised Covenant Bancshares on distressed bank solutions and search for new capital
2011 Advised Western Springs Bancorp on distressed bank solution through a $35 million toxic asset sale, $90 million bulk sale of balance sheet and recapitalization
2011 Performed due diligence and valuation analysis for Newport Capital Bancorp on target institution.
2010 Advised Charter Bank Corp on $5 million Capital raise
2010 Advised Providential Bancorp on strategic initiatives
2010 Educated and Advised Illinois Finance Authority on banking industry and how to assist minority owned banks
2010 Performed analytical review and investments analysis on a bank target for Shelving Rock Partners
2010 Performed Loss Migration Analysis on Second Federal Loan portfolio
2010 Advised Oak Park River Forest Bankshares on capital initiatives.
2010 Advised Will County Bancorp on $5 million debt and capital raise
2010 Advised Family Federal of Illinois & Green Life Holdings on $9 million supervisory conversion merger.
2009 Advised Edgar County Bancorp on $2.0 million purchase of First National Bank of Gilman-IL
2009 Advised George Washington Bancorp – IL on regulatory capital solutions, asset disposition
2009 Advised Halifax Holdings on purchase or investment in Lincoln Park Savings Bank – IL
2009 Advised Providential Bancorp – IL, a mortgage bank, on M&A and joint venture opportunities
2009 Advised GreenChoice Bank – IL on capital raise, investor introductions and alternative bank acquisitions
2009 Performed due diligence and valuation on Citizens Bank & Trust of Chicago for capital or M&A transaction
2009 Advised Edgar County Bancorp on purchase of First National Bank of Gilman - IL
2009 Performed strategic planning advice to Benchmark Bancorp on evaluating regulatory capital solutions.
2009 Performed valuation on CBR Holdings, a community bank holding company in Chicago
2009 Advised Prairie Acquisition LLC on investment in 1st Brookfield Corp, Brookfield, IL
2009 Advised Prairie Acquisition LLC on the purchase of Benchmark Bank, Naperville, IL
2008 Advised $5 billion asset thrift in Midwest sale of non-performing assets and $100 million capital raise
2008 Advised Horizon Bancorp-IN on acquisitions in IN and MI
2008 Advised Blue River Bancshares-IN on acquisition of a southern Indiana bank
2008 Advised Benchmark Bancorp-IL on sale of non-performing assets and capital raise
2007 Advised Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin-WI on sale of MN branches
2007 Advised Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin-WI on purchase of S&C Bancorp-WI
2007 Advised Blue River Bancshares on sale of KY branches and operations
2007 Advised Blue River Bancshares – IN on sale of extra federal thrift charter to a Florida investor group
2006 Advised Blue River Bancshares-IN on purchase of Landmark Bank - IN
2006 Advised First Mid-Illinois Bancorp-IL on purchase of Mansfield Bank- IL
2006 Advised MainSource Financial Group – IN on purchase of United Bancorp - IN
2005 Advised Stone City Bancorporation – IN on sale to German American Bancorporation - IN
2005 Advised Grapeland Bancshares – TX on sale to Prosperity Financial - TX
2005 Advised Frankfort First – KY on sale to Kentucky First MHC - KY
2004 Advised Round Lake Bancorp – WI on sale to Merchants and Manufactures - WI
2004 Advised Summit Bancorp – TX on purchase of ANB Bancshares – TX
2004 Advised First Capital Corp – WI on purchase of Liberty Bank – MN
2003 Advised Security Financial – IN on sale to Standard Bank- IL
2002 Advised Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin on purchase of Ledger Capital Corp-WI
2001 Advised Incent Inc. - IL (decision system software) on sale or restructuring
2001 Advised Unity Bancorp - NJ on sale of loans and sale of certain branches.
2000 Advising Central Bank of Brazil on privatization of majority ownership in Banespa, a government owned bank
2000 Sale of financial technology company, ProCard toTotal System Services
1999 Assisted in sale of UST Corp. - MA to Citizens Bank - RI
1999 Advised Prime Bancorp, Inc - PA sale to Summit Bancorp
1998 Advised UST Corp. on acquisition of Somerset Savings Bank - MA
1998 Advised UST Corp. on acquisition of Affiliated Bancorp, Inc. - MA

Capital Offerings

2014 Debt Placement for private bank in Midwest - $7.5 million
2014 Senior Debt placement for APC Inc – IL $10.9 million
2010 Advised Family Federal of Illinois on $9 million supervisory conversion merger.
2007 Private Placement for First State Bancorporation-NM $22.5 million Trust Preferred
2007 Private Placement for Chesapeake Financial-VA $30 million Trust Preferred
2007 Private Placement for BNC Corp-AZ $15 million Trust Preferred
2007 Private Placement for Strategic Capital Bancorp-IL $10 million Trust Preferred
2007 Private Placement for First State Bancorporation-NM $22 million Trust Preferred
2007 Private Placement for First State Bancorporation-NM $10 million Trust Preferred
2007 Private Placement for Amcore Financial-IL $35 million Trust Preferred
2007 Private Placement for Rocky Mountain Bank-CO $3.25 million Trust Preferred
2007 Private Placement for Park Avenue Bancorp-NY $6 million Common
2006 Private Placement for Pulaski Financial - MO - HBI co-managed $19 million Common
2006 Private Placement for Blue River Bancshares-IN $7 million Trust Preferred
2005 Private Placement for Green Bancshares - TN HBI co-managed $10 million Common
2005 Private Placement for MainSource Financial Group-IN $3.5 million Trust Preferred
2005 Private Placement for Wisconsin Bancshares - WI $5.5 million Trust Preferred
2005 Private Placement for Republic Bancorp - KY $40 million Trust Preferred
2005 Private Placement for American Community Bancorp - IN $3 million Trust Preferred
2005 Private Placement for Oak Hill Financial - OH $5 million Trust Preferred
2005 Private Placement for Capital Bancorp - TN $12 million Trust Preferred
2005 Private Placement for St Joe Capital Corporation- IN $5 million Trust Preferred
2004 Private Placement for Community Shores Bancorp - MI $4.5 million Trust Preferred
2004 Private Placement for Enterprise Financial - MO $5.5 million Trust Preferred
2004 Private Placement for Mackinac Financial-MI stand alone co-mngd with KBW $20 million Common
2004 Private Placement for Oak Hill Financial - OH $8 million Trust Preferred
2004 Private Placement for Access Anytime Bancorp - NM stand alone $3.12 million Common
2004 Private Placement for Dearborn Bancorp - MI co mgr $36.422646 million Common
2004 Private Placement for Nicolet Bancshares - WI stand-alone Pvt Plcmnt $13.8 million TRUPs
2004 Private Placement for Citizens First Corporation - KY stand alone $7.998 million Conv Pfd
2004 Private Placement for First Midwest TPS - 144A Deal - co-leads Lehman/KBW $10 million TRUPs
2004 Private Placement for Business Bank of St Louis - MO $4 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for BancFirst - OK Advest/HBI co-mng deal $25 million TRUPs
2003 Private Placement for Clarkston Financial - MI $4 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Midwest Bank Holdings - IL $10 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Universal Savings - WI $19.05 million Perpetual Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Fentura Bancorp - MI $12 million TRUPs
2003 Private Placement for First Indiana Bancorporation -IN REG D Stand alone $20 million Sub Debt
2003 Private Placement for 144A TPS First Midwest-IL $3.5 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for PennFed - PA $10 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for West Bancorporation - IA $9 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Manufacturer Bancorporation -WI $5 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Town Bancshares-WI $6 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for First South Bancorp - SC $10 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Chicago Shore Corporation- IL $3.5 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for The National Bank-IA $15 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for CIVITAS - KY stand alone $7.91125 million Conv Pfd
2003 Private Placement for West Bancorporation - IA $11 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for State National Bancshares - TX $15 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for St Joseph Bancorp - IN $3 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Coastal Financial - SC $15 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Valley Community Bank - IL $3 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Lakeland Financial -IN $10 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Main Source Financial - IN $7 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Blue Valley Bancorp - KS $7.5 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Liberty Banshares - IA $15 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Beal Financial-TX $13 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for FBOP Corporation-IL $9 million Trust Preferred
2003 Private Placement for Citizens Bancorporation- MI Sub Debt Co Manager with Lehman/KBW $3.1625 million

Sub Debt

2002 Private Placement for FBOP Corporation-IL $14 million Trust Preferred
2002 Private Placement for FBOP Corporation-IL $9 million Trust Preferred
2002 Private Placement for Beal Financial - TX $20 million Trust Preferred
2002 Private Placement for FBOP Corporation-IL $12 million Trust Preferred
2002 Private Placement for Pacific Mercantile Corporation - CA $5 million Trust Preferred
2002 Private Placement for Capitol Bancorp - MI $3 million Trust Preferred
2002 Private Placement for Investors Bancorp - WI $5 million Trust Preferred
2002 Private Placement for Horizon Bancorp - MI $12 million Trust Preferred
1992 Private Placement for Continental Savings of America - CA stand alone $16 million Convertible Preferred

Notable Thrift IPO’s Managed

1997 Staten Island Bancorp - NY $515.0 million
1992 Anchor Bancorp Wisconsin $ 50.0 million
1992 ALBANK Financial – NY $157.0 million
1992 Calumet Bancorp - IL $ 35.4 million
1991 Bell Bancorp -IL $156.0 million
1991 Liberty Bancorp - IL $ 33.1 million
1991 Cragin Financial – IL $105.0 million
1990 NS Bancorp - IL $ 80.0 million
1990 JSB Financial - NY $160.0 million
1988 New York Bancorp - NY $ 20.7 million
1987 St. Paul Financial – IL $119.0 million

Other Transactions

1997 Advised Staten Island Bancorp on capital management strategies and $1 billion leverage transaction.
1997 Initiated relationship and assisted leverage strategy for Ramapo Financial - NJ
1990 Successful takeover defense assignment for VSB Bancorp – NJ