Putnam Lovell NBF Hires Ken Fitzsimmons as Senior Advisor

Business Wire, Jan 16, 2003

Business Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2003

Putnam Lovell NBF Securities Inc., a leading investment bank to the global financial services community, announced today that Kenneth R. Fitzsimmons, Jr., formerly a senior executive of Robertson Stephens, will serve as Senior Advisor to the firm, advising clients in the securities industry and assisting in the development of Putnam Lovell NBF strategy.

Fitzsimmons was a founder in the late 1970s of Robertson, Colman, Stephens & Woodman, the firm that eventually became Robertson Stephens. His nearly 25-year career with the firm culminated in his service as Head of Equity Capital Markets and Executive Committee Member at the time the firm was shuttered by parent FleetBoston in 2002.

"I am delighted to welcome Ken to our team," said Terry R. Otton, a San Francisco-based Putnam Lovell NBF Managing Director and former colleague. "It will be a pleasure working with him again. He brings incomparable securities industry experience."

"Ken has been a long-time leader in the financial institutions world and we are honored that he has chosen our firm. In addition to helping our global clients with solutions related to their securities businesses, Putnam Lovell NBF, and our parent National Bank Financial, will benefit from his strategic insights," said Donald H. Putnam, CEO and Managing Director of Putnam Lovell NBF Securities Inc.

"When I was approached by Don Putnam, I was enjoying my retirement," said Ken Fitzsimmons, "but I was attracted by the prospect of returning to a client-focused, entrepreneurial team. I have missed working with clients, and ours is an industry at the crossroads. These times are far too exciting and challenging to miss."

Fitzsimmons began his career at Smith Barney and Lehman Brothers. Fitzsimmons holds a B.A. from Brown University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Trustee of Brown University and a Board Member of the Brown University Sports Foundation.

About Putnam Lovell NBF

Putnam Lovell NBF Securities Inc. ("Putnam Lovell NBF") is an investment banking firm focused on the financial services industry. It offers merger and acquisition advice, equity research, equity sales and trading, equity capital markets, fixed income, and general corporate finance advisory services. It serves a global client base comprised of diversified financial services firms, institutional asset managers, mutual fund managers, insurers, banks and financial technology firms. Putnam Lovell NBF was founded in 1987 and operates from offices in San Francisco, New York, Toronto and London. Putnam Lovell NBF Securities Inc., member NASD/SIPC, is a subsidiary of National Bank Financial Inc.