As an important financial center in the United States, Chicago is home to the headquarters and major offices of many well-known middle market investment banks. Compared with bulge bracket investment banks, middle market investment banks are smaller in size and focus more on serving mid-sized companies. However, they still provide a full range of investment banking services. This article will introduce the characteristics and main business focuses of several well-known middle market investment banks headquartered in Chicago.
William Blair is a Leading Middle Market Investment Bank Focusing on Healthcare, Technology, Financial Services and Industrial Sectors
Founded in 1935, William Blair is one of the most preeminent independent middle market investment banks headquartered in Chicago. It focuses on serving mid-sized companies in healthcare, technology, financial services and industrial sectors. William Blair boasts particular strength in M&A advisory and equity capital markets services. It has advised on numerous M&A deals worth billions of dollars over the years. The company takes pride in providing unbiased advice that best serves clients’ interests.
Loop Capital Markets Specializes in Serving Minority- and Women-owned Businesses
Founded in 1997, Loop Capital Markets is an investment bank focusing on serving minority- and women-owned businesses in a wide range of industries. It provides services including M&A advisory, equity and debt capital raising, municipal bonds underwriting, trading and research. Loop Capital has solid strength in advisory and capital raising for minority-owned mid-sized companies. It also actively advocates for diversity and inclusion in the financial industry.
Mesirow Financial Offers Deep Expertise in Insurance, Real Estate, Healthcare and Other Sectors
Founded in 1937, Mesirow Financial is an independent middle market investment bank and financial services company headquartered in Chicago. It has particular expertise in insurance, real estate, healthcare, financial institutions, energy and several other sectors. Mesirow offers investment banking, capital markets, M&A advisory and other financial services tailored to mid-sized companies and entrepreneurs. Its investment banking team works seamlessly with experts across Mesirow’s other divisions to provide clients customized solutions.
Barrington Research Associates Focus on Providing Quality Research and Investment Ideas
Founded in 2003, Barrington Research Associates is an independent middle market investment bank and institutional broker-dealer serving corporate and institutional clients. Unlike most investment banks which focus on investment banking and capital markets businesses, Barrington dedicates mainly to equity research and providing investment ideas to institutional investors. It also offers some investment banking and advisory services to small and mid-sized public companies.
In summary, Chicago hosts headquarters and major offices of many reputable middle market investment banks like William Blair, Loop Capital, Mesirow Financial and Barrington Research Associates. They concentrate on serving mid-sized companies across a variety of key industries.