ResearchWatch from Integrity Research Associates

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Pacific Crest Gets Growth Capital

New York – In an environment where many research offerings have pared down services or analysts, Pacific Crest has just received a capital infusion designed to boost growth of its services to clients. The firm specializes in small cap technology stocks.

What is interesting about Pacific Crest is its stature as a quality research provider. In a ResearchFocus on small cap providers, authored by Integrity Research Associates in September 2007 (sales@integrity-research.com), Pacific Crest ranked first among a field of 223 small cap research specialists in the technology sector. The Integrity ranking was generated by a number of factors, including a buy side survey and other rankings such as the Wall Street Journal's “Best on the Street” survey, Starmine’s “Star Analysts” designation and Institutional Investor’s “All American Research Team” and “Best of the Boutiques” surveys.

We include the Press release below:

Pacific Crest Securities Announces $30 Million Investment from CIVC Partners and Caltius Partners

Pacific Crest to Use Proceeds to Accelerate Growth

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Crest Securities, the leading technology-focused investment banking firm, announced today that it has completed a $30 million growth investment from CIVC Partners, based in Chicago, and Caltius Partners, based in Los Angeles. Under the terms of the transaction, CIVC and Caltius together will hold a minority ownership position in Pacific Crest. Daniel Helle, Partner of CIVC, will join Pacific Crest's Board of Directors.

"We are pleased to have completed this investment as it is validation of the success of our single sector model, strength of our team and size of our future growth opportunities," said Scott E. Sandbo, Chairman and CEO of Pacific Crest Securities. "Coupled with Pacific Crest's strong market position and momentum, this investment will facilitate the acceleration of our key initiatives and market share gains."

"We are impressed with Pacific Crest and excited about our investment," said Daniel Helle, Partner at CIVC. "Pacific Crest has a highly differentiated and very profitable business model. We look forward to working with Pacific Crest to assist in capitalizing on its substantial market opportunities."

Pacific Crest's exclusive focus on technology has produced award-winning research and generated strong operating and financial results. In 2007, the firm posted its fifth consecutive year of record revenues and record profits. Pacific Crest has received Institutional Investor's "Top Tech Boutique" award for six consecutive years. Additionally, in 2007 the firm was co-manager on 12 public offerings that raised $3.5 billion for some of the leading tech companies in the world, including Alibaba, Data Domain, MercadoLibre and SuccessFactors.

Pacific Crest intends to accelerate its growth plans in its equity research, sales and trading, and investment banking groups by expanding coverage, developing new products and adding staff.

About Pacific Crest Securities

Pacific Crest Securities is an investment banking firm that focuses exclusively on technology and conducts equity research, institutional sales and trading, M&A advisory, and public and private financings. The firm's highly focused and collaborative approach gives it an unparalleled depth of knowledge and unique ability to identify the key emerging technology trends for North America's and Europe's largest institutional investors, venture capitalists, and technology companies. Pacific Crest has received numerous awards for its expertise, including Institutional Investor's "Best of the Boutiques" award for its technology research in each of the past six years and Greenwich Associates' #1 technology sales group ranking for each of the past three years. Headquartered in Portland, Ore., Pacific Crest also has offices in San Francisco, Calif., Stamford, Conn. and Boston, Mass. More information about Pacific Crest can be found on the firm's Web site at http://www.pacific-crest.com.

About CIVC Partners

CIVC Partners is a Chicago-based firm that manages more than $1 billion of private equity capital. With more than 35 years of private equity investing experience, CIVC provides growth and buyout capital to middle market companies engaged in financial services, business services, and marketing and information services. CIVC seeks to develop partnerships with exceptional business leaders and management teams. The firm works to invest in companies that exhibit strong growth characteristics and a high return on invested capital. More information about CIVC can be found on the firm's Web site at http://www.civc.com.

About Caltius Partners

Based in Los Angeles, Caltius Partners provides innovative capital solutions to companies with experienced management teams, favorable industry dynamics, and strong market positions. Since its founding in 1997, Caltius Partners has invested more than $400 million in over 30 companies to support acquisitions, recapitalizations, buyouts, and organic growth.

Caltius invests in a broad range of industries throughout North America, with a focus on business services, financial services, consumer products, education and light manufacturing industries. More information about Caltius can be found on the firm's Web site at http://www.caltius.com.

Contacts:

Geoffrey Silbert
Vice President, Marketing
Pacific Crest Securities
503-790-7794

Patty Walker
CIVC Partners, LP
191 North Wacker Drive
Suite 1100
Chicago, Illinois 60606
312-873-7300

Alana Silverman
Head of Marketing
Caltius Partners
11766 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 850
Los Angeles, California 90025

Posted at 09:10 am by Thomas Hutchinson
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