Fifth Third Bancorp announced Fifth Third Securities Inc. is continuing its expansion of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and strategic advisory capabilities. The Bank has hired Larry Williams, Bruce Woodward, Alan McClure, and Bill Benston, who founded The Breckenridge Group Inc., an Atlanta-based investment banking firm that specialized in providing strategic merger and acquisition services to privately owned and publicly held middle-market companies.
Expanding M&A advisory and investment banking capabilities represents a significant opportunity for Fifth Third Capital Markets to support clients. Earlier this year, Fifth Third Securities advised Flash Foods Inc. on its $425 million sale to CST Brands. Last month, Fifth Third hired industry veteran Bill Tyson as co-head of Fifth Third Bank Capital Markets to focus on driving growth in M&A advisory services, among other responsibilities.
“Fifth Third is committed to executing our strategy to deliver differentiated capital markets capabilities and resources to our middle-market and mid-corporate clients and prospects,” said Lars Anderson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Fifth Third Bancorp. “By growing our M&A advisory capabilities, we’re putting the Bank in a position to offer a wide range of solutions that help clients reach their strategic objectives.”
The addition of these professionals expands Fifth Third’s Investment Banking and M&A group to more than 30 professionals, with experience advising a wide range of industry sectors, including consumer & retail; diversified industrial; downstream petroleum; healthcare; and technology, media & telecom. They will enhance the Bank’s presence and commitment to the fast-growing Southeastern region by joining Fifth Third’s Atlanta office, reporting to Rob Schipper, head of Investment Banking.
“We are excited to welcome these former Breckenridge professionals to Fifth Third’s M&A and investment banking platform,” Tyson said. “They complement our existing capabilities, bringing deeper M&A experience and adding breadth and depth to several of our key industry verticals.”
These professionals have more than 125 years of combined M&A advisory experience and have executed more than 250 advisory assignments totaling more than $25 billion in transaction value.
Larry Williams has nearly 40 years of investment banking experience, advising sell-side and buy-side M&A transactions. Williams has served a range of industries, including printing and packaging, healthcare services, manufacturing, specialty chemicals and franchising.
Williams noted, “Joining Fifth Third Securities allows our team to expand its investment banking capabilities and to bring our many years of successful transaction experience to existing and future clients.”
Bruce Woodward has nearly 40 years of experience in advising management teams and shareholders of middle-market businesses. Woodward has advised several industries, including transportation, manufacturing, financial services, retailing and distribution. Alan McClure brings over 30 years of experience in advising management teams and shareholders of middle-market firms on the sale of their businesses. McClure has experience across several industries, including telecommunications, manufacturing, business services and distribution. Bill Benston brings more than 23 years of investment banking experience, providing advice on buy- and sell-side M&A transactions for companies in the business services sector. Benston has experience advising manufacturing, distribution, packaging, franchising and technology, media and telecommunications industries.
Also joining Fifth Third Securities to support the M&A advisory and investment banking clients are Elizabeth Head, Mark Basford and Jaime Shepard.
Fifth Third Capital Markets seeks to provide value-added advice and financial risk solutions aimed to support the growth, profitability and capital needs of mid- and large corporate clients. Fifth Third Capital Market offerings include investment banking, debt capital markets, bond capital markets, equity capital markets, financial risk management, and fixed income sales and trading.