Matrix Capital Markets Group announced the formation of a new Capital Advisory Investment Banking Group. John J. Whalen, Managing Director, has been named head of the new group and M. Ryan Weir, Jr., Vice President has also joined the team.

Matrix has a 33-year history of providing clients with merger & acquisition, capital raising and financial advisory services.  The addition of this new Group will bring an even deeper level of experience and focus to all facets of capital intermediation and transaction execution, and provide clients with expertise on capital structure & efficiency, liquidity, and go-to-market strategy.

Matrix’s Capital Advisory Investment Banking Group (“CAG”) actively advises operating companies on all phases of the capital raising process by delivering bespoke financing solutions in support of client growth initiatives.  In serving as an outsourced independent capital markets function, CAG provides high-touch, executive level resources to businesses navigating the increasingly complex debt & equity markets, whether raising the capital necessary to support organic/acquisitive growth, fund major capital expenditures, or facilitate shareholder liquidity.

Whalen joins Matrix after 30 years with M&T Bank Corporation and has structured, underwritten, and led over $250B of complex debt transactions over his career.  His industry experience includes extensive work with companies in healthcare, food & beverage, transportation & logistics, consumer products, and general industrial (heavy equipment, specialty chemicals, industrial gases, and aggregates/minerals), as well as financial institutions.

Weir was also previously with M&T Bank Corporation for 14 years as Vice President in M&T’s Debt Capital Markets Group.  His expertise includes work in consumer products, retail automotive, seasonal retail, building products, business services, insurance, and other esoteric businesses.

Throughout their careers, both Whalen and Weir successfully structured and led complex bank loan market transactions (pro-rata, ABL, institutional term loans), non-bank direct lender credits, uni-tranche structures, second lien, and mezzanine loans, as well as preferred equity, bridge transactions, unregistered private placements, and corporate securities (high yield and investment grade).

Thomas Kelso, President of Matrix said, “We are very excited to have John and Ryan join our firm to lead the creation of our Capital Advisory Investment Banking Group.  The addition of this dedicated group has been a major goal of ours as we continue to grow Matrix and broaden the scope of advisory services we provide to our clients.”