Investment Banking (Industry Sector: Financial Services)

The Independence Group offers one complete source for answers, advice and solutions for selling or buying a business, as well as provide extensive consultation services. Company provides following services: SELLER REPRESENTATION lishment of expected value range for your business Creation of high quality sales presentation Aggressive/targeted marketing Complete advice on all phases of the sale process Creative negotiation and tax structuring techniques Deal follow through from start to finish BUYER REPRESENTATION Establishing the acquisition criteria Identifying acquisition candidates Screening acquisition candidates based on established criteria Completing a value analysis of acquisition candidates Assisting in the negotiation process; preparing letter of intent Assisting with negotiation and tax structuring techniques Providing financing assistance Providing due diligence assistance Following the deal through from start to finish PRIVATE EQUITY GROUP ACQUISITION ASSISTANCE QUARTERBACKING A TRANSACTION Prepare a value estimate for the company to be acquired Prepare a letter of intent to establish a clear understanding of the terms of the deal Establish a closing process Coordinate the due diligence process Assist buyer with financing alternatives Coordinate completion of final legal documents with attorneys Assist in completion of property lease arrangements, if necessary Follow deal through to closing Assist in post transaction adjustment calculations BUSINESS VALUE ESTIMATE Review historic financial trends Look at comparable historic transactions Look at adjustments that are “one-time,” non-recurring or not directly related to business operations Look at similar companies currently available for sale Evaluate economic trends of the target company’s industry Review risk factors to evaluate target company compared to its industry Determine who will be in the probable buyer pool Establish an expected value range FINANCING ASSISTANCE Seller financing (typically subordinated to bank financing) Secured Senior Debt - SBA (7A or 504) - USDA - Lines of Credit - Equipment Unsecured Debt - Cash Flow - Mezzanine with equity The Independence Group can assist in this process in the following ways: Determine the type of financing that best fits the transaction Identify sources best suited to provide the financing Prepare financing package to present to potential lenders Present the proposed financing request to lenders Assist in the details of completing the financing arrangements DUE DILIGENCE Review of financial information/perform trend analysis Verify that financial information is supported by underlying accounting records Review support for “EBITDA/Discretionary Earnings” adjustments Review how revenue is recognized Review how expenses are reported and recorded Complete a financial analysis of key assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets and intangible assets Reconcile financial records to tax returns Perform other financial analysis as deemed necessary for the transaction

The Michel-Shaked Group provides expert testimony, corporate finance, and business consulting services to law firms, government entities and corporations worldwide. Founded by finance professors Allen Michel and Israel Shaked, MSG has three decades of experience providing clients with rigorous analyses of financial and business issues in a broad array of industries. MSG’s experts hold numerous professional accreditations and degrees from top universities.

The Orr Group was founded on the experience and guiding principles of L. Glenn Orr, Jr., Chairman of Orr Holdings, LLC. Mr. Orr is the former Chairman and CEO of Southern National Corporation, an $8 billion bank holding company, which completed a merger of equals with BB&T in 1995. The merger was selected by SNL Securities as one of the top ten bank mergers of the 1990’s in the United States. Since inception, the firm has completed transactions valued at over $7 billion. It works to formulate specific, measurable goals and it focuses on achieving the desired outcome through industry knowledge, intense planning and the execution of a disciplined process. The average tenure of its professionals is 15 years. Orr Group is committed to customizing a winning strategy for each client and executing it with trust, confidentiality and efficiency.

The Peakstone Group is an investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising. Peakstone was founded on the belief that middle market companies and their owners need and desire high quality advice and execution. Its ability to support its client’s objectives with capital is the foundation of its business and strategy. Its team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.

The Potomac Company is a leading private investment banking firm specialized in providing merger and acquisition, management buyout, capital raising and strategic advisory services to small and middle market companies. The Potomac Company serves a diverse range of industries globally, with particular expertise in manufacturing, facilities management, pest control, building products, capital goods, technology, and insurance and financial services. Its typical middle market transaction size is $5 million to $300 million.

The Presidio Group LLC is an independent financial services firm founded in 1997. They partner with clients to conceive and execute strategies designed to achieve their financial objectives and personal aspirations. Its advise and/or invest in entrepreneurially led companies, family businesses, private equity firms, and public corporations in the auto dealer sector. Specialization allows to deliver the authentic industry knowledge, experience, and relationships clients expect and deserve.

TRG's foundation was laid back in 1997 with the formation of its flagship investment banking subsidiary D. Livingston Reid & Co. LLC. In 1998, D. Livingston Reid & Co. LLC entered into a formal strategic alliance with the Global Structured Finance Group of HSBC Securities, Inc. and originated over $1.5 billion in principal value debt transactions. Also established in 1998 were DLR Ventures LLC, the firm's business ventures arm, DLR Asset Management LLC, and The D. Livingston Reid Foundation, a public charity with the goal to promote learning among less-privileged children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. In December 1998, the decision was made to combine all financial subsidiaries into a single surviving entity, The Reid Group LLC, to create, communicate, and build one recognized brand.

The merger of The Williams Capital Group, L.P. and Siebert Cisneros Shank & Co., L.L.C. closed on November 4, 2019. The combined firm, which has been renamed Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC (SWS) unites the complementary strengths of each firm to create a robust platform from which to serve a broad spectrum of clients across industries and asset classes.

Third Coast Capital Advisors LLC is a full service financial advisory firm that serves the unique needs of middle market companies involved in M&A related transactions. Third Coast Capital Advisors is exclusively dedicated to advising companies on acquisitions, sales, divestitures, mergers and capital raising. With Third Coast Capital Advisors, you will get an experienced team that is committed to superior client service, senior level involvement and a customized approach to every client engagement.

Third Seven Capital is a privately owned boutique investment bank and advisory firm, which specializes in providing intellectual and equity capital to early-stage companies not yet ready to approach the institutional market. Its core management team brings over 150 years of financial market experience to its clients and investors across myriad industries ranging from oil/gas, consumer discretionary, technology, healthcare and real estate.