Montreal-based Laurentian Bank Securities (LBS), a subsidiary of Laurentian Bank (TSX: LB) said late Friday that it will be opening offices in Winnipeg with the hiring of an investment banking team.
Kevin Hooke, director, and Tyler Wirvin, vice president will be joining the firm on July 3.
Hooke has over 30 years experience in corporate finance having been a founding partner and director of Wellington West Capital and head of investment banking. Wirvin has 10 years of experience having worked with Hooke at Wellington West and the Manitoba Debt Capital Markets department.
Michel Trudeau, president and CEO of LBS stated, “We are expanding into Manitoba as we believe the growth prospects and solid economic foundation of mid western Canada provide a good backdrop for our future growth while having a local presence will prove to be a competitive advantage.” He went on to say, “This is our first step in expanding our presence beyond Quebec and Ontario.”
Hooke’s team has raised $1.3 billion in financing for Manitoba based firms, as well as $1.5 billion in debt financing for Manitoba Hydro and the province’s Builder Bonds series.
New hires for Montreal and Toronto equity teams
Concurrently, the investment dealer announced the hiring of Milla Craig as a consultant and special advisor to the Montreal equity group. Craig is a seasoned veteran having worked in institutional sales at Scotia Capital and RBC. Furthermore, LBS has hired Laila Danechi as an institutional equity sales representative in Montreal. Danechi’s has held positions in business development at Natcan and Montrusco Bolton.
The firm has also recently hired Nick Agostino as a special situations analyst in its Toronto office. Agostino has over 10 years experience having joined the firm from Euro Pacific Securities, having also held positions in equity research at Mackie Research Capital and Scotia Capital.