MEMPHIS, Tenn., (June 15, 2009) — Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. announced today that John P. Ockerbloom has joined the firm as managing director and head of its Real Estate & Lodging Investment Banking group. Ockerbloom brings more than 15 years of experience in mergers & acquisitions and capital raising transactions for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Real Estate Operating Companies (REOCs), real estate services companies, opportunity funds and other institutional real estate owners across a broad range of property types. He will combine talents with Morgan Keegan investment banker Chris Kollme, who will continue to work out of the firm’s Atlanta office.
“Morgan Keegan has a strong track record in the real estate investment banking business,” said Ockerbloom, who is based in the firm’s Charlotte, N.C. office. “Working closely with the highly-skilled team of commercial real estate professionals at Regions Bank, we have a terrific opportunity to build on that success and expand our reach in the industry at a time when numerous competitors have exited the business or are contracting. I am pleased to be part of this impressive team.”
“John’s experience and skill set make him an ideal addition to our real estate practice,” said Chip Grayson, executive managing director of investment banking at Morgan Keegan. “He will be working closely with Regions’ national real estate group in offering complete financing solutions and advisory services to a broad range of real estate companies, including REITs, funds and REOCs.”
Prior to joining Morgan Keegan, Ockerbloom was a managing director in the real estate investment banking groups of both Wachovia Securities and Banc of America Securities, where he also worked as counsel to the real estate capital markets division. He practiced securities and real estate syndications law for six years prior to joining Banc of America, most recently with the Boston firm of Sherburne, Powers & Needham (now Holland & Knight). Mr. Ockerbloom received his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and a B.A. from Westfield State College.
About Morgan Keegan
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc., one of the largest full-service brokerage and investment banking firms in the nation, is the securities brokerage, trust and asset management arm of Regions Financial Corp. (NYSE:RF). Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Morgan Keegan has over 300 offices and more than $850 million in equity capital. Additional information about Morgan Keegan can be found at www.morgankeegan.com.
Morgan Keegan’s investment banking group provides comprehensive merger and acquisition advisory and public equity and private capital raising services to middle-market companies as well as private equity and venture capital funds. With offices in Memphis, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Nashville and San Francisco, and approximately 150 professionals, Morgan Keegan’s investment banking group is one of the largest investment banks focused on serving the middle market.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation, with $142 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 100 Index and one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, trust, securities brokerage, mortgage and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers in 16 states across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates 1,900 banking offices and approximately 2,300 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.
Contact:
Eric Bran
Media Relations
Morgan Keegan & Co.
901.524.4114
