Financial Services >> Analyst Interviews >> January 28, 2013

Optimism for Southeastern and Midwestern Regional Banks

Marinac, Chris
Chris Marinac is Co-Founder of FIG Partners. Mr. Marinac co-founded FIG Partners in 2003 and has more than 24 years of financial services and research analysis experience. He leads the firm’s award-winning equity research team that covers more than 150 banks, thrifts and REITs. Mr. Marinac is a nationally respected financial analyst who is frequently quoted in the media. He also authors Insights, one of the industry’s leading financial blogs. Before joining FIG, Mr. Marinac worked for six years as Managing Director at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey and spent five years as Research Analyst at Wachovia Corporation — formerly Interstate/Johnson Lane Inc. Mr. Marinac received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from Kent State University. Mr. Marinac is a member of the board and Past President of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Atlanta. Profile
Brian Martin is a Vice President and Research Analyst at FIG Partners. He joined FIG Partners in 2009 with 12 years of experience providing research coverage on community banks and thrifts. Prior to joining FIG Partners, Mr. Martin served as a Senior Research Analyst for the firm Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett, Inc., since 1998, with a focus on institutions based primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. He is a 1992 graduate of DePaul University with a B.S. in finance and a 1999 graduate of DePaul’s MBA program. Mr. Martin has also been a CFA Charterholder since 2002. Profile
TWST: Would each of you start with a quick snapshot of your coverage universe?

Mr. Marinac: I cover primarily stocks in the Southeastern United States. I have a couple of outliers. Our