HONG KONG, Mar 13, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC), a leading middle-market investment bank and asset management firm serving clients in the U.S. and internationally, announced it has recently added four senior professionals to its Asia business across investment banking, sales and trading, and research.

Tony Chan, managing director, will lead the consumer, industrial growth and clean technology efforts in Asia; Joseph Ng, managing director, has joined the Asia-based industrial growth group; Jeff Seo, managing director, will lead a new effort distributing Asia securities to U.S. institutional investors; Vik Chopra, vice president, will cover China industrial growth stocks, moving to Asia from the firm's London office.

"Expanding our presence in China is one of our key strategic priorities over the next five years. China- and Hong Kong-based companies represent a significant portion of the global equity capital raised by middle-market companies, and our sector expertise aligns well," said Tom Schnettler, president and chief operating officer at Piper Jaffray. "These new team members will help us drive our strategic efforts in originating and distributing Asia securities."

Alex Ko, head of Piper Jaffray Asia, added: "Asia is a dynamic market and more than ever middle-market clients need a trusted advisor like Piper Jaffray. Since the end of 2009, we have expanded our team by 30%, and we continue to look for talent to expand our franchise in this important market."

Piper Jaffray currently has 85 professionals located in its Hong Kong and Shanghai offices. Through its banking, sales, trading, and research groups in Asia and globally, Piper Jaffray is a leader in serving Asia-based investors and issuers on U.S. and Hong Kong exchanges.

About Piper Jaffray
Piper Jaffray is a leading middle-market investment bank and asset management firm serving clients in the U.S. and internationally. A proven advisory team combines deep product and sector expertise with ready access to global capital. Founded in 1895, the firm is headquartered in Minneapolis and has offices across the United States and in London and Hong Kong. www.piperjaffray.com

Securities brokerage and investment banking services are offered in the United States through Piper Jaffray & Co., member SIPC and FINRA; in Europe through Piper Jaffray Ltd, authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority; and in Hong Kong through Piper Jaffray Asia Limited, Piper Jaffray Asia Securities Limited, and Piper Jaffray Asia Futures Limited, all of which are registered with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission.

© 2011 Piper Jaffray Companies. 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020.

SOURCE: Piper Jaffray Companies

Piper Jaffray Companies
Jennifer A. Olson-Goude
Investor and Media Relations
1 612-303-6277