HONG KONG, Feb 22, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Piper Jaffray announced it has hired Michael Chan as head of Asian distribution to lead the firm's Asian equity sales and trading efforts. Chan, who has more than 15 years of experience in equity distribution and research, will be based in the firm's Hong Kong office.

Chan joins Piper Jaffray from UOB Kay Hian and previously Goldman Sachs, where he was an executive director focused on China/Hong Kong equities and QDII program development. Prior to his sales positions, he was a ranked transportation analyst at Macquarie Securities and Bank of China International and also managing vice president at Gartner, Inc.

"Michael brings a wide range of perspectives to Piper Jaffray and also has deep relationships in the business," said Bob Peterson, global head of equities at Piper Jaffray. "His high level of experience and leadership ability will help us drive our strategic efforts in equity distribution and greatly benefit the equity sales team in Asia."

"We have committed to significantly grow our distribution capabilities in Asia to support our strong pipeline and more effectively share our sector expertise with clients. We are very pleased to have Michael leading this effort," said Alex Ko, head of Piper Jaffray Asia.

"I am thrilled to be joining such a high quality firm and look forward to leveraging the Piper Jaffray platform to continue to grow market share in Asia," Chan said.

Chan received his bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a masters of business administration degree from University of California, Berkeley.

Piper Jaffray currently has over 75 professionals located in its Hong Kong and Shanghai offices. Through its sales, trading, banking and research groups in Asia and globally, Piper Jaffray is a leader in serving Asia-based investors and issuers on U.S., Hong Kong and European exchanges.

About Piper Jaffray Asia

Piper Jaffray Asia is the Asia business of U.S.-based Piper Jaffray Companies, a leading, international middle market investment bank and institutional securities firm. Piper Jaffray Asia is headquartered in Hong Kong. Its primary focus is raising capital for and providing financial advisory services to middle market companies in Greater China. Piper Jaffray Asia comprises three operating entities in Hong Kong (Piper Jaffray Asia Limited, Piper Jaffray Asia Securities Limited, and Piper Jaffray Asia Futures Limited).

About Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray Companies (NYSE: PJC) is a leading, international middle market investment bank and institutional securities firm, serving the needs of middle market corporations, private equity groups, public entities, nonprofit clients and institutional investors. Founded in 1895, Piper Jaffray provides a comprehensive set of products and services, including equity and debt capital markets products; public finance services; mergers and acquisitions advisory services; structured products; institutional equity and fixed-income sales and trading; and equity research. Piper Jaffray headquarters are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with offices across the U.S. and in London and Hong Kong. Piper Jaffray & Co. is the firm's principal operating subsidiary. (www.piperjaffray.com)

Since 1895. Member SIPC and FINRA.

© 2010 Piper Jaffray & Co., 800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020

SOURCE: Piper Jaffray

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