MINNEAPOLIS, Nov 14, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Piper Jaffray recently ranked No. 3, moving up five spots from eighth place, in Institutional Investor magazine's annual ranking of the best overall equity sales forces in the U.S.

The results of the sales team survey were derived from Institutional Investor's annual All-America Research Team survey and provide rankings across 13 broad industry groups/specialist sales categories and 10 sales performance attributes. Institutional Investor surveyed portfolio managers, buy-side analysts, directors of research, chief investment officers and other investment professionals at 506 firms managing U.S. equities to determine the best sales teams in the U.S.

A total of 28 firms were ranked based on their U.S. small- and mid-cap equity sales forces. The top five firms include:

1. Robert W. Baird & Co.

2. William Blair & Co.

3. Piper Jaffray

4. Jefferies & Co.

5. Raymond James & Associates

"In this challenging economic environment, it is increasingly important that we provide exceptional service to our clients, and this ranking highlights our talented and client-focused sales team," said Jim Fehrenbach, head of equity sales and trading at Piper Jaffray.

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; high-yield and structured products; institutional equity and fixed-income sales and trading; and equity and high-yield research. With headquarters in Minneapolis, Piper Jaffray has 28 offices across the United States and international locations in London, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Piper Jaffray & Co. is the firm's principal operating subsidiary. (www.piperjaffray.com)

Since 1895. Member SIPC and FINRA.

(C) 2008 Piper Jaffray & Co., 800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020

SOURCE: Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray
Media Relations:
Rob Litt, 612-303-8266