MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 10, 2015-- Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC), a leading investment bank and asset management firm, is pleased to announce the hiring of Steven Schmidt as a managing director in its technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) investment banking group. Schmidt will be based in the firm’s Minneapolis office with a focus on commerce enablement and financial technologies.

Schmidt was previously with Piper Jaffray investment banking and capital markets from 1997–2008, responsible for leading origination and execution efforts in technology capital markets. He then spent four years with Digital River, Inc., overseeing strategy and corporate development. Most recently, Schmidt served as a managing director and calling officer at Navidar Group LLC, a technology-focused M&A boutique firm.

“After a successful 2014, we are well-positioned to invest in our business and expanding our TMT team is a key strategic initiative for the firm. Our strong brand has helped attract high-caliber talent to drive this expansion,” said Chad Abraham, global co-head of the Piper Jaffray investment banking and capital markets group. “We look forward to accelerating our TMT platform’s growth with the addition of Steve.”

“Our TMT team has a strong track record acting as lead advisor to our clients and we are pleased to have Steve back at Piper Jaffray,” said Mark Leavitt, global head of the Piper Jaffray technology, media and telecommunications investment banking group.

“The growth of cloud commerce and the digital wallet are disrupting traditional solutions and Steve has significant experience advising companies in these converging spaces,” added Marc Steifman, global co-head of the Piper Jaffray technology, media and telecommunications investment banking group.

Schmidt’s addition follows the recent hiring of investment bankers, Len Sheer, Amrit Agrawal and Bob Lauria in the firm’s debt capital markets group. Piper Jaffray continues to actively seek opportunities to grow its business in 2015 and beyond.

About Piper Jaffray
Piper Jaffray Companies (NYSE: PJC) is an investment bank and asset management firm headquartered in Minneapolis with offices across the U.S. and in London, Hong Kong* and Zurich. Securities brokerage and investment banking services are offered in the United States through Piper Jaffray & Co., member NYSE and SIPC, and in Europe through Piper Jaffray Ltd., authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Asset management products and services are offered through three separate investment advisory affiliates registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: Advisory Research Inc., Piper Jaffray Investment Management LLC and PJC Capital Partners LLC.

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Piper Jaffray & Co.
Pamela Steensland, 612-303-8185
pamela.k.steensland@pjc.com