Matrix Capital Markets Group, an independent investment bank, formed a capital advisory investment banking group and named John J. Whalen, a managing director for Matrix, head of the new group. In addition, M. Ryan Weir Jr., a vice president at Matrix, also joined the new group.
Matrix has a 33-year history of providing clients with merger and acquisition, capital raising and financial advisory services. The addition of this new group will bring a focus on all facets of capital intermediation and transaction execution and provide clients with expertise on capital structure and efficiency, liquidity and go-to-market strategy.
The capital advisory investment banking group will advise operating companies on all phases of the capital raising process by delivering bespoke financing solutions in support of client growth initiatives. In serving as an outsourced independent capital markets function, the group will provide executive level resources to businesses navigating the increasingly complex debt and equity markets, whether they be raising the capital necessary to support organic/acquisitive growth, fund major capital expenditures or facilitate shareholder liquidity.
Whalen joined Matrix after 30 years with M&T Bank. He has structured, underwritten and led more than $250 billion of debt transactions during his career. His industry experience includes work with companies in healthcare, food and beverage, transportation and logistics, consumer products and general industrial (heavy equipment, specialty chemicals, industrial gases and aggregates/minerals), as well as financial institutions.
Weir was also previously with M&T Bank for 14 years as vice president in the bank’s debt capital markets group. His experience includes work in consumer products, retail automotive, seasonal retail, building products, business services, insurance and other esoteric businesses.
Throughout their careers, both Whalen and Weir have structured and led bank loan market transactions (pro-rata, ABL, institutional term loans), non-bank direct lender credits, unitranche structures, second lien and mezzanine loans, as well as preferred equity, bridge transactions, unregistered private placements and corporate securities (high yield and investment grade).
“We are very excited to have John and Ryan join our firm to lead the creation of our capital advisory investment banking group,” Thomas Kelso, president of Matrix Capital Markets Group, said. “The addition of this dedicated group has been a major goal of ours as we continue to grow Matrix and broaden the scope of advisory services we provide to our clients.”
