Aequitas Capital Appoints Veteran Banking Executive, Brian Rice, To Lead Aequitas' Wealth Management Division

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aequitas Capital, a diversified financial services company, has hired Brian Rice as Executive Vice President and Partner of Aequitas Capital and President of Aequitas' Wealth Management division. Mr. Rice will drive the strategy and growth initiatives for the complete wealth management platform, including the recently launched Aequitas Capital Partners (ACP), and Aequitas' holding company for acquiring independent RIA firms, named Aspen Grove.

"We are committed to providing intellectual, financial and human capital to fuel growth-oriented RIAs with a focus on alternative investments. The wide-ranging expertise Brian has acquired across the retail, commercial and private banking markets make him the ideal leader for our wealth management activities," said Aequitas CEO Bob Jesenik. "Brian understands what entrepreneurial-minded RIAs require to both serve their clients and grow their practices, and he will draw on the power of Aequitas' network of resources to provide support to achieve their goals and navigate the ever-changing regulatory environment."

Reporting directly to Mr. Jesenik, Mr. Rice joins the firm from KeyBank, where he served as the Regional President for Oregon, Washington and Alaska amongst other roles over the last 12 years. Prior to joining KeyBank, Mr. Rice served as Vice President and Market Area Manager for Wells Fargo in Portland, Oregon. In addition, Mr. Rice is currently a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Portland Branch Board of Directors.

Aequitas launched Aequitas Capital Partners earlier this year to address the challenges of small-to-mid-sized RIAs, which comprise the fastest-growing segment of the investment advisory industry projected to have annual growth rates of 20 to 30 percent. ACP, a division of Aequitas Capital's Wealth Management platform, works to deliver cash-flow lending, equity and asset-based lending to help RIAs fund mergers and acquisitions, lift-outs and expedited advisor recruitment. As a member of ACP, RIAs can utilize Aequitas' institutional-quality alternative investment strategies.

"Aequitas has earned a reputation as a progressive and forward thinking strategic ally for growth-oriented RIAs. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enable our RIA partners to achieve economies of scale that enhance their client service capabilities and enterprise values," said Brian Rice.

About Aequitas Capital
Founded in 1993, Aequitas Capital is a diversified financial services company that creates alternative investments including private equity, private credit and specialty finance. The firm leverages its robust network of industry experts to invest in under-served sectors that drive the overall economy in the areas of education, healthcare and financial services. Aequitas helps its portfolio companies and strategic partners reach their goals by providing management expertise, technology infrastructure and a network of support services. 

About Aequitas | Wealth Management
Aequitas | Wealth Management is a wholly owned division of Aequitas Capital. It provides an integrated wealth management platform for growth-oriented member RIA firms, supported by practice management consulting, institutional quality alternative investment solutions and enterprise related services.

For more information, please visit www.aequitascapital.com.

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SOURCE Aequitas Capital