Hovde Group (“Hovde”), a leading full service investment bank and broker dealer that provides investment banking, capital markets, equity research, and sales and trading services focused on the financial services sector, today announced that Jonathan Knauss has joined Hovde as Managing Director and Head of its Diversified Financials Group responsible for leading the firm’s efforts in specialty finance, financial technology and asset management.

Mr. Knauss has over 18 years of experience covering the investment banking needs of companies in the financial services industry. His transactional experience includes over $25 billion in completed M&A, strategic advisory and debt and equity financing transactions.

“Hovde is committed to expanding and growing our presence in the specialty finance, financial technology and asset management sectors, particularly as it relates to our existing banking business where there is tremendous overlap and interest by banks and other diversified financial companies focused in these areas. We’re investing the necessary resources and talent to ensure that our clients have access to the best subject-matter experts to help them navigate the constantly changing financial services landscape and to create winning strategies for their businesses,” said David Magli, President and Chief Operating Officer of Hovde.

“The specialty finance, financial technology and asset management sectors present exciting growth opportunities with many innovative companies bringing transformative and accretive services and products to market in the U.S., Canada and Europe. I am excited to join Hovde’s investment banking team in Chicago and look forward to helping them lead and capitalize on the opportunities in the market,” said Mr. Knauss.

Most recently, Mr. Knauss was a Managing Director with BMO Capital Markets for ten years where he was responsible for leading the firm’s Specialty Finance and Alternative Lending coverage efforts. Mr. Knauss was also previously employed in the Financial Institutions Group at A.G. Edwards Investment Banking department and in the Capital Markets group at U.S. Bank.

“We are pleased to welcome Jonathan to Hovde as he will assume a key leadership role advising our clients on specialty finance, financial technology and asset management opportunities,” added Steve Hovde, CEO of Hovde Group. “His extensive background within these sectors provides a unique perspective on the issues facing our clients and adds tremendous value to our expanding universe of global financial services clients.”

Mr. Knauss will be located in Hovde’s Downtown Chicago, Illinois office.

About Hovde Group

Hovde GroupSM is a leading U.S. financial advisory group that provides a full-service suite of investment banking, capital markets, and financial advisory services focused exclusively on the financial services industry. As a leading advisor in the financial services sector for nearly 30 years, Hovde Group consistently ranks among the top firms in mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions for U.S.-financial services companies.

With offices in Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., and West Palm Beach, Hovde’s experienced and dedicated professionals can provide clients across all 50 states with the expertise, resources and focus necessary to structure, negotiate and successfully close strategic transactions.

For further information, please visit our website at: http://www.hovdegroup.com.

Hovde Group, LLCSteve Hovde, Chief Executive Officer(847) 991-6622shovde@hovdegroup.comorHovde Group, LLCDavid Magli, President & Chief Operating Officer(847) 991-6622dmagli@hovdegroup.com