Jason E. Werner

Founded in 1915, Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett is a full-service brokerage firm headquartered in Chicago. The firm provides sales, trading, research and corporate finance services for community banks and thrifts. Their equity capital markets department specializes in sales, trading, research and investment banking services for community banks and thrifts. Through their private client services department, the firm provides investment advice and products to both individual and institutional customers. Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett is the exclusive provider of capital markets services for the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett offers fixed-income products and services through a strategic initiative with Memphis, Tennessee-based Sparks IBG. A majority of the financial institutions followed by Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett's research analysts on the Nasdaq National Market although some are closely-held and are traded in the pink sheets or on the OTC bulletin board. The firm is a member of FINRA and the SICP. Clearing services are provided through First Clearing LLC.

Founded in 2003 by Cliff Rodman and Charles Renshaw, Rodman & Renshaw LLC is a full-service investment bank and broker/dealer located in New York City with an additional office in Boston. The firm is a subsidiary of Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group (NasdaqGM: RODM). The firm provides corporate finance, strategic advisory and related services to public and private companies across multiple sectors and regions. They also provide research and sales and trading services to institutional investors. Rodman & Renshaw is a leader in the PIPE and RD (registered direct offering) transaction markets. The firm's research focuses on Asia, clean technology, community & regional banks, energy, industrial and commercial services, life science/healthcare and metals and mining. Rodman & Renshaw is a member of the NASD and the SIPC.