Los Angeles is one of the top financial centers in the United States and home to many major investment banks. The city’s thriving economy and proximity to technology, media, and other industries make it an attractive location for financial services firms. This article will provide an overview of the top investment banks based in Los Angeles. There are many factors that contribute to an investment bank’s success in Los Angeles, including strong deal flows, sector expertise, and deep relationships with local companies. The top local investment banks leverage these advantages to win high-profile mandates and execute complex transactions for clients.
Houlihan Lokey – Leading LA-based investment bank
Houlihan Lokey is one of the largest investment banks headquartered in Los Angeles. Founded in 1972, it has established a strong presence in M&A, valuations, restructurings, and capital markets. Houlihan Lokey has advised on over $3 trillion of transactions for clients across the consumer, financial services, healthcare, industrials, real estate, and technology sectors. The firm has over 1,500 employees located in offices around the world, with its headquarters in downtown LA. Houlihan Lokey has topped league tables for U.S. M&A fees and M&A fairness opinions, reflecting its strength in dealmaking. The firm has also built a powerful restructuring practice, helping distressed companies navigate complex bankruptcy and reorganization processes.
B. Riley Financial – Diversified investment bank and financial services firm
B. Riley Financial is a diversified investment bank and financial services firm based in Los Angeles. Founded in 1997, it provides investment banking, valuation, restructuring, capital markets, wealth management, and principal investments services. B. Riley operates through several subsidiaries including B. Riley Securities, which provides corporate finance, research, and sales & trading services. The company has been highly active in advising special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) and executing small to mid-cap M&A deals. Other units provide asset disposition, appraisals, and liquidation services. B. Riley also manages or sub-advises mutual funds and private investment funds. The firm is recognized for its deep expertise in the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors.
MUFG Securities Americas – Broker-dealer arm of Japanese bank MUFG
MUFG Securities Americas is the U.S. broker-dealer arm of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Japan’s largest bank. It offers debt and equity underwriting, M&A advisory, capital markets, and securities trading services to corporate clients. MUFG Americas has investment banking offices across the major U.S. cities including Los Angeles. The firm leverages the global network and balance sheet of MUFG to support clients’ capital raising and strategic needs. In addition to general industrial clients, MUFG Americas has strength in advising Japanese companies on their overseas M&A activities and cross-border transactions. The firm has been involved in several high profile tech IPOs out of Silicon Valley and advised on DAQRI’s sale to Magic Leap.
Imperial Capital – Boutique investment bank focused on specialty finance
Imperial Capital is a leading boutique investment bank specializing in the financial services and real estate sectors. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Los Angeles, it provides capital raising, M&A advisory and restructuring services to its clients. Imperial Capital has strong industry knowledge in specialty finance sub-sectors including business development companies (BDCs), commercial finance, consumer finance, financial technology, healthcare finance, and mortgage finance. The firm acts as an underwriter for initial public offerings (IPOs), follow-on offerings, convertible securities, and debt issuances. Imperial Capital also operates an institutional research business that covers over 95 financial services companies. The firm’s senior bankers average nearly 30 years of experience in financial services.
D.A. Davidson – Regional investment bank with West Coast presence
D.A. Davidson is a U.S. regional investment bank founded in 1935 with headquarters in Great Falls, Montana. The firm has over 60 offices across the country including a major presence on the West Coast. D.A. Davidson provides investment banking, institutional brokerage, private client services, and capital markets services. Its investment banking activities include public offerings, private placements, and M&A advisory for small and mid-cap clients. Industries of expertise include consumer, diversified industrials, financial services, healthcare, real estate, and technology. The firm has extensive relationships with Western U.S. companies and family-owned businesses. D.A. Davidson employs over 1,200 employees and manages $74 billion in client assets.
Los Angeles has emerged as a key hub for investment banking activity driven by the area’s vibrant industries like technology, media, healthcare and real estate. Firms like Houlihan Lokey, B. Riley Financial, MUFG Securities Americas, Imperial Capital and D.A. Davidson have established leading investment banking practices that cater to local corporations as well as companies nationwide. Leveraging sector expertise, long-standing client relationships and top talent, Los Angeles investment banks continue to win high profile mandates across mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt capital markets, and restructurings.