A Message From BBD's Investment Management Group Managing Partner, Jim Kaiser:

We are pleased to announce the exciting news that our firm’s Investment Management Group will be acquired by Cohen & Company (Cohen). 

Many of our clients and industry friends are familiar with the team at Cohen.  Like many of you, we’ve respected and followed the firm closely for two decades.  We’ve competed heartily against one another and in some cases along the way have served common clients as well.  We’ve also always known that we share an unwavering focus on relationships and quality.

And so, after months of discussions and thoughtful consideration, we find the opportunity to join forces with a firm that shares so many of our values, goals and vision for the future to be compelling.

We are confident that the combined strength of our teams will ensure that our clients continue to receive the high level of service they have come to expect from both firms and will create meaningful opportunities for our people to advance in their careers. Added capacity and expertise will also continue to differentiate us in the market and will be a huge win for clients and for any new candidates looking to build a career in a great firm.

Our combined team will be the second-largest ETF auditor and fourth-largest registered funds auditor in the United States.  Cohen also is the 10^th largest auditor of hedge funds in the United States.  The integration also expands Cohen’s footprint to our home in Philadelphia, one of the nation’s key investment management industry hubs.

At BBD, we always say that relationships matter, and our joining Cohen certainly only enhances our commitment to our relationship with you.  All of our partners and staff will join the combined firm.  I will serve as the Partner-in-Charge of the Philadelphia office and will join Cohen’s Board of Managers.  Erin McClafferty will serve as the Executive Director of Cohen’s Registered Funds Group.  Our story at BBD does not end but rather becomes part of Cohen’s story as we join together for what is certain to be a bright future.

We’ve had the wonderful opportunity to speak with our clients in recent days about this transition, and we’re thrilled that many have reacted by noting that the two best firms in the industry are coming together.  We couldn’t agree more, and we are excited about what we can accomplish together, for the benefit of our clients and our people.

I invite you to visit Cohen & Company's dedicated resource page for more information about the acquisition and its impact. Please feel free to reach out to any of us at BBD with your questions. 

As always, we are grateful for your partnership.

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