Florida investment banks help small businesses raise money for their company. They accomplish this by issuing and selling securities through either capital markets, by selling company stock in an initial public offering (IPO) or secondary offering. Or, they can raise money with private placements, through the purchase or sale of corporate securities.

Investment banks in Florida offer a variety of other services for your financial needs, from underwriting to providing financial security research to investors and corporate customers. It’s important to clarify what your needs are before you begin your search for a Florida investment bank. Your choice will have a significant impact on your company's future. Here are some things to keep in mind as you begin your review of Florida investment banks:

1. Learn the language of investment banking before you meet with a potential investment banker. This will help you better understand their proposals, and your adviser will take you more seriously.

2. Select a Florida investment banker that can serve you now, and keep up with you once you start to grow.

3. Your potential investment banker should be confident in his or her ability to bring in money through an IPO.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose from investment banking firms in Florida that understand the importance of good communication

Building trust with your investment bank in Florida is imperative, and that means keeping the lines of communication open. Your Florida investment banker may be the expert, but you should never feel intimidated or pressured to go along with something you don't understand completely. Your banker should take your concerns seriously. Remember, this is your business and she is your adviser.

I recommend: Skyway Capital Partners provides a broad array of high-quality investment banking services to corporate and institutional clients. Hyde Park Capital Advisors, LLC, is a Florida-based private investment banking firm.

Select from investment banks in Florida that can accommodate your present and future needs

Look to the future when choosing an investment banking firm in Florida. Services and resources should accommodate your present needs, but they should also be able to serve you once you start to grow. Take the time to review the full menu of an investment bank's services, even if you don't need them all now. This way, you can avoid the possibility of having to move away from an investment banking firm in Florida after you've spent time building a positive relationship.

I recommend: The Mae Group specializes in mergers and acquisitions and commercial finance. Gulf Atlantic Capital provides a broad range of financial restructuring, operational restructuring and investment banking services.

Go with investment banking firms in Florida that offer online tools

These days, it only makes sense to choose from Florida investment bankers that let you access your account online. If you travel a lot, or even if you don't, the ability to keep an eye on your account any time of the day or night is a great convenience.

I recommend: Citi Smith Barney is a leading investment banker for middle-market companies, and they offer comprehensive online tools to help monitor all your accounts. JPMorgan is another respected name in investment banking. Partnering with them gets you online access to your account, along with an impressive array of research databases.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  During the interview process, establish each Florida investment bankers' track record on raising money for businesses like yours. This won't guarantee a successful relationship, but it is a positive indicator.