Press Release: January 29, 2004

WR Hambrecht + Co Announces Addition of Investment Banking Group from Soundview Technology
 
Complements WRH+Co’s Strategy and Vision

San Francisco, CA, January 29, 2004—WR Hambrecht + Co today announced the addition of 15 senior investment bankers who were formerly with SoundView Technology Group. The bankers include veterans Brian Bristol, former head of investment banking at SoundView, and Jonathan Meyers, who headed SoundView's West Coast investment banking practice.

The team will be located in the San Francisco and New York offices and includes professionals with expertise in semiconductors, semiconductor capital equipment, software, systems, private equity and mergers and acquisitions.

“When the SoundView group became available, we immediately seized on the opportunity,” said Clay Corbus, Senior Managing Director at WR Hambrecht + Co. “This really is a perfect marriage of experience, domain knowledge and commitment. The team fits into our existing structure like a jigsaw puzzle piece.”

“It was critical that my colleagues and I join a firm that would welcome us as true partners,” said Jonathan Meyers. “We are delighted to be at WRH+Co where we firmly believe we will be able to deliver the highest level of service and execution to our clients.”

“What WR Hambrecht + Co has done with the OpenIPO auction is truly revolutionary and instrumental in the evolving world of investment banking,” said Brian Bristol. “We are eager to be able to add our experience and enthusiasm to the success of the firm.”

“Our new partners share our vision of bringing transparency and fairness to the capital raising process,” said Bill Hambrecht, Founder and CEO of WR Hambrecht + Co. “It is truly exciting for us to be able to add this level of quality to our platform.”