Robert L. Johnson partners with Roth Capital to create investment bank – RLJ Capital Markets

(Businesswire) – Robert L. Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and The RLJ Companies, in collaboration with Roth Capital Partners (“Roth”) yesterday announced that they have launched a full service minority owned investment bank, RLJ Capital Markets, which will provide corporations with capital markets solutions that will enhance their ability to raise equity and debt capital, invest in their businesses, and pursue growth opportunities.

RLJ Capital Markets provides resources in underwriting and placing equity and fixed income offerings, sales and trading, research and corporate access for institutional investors. The RLJ Companies is one of the nation’s leading minority-owned businesses and owns a controlling stake in RLJ Capital Markets.

The powerful combination of The RLJ Companies and Roth Capital Partners, a well-established investment banking firm dedicated to emerging companies and the small and midcap public market, ensures that clients have access to a network of experienced industry advisors, as well as sales, trading and research platforms. RLJ Capital Markets brings specific sector expertise in Business Services, Consumer, Cleantech, Healthcare, Industrials, Media, Resources and Technology.

Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies, stated, “Over the past 15 years we have built a platform of minority owned businesses aimed at creating value for large corporations, including top ranked money center banking institutions, which have invested in New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) traded RLJ Lodging Trust, RLJ Equity Partners, and RLJ Credit Opportunity Fund. RLJ Capital Markets is a natural extension to this robust financial platform. As a full service broker-dealer, it is RLJ Capital Markets’ objective to help clients achieve their growth goals as they seek a diverse solution for debt and equity securities offerings, sales and trading and corporate access with an experienced minority firm that has deep expertise and capabilities. Importantly, because RLJ Capital Markets is collaborating with Roth Capital Partners, an established leader in the financial services industry, its clients will have access to an extensive network of expertise, and a set of research and trading resources that align with its competencies to meet each client’s particular goals.”

Byron Roth, Chairman & CEO of Roth Capital Partners, said, “We are pleased to be collaborating with such a respected organization and with Bob Johnson, a true visionary, to build a business that fills an unmet need in the market. In my more than 30 years in the investment banking business, it has become abundantly clear that there is an enormous opportunity to transform the way all types of companies and business leaders access and benefit from the capital markets.”

About RLJ Capital Markets: RLJ Capital Markets, a collaboration between The RLJ Companies and Roth Capital Partners, is a full service investment bank and broker-dealer providing institutional and corporate clients with capital markets solutions that enhance their ability to raise equity and debt capital, invest in their businesses, and pursue growth opportunities. RLJ Capital Markets provides resources in underwriting and placing equity and fixed income offerings, sales and trading, research and corporate access for institutional investors. RLJ Capital Markets is a licensed broker-dealer that is registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). More information can be found at www.rljcapitalmarkets.com.

About The RLJ Companies: The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds interests in businesses operating in a publicly traded hotel real estate investment trust; private equity; financial services; asset management; automobile dealerships; entertainment; and video lottery terminal gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET). For more information visit: www.rljcompanies.com.

About Roth Capital Partners, LLC: Roth Capital Partners, LLC is a relationship-driven investment bank focused on serving emerging growth companies and their investors. As a full-service investment bank, Roth provides capital raising, Mergers and Acquisition advisory, analytical research, trading, market-making services and corporate access. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, Roth is privately-held and employee owned, and maintains offices throughout the U.S. For more information on Roth, please visit www.roth.com.

Source: The RLJ Companies