Mizuho Expands Equity Research Focus with Senior Internet and Fintech Sector Hires

NEW YORK, May 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mizuho Americas today announced the addition of Managing Directors James Lee and Tom McCrohan to expand the technology sector focus of their US equity research team. Lee joins as a senior internet sector analyst based in Boston, while McCrohan will cover financial technology and payments companies as a senior analyst in New York. Both report to Managing Director and Head of US Equity Research Sheryl Skolnick.

Lee comes to Mizuho from CLSA, where he served as Managing Director and senior analyst covering the global internet space, including the US and China. Over the past decade he has also led China and US media, technology, telecom and IT consulting sector research at Sterne Agee, W.R. Hambrecht/AGC, Fidelity Capital Markets and UBS. Lee has been recognized by Starmine as a top stock picker in the internet and software services category.

Before joining Mizuho, McCrohan also served as a Managing Director and senior equity research analyst for CLSA. He has covered financial technology and payments companies for the last thirteen years in senior analyst roles at Sterne Agee, Janney Capital Markets, Fulcrum Global Partners and KBW. In 2016, McCrohan was named "#1 Overall Stock Picker" by Thomson Reuters. 

Matt DeSalvo, Head of Equities at Mizuho Americas, stated, "We are excited to add James' global perspective and wide-ranging experience in the internet sector and Tom's strong fintech and payments expertise to our US Equity Research team. These hires, together with the recent additions of Paul Fremont in utilities and Jeremy Scott in restaurants and proteins, further highlights our commitment to building a dynamic research product better positioned to deliver unparalleled insight to clients and investors in these important sectors."

Mizuho's growing US equity research platform also includes dedicated sector analysts in energy (MLPs, oil and gas exploration & production, utilities) healthcare (biotechnology, healthcare services, specialty pharmaceuticals) REITs and technology (hardware/software, internet, semiconductors).

About Mizuho Americas

Mizuho Americas is a leading financial institution comprising several legal entities, which together offer clients corporate and investment banking, financing, securities, treasury services, asset management, research and more. With professionals in offices throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Chile, Mizuho's operations in the Americas connect a broad client base of major corporations, financial institutions and public sector groups to local markets and a vast global network. Learn more at mizuhoamericas.com

Mizuho Americas is an integral part of the Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: MFG). Mizuho Financial Group is one of the largest financial institutions in the world, offering comprehensive financial and strategic services including private banking and venture capital through its subsidiaries. The group has over 900 offices and 56,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and Asia. At the end of 2016, its total assets were $1.8 trillion. Learn more about Mizuho Financial Group at mizuho-fg.co.jp/english.

SOURCE Mizuho Americas