Contango Launching New Wealth Management Offering in Arizona With Advanced
Analytical Capabilities, Access to Sophisticated Investment Vehicles
National Bank of Arizona to Provide Seamless Integration of Banking Services
BERKELEY, Calif., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Wealth management in Arizona just
got a lot more exciting.
Contango Capital Advisors, Inc., the wealth management arm of Zions
Bancorporation (Nasdaq: ZION), today announced that it has acquired the assets
of BG Associates, a Phoenix-based wealth management firm that has been serving
the Arizona market for 25 years. Contango's sophisticated wealth management
capabilities, together with BG Associates' longstanding relationships and
reputation for integrity, will form the core of a powerful, new wealth
management offering.
This business, operating under the Contango name, will offer Arizona
clients a broad range of services and investment choices, including
alternative investments, as well as deep analytical capabilities. BG
Associates' president, Jim O'Connor, and key members of his team are joining
Contango, ensuring clients continuity of service based on established advisor
relationships.
In addition, Contango wealth management clients in Arizona will be able to
take advantage of a seamless integration of transaction and lending services
from National Bank of Arizona, the state's premier business bank. Like
Contango, National Bank of Arizona is a member of the Zions family. It offers
extensive Executive Banking services that complement the new Contango
wealth-management offerings. (See the related press release today from
National Bank of Arizona.)
Transaction Details
Contango Capital Advisors has acquired the assets of BG Associates.
Financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. O'Connor will
lead Contango's Arizona operations.
Contango chief executive officer George Feiger explained: "Combining
Contango's high-level analysis and access to sophisticated investment products
with BG Associates' strong reputation and commitment to goal-oriented, family
investing allows us to bring a level of wealth management to Arizona that I
believe is unparalleled in the state. Add to this a seamless integration of
banking services from National Bank of Arizona and the result is a powerful
tool for clients to manage their financial lives. We at Contango could not be
happier to be working with Jim O'Connor, president of BG Associates, and his
caring and insightful advisor team, as well as with Keith Maio, head of the
National Bank of Arizona, and his seasoned banking professionals, who have
repeatedly been voted the best business bankers in Arizona."
O'Connor added: "Contango and BG Associates are a natural fit. We both
begin our analysis of an individual or family's needs with their specific
financial goals, and only after fully understanding these do we move forward
to detailed planning. While our approaches are similar, the depth of
experience and resources that Contango provides will greatly strengthen our
ability to develop unbiased, multi-faceted investment strategies designed to
accumulate and preserve wealth for the long term. Contango broadens our
capacity to advise in areas such as financial, tax and business-succession
planning, as well as offer trust services. This is a great combination for
all involved, particularly our clients."
Service Offerings
The Phoenix office of Contango will provide a broad array of services.
They are:
-- Life planning. This includes financial planning services, tax
planning assistance, and trust planning and execution through
Contango's affiliate, Western National Trust Co. Contango's Business
Transition Services program offers a full spectrum of advisory
services to business owners planning an organizational change or sale
of their business.
-- Investment strategies. Contango provides asset allocation advice as
well as portfolio management based on an in-depth understanding of
each client's goals and requirements. Highly sophisticated
quantitative analytical tools are used to fully understand and manage
risk.
-- Investment vehicles. Contango offers access to a broad range of
investments, including equities, fixed income, real estate,
alternative investments and active trading opportunities.
-- Banking services. In the Arizona market, Contango provides full
integration with banking services through its relationship with
National Bank of Arizona. This includes a full suite of lending and
transaction services, including Executive Banking.
Maio, National Bank of Arizona's chief executive officer, explained
further: "At National Bank of Arizona, we believe that individual service is
the key to successful banking. So, it is with great pride that we begin
working hand-in-hand with Contango and the BG Associates team here in Arizona.
Our Executive Banking Program and related services are tailored to the kind of
individuals and families who have significant wealth to manage and need the
most sophisticated level of financial support to get it done right and fully
enjoy the fruits of their labor. We are eager to begin working with George
Feiger and Jim O'Connor to deliver a truly comprehensive suite of services."
About Contango Capital Advisors
Contango Capital Advisors, Inc. (www.contangoadvisors.com), the wealth
management arm of Zions Bancorporation, offers an innovative approach to
managing assets. It focuses on individuals' real-life goals and uses
sophisticated analytical techniques and risk-management tools to design
clients' investment portfolios. Contango is an entrepreneurial organization
backed by one of the nation's premier financial services companies.
About BG Associates
BG Associates, a Phoenix-based wealth management firm, specializes in
capital preservation, tactical asset allocation, wealth accumulation
strategies, and investment planning for affluent individuals and their
families, nonprofit organizations and corporate trusts. The firm has provided
unparalleled service to clients in Arizona and across the country for 25
years.
About National Bank of Arizona
Since 1984, National Bank of Arizona has been Arizona's premier business
bank, with a focus on personal, one-on-one relationship banking. National Bank
of Arizona has 53 branches located throughout the state of Arizona. It is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Zions Bancorporation, which is based in Salt Lake
City.
About Zions Bancorporation
Zions Bancorporation (Nasdaq: ZION) is one of the nation's premier
financial services companies, consisting of a collection of great banks in
select high-growth markets. Zions operates its banking businesses under local
management teams and community identities through over 450 offices and 500
ATMs in 10 Western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New
Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. The company is a national leader
in Small Business Administration lending and public finance advisory services.
In addition, Zions is included in the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Financial 100
indices. Investor information and links to subsidiary banks can be accessed at
www.zionsbancorporation.com.
Securities and investment products offered by Contango Capital Advisors,
Inc. are NOT FDIC INSURED -- NOT BANK GUARANTEED -- MAY LOSE VALUE.
CONTACTS:
For Contango and BG Associates: For National Bank of Arizona:
Press: Press:
Farrell Kramer, Cassidy Campana,
201-768-5337 480-317-6040
farrell@farrellkramer.comcassidy.campana@rrpartners.com
Clients: Clients:
George Feiger, Cheryl Holdraker
510-558-6000 602-212-5554
georgef@contangoadvisors.comcholdraker@nbarizona.comJim O'Connor,
602-230-1331
joconnor@bgassoc.com
SOURCE Contango Capital Advisors, Inc.
-0- 05/18/2006
/CONTACT: media, Farrell Kramer, +1-201-768-5337, or
farrell@farrellkramer.com, for Contango; or clients, George Feiger of
Contango, +1-602-212-5554, or georgef@contangoadvisors.com; or Jim O'Connor of
BG Associates, +1-602-230-1331, or joconnor@bgassoc.com; or media, Cassidy
Campana, +1-480-317-6040, or cassidy.campana@rrpartners.com, for National Bank
of Arizona; or clients, Cheryl Holdraker of National Bank of Arizona,
+1-510-558-6000, or choldraker@nbarizona.com/
/Web site: http://www.zionsbancorporation.com/
/Web site: http://www.contangoadvisors.com/
(ZION)
CO: Contango Capital Advisors, Inc.; Zions Bancorporation; BG Associates
ST: California, Arizona
IN: FIN
SU: TNM
JA-TH
-- SFTH013 --
1311 05/18/200608:00 EDThttp://www.prnewswire.com