TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program). . .toxic assets. . .bank bailout. . .record unemployment. . . failing auto industry... the headlines alone would make you think twice about doing business in Michigan, especially a busi- ness that relies on the banking industry. Who in their right mind would not only stick with that business model, but expand it? Would you believe a group of Buckeyes and one Hoosier? The Retail Community Banking Group of Ferris, Baker Watts, LLC, Member NYSE/SIPC, operating out of Dublin, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus) covers banks and thrifts throughout the Midwest. "Believe it or not we do more business in Michigan than any other state" said Nick Bicking, Senior Vice President-Investments at Ferris, Baker Watts (FBW), LLC. Retail Community Banking Group's community bank stock brokers (from left): Nick Bicking, Senior Vice President-Investments, and Tom Dooley, Senior Vice President- Investments.

The Retail Community Banking Group was formed when Nick Bicking and Tom Dooley joined Ferris, Baker Watts, Inc. in 2006. Combined they have over 30 years of experience as invest- ment professionals and with the help of their three associates they have created a successful group that specializes in customized banking services for community banks within Ferris, Baker Watts, LLC.

The Retail Community Banking Group of FBW specializes in market making and other customized services to banks and the communities they serve. Its mission statement, "To help financial institutions remain independent through maximizing shareholder value and liquidity" accurately describes this group but their services go beyond passively matching buyers and sellers.

When joining FBW, Nick and Tom knew they were joining a firm that was small enough for them to know all the specialists in the Research, Trading, and Investment Banking Departments. This type of corporate culture guaranteed that the right hand always knew what the left hand was doing. Conversely, they also needed a large firm with a long history of serving banks and the capital to support their efforts. Ferris, Baker Watts, LLC met these criteria.

FBW is a full service investmentbanking firm founded in 1900 in Baltimore. The firm began as a cross between a bank and a brokerage house. In the beginning, Ferris, Baker Watts, Inc. hired salesmen to travel throughout Maryland by boat, horse, buggy, and train selling bonds to banks. Making markets for these banks became a natural extension of the business.

In February 2008, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) acquired Ferris, Baker Watts, Inc. to enhance its presence in the east. RBC is the largest bank in Canada and the 5th largest in North America with offices in Canada, the U.S., and 46 other countries. RBC is a financially strong company with top ratings from Moody's, S&P, DBRS, and Fitch. The firm continues to expand through more acquisitions and it has become their goal to become the premier provider of selected global financial services, which includes building upon their strengths in the U.S. What sets RBC apart from other companies is the small-firm culture with large-firm capabilities, a perfect fit for Ferris, Baker Watts, Ine and the Retail Community Banking Group. RBC and its subsidiary companies currently make markets in thousands of banks and thrifts across the country.