ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FBR & Co. (Nasdaq:FBRC) ("FBR" or the "Company"), a leading investment bank serving the middle market, announced today that two FBR client transactions have been nominated for the 2015 Platts Global Energy Awards – Financial Deal of the Year. Additionally, the firm has augmented its investment banking team with two accomplished bankers – Mr. Jim Griffin and Mr. Ahmar Zaman serve as managing directors covering the mining and renewable energy sectors respectively. Both are based in FBR's New York offices.

"To be the sole placement agent on the Fairway Energy private placement and the lead left bookrunner and stabilization agent on the Eco-Stim Energy follow-on and then have both transactions selected as finalists for Financial Deal of the Year validates the significance of the work we do for our clients," said Senior Managing Director and Group Head Allen Morton. "Both of these transactions provide interesting perspectives on the state of the industry and the values placed on quality companies by investors. We are thrilled that our partnerships with these terrific teams have garnered this recognition."

The 17th Annual Platts Global Energy Awards continues the tradition of recognizing the industry's top performers and rising stars. More than 200 companies and individuals were nominated and an independent panel of judges including former regulators, industry executives, academics and international energy experts, selected the finalists. The winners in each category will be announced at the December 9th black-tie event in New York.

Additionally, FBR announced two new managing directors within its investment banking team – Mr. Jim Griffin and Mr. Ahmar Zaman. Mr. Griffin is an industry veteran with 35 years of experience in mining, investment banking and corporate finance. Prior to joining FBR, he held senior positions at African Minerals Limited, Walter Energy, Western Coal Corp. and Rothschild. Earlier in his career he was a senior banker at Chase and held various positions within energy companies. He earned a Bachelor of Mining Engineering from McGill University. 

Mr. Ahmar Zaman brings nearly 20 years of industry experience in the renewable energy sector. Prior to joining FBR, he was managing director and co-head of renewable energy at StormHarbour Securities. He has also held senior positions at Technical Consumer Products, Piper Jaffray, UBS and Intel. Mr. Zaman has a Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University and an M.B.A. from Babson College. 

"Jim and Ahmar are well-respected leaders in the energy space. The experience they both bring, coupled with their deep relations and understanding of where this sector is headed will be tremendously valuable to our clients and terrific additions to our established banking team," said Executive Vice President and Head of Investment Banking Kenneth Slosser. "The energy sector has long been a core strength and focus for FBR and we are thrilled to add professionals who can help us continue to deliver industry leading offerings to our clients."

About FBR

FBR & Co. (Nasdaq:FBRC) provides investment banking, merger and acquisition advisory, institutional brokerage, and research services through its subsidiaries FBR Capital Markets & Co. and MLV & Co. FBR focuses capital and financial expertise on the following industry sectors: consumer; energy & natural resources; financial institutions; healthcare; insurance; industrials; real estate; and technology, media & telecom. FBR is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with offices throughout the United States. For more information, please visit www.fbr.com.

CONTACT: Media: Shannon Hawkins at 703.469.1190 or shawkins@fbr.com
         Investors: Linda E. Eddy at 703.312.9715 or leddy@fbr.com

FBR & Co.