Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc., today announced that it has named Richard S. Ferguson president of the firm's Private Client Group division effective January 1, 2010. Morgan Keegan's Private Client Group provides comprehensive investment and wealth management services through a network of over 1100 financial advisors in more than 300 locations in 19 states. Ferguson, an executive managing director and 22-year employee with Morgan Keegan, succeeds James A. Parrish, who is stepping down on December 31, 2009 after ten years as president of the Private Client Group. Parrish will continue to represent the firm in a recruiting capacity and maintain his advisory practice.
"We are pleased to have Dick take charge of our Private Client Group and lead what we think is the most talented team of financial advisors in our industry,” said John C. Carson, Jr., chief executive officer of Morgan Keegan. "Dick's long and distinguished career with our firm makes him the perfect choice to succeed Jim Parrish and continue the phenomenal progress Jim has brought to our Private Client Group. We thank Jim for his dedication these last ten years and look forward to his future contributions to the firm.”
Ferguson's career in financial services began when he joined Morgan Keegan in 1987 as a financial advisor in their Atlanta office. In 1994, Ferguson moved back to his hometown of Athens, Georgia to manage a new branch office. A consistent top-level producer for the firm, he was promoted to East Regional President and named to the firm's Executive Committee in 1999. Under Ferguson's guidance, the firm's East Region grew from nine branches to 50 registered locations and experienced a nearly 400% increase in revenues in less than 10 years. Ferguson received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Georgia in 1986.
"I've been privileged to have been a part of the Morgan Keegan corporate family throughout my career and feel honored to work with a group of people I have come to view as my extended family,” said Ferguson. "I look forward to the opportunity to lead the Private Client Group to more and greater success in the years ahead.”
About Morgan Keegan & Company Inc.
Morgan Keegan & Company Inc., one of the nation's largest regional full-service brokerage and investment banking firms, is the securities brokerage arm of Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE: RF). Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Morgan Keegan manages over $75 billion in client assets through its Private Client Group division. Additional information about Morgan Keegan and Regions — a member of the S&P 100 Index — can be found at www.morgankeegan.com and www.regions.com.
Contacts:
Morgan Keegan & Co.
Eric Bran, Media Relations, 901.524.4114