The parent company of Cross River Bank and CRB Securities – CRB Group Inc. – started the week announcing the launch of a new investment banking franchise.

The team will be part of CRB Securities. Industry veterans Benjamin Samuels and Henry Pinnell will lead as co-heads of investment banking.

The Fort Lee-based company says the new initiative marks a significant milestone in its growth as well as a doubling down on its commitment to serve the fintech community. Cross River noted its Investment Banking arm will assist clients in achieving their strategic goals by advising on critical decisions, such as mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, and other corporate finance matters.

According to Cross River, the expansion reflects increased demand for creative solutions in fintech. The company said that the team will leverage its extensive experience, network and expertise in banking to provide a truly comprehensive suite of services to its financial technology clients.

“We are proud to launch our Investment Banking division of our broker dealer with two well-respected professionals in the industry, combining decades of experience in both the fintech industry and capital markets,” said Gilles Gade, founder and CEO of Cross River, in a Feb. 26 press release. “Ben and Henry are tasked with enhancing even further our product offering to our fintech partners and beyond, enabling us to solve the distinct needs of each and every client.”

‘A differentiated suite of solutions’

Samuels joins from Morgan Stanley. There, he most recently served as co-head of alternative capital solutions within the Global Capital Markets group.

Pinnell joins from SVB Securities, where he was a senior managing director and led the Fintech Investment Banking effort.

Both men bring extensive experience in the space to these new roles and team.

“I could not be more thrilled by the opportunity we have to offer the fintech community a differentiated suite of solutions coupled with unique insights informed by our own differentiated place in the fintech ecosystem,” said Pinnell. “The team has hit the ground running already and we are excited to build alongside the industry over the coming months.”

Samuels said he has always viewed Cross River as the nucleus powering the fintech ecosystem — offering creative solutions and adapting to the market’s needs.

“I am excited to parlay that creativity to offering investment banking solutions where we can deliver the brand and help our clients with their most important decisions and transactions,” said Samuels.