Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP, a leading accounting and consulting firm, today announced the formation of Crowe Chizek Capital Markets LLC. The wholly-owned subsidiary will provide investment banking services with a focus on sales and divestitures of closely held businesses with transaction sizes less than $100 million. It will also act as a corporate finance advisor and/or finder of capital in the debt and equity markets for recapitalizations, leveraged buyouts and management buyouts.

"Forming Crowe Chizek Capital Markets was a logical extension for the firm," said Mark Hildebrand, Crowe Chizek's CEO and Partner. "Many of our business units were already providing these services. This allows us to bring our senior investment banking expertise into one focused solution offering for the middle market."

The formation of Crowe Chizek Capital Markets was the culmination of extensive investment banking and capital markets research, and evaluation of the needs of middle market businesses. "The current market presents a unique opportunity for the firm to fill the needs of closely held businesses looking to sell or refinance," said Chuck McKenna, senior managing director of Crowe Chizek Capital Markets. "Many business owners are motivated by today's active market to sell their company at a premium value. By leveraging our domestic and international network of uyers, our senior professionals deliver sophisticated investment banking services previously only available to large public companies."

Crowe Chizek Capital Markets will operate out of Crowe Chizek's Oak Brook, Ill., office.