B. Riley Bolsters NY Desk with Veteran Hires in Bi-Coastal Push

NEW YORK, NY – April 21, 2026 – B. Riley Securities is making a significant move to fortify its New York trading operations, announcing today the hiring of two seasoned industry professionals. The firm welcomes back Seamus O'Neill as Senior Sales Trader and adds TJ Bealko to its Institutional Equity Sales team. The appointments are a clear signal of the investment bank's strategic intent to enhance its institutional client coverage and distribution capabilities on the East Coast.

This expansion in New York is not an isolated event but the latest step in a deliberate, bi-coastal growth strategy. It follows the firm's 2025 expansion in San Francisco, creating a more robust national footprint designed to serve a diverse and demanding institutional client base. By adding experienced talent in the nation's primary financial hub, B. Riley is aggressively positioning itself to capture a greater share of the market amid evolving conditions.

A Strategic Bi-Coastal Buildout

The decision to strengthen the New York desk reflects a broader strategic vision for B. Riley Securities. The firm has been methodically building out its capabilities, a strategy that gained new clarity following the March 2025 carve-out transaction from its parent company, B. Riley Financial. This move provided the investment banking subsidiary with independent governance and greater financial transparency, allowing its leadership to pursue a more focused growth trajectory. With a strong, debt-free balance sheet as of mid-2025, the firm has been actively hiring across key verticals including Research, Investment Banking, and Sales & Trading.

Andy Moore, CEO of B. Riley Securities, underscored the immediate impact of the new hires. "Institutional clients rely on BRS to source differentiated ideas and deliver flawless execution," Moore stated. "The addition of TJ and Seamus is immediately accretive to our distribution platform, ensuring we continue to provide the actionable opportunities and high-touch service our clients expect as demand for research-driven coverage continues to grow."

This growth initiative builds on a formidable track record. In the eight years since integrating FBR into its platform, B. Riley Securities has established itself as a go-to investment bank for the middle market, leading over 250 capital markets transactions, raising more than $115 billion in debt and equity, and advising on M&A and restructuring deals valued in excess of $33 billion.

The Enduring Value of Experience

In a market where technology and algorithms play an ever-increasing role, B. Riley's latest hires emphasize a belief in the enduring value of human expertise, deep relationships, and seasoned judgment. The backgrounds of both O'Neill and Bealko speak to a focus on securing top-tier talent with proven track records.

Seamus O'Neill's appointment is a homecoming. He previously spent seven years as a sales trader at B. Riley before a stint at Outset Global. His return brings more than 30 years of deep-seated experience in institutional sell-side equity and options markets. Throughout his career, which includes an 18-year tenure at Brean Murray, O'Neill has cultivated a reputation for elite execution and built long-standing relationships with institutional clients across the East Coast and Midwest. An alumnus of the College of Commerce in Dublin, his comprehensive knowledge of complex securities and financial regulations, evidenced by his Series 7, 4, 55, and 63 credentials, makes him a significant asset to the New York desk.

Joining him is TJ Bealko, who comes to the Institutional Equity Sales team after nearly a decade in leadership roles at two of Wall Street's giants, Bank of America and RBC Capital Markets. Bealko brings extensive capital markets expertise and is particularly noted for his strong track record in developing relationships within the hedge fund community. He is highly regarded for his ability to source high-conviction, differentiated investment ideas and to act as a strategic bridge between corporate management teams and institutional investors—a critical function in today's market.

Navigating a Shifting Market Landscape

The timing of B. Riley's expansion is critical, as it coincides with a dynamic period in the financial markets. After a period of uncertainty, the corporate and investment banking (CIB) revenue pool grew by 4% in 2024, with origination and advisory (O&A) revenues surging an impressive 32%. Equities have been a particularly bright spot, with revenues climbing 18% in 2024, driven by a recovery in cash equities and strong performance across products.

With industry analysts forecasting that equities trading could fuel a further 10% rise in investment bank revenues in 2025, the competition for talent that can deliver results has intensified. Independent investment banks like Evercore, Moelis, and Jefferies have been on a hiring spree, significantly increasing their senior ranks to capitalize on the market rebound. B. Riley's move to secure O'Neill and Bealko places it squarely within this trend, demonstrating a commitment to investing in personnel to compete effectively against both boutique rivals and bulge-bracket firms.

Elite Execution for Institutional Clients

For B. Riley's institutional clients, these hires are intended to translate directly into a higher level of service and more compelling opportunities. The firm is betting that the combination of O'Neill's execution prowess and Bealko's idea generation will create a powerful synergy on the trading desk.

"We are strategically building our desk to navigate complex markets on behalf of our clients," noted Eric Rajewski, Senior Managing Director and Head of Institutional Sales at B. Riley Securities. "TJ and Seamus bring complementary strengths to our New York desk, anchoring our East Coast presence with elite relationship management and execution capabilities."

This combination directly addresses the core demands of today's institutional investors. Bealko is tasked with sourcing the 'differentiated ideas' and fostering the corporate access that hedge funds and asset managers crave. Meanwhile, O'Neill provides the 'flawless execution' and market acumen required to implement those ideas effectively, especially in volatile or event-driven situations. This integrated approach is designed to fortify B. Riley's reputation as a full-service partner capable of delivering value across the entire investment lifecycle, from initial idea to final trade.