MINNEAPOLIS – (Jan. 31, 2005) – Marquette Financial Companies is entering the wealth management business with the launch of its new firm, Marquette Asset Management, Inc., on Feb. 1, 2005.

The firm will provide private asset management, trust services and credit facilitation to individuals, families and institutions with a focus on accounts greater than $2 million. The firm will be based in the Twin Cities; offices will be opened in the future based on client needs and locations.

Marquette Asset Management opens its doors with substantial assets under management, including a key commitment from the Carl Pohlad family, owners of Marquette Financial. “We believe strongly in the quality of the team and approach in this new business,” said Carl Pohlad.

The move reflects Marquette Financial’s continuing growth into new financial segments following the sale of Marquette Banks in 2002. It marks the first time a Marquette Financial venture has focused exclusively on asset management for individuals, families and institutions, although the firm has experience managing large equity and fixed income portfolios and trusts. According to Bert Colianni, EVP and COO of Marquette Financial Companies, the new firm represents a natural extension of the company’s longstanding expertise in financial management. “We have always managed sophisticated financial relationships very well at Marquette,” Colianni said. “This business fits our culture with a focus on the highest levels of customer service, as well as strong performance.”

The four managing directors of Marquette Asset Management bring extensive asset management and financial experience to the new firm. John Pohlad, John Beuerlein, John Fabie and John Bedosky will assume the roles of managing directors of Marquette Asset Management.

Pohlad, nephew of Carl Pohlad, and Fabie most recently headed the Minneapolis office of Bel Air Investment Advisors LLC, a premier wealth management firm based in Los Angeles. Pohlad and Fabie were responsible for growing the Minneapolis office of Bel Air from its start-up phase in 2001 to $350 million in assets under management for wealthy families in Minnesota and the surrounding areas.

As part of an ownership transition, Bel Air plans to close its Minneapolis office to concentrate on its core Los Angeles market. “We’re fortunate to have worked with such a preeminent wealth management firm, and we look forward to working with Bel Air to ensure that the transition meets the needs of Bel Air’s clients. Todd Morgan and his partners in Los Angeles are some of the finest in this business and I am pleased to have worked with such a quality team,” said John Pohlad.

John Beuerlein, previously chief economist for Marquette Financial Companies, assumes the role of chief investment officer in this venture. Beuerlein currently oversees the management of Marquette Financial’s marketable securities portfolios, in addition to actively managing institutional and private portfolios external to Marquette and the Pohlad family. “Marquette Asset Management aspires to work closely with clients to develop and continually adjust their investment strategy. This personalized service is key to our business philosophy,” Beuerlein said.

John Bedosky, most recently vice president of Wells Fargo Private Client Services, brings expertise on family wealth accumulation, preservation and transfer planning to his role as managing director with Marquette Asset Management. Bedosky holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in estate planning from the University of Miami School of Law and is an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.

Marquette Asset Management will offer personal trust services to its clients through Stanton Trust Company, a wholly owned entity of the Pohlad Family. “The ability to provide trust services allows us to meet the needs of a significant market segment by executing their often complex estate plans,” said John Pohlad.

Marquette Asset Management will offer a comprehensive approach to asset management with a full menu of investment products, including core equity and core fixed income, complemented by a selection of externally managed portfolios. Two specialized large capitalization equity portfolios will be managed in-house by Marquette Asset Management.

Core fixed income investments will be managed by NorthShore Advisors LLC, which will operate in a sub-advisory capacity to Marquette Asset Management. Jane Wyatt and Diannah Shurtleff, principals of NorthShore, have managed fixed income investments for the Pohlad family and its related financial entities for years. “Jane and Diannah will be close strategic partners in this new venture. This relationship is key to delivering a critical piece of our comprehensive strategy to both private individuals and institutional clients,” Beuerlein stated, adding that both would be members of the management and investment committees at Marquette Asset Management.

In addition, Marquette Asset Management will make available to its clients the investment capabilities of Bel Air Investment Advisors.

About Marquette Financial Companies
Marquette Business Credit is part of Marquette Financial Companies, a $1.2 billion diversified financial services holding company comprised of specialty financial service businesses. Marquette Financial Companies is part of the Carl Pohlad family's diverse business holdings, which also include significant interests in the beverage industry, real estate, and ownership in Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins.

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