Global Investment Banking Leader Strengthens FinTech Advisory Capabilities With Senior Talent Acquisition

Strategic Expansion Underway as Seasoned M&A Professional Takes On New Role

In a move signaling continued commitment to its financial technology sector practice, Houlihan Lokey has appointed Andrew Atherton to the role of Managing Director within its FinTech Group. Based in San Francisco, Atherton will broaden the firm’s reach across multiple segments of the financial technology landscape, alongside adjacent enterprise software verticals that bridge both FinTech and broader technology banking operations.

Atherton brings substantial credentials from his previous tenure at Union Square Advisors, where he served as a Partner handling complex merger and acquisition assignments, private capital placements, and strategic engagements across FinTech and enterprise application software ecosystems. His professional trajectory also encompasses investment banking positions at RBC Capital Markets’ Technology practice and Goldman Sachs’ Special Situations division.

Alec Ellison, Global Head of FinTech at Houlihan Lokey, highlighted the significance of the appointment: “Andrew’s addition represents a meaningful enhancement to our FinTech Group’s market coverage. His understanding of FinTech dynamics, combined with deep expertise in governance, risk, and compliance software, creates valuable cross-sector insights. His network and deal experience will integrate seamlessly with our existing technology advisory capabilities, enabling us to deliver even more comprehensive solutions across the mid-market space.”

The newly appointed Managing Director expressed enthusiasm about the transition: “Houlihan Lokey’s established reputation in mergers and acquisitions, particularly within financial technology and mid-market advisory, aligns with my client-centric approach. The firm’s track record and institutional knowledge across the financial sponsors landscape made this an ideal career move.”

Houlihan Lokey’s FinTech Group maintains comprehensive coverage across the global financial technology sector, combining deep vertical expertise with senior-level banking professionals. The firm’s 2023 performance underscores its market position: it ranked as the leading M&A advisor for global FinTech transactions with 15 deals and captured the No. 1 position for global technology M&A with 89 deals, according to LSEG data.

The investment bank, listed on NYSE as HLI, operates as a full-service advisory platform covering mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, restructuring, and valuation services. Houlihan Lokey maintains offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific regions and holds consecutive rankings as the top U.S. M&A advisor for nine consecutive years and leading global restructuring advisor for a decade.