Draft:Richard Durkes

Richard Durkes (born February 10, 1950) is an American investment banker, known as the Vice Chairman of investment banking at Raymond James Financial Inc.

Early life and education
Durkes grew up in Dixon, Illinois, U.S. He attended Culver Military Academy from 1964-68. Later, he received his bachelor's degree in organizational communications from the University of Virginia in 1972.

Career
Durkes started his career as a management trainee at Northern Trust in 1972, where he worked for five years and became a trust officer in 1975. In 1977, he joined City National Bank & Trust Co in Dixon, Illinois, as VP of Commercial Lending. Later, he was promoted to CEO and worked there until 1983. In 1983, he was recruited to The Chicago Corporation to establish an investment banking group focused on the banking industry. Later, he became head of the international investment group and then became the head of Equities and Investment Banking. He became the head of North American Equity Capital and Investment Banking Group when TCC was acquired by ABN Amro and worked there until 2001. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of ABN Amro North America.

In 2002, he joined Sandler O'Neill and Partners as managing director of investment banking. Later, he joined BayBoston as a managing partner in 2014. In 2015, he became Vice Chairman investment banking at Raymond James.