Banking & Finance

If you doubted the pent-up demand for early stage capital in Wisconsin, consider this note from a startup company founder before a bill creating a state-leveraged fund had passed the full Legislature: “We're eager to learn more about who we can contact, and how soon, about presentation opportunities for our company in front of the new fund. We believe we have a great story to tell!”

Erik Buell has sold a 49.2-percent stake in his East Troy company, Erik Buell Racing LLC, to Hero MotoCorp Ltd. of New Delhi, India.

Neenah-based Bemis Company Inc. announced that it has acquired all of the common stock of Foshan New Changsheng Plastics Films Co. LTD (NCS), a specialty film manufacturer located in Foshan, China.

Orion Energy Systems Inc., a Manitowoc-based power technology enterprise, announced it has completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding equity interest in Harris Manufacturing Inc. and Harris LED LLC. Harris Manufacturing and Harris LED, located in Green Cove Springs, Fla., engineer, design, source and manufacture energy-efficient lighting systems, including fluorescent and LED lighting solutions and day-lighting products.

Wisconsin banks reported combined net income of $256 million in the first quarter, up from $200 million in the same period a year ago, according to the Quarterly Banking Profile released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

The top-performing stocks of publicly traded companies based in southeastern Wisconsin in the first half of the year reflects a diverse collection of industries.

Jim McDonald, senior vice president and chief investment strategist at Northern Trust Bank, is forecasting modest, steady growth for the U.S. economy in the second half of 2013.

Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. announced that two of its veteran bankers, Brian Doyal and Brian McDonagh, will assume the position of co-head of Global Investment Banking, effective Jan. 1, 2014.

Advanced Disposal, an integrated environmental services company, has completed the acquisition of Sheboygan Waste Materials Co., further expanding the company's eastern Wisconsin footprint.

UMB Fund Services Inc. plans to move its office from 803 W. Michigan St. on the west side of downtown Milwaukee about 1.5 miles northeast to the Schlitz Park office complex on the north side of downtown Milwaukee.