10-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012

Commission File No. 001-31720

PIPER JAFFRAY COMPANIES

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

DELAWARE		30-0168701
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)
800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800 Minneapolis, Minnesota		55402
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)
	(612) 303-6000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class	Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	The New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Share Purchase Rights	The New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.        Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  þ No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  þ No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨ No  þ

The aggregate market value of the 16,693,775 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, held by non-affiliates based upon the last sale price, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, of the Common Stock on June 30, 2012 was approximately $391 million.

As of February 20, 2013, the registrant had 17,684,098 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporates by reference information (to the extent specific sections are referred to herein) from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 8, 2013.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
ITEM 1.	BUSINESS	3
ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	7
ITEM 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	18
ITEM 2.	PROPERTIES	18
ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	19
ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	19
PART II
ITEM 5.	MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	20
ITEM 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA	22
ITEM 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	23
ITEM 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	53
ITEM 8.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION	54
ITEM 9.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE	107
ITEM 9A.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	107
ITEM 9B.	OTHER INFORMATION	108
PART III
ITEM 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	108
ITEM 11.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	108
ITEM 12.	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS	108
ITEM 13.	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	108
ITEM 14.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	108
PART IV
ITEM 15.	EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES	109
	SIGNATURES	112

2

PART I

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements include, among other things, statements other than historical information or statements of current condition and may relate to our future plans and objectives and results, and also may include our belief regarding the effect of various legal proceedings, as set forth under “Legal Proceedings” in Part I, Item 3 of this Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including those factors discussed below under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A, as well as those factors discussed under “External Factors Impacting Our Business” included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K and in our subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our SEC reports are available at our Web site at www.piperjaffray.com and at the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.

ITEM 1.     BUSINESS.

Overview

Piper Jaffray Companies is an investment bank and asset management firm, serving the needs of corporations, private equity groups, public entities, non-profit entities and institutional investors in the U.S. and internationally. Founded in 1895, Piper Jaffray provides a broad set of products and services, including equity and debt capital markets products; public finance services; financial advisory services; equity and fixed income institutional brokerage; equity and fixed income research; and asset management services. Our headquarters are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and we have offices across the United States and international locations in London, Hong Kong and Zurich. We market our investment banking and institutional securities business under a single name - Piper Jaffray - which gives us a consistent brand across this business. Our asset management business is marketed under Advisory Research, Inc., which we acquired in March 2010.

Prior to 1998, Piper Jaffray was an independent public company. U.S. Bancorp acquired the Piper Jaffray business in 1998 and operated it through various subsidiaries and divisions. At the end of 2003, U.S. Bancorp facilitated a tax-free distribution of our common stock to all U.S. Bancorp shareholders, causing Piper Jaffray to become an independent public company again.

Our Businesses

We operate through two reportable business segments, Capital Markets and Asset Management. The Capital Markets segment provides investment banking and institutional sales, trading and research services for various equity and fixed income products. This segment also includes our alternative asset management funds and principal investments. The Asset Management segment includes traditional asset management activities and related services.

Capital Markets

• Investment Banking - We raise capital through equity financings and provide advisory services, primarily relating to mergers and acquisitions, for our corporate clients. We operate in the following focus industries: business services, clean technology and renewables, consumer, healthcare, industrials, and technology, media and telecommunications, primarily focusing on middle-market clients. For our government and non-profit clients, we underwrite debt issuances and provide financial advisory and interest rate risk management services. Our public finance investment banking capabilities focus on state and local governments, cultural and social service non-profit entities, and the healthcare, education, senior living and hospitality sectors.

• Equity and Fixed Income Institutional Brokerage - We offer both equity and fixed income advisory and trade execution services for institutional investors and government and non-profit entities. Integral to our capital markets efforts, we have equity sales and trading relationships with institutional investors in the United States and Europe that invest in our core sectors. Our research analysts provide investment ideas and support to our trading clients on more than 550 companies. Our fixed income sales and trading professionals have expertise in municipal, corporate, mortgage, agency and structured product securities and cover a range of institutional investors. We engage in trading activities for both customer facilitation and strategic trading purposes. Our strategic trading activities are dedicated solely to investing our own capital, and focus on investments in municipal bond and non-agency mortgage-backed securities.

3

• Principal Investments - We engage in merchant banking activities, which involve equity or debt investments in late stage private companies. Additionally, we have investments in private equity and venture capital funds and other firm investments.

• Alternative Asset Management Funds - As certain of our strategic trading and merchant banking efforts have matured and an investment process has been developed, we have created alternative asset management funds investing in municipal securities and merchant banking in order to invest our own capital and to seek capital from outside investors.

Asset Management

• Traditional Asset Management - Our traditional asset management business provides investment products through separately managed accounts and open-end and closed-end funds. Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI”) manages domestic and international equity strategies for institutions, private clients and investment advisors. FAMCO MLP, a division of ARI, manages master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) and energy infrastructure strategies. Prior to the first quarter of 2012, FAMCO MLP was part of Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC. ("FAMCO"), which is a division of our asset management segment that primarily manages fixed income strategies. In the first quarter of 2012, we reorganized our FAMCO and ARI reporting units, which resulted in the FAMCO MLP business becoming part of ARI.

In 2012, we made the decision to shut down our Hong Kong capital markets business and ceased operations as of September 30, 2012. Additionally, we are actively pursuing a sale of our remaining FAMCO business. Subsequent to the reorganization discussed above, FAMCOs limited scale, client base and investment strategies, are not a compelling fit with the rest of our asset management business. For further information on our discontinued operations, see Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Our principal executive offices are located at 800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, and our general telephone number is (612) 303-6000. We maintain an Internet Web site at http://www.piperjaffray.com. The information contained on and connected to our Web site is not incorporated into this report. We make available free of charge on or through our Web site our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and all other reports we file with the SEC, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these reports with, or furnish them to, the SEC. “Piper Jaffray,” the “Company,” “registrant,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Piper Jaffray Companies and our subsidiaries. The Piper Jaffray logo and the other trademarks, tradenames and service marks of Piper Jaffray mentioned in this report, including Piper Jaffray^®, are the property of Piper Jaffray.

Financial Information about Geographic Areas

We operate predominantly in the United States. We also provide investment banking, research, and sales and trading services to selected companies in international jurisdictions in Europe. Piper Jaffray Ltd. is our subsidiary domiciled in London, England. Additionally, we have an office in Hong Kong that operates under the name Piper Jaffray Hong Kong Ltd. and supports our U.S. equity advisory business. Net revenues from continuing operations derived from international operations were $12.2 million, $16.4 million, and $21.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Long-lived assets attributable to foreign operations were $1.1 million and $3.3 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Competition

Our business is subject to intense competition driven by large Wall Street and international firms operating independently or as part of a large commercial banking institution. We also compete with regional broker dealers, boutique and niche-specialty firms, asset management firms and alternative trading systems that effect securities transactions through various electronic media. Competition is based on a variety of factors, including price, quality of advice and service, reputation, product selection, transaction execution, financial resources and investment performance. Many of our large competitors have greater financial resources than we have and may have more flexibility to offer a broader set of products and services than we can.

In addition, there is significant competition within the securities industry for obtaining and retaining the services of qualified employees. Our business is a human capital business and the performance of our business is dependent upon the skills, expertise and performance of our employees. Therefore, our ability to compete effectively is dependent upon attracting and retaining qualified individuals who are motivated to serve the best interests of our clients, thereby serving the best interests of our company. Attracting

4

and retaining employees depends, among other things, on our company’s culture, management, work environment, geographic locations and compensation.

Employees

As of February 20, 2013, we had approximately 966 employees, of whom approximately 586 were registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

Regulation

As a participant in the financial services industry, our business is regulated by U.S. federal and state regulatory agencies, self-regulatory organizations (“SROs”) and securities exchanges, and by foreign governmental agencies, financial regulatory bodies and securities exchanges. We are subject to complex and extensive regulation of most aspects of our business, including the manner in which securities transactions are effected, net capital requirements, recordkeeping and reporting procedures, relationships and conflicts with customers, the handling of cash and margin accounts, conduct, experience and training requirements for certain employees, and the manner in which we prevent and detect money-laundering and bribery activities. The regulatory framework of the financial services industry is designed primarily to safeguard the integrity of the capital markets and to protect customers, not creditors or shareholders.

The laws, rules and regulations comprising this regulatory framework can (and do) change frequently, as can the interpretation and enforcement of existing laws, rules and regulations. Recent conditions in the global financial markets and economy caused legislators and regulators to increase their focus on the financial services industry, which resulted in the adoption of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”) in 2010. Dodd-Frank significantly restructures and intensifies regulation in the financial services industry, with provisions that include, among other things, the creation of a new systemic risk oversight body, a limitation on proprietary trading and investment by certain bank holding companies, expansion of the authority of existing regulators, increased regulation of and restrictions on OTC derivatives markets and transactions, broadening of the reporting and regulation of executive compensation, and expansion of the standards for market participants in dealing with clients and customers. Also, conditions in the global financial markets have caused regulatory agencies to increase their examination, enforcement and rule-making activity, which we expect to continue in the coming years. Both Dodd-Frank and the intensified regulatory environment will likely alter certain business practices and change the competitive landscape of the financial services industry, which may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our U.S. broker dealer subsidiary (Piper Jaffray & Co.) is registered as a securities broker dealer with the SEC and is a member of various SROs and securities exchanges. In July of 2007, the National Association of Securities Dealers and the member regulation, enforcement and arbitration functions of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) consolidated to form FINRA, which now serves as the primary SRO of Piper Jaffray & Co., although the NYSE continues to have oversight over NYSE-related market activities. FINRA regulates many aspects of our U.S. broker dealer business, including registration, education and conduct of our employees, examinations, rulemaking, enforcement of these rules and the federal securities laws, trade reporting and the administration of dispute resolution between investors and registered firms. We have agreed to abide by the rules of FINRA (as well as those of the NYSE and other SROs), and FINRA has the power to expel, fine and otherwise discipline Piper Jaffray & Co. and its officers, directors and employees. Among the rules that apply to Piper Jaffray & Co. are the uniform net capital rule of the SEC (Rule 15c3-1) and the net capital rule of FINRA. Both rules set a minimum level of net capital a broker dealer must maintain and also require that a portion of the broker dealer's assets be relatively liquid. Under the FINRA rule, FINRA may prohibit a member firm from expanding its business or paying cash dividends if resulting net capital falls below FINRA requirements. In addition, Piper Jaffray & Co. is subject to certain notification requirements related to withdrawals of excess net capital. As a result of these rules, our ability to make withdrawals of capital from Piper Jaffray & Co. may be limited. In addition, Piper Jaffray & Co. is licensed as a broker dealer in each of the 50 states, requiring us to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations of each state. Any state may revoke a license to conduct a securities business and fine or otherwise discipline broker dealers and their officers, directors and employees.

We also operate entities that are licensed and regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the U.K. Financial Services Authority. Entities operating in the Hong Kong region are registered under the laws of Hong Kong and subject to the Securities and Futures Ordinance. While we ceased operations related to our Hong Kong capital markets business as of September 30, 2012, we expect to maintain a more limited presence in the Hong Kong region to facilitate our U.S. advisory business. Our operating entity registered under the laws of England and Wales is authorized and regulated by the U.K. Financial

5

Services Authority. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the U.K. Financial Services Authority regulate these entities (in their respective jurisdictions) in areas of capital adequacy, customer protection and business conduct, among others.

Entities in the jurisdictions identified above are also subject to anti-money laundering regulations. Piper Jaffray & Co., our U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary, is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, which contains anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and mandates the implementation of various regulations requiring us to implement standards for verifying client identification at account opening, monitoring client transactions and reporting suspicious activity. Our entities in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom are subject to similar anti-money laundering laws and regulations. We are also subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act as well as other anti-bribery laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate. These laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from engaging in bribery or making other improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or gaining an unfair business advantage.

We maintain asset management subsidiaries that are registered as investment advisers with the SEC and subject to regulation and oversight by the SEC. These entities are ARI, FAMCO, Piper Jaffray Investment Management LLC ("PJIM"), and PJC Capital Partners LLC. As registered investment advisors, these entities are subject to requirements that relate to, among other things, fiduciary duties to clients, maintaining an effective compliance program, solicitation agreements, conflicts of interest, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, disclosure requirements, limitations on agency cross and principal transactions between advisor and advisory clients, as well as general anti-fraud prohibitions. Certain investment funds that we manage are registered investment companies under the Investment Company Act, as amended. Those funds and entities that serve as the funds' investment advisors are subject to the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC, which regulate the relationship between a registered investment company and its investment advisor and prohibit or severely restrict principal transactions or joint transactions, among other requirements. ARI and FAMCO are also authorized by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority as an investment advisor in Ireland and cleared by the Luxembourg Commission de Surviellance du Secteur Financier as a manager to Luxembourg funds. ARI has established a Tokyo office which is a Representative Office of a Foreign Investment Advisor subject to Japanese laws and regulations. PJIM is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and the National Futures Association (“NFA”) as a commodities pool operator. The registrations with the CFTC and NFA allow PJIM to enter into derivative instruments (e.g, interest rate swaps and credit default swap index contracts) to hedge risks associated with certain security positions of funds managed by PJIM. 

Certain of our businesses also are subject to compliance with laws and regulations of U.S. federal and state governments, non-U.S. governments, their respective agencies and/or various self-regulatory organizations or exchanges governing the privacy of client information. Any failure with respect to our practices, procedures and controls in any of these areas could subject us to regulatory consequences, including fines, and potentially other significant liabilities.

Executive Officers

Information regarding our executive officers and their ages as of February 20, 2013, are as follows:

Name	Age	Position(s)
Andrew S. Duff	55	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Chad R. Abraham	44	Co-Head of Global Investment Banking and Capital Markets
Frank E. Fairman	55	Head of Public Finance
John W. Geelan	37	General Counsel and Secretary
Jeff P. Klinefelter	45	Global Head of Equities
R. Scott LaRue	52	Co-Head of Global Investment Banking and Capital Markets
Brien M. O’Brien	56	Head of Asset Management
Debbra L. Schoneman	44	Chief Financial Officer
M. Brad Winges	45	Head of Fixed Income Services

Andrew S. Duff is our chairman and chief executive officer. Mr. Duff became chairman and chief executive officer of Piper Jaffray Companies following completion of our spin-off from U.S. Bancorp on December 31, 2003. He also has served as chairman of our broker dealer subsidiary since 2003, as chief executive officer of our broker dealer subsidiary since 2000, and as president of our broker dealer subsidiary since 1996. He has been with Piper Jaffray since 1980. Prior to the spin-off from U.S. Bancorp, Mr. Duff also was a vice chairman of U.S. Bancorp from 1999 through 2003.

6

Chad R. Abraham is our co-head of global investment banking and capital markets, a position he has held since October 2010. Prior to his current role, he served as head of equity capital markets since November 2005. Mr. Abraham joined Piper Jaffray in 1991.

Frank E. Fairman is head of our public finance services business, a position he has held since July 2005. Prior to that, he served as head of the firm's public finance investment banking group from 1991 to 2005, as well as the head of the firm's municipal derivative business from 2002 to 2005. He has been with Piper Jaffray since 1983.

John W. Geelan is our general counsel and secretary. He served as assistant general counsel and assistant secretary from November 2007 until becoming general counsel in January 2013. Mr. Geelan joined Piper Jaffray in 2005.

Jeff P. Klinefelter is the global head of our equities business, a position he has held since July 2012. From May 2010 until July 2012, he served as head of equity research. Mr. Klinefelter joined Piper Jaffray in 1997, serving as a research analyst until being appointed global head of equities.

R. Scott LaRue is our co-head of global investment banking and capital markets, a position he has held since October 2010. He had previously served as global co-head of consumer investment banking since February 2010, after having served as co-head of consumer investment banking since August 2004. He has been with Piper Jaffray since 2003.

Brien M. O’Brien is our head of asset management. He has served in this role since joining Piper Jaffray in March 2010 following the closing of the transaction with Advisory Research, Inc., an asset management firm based in Chicago, Illinois. From 1996 until joining Piper Jaffray, he was chairman and chief executive officer of Advisory Research.

Debbra L. Schoneman is our chief financial officer. Ms. Schoneman joined Piper Jaffray in 1990 and has held her current position since May 2008. She previously served as treasurer from August 2006 until May 2008. Prior to that, she served as finance director of our corporate and institutional services business from July 2002 until July 2004 when the role was expanded to include our public finance services division.

M. Brad Winges is head of our fixed income services business, a position he has held since January 2009. Mr. Winges joined Piper Jaffray in 1991 and served as head of public finance services sales and trading from June 2005 until obtaining his current position. Prior to that, he served as head of municipal sales and trading from June 2003 until June 2005.

ITEM 1A.     RISK FACTORS.

Developments in market and economic conditions have in the past adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, our business and profitability.

Economic and market conditions have had, and will continue to have, a direct and material impact on our results of operations and financial condition because performance in the financial services industry is heavily influenced by the overall strength of economic conditions and financial market activity. For example:

• Our equities investment banking revenue, in the form of underwriting, placement and financial advisory fees is directly related to global macroeconomic conditions and corresponding financial market activity. As an example, a significant component of our investment banking revenues are derived from initial public offerings of middle-market companies in growth sectors, and activity in this area is highly correlated to the macroeconomic environment. While equity markets advanced again in 2012 and volatility generally remains low, the pace of U.S. economic growth remains slow and has been impacted by a number of uncertainties. Factors weighing on the U.S. economy include tepid job growth and persistently high unemployment, concerns about the budget deficit and federal spending cuts, and economic conditions in Europe. If these factors were to worsen, it could lead to equity market declines and volatility, which would likely have a significant negative impact on our results of operations.

• In 2012, interest rates remained at historically low levels as the uncertain U.S. economic recovery, continued quantitative easing, and European sovereign debt crisis held U.S. Treasury yields at their low levels. While we largely expect interest rates to remain at historically low levels in 2013, the Federal Reserve may pare its quantitative easing efforts or take other actions if the economic recovery gains momentum or if inflationary indicators arise. Interest rate volatility, especially if the changes are rapid or severe, could negatively impact our fixed income institutional business during 2013. As an example, a large percentage of our securities inventory — both positions held for facilitating client activity and our own strategic trading

7

positions — consist of fixed income securities, and a rapid increase in interest rates would lower the value of these positions, possibly significantly, and may not be mitigated by our interest rate hedging strategies.

• In 2012, our public finance investment banking business recovered from a significant industry-wide decline in municipal underwriting activity, stemming from uncertainties over municipal-issuer credit quality and state and local government budget deficits. Despite the year-over-year improvement, we expect state and local governments to continue to struggle with budget pressures in 2013, which could have a negative impact on the volume and size of municipal transactions. Also, the low interest rate environment impacts our public finance investment banking business in the form of increased competition from traditional lenders. A reduction in the number of completed transactions and/or the size of these transactions would reduce operating results for public finance investment banking.

• An unsustainable economic recovery would likely result in a decline in the financial markets, reducing asset valuations and adversely impacting our asset management business. A reduction in asset values would negatively impact this business by reducing the value of assets under management, and as a result, the revenues generated from this business.

It is difficult to predict the market conditions for 2013, which are dependent in large part upon the pace and sustainability of the global economic recovery. Our smaller scale and the cyclical nature of the economy and this industry leads to volatility in our financial results, including our operating margins, compensation ratios and revenue and expense levels. Our financial performance may be limited by the fixed nature of certain expenses, the impact from unanticipated losses or expenses during the year, and the inability to scale back costs in a timeframe to match decreases in revenue-related changes in market and economic conditions. As a result, our financial results may vary significantly from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year.

Developments in specific sectors of the global economy have in the past adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, our business and profitability.

Our results for a particular period may be disproportionately impacted by declines in specific sectors of the global economy, or for certain products within the financial services industry, due to our business mix and focus areas. For example:

• Our fixed income institutional business derives its revenue from sales and trading activity in the municipal market and from products within the taxable market, including structured mortgages, hybrid preferreds and government agency products. Increased market volatility historically leads to the widening of credit spreads and a decline in customer activity, which negatively impacts our results of operations from this business. As an example, our municipal strategic trading activities — a significant contributor to our overall fixed income institutional business — experienced reduced returns in the second half of 2011 as a result of volatility and the widening of credit spreads stemming from the European sovereign debt crisis. Also, our operating results for our fixed income institutional business may not correlate with the results of other firms or the fixed income market generally because we do not participate in significant segments of the fixed income markets (e.g., credit default swaps, and currencies and commodities).

• Our equity investment banking business focuses on specific sectors, specifically business and financial services, clean technology and renewables, consumer, healthcare, industrial growth, and technology, media and telecommunications. Volatility or uncertainty in the business environment for these sectors, including but not limited to challenging market conditions for these sectors that are disproportionately worse than those impacting the economy and markets generally or downturns in these sectors that are independent of general economic and market conditions, may adversely affect our business. Further, we may not participate or may participate to a lesser degree than other firms in sectors that experience significant activity, such as depository financial institutions, energy and mining, and industrials, and our operating results may not correlate with the results of other firms which participate in these sectors.

• Similar to our fixed income institutional business, our public finance investment banking business depends heavily upon conditions in the municipal market. Our ability to effect investment banking transactions in the state and local government sectors has been, and may continue to be, challenged by concerns over debt levels for municipal issuers and fiscal budgets. Our public finance business focuses on investment banking activity in sectors that include state and local government, higher education, housing, healthcare, and hospitality sectors, with an emphasis on transactions with a par value of $500 million or less. Challenging market conditions for these sectors that are disproportionately worse than those impacting the broader economy or municipal markets generally may adversely impact our business. Lastly, our fixed income institutional business and our public finance business could be materially adversely affected by the enactment, or the threat of enactment, of any legislation that would alter the financing alternatives available to municipalities through the elimination or reduction of tax-exempt bonds.

8

• Our equities institutional brokerage business depends upon trading activity to generate revenue in the form of client commissions, and the level of this activity may vary based on economic and market conditions. In times of increased market uncertainty, we may experience reduced customer activity as investors remain cautious. Also, market stress and volatility may reduce the size of our customer base as hedge funds cease operations, having a negative impact on the results of operations for this business.

• A significant portion of our asset management revenues are derived from actively-managed equity products, and this type of investment product has experienced asset outflows in recent years. Equity market uncertainty, the increased prevalence of lower-cost passively-managed funds, and other negative events impacting investor confidence, have contributed to this negative product trend. Outflows for this investment product negatively affect results of operations for this business, as revenues are closely tied to assets under management.

Our strategic trading and principal investments expose us to risk of loss.

We engage in a variety of activities in which we commit or invest our own capital, including strategic (i.e., proprietary) trading and principal investing. During 2012, our strategic trading activities related to municipal bonds and non-agency mortgage bonds constituted a considerable portion of our institutional brokerage revenues, and were a meaningful contributor to our overall revenues and operating income. These strategic trading activities — particularly with respect to non-agency mortgage bonds - comprise a meaningful percentage of our Level III assets within our securities inventory. Level III assets have little or no pricing observability, and may be less liquid than other securities that we hold in our securities inventory. In addition to strategic trading, we engage in principal investing, having established alternative asset management funds for municipal securities and merchant banking. We have invested firm capital in these funds alongside capital raised from outside investors, and intend to continue to develop these alternative asset management strategies. Additionally, we have principal investments in equity and debt instruments of private companies, and in private equity and venture capital funds, among other firm investments.

Our results from these activities may vary significantly from quarter to quarter, especially as it relates to strategic trading activity. We may incur significant losses from our strategic trading activities due to market fluctuations and volatility from quarter to quarter. In addition, we may engage in hedging transactions that if not successful, could result in losses. With respect to principal investing, our ability to withdraw our capital from these funds may be limited, increasing the risk of loss for these investments. Also, our merchant banking activity involves investments in late stage private companies, and we may be unable to realize our investment objectives by sale or other disposition at attractive prices.

Our stock price may fluctuate as a result of several factors, including but not limited to, changes in our revenues and operating results.

We have experienced, and expect to experience in the future, fluctuations in the market price of our common stock due to factors that relate to the nature of our business, including but not limited to changes in our revenues and operating results. Our business, by its nature, does not produce steady and predictable earnings on a quarterly basis, which causes fluctuations in our stock price that may be significant. Other factors that have affected, and may further affect, our stock price include changes in or news related to economic or market events or conditions, changes in market conditions in the financial services industry, including developments in regulation affecting our business, failure to meet the expectations of market analysts, changes in recommendations or outlooks by market analyst, and aggressive short selling similar to that experienced in the financial industry in 2008.

We may not be able to compete successfully with other companies in the financial services industry who often have significantly greater resources than we do.

The financial services industry remains extremely competitive, and our revenues and profitability will suffer if we are unable to compete effectively. An inability to effectively compete will also have a negative impact on our ability to achieve our strategic priorities, which include growth for our public finance, fixed income sales, asset management, and corporate advisory businesses. We compete generally on the basis of such factors as quality of advice and service, reputation, price, product selection, transaction execution and financial resources. Pricing and other competitive pressures in investment banking, including trends toward multiple book runners, co-managers, and multiple financial advisors handling transactions, have continued and could adversely affect our revenues. The trend toward multiple book runners has also been accompanied by a disparity in the portion of the fees received by the multiple book runners, with one of the book runners receiving a large percentage of the transaction fees.

We remain at a competitive disadvantage given our relatively small size compared to some of our competitors. Large financial services firms have a larger capital base, greater access to capital and greater resources than we have, affording them greater capacity for risk and potential for innovation, an extended geographic reach and flexibility to offer a broader set of products. For example, these firms have used their resources and larger capital base to take advantage of growth in international markets and to

9

support their investment banking business by offering credit products to corporate clients, which is a significant competitive advantage. With respect to our fixed income institutional and public finance investment banking businesses, it is more difficult for us to diversify and differentiate our product set, and our fixed income business mix currently is concentrated in the municipal market and to a lesser extent corporate credits and structured mortgage products, potentially with less opportunity for growth than other firms which have grown their fixed income businesses by investing in, developing and offering non-traditional products (e.g., credit default swaps, interest rate products and currencies and commodities).

Legislative and regulatory proposals could significantly curtail the revenue from certain products that we currently provide.

Our public finance investment banking business underwrites debt issuances for government and non-profit clients, primarily on a tax exempt basis. Tax-exempt capital raising allows investors of these securities to exclude the bond interest for federal income tax purposes, resulting in lower interest expense for the issuer as compared to a taxable financing. Also, a significant percentage of our securities inventory — both positions held for client activity and our own strategic trading positions — consist of municipal securities. Further negotiations in 2013 regarding the budget deficit and federal spending cuts may also include similar proposals. Any reduction or elimination of tax-exempt bond interest could negatively impact the value of the municipal securities we hold in our securities inventory as well as our public finance investment banking business more generally, having a negative impact on the results of operations for these businesses.

Another proposal to address current debt and deficit levels is the levying of a sales tax on financial transactions, similar to that currently in place in certain European countries and proposed in region more broadly. Referred to as a “transactions tax” or “financial transactions tax,” this proposal would tax trading and other financial services activity in an effort to increase tax receipts. These proposals, which have been introduced both at the federal and state level, propose various tax rates for different types of transactions, encompassing activities within investment banking, institutional brokerage, and asset management. One such proposal, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2011, proposed various tax rates for different types of transactions, including a 0.25% tax on equity transactions. A similar tax was proposed in the state of Minnesota in early 2013 that would expand the sales tax base to include brokerage and investment consulting, which may include the activities noted above. This type of transaction tax would erode commission revenue, and also have a negative impact on our investment banking and asset management activities by increasing the costs associated with these businesses.

Our ability to attract, develop and retain highly skilled and productive employees is critical to the success of our business.

Historically, the market for qualified employees within the financial services industry has been marked by intense competition, and the performance of our business may suffer to the extent we are unable to attract and retain employees effectively, particularly given the relatively small size of our company and our employee base compared to some of our competitors and the geographic locations in which we operate. The primary sources of revenue in each of our business lines are commissions and fees earned on advisory and underwriting transactions and customer accounts managed by our employees, who have historically been recruited by other firms and in certain cases are able to take their client relationships with them when they change firms. Some specialized areas of our business are operated by a relatively small number of employees, the loss of any of whom could jeopardize the continuation of that business following the employee's departure.

Further, recruiting and retention success often depends on the ability to deliver competitive compensation, and we may be at a disadvantage to some competitors given our size and financial resources. Our inability or unwillingness to meet compensation needs or demands may result in the loss of some of our professionals or the inability to recruit additional professionals at compensation levels that are within our target range for compensation and benefits expense. Our ability to retain and recruit also may be hindered if we limit our aggregate annual compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of annual net revenues.

Concentration of risk increases the potential for significant losses.

Concentration of risk increases the potential for significant losses in our sales and trading, strategic (i.e., proprietary) trading, merchant banking and underwriting businesses. We have committed capital to these businesses, and we may take substantial positions in particular types of securities and/or issuers. This concentration of risk may cause us to suffer losses even when economic and market conditions are generally favorable for our competitors. Further, disruptions in the credit markets can make it difficult to hedge exposures effectively and economically. We also experience concentration of risk in our role as remarketing agent and broker dealer for certain types of municipal securities, including in our role as remarketing agent for approximately $4.0 billion of variable rate demand notes. In an effort to facilitate liquidity, we may (but are not required to) increase our inventory positions in securities, exposing ourselves to greater concentration of risk and potential financial losses from the reduction in value of illiquid positions. Further, inventory positions that benefit from a liquidity provider, such as certain types of variable rate demand notes, may be adversely affected by an event that results in termination of the liquidity provider's obligation, such as an insolvency or ratings downgrade of the monoline insurer.

10

An inability to readily divest or transfer trading positions may result in financial losses to our business.

Timely divestiture or transfer of our trading positions, including equity, fixed income and other securities positions, can be impaired by decreased trading volume, increased price volatility, rapid changes in interest rates, concentrated trading positions, limitations on the ability to transfer positions in highly specialized or structured transactions and changes in industry and government regulations. This is true for both customer transactions that we facilitate as well as strategic trading positions that we maintain. While we hold a security, we are vulnerable to valuation fluctuations and may experience financial losses to the extent the value of the security decreases and we are unable to timely divest, hedge or transfer our trading position in that security. The value may decline as a result of many factors, including issuer-specific, market or geopolitical events. In addition, in times of market uncertainty, the inability to transfer inventory positions may have an impact on our liquidity as funding sources generally decline and we are unable to pledge the underlying security as collateral. Our liquidity may also be impacted if we choose to facilitate liquidity for specific products and voluntarily increase our inventory positions in order to do so, exposing ourselves to greater market risk and potential financial losses from the reduction in value of illiquid positions.

In addition, reliance on revenues from hedge funds and hedge fund advisors, which are less regulated than many investment company and advisor clients, may expose us to greater risk of financial loss from unsettled trades than is the case with other types of institutional investors. Concentration of risk may result in losses to us even when economic and market conditions are generally favorable for others in our industry.

Our businesses, profitability and liquidity may be adversely affected by deterioration in the credit quality of, or defaults by, third parties who owe us money, securities or other assets.

The amount and duration of our credit exposures has been volatile over the past several years. This exposes us to the increased risk that third parties who owe us money, securities or other assets will not perform their obligations. These parties may default on their obligations to us due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. Deterioration in the credit quality of securities or obligations we hold could result in losses and adversely affect our ability to rehypothecate or otherwise use those securities or obligations for liquidity purposes. A significant downgrade in the credit ratings of our counterparties could also have a negative impact on our results. Default rates, downgrades and disputes with counterparties as to the valuation of collateral tend to increase in times of market stress and illiquidity. Although we review credit exposures to specific clients and counterparties and to specific industries that we believe may present credit concerns, default risk may arise from events or circumstances that are difficult to detect or foresee. Also, concerns about, or a default by, one institution generally leads to losses, significant liquidity problems, or defaults by other institutions, which in turn adversely affects our business.

Particular activities or products within our business have exposed us to increasing credit risk, including inventory positions, interest rate swap contracts with customer credit exposure, merchant banking debt investments, counterparty risk with two major financial institutions related to customer interest rate swap contracts without customer credit exposure, investment banking and advisory fee receivables, customer margin accounts, and trading counterparty activities related to settlement and similar activities. With respect to interest rate swap contracts with customer credit exposure, we have credit exposure with six counterparties totaling $31.7 million at December 31, 2012 as part of our matched-book interest rate swap program. A decline in interest rates in 2013 could increase our exposure. For example, a decrease in interest rates would increase the amount that would be payable to us in the event of a termination of the contract, and result in a corresponding increase in the amount that we would owe to our hedging counterparty. If our counterparty is unable to make its payment to us, we would still be obligated to pay our hedging counterparty, resulting in credit losses. With respect to merchant banking investments, we have two debt investments totaling $14.8 million as of December 31, 2012. Non-performance by our counterparties, clients and others, including with respect to our inventory positions, interest rate swap contracts with customer credit exposures and our merchant banking debt investments could result in losses, potentially material, and thus have a significant adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

An inability to access capital readily or on terms favorable to us could impair our ability to fund operations and could jeopardize our financial condition and results of operations.

Liquidity, or ready access to funds, is essential to our business. Several large financial institutions failed or merged with others during the credit crisis following significant declines in asset values in securities held by these institutions, and, during 2011, a financial institution failed due to liquidity issues related to the European sovereign debt crisis. To fund our business, we rely on bank financing as well as other funding sources such as the repurchase markets. The majority of our bank financing consists of uncommitted credit lines, which could become unavailable to us on relatively short notice. In an effort to mitigate this funding risk, we renewed a $250 million credit facility for the fourth consecutive year, and also issued $125 million of unsecured variable rate notes at the end of 2012, refinancing a three-year secured credit facility. The notes consist of two classes, with $50 million maturing in 18 months and $75 million maturing in 36 months. In order to further diversify our short-term funding needs, we also

11

continue to maintain our $300 million commercial paper program, and initiated a second commercial program in the amount of $150 million during 2012.

Our access to funding sources, particularly uncommitted funding sources, could be hindered by many factors, and many of these factors we cannot control, such as economic downturns, the disruption of financial markets, the failure or consolidation of other financial institutions, negative news about the financial industry generally or us specifically. We could experience disruptions with our credit facilities in the future, including the loss of liquidity sources and/or increased borrowing costs, if lenders or investors develop a negative perception of our short- or long-term financial prospects, which could result from decreased business activity. Our liquidity also could be impacted by the activities resulting in concentration of risk, including proprietary activities from long-term investments and/or investments in specific markets or products without liquidity. Our access to funds may be impaired if regulatory authorities take significant action against us, or if we discover that one of our employees has engaged in serious unauthorized or illegal activity.

In the future, we may need to incur debt or issue equity in order to fund our working capital requirements, as well as to execute our growth initiatives that may include acquisitions and other investments. Similarly, our access to funding sources may be contingent upon terms and conditions that may limit or restrict our business activities and growth initiatives. For example, the institutional notes noted above include covenants that, among other things, limit our leverage ratio and require maintenance of certain levels tangible net worth, regulatory net capital, and operating cash flow to fixed charges.

Lastly, we currently do not have a credit rating, which could adversely affect our liquidity and competitive position by increasing our borrowing costs and limiting access to sources of liquidity that require a credit rating as a condition to providing funds.

We have experienced volume declines and pricing pressures in our institutional sales and trading business, which may impair our revenues and profitability.

In recent years, we have experienced volume declines and pricing pressures within our institutional sales and trading business. In the fixed income market, regulatory requirements have resulted in greater price transparency, leading to increased price competition and decreased trading margins in certain instances. In the equity market, volumes have declined and institutional clients increasingly limit the number of trading partners with whom they conduct business. The increased use of electronic and direct market access trading has caused additional downward competitive pressure on trading margins, and the trend toward using alternative trading systems continues to grow. These market dynamics may result in decreased trading revenue, reduce our participation in the trading markets and our ability to access market information, and lead to the creation of new and stronger competitors. Institutional clients also have pressured financial services firms to alter “soft dollar” practices under which brokerage firms bundle the cost of trade execution with research products and services. Some institutions are entering into arrangements that separate (or “unbundle”) payments for research products or services from sales commissions. These arrangements have increased the competitive pressures on sales commissions and have affected the value our clients place on high-quality research. Additional pressure on sales and trading revenue may impair the profitability of our business. Moreover, our inability to reach agreement regarding the terms of unbundling arrangements with institutional clients who are actively seeking such arrangements could result in the loss of those clients, which would likely reduce our institutional commissions. We believe that price competition and pricing pressures in these and other areas will continue as institutional investors continue to reduce the amounts they are willing to pay, including by reducing the number of brokerage firms they use, and some of our competitors seek to obtain market share by reducing fees, commissions or margins.

The volume of anticipated investment banking transactions may differ from actual results.

The completion of anticipated investment banking transactions in our pipeline is uncertain and partially beyond our control, and our investment banking revenue is typically earned only upon the successful completion of a transaction. In most cases, we receive little or no payment for investment banking engagements that do not result in the successful completion of a transaction. For example, a client's acquisition transaction may be delayed or terminated because of a failure to agree upon final terms with the counterparty, failure to obtain necessary regulatory consents or board or stockholder approvals, failure to secure necessary financing, adverse market conditions or unexpected financial or other problems in the client's or counterparty's business. If parties fail to complete a transaction on which we are advising or an offering in which we are participating, we earn little or no revenue from the transaction and may have incurred significant expenses (for example, travel and legal expenses) associated with the transaction. Accordingly, our business is highly dependent on market conditions as well as the decisions and actions of our clients and interested third parties, and the number of engagements we have at any given time (and any characterization or description of our deal pipelines) is subject to change and may not necessarily result in future revenues.

12

Financing and advisory services engagements are singular in nature and do not generally provide for subsequent engagements.

Even though we work to represent our clients at every stage of their lifecycle, we are typically retained on a short-term, engagement-by-engagement basis in connection with specific capital markets or mergers and acquisitions transactions. In particular, our revenues related to acquisition and disposition transactions tend to be highly volatile and unpredictable (or “lumpy”) from quarter to quarter due to the one-time nature of the transaction and the size of the fee. As a result, high activity levels in any period are not necessarily indicative of continued high levels of activity in any subsequent period. If we are unable to generate a substantial number of new engagements and generate fees from the successful completion of those transactions, our business and results of operations will likely be adversely affected.

Our underwriting and market-making activities may place our capital at risk.

We may incur losses and be subject to reputational harm to the extent that, for any reason, we are unable to sell securities we purchased as an underwriter at the anticipated price levels. As an underwriter, we also are subject to heightened standards regarding liability for material misstatements or omissions in prospectuses and other offering documents relating to offerings we underwrite. Further, even though underwriting agreements with issuing companies typically include a right to indemnification in favor of the underwriter for these offerings to cover potential liability from any material misstatements or omissions, indemnification may be unavailable or insufficient in certain circumstances, for example if the issuing company has become insolvent. These underwriting-related risks may be greater with respect to our now-discontinued business in Asia because the Asian capital markets are generally less developed than those of the U.S. and many Asia-based issuer companies are less mature than may be the case in the U.S. and may have a higher risk profile. Additionally, indemnification and other contractual obligations of Asia-based companies may offer less protection to underwriters than they do for U.S. companies; Asia-based companies may have no assets in the U.S. upon which collection could be made, and a legal judgment obtained in the U.S. (for example related to an indemnification obligation) may be unenforceable in Asia.

As a market maker, we may own large positions in specific securities, and these undiversified holdings concentrate the risk of market fluctuations and may result in greater losses than would be the case if our holdings were more diversified.

Asset management revenue may vary based on investment performance and market and economic factors.

We have grown our asset management business in recent years, including with the acquisition of ARI in 2010, which has increased the risks associated with this business relative to our overall operations. Assets under management are a significant driver of this business, as revenues are primarily derived from management fees paid on the assets under management. Our ability to maintain or increase assets under management is subject to a number of factors, including investors' perception of our past performance, market or economic conditions, competition from other fund managers and our ability to negotiate terms with major investors.

Investment performance is one of the most important factors in retaining existing clients and competing for new asset management business. Poor investment performance and other competitive factors could reduce our revenues and impair our growth in many ways: existing clients may withdraw funds from our asset management business in favor of better performing products or a different investment style or focus; our capital investments in our investment funds or the seed capital we have committed to new asset management products may diminish in value or may be lost; and our key employees in the business may depart, whether to join a competitor or otherwise.

To the extent our future investment performance is perceived to be poor in either relative or absolute terms, our asset management revenues will likely be reduced and our ability to attract new funds will likely be impaired. Even when market conditions are generally favorable, our investment performance may be adversely affected by our investment style and the particular investments that we make. Further, as the size and number of investment funds, including exchange-traded funds, hedge funds and private equity funds increases, it is possible that it will become increasingly difficult for us to attract new assets under management or price competition may mean that we are unable to maintain our current fee structures.

Our asset management business has a higher concentration of key clients as compared to our other businesses, and the loss of one or more of these clients could have a material adverse affect on our asset management revenues. As an example, each of FAMCO and ARI depends in part upon one or more significant clients, and the loss of one or more of these clients would have an adverse effect on revenues.

13

Risk management processes may not fully mitigate exposure to the various risks that we face, including market risk, liquidity risk and credit risk.

We refine our risk management techniques, strategies and assessment methods on an ongoing basis. However, risk management techniques and strategies, both ours and those available to the market generally, may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposure in all economic market environments or against all types of risk. For example, we might fail to identify or anticipate particular risks that our systems are capable of identifying, or the systems that we use, and that are used within the industry generally, may not be capable of identifying certain risks. Some of our strategies for managing risk are based upon our use of observed historical market behavior. We apply statistical and other tools to these observations to quantify our risk exposure. Any failures in our risk management techniques and strategies to accurately quantify our risk exposure could limit our ability to manage risks. In addition, any risk management failures could cause our losses to be significantly greater than the historical measures indicate. Further, our quantified modeling does not take all risks into account. Our more qualitative approach to managing those risks could prove insufficient, exposing us to material unanticipated losses.

Use of derivative instruments as part of our risk management techniques may not effectively hedge the risks associated with activities in certain of our businesses.

We use interest rate swaps, interest rate locks and credit default swap index contracts as a means to manage risk in certain inventory positions and to facilitate customer transactions. With respect to risk management, we enter into derivative contracts to hedge interest rate and market value risks associated with our security positions. The instruments use interest rates based upon either the Municipal Market Data (“MMD”) index, LIBOR or SIFMA index. We also enter into credit default swap index contracts to hedge risks associated with our taxable fixed income securities. These hedging strategies may not work in all market environments and as a result may not be effective in mitigating interest rate and market value credit risk.

With respect to customer transactions, our fixed income business provides swaps and other interest rate hedging products to public finance clients, which we in turn hedge through a counterparty. There are risks inherent in our use of these products, including counterparty exposure and basis risk. Counterparty exposure refers to the risk that the amount of collateral in our possession on any given day may not be sufficient to fully cover the current value of the swaps if a counterparty were to suddenly default. Basis risk refers to risks associated with swaps where changes in the value of the swaps may not exactly mirror changes in the value of the cash flows they are hedging. It is possible that we may incur losses from our exposure to derivative and interest rate hedging products and the increased use of these products in the future. For example, if the derivative instruments that we use to hedge the risks associated with interest rate swap contracts with public finance clients where we have retained the credit risk are terminated as a result of a client credit event, we may incur losses if we make a payment to our hedging counterparty without recovering any amounts from our client.

The use of estimates and valuations in measuring fair value involve significant estimation and judgment by management.

We make various estimates that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Broadly, those estimates are used in measuring fair value of certain financial instruments, accounting for goodwill and intangible assets, establishing provisions for potential losses that may arise from litigation, and regulatory proceedings and tax examinations. Estimates are based on available information and judgment. Therefore, actual results could differ from our estimates and that difference could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. We could experience additional impairment charges related to the Company's asset management segment, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations.

Certain financial instruments, including financial instruments and other inventory positions owned, and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold but not yet purchased, are recorded at fair value, and unrealized gains and losses related to these financial instruments are reflected on our consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments' complexity. Difficult market environments, such as those experienced in 2008, may cause transferable instruments to become substantially more illiquid and difficult to value, increasing the use of valuation models. Our future results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by the valuation adjustments that we apply to these financial instruments.

14

Our business is subject to extensive regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate, and a significant regulatory action against our company may have a material adverse financial effect or cause significant reputational harm to our company.

As a participant in the financial services industry, we are subject to complex and extensive regulation of many aspects of our business by U.S. federal and state regulatory agencies, self-regulatory organizations (including securities exchanges) and by foreign governmental agencies, regulatory bodies and securities exchanges. Specifically, our operating subsidiaries include broker dealer and related securities entities organized in the United States, the United Kingdom and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (“PRC”). Each of these entities is registered or licensed with the applicable local securities regulator and is a member of or participant in one or more local securities exchanges and is subject to all of the applicable rules and regulations promulgated by those authorities. In addition, our asset management subsidiaries, ARI, FAMCO, Piper Jaffray Investment Management LLC, and PJC Capital Partners LLC are registered as investment advisers with the SEC and subject to the regulation and oversight by the SEC.

Generally, the requirements imposed by our regulators are designed to ensure the integrity of the financial markets and to protect customers and other third parties who deal with us. These requirements are not designed to protect our shareholders. Consequently, broker dealer regulations often serve to limit our activities, through net capital, customer protection and market conduct requirements and restrictions on the businesses in which we may operate or invest. We also must comply with asset management regulations, including requirements related to fiduciary duties to clients, recordkeeping and reporting and customer disclosures. Compliance with many of these regulations entails a number of risks, particularly in areas where applicable regulations may be newer or unclear. In addition, regulatory authorities in all jurisdictions in which we conduct business may intervene in our business and we and our employees could be fined or otherwise disciplined for violations or prohibited from engaging in some of our business activities.

The laws, rules and regulations comprising this regulatory framework can (and do) change frequently, as can the interpretation and enforcement of existing laws, rules and regulations. Recent conditions in the global financial markets and economy caused legislators and regulators to increase their focus on the financial services industry, which resulted in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”). Dodd-Frank significantly restructures and intensifies regulation in the financial services industry, with provisions that include, among other things, the creation of a new systemic risk oversight body, a limitation on proprietary trading and investment by certain bank holding companies, expansion of the authority of existing regulators, increased regulation of and restrictions on OTC derivatives markets and transactions, broadening of the reporting and regulation of executive compensation, and expansion of the standards for market participants in dealing with clients and customers. Also, conditions in the global financial markets have caused regulatory agencies to increase their examination, enforcement and rule-making activity, which we expect to continue in the coming years. Both Dodd-Frank and the intensified regulatory environment will likely alter certain business practices and change the competitive landscape of the financial services industry, which may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business also subjects us to the complex income tax laws of the jurisdictions in which we have business operations, and these tax laws may be subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant governmental taxing authorities. We must make judgments and interpretations about the application of these inherently complex tax laws when determining the provision for income taxes. We are subject to contingent tax risk that could adversely affect our results of operations, to the extent that our interpretations of tax laws are disputed upon examination or audit, and are settled in amounts in excess of established reserves for such contingencies.

The effort to combat money laundering also has become a high priority in governmental policy with respect to financial institutions. The obligation of financial institutions, including ourselves, to identify their customers, watch for and report suspicious transactions, respond to requests for information by regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies, and share information with other financial institutions, has required the implementation and maintenance of internal practices, procedures and controls which have increased, and may continue to increase, our costs. Any failure with respect to our programs in this area could subject us to serious regulatory consequences, including substantial fines, and potentially other liabilities. In addition, our international operations require compliance with anti-bribery laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. These laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from engaging in bribery or making other improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or gaining an unfair business advantage. While our employees and agents are required to comply with these laws, we cannot ensure that our internal control policies and procedures will always protect us from intentional, reckless or negligent acts committed by our employees or agents, which acts could subject our company to fines or other regulatory consequences.

15

Our exposure to legal liability is significant, and could lead to substantial damages.

We face significant legal risks in our businesses. These risks include potential liability under securities laws and regulations in connection with our capital markets, asset management and other businesses. The volume and amount of damages claimed in litigation, arbitrations, regulatory enforcement actions and other adversarial proceedings against financial services firms have increased in recent years. Our experience has been that adversarial proceedings against financial services firms typically increase during and following a market downturn. We also are subject to claims from disputes with our employees and our former employees under various circumstances. Risks associated with legal liability often are difficult to assess or quantify and their existence and magnitude can remain unknown for significant periods of time, making the amount of legal reserves related to these legal liabilities difficult to determine and subject to future revision. Legal or regulatory matters involving our directors, officers or employees in their individual capacities also may create exposure for us because we may be obligated or may choose to indemnify the affected individuals against liabilities and expenses they incur in connection with such matters to the extent permitted under applicable law. In addition, like other financial services companies, we may face the possibility of employee fraud or misconduct. The precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases and there can be no assurance that we will be able to deter or prevent fraud or misconduct. Exposures from and expenses incurred related to any of the foregoing actions or proceedings could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, future results of operations could be adversely affected if reserves relating to these legal liabilities are required to be increased or legal proceedings are resolved in excess of established reserves.

We may make strategic acquisitions and minority investments, engage in joint ventures or divest or exit existing businesses, which could cause us to incur unforeseen expenses and have disruptive effects on our business but may not yield the benefits we expect.

We may grow in part through corporate development activities that may include acquisitions, joint ventures and minority investment stakes. For example, we expanded our existing asset management business in March 2010 with the acquisition of ARI, a Chicago-based asset management firm. There are a number of risks associated with corporate development activities. Costs or difficulties relating to a transaction, including integration of products, employees, technology systems, accounting systems and management controls, may be difficult to predict accurately and be greater than expected causing our estimates to differ from actual results. We may be unable to retain key personnel after the transaction, and the transaction may impair relationships with customers and business partners. Also, our share price could decline after we announce or complete a transaction if investors view the transaction as too costly or unlikely to improve our competitive position. Longer-term, these activities require increased investment in management personnel, financial and management systems and controls and facilities, which, in the absence of continued revenue growth, would cause our operating margins to decline. More generally, any difficulties that we experience could disrupt our ongoing business, increase our expenses and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. We also may be unable to achieve anticipated benefits and synergies from the transaction as fully as expected or within the expected time frame. Divestitures or elimination of existing businesses or products could have similar effects. For example, we shut down our Hong Kong capital markets business in 2012, and realized a pre-tax loss on the investment in our Hong Kong subsidiaries. We also recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $5.5 million in connection with our FAMCO business, which is classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2012.

We enter into off-balance sheet arrangements that may be required to be consolidated on our financial statements based on future events outside of our control, including changes in complex accounting standards.

In the normal course of our business, we periodically create or transact with entities that are investment vehicles organized as limited partnerships or limited liability companies, established for the purpose of investing in equity or debt securities of public and private companies or various partnership entities. Certain of these entities have been identified as variable interest entities (“VIEs”). We are required to consolidate onto our consolidated statement of financial condition all VIEs for which we are considered to be the primary beneficiary as defined under applicable accounting standards. The assessment of whether the accounting criteria for consolidation are met requires management to exercise significant judgment. If certain events occur that require us to re-assess our initial determination of non-consolidation or if our judgment of non-consolidation is in error, we could be required to consolidate the assets and liabilities of a VIE onto our consolidated statement of financial condition and recognize its future gains or losses in our consolidated statement of operations. For reasons outside of our control, including changes in existing accounting standards, or interpretations of those standards, the risk of consolidation of these VIEs could increase. Further consolidation would affect the size of our consolidated statement of financial condition.

16

The financial services industry and the markets in which we operate are subject to systemic risk that could adversely affect our business and results.

Participants in the financial services industry and markets increasingly are closely interrelated as a result of credit, trading, clearing, technology and other relationships between them. A significant adverse development with one participant (such as a bankruptcy or default) may spread to others and lead to significant concentrated or market-wide problems (such as defaults, liquidity problems or losses) for other participants, including us. This systemic risk was evident during 2008 following the demise of Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers, and the resulting events (sometimes described as “contagion”) had a negative impact on the remaining industry participants, including us. Further, the control and risk management infrastructure of the markets in which we operate often is outpaced by financial innovation and growth in new types of securities, transactions and markets. Systemic risk is inherently difficult to assess and quantify, and its form and magnitude can remain unknown for significant periods of time.

We may suffer losses if our reputation is harmed.

Our ability to attract and retain customers and employees may be diminished to the extent our reputation is damaged. If we fail, or are perceived to fail, to address various issues that may give rise to reputational risk, we could harm our business prospects. These issues include, but are not limited to, appropriately dealing with market dynamics, potential conflicts of interest, legal and regulatory requirements, ethical issues, customer privacy, record-keeping, sales and trading practices, and the proper identification of the legal, reputational, credit, liquidity and market risks inherent in our products and services. Failure to appropriately address these issues could give rise to loss of existing or future business, financial loss, and legal or regulatory liability, including complaints, claims and enforcement proceedings against us, which could, in turn, subject us to fines, judgments and other penalties.

Regulatory capital requirements may limit our ability to expand or maintain our present levels of business or impair our ability to meet our financial obligations.

We are subject to the SEC's uniform net capital rule (Rule 15c3-1) and the net capital rule of FINRA, which may limit our ability to make withdrawals of capital from Piper Jaffray & Co., our U.S. broker dealer subsidiary. The uniform net capital rule sets the minimum level of net capital a broker dealer must maintain and also requires that a portion of its assets be relatively liquid. FINRA may prohibit a member firm from expanding its business or paying cash dividends if resulting net capital falls below its requirements. Underwriting commitments require a charge against net capital and, accordingly, our ability to make underwriting commitments may be limited by the requirement that we must at all times be in compliance with the applicable net capital regulations.

As Piper Jaffray Companies is a holding company, it depends on dividends, distributions and other payments from our subsidiaries to fund its obligations, including any share repurchases that we may make. The regulatory restrictions described above may impede access to funds our holding company needs to make payments on any such obligations.

Our technology systems, including outsourced systems, are critical components of our operations, and failure of those systems or other aspects of our operations infrastructure may disrupt our business, cause financial loss and constrain our growth.

We typically transact thousands of securities trades on a daily basis across multiple markets. Our data and transaction processing, custody, financial, accounting and other technology and operating systems are essential to this task. A system malfunction (due to hardware failure, capacity overload, security incident, data corruption, etc.) or mistake made relating to the processing of transactions could result in financial loss, liability to clients, regulatory intervention, reputational damage and constraints on our ability to grow. We outsource a substantial portion of our critical data processing activities, including trade processing and back office data processing. For example, we have entered into contracts with Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. pursuant to which Broadridge handles our trade and back office processing, and Unisys Corporation, pursuant to which Unisys supports our data center and helpdesk needs. We also contract with third parties for market data services, which constantly broadcast news, quotes, analytics and other relevant information to our employees. We contract with other vendors to produce and mail our customer statements and to provide other services. In the event that any of these service providers fails to adequately perform such services or the relationship between that service provider and us is terminated, we may experience a significant disruption in our operations, including our ability to timely and accurately process transactions or maintain complete and accurate records of those transactions.

Adapting or developing our technology systems to meet new regulatory requirements, client needs, geographic expansion and industry demands also is critical for our business. Introduction of new technologies present new challenges on a regular basis. We have an ongoing need to upgrade and improve our various technology systems, including our data and transaction processing, financial, accounting, risk management and trading systems. This need could present operational issues or require significant capital spending. It also may require us to make additional investments in technology systems and may require us to reevaluate the current value and/or expected useful lives of our technology systems, which could negatively impact our results of operations.

17

Secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our internal and outsourced computer systems and networks also is critically important to our business. We take protective measures and endeavor to modify them as circumstances warrant. However, our computer systems, software and networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code, inadvertent, erroneous or intercepted transmission of information (including by e-mail), and other events that could have an information security impact. If one or more of such events occur, this potentially could jeopardize our or our clients' or counterparties' confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our, our clients', our counterparties' or third parties' operations. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us.

A disruption in the infrastructure that supports our business due to fire, natural disaster, health emergency (for example, a disease pandemic), power or communication failure, act of terrorism or war may affect our ability to service and interact with our clients. If we are not able to implement contingency plans effectively, any such disruption could harm our results of operations.

The business operations that we conduct outside of the United States subject us to unique risks.

To the extent we conduct business outside the United States, for example in Asia and Europe, we are subject to risks including, without limitation, the risk that we will be unable to provide effective operational support to these business activities, the risk of non-compliance with foreign laws and regulations, and the general economic and political conditions in countries where we conduct business, which may differ significantly from those in the United States. In 2012, we shut down our Hong Kong capital markets business following a sustained period of operating losses, though we continue to maintain a presence in the region to facilitate advisory engagements. With respect to our Asia-based capital markets activity, we facilitated underwritten capital-raising transactions for Asia-based issuers, which may have exposed us to greater underwriting risk in our capital markets business as compared to the U.S., as noted above.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the market value of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that are intended to deter abusive takeover tactics by making them unacceptably expensive to the raider and to encourage prospective acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include limitations on actions by our shareholders by written consent and a rights plan that gives our board of directors the right to issue preferred stock without shareholder approval, which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquiror. Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15 percent or more of our outstanding common stock. In connection with our spin-off from U.S. Bancorp we adopted a rights agreement, which would impose a significant penalty on any person or group that acquires 15 percent or more of our outstanding common stock without the approval of our board of directors. We believe these provisions protect our shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal, and are not intended to make our company immune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some shareholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our board of directors determines is not in the best interests of our company and our shareholders.

ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

None.

ITEM 2.     PROPERTIES.

As of February 20, 2013, we conducted our operations through 42 principal offices in 25 states and in London, Hong Kong and Zurich. All of our offices are leased. Our principal executive office is located at 800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800, Minneapolis, Minnesota and, as of February 20, 2013, comprises approximately 240,000 square feet of leased space (approximately 90,000 square feet of this space is sublet to others). We have entered into a sublease arrangement with U.S. Bancorp, as lessor, for our offices at 800 Nicollet Mall, the term of which expires in May 2014. On May 30, 2012, we entered into a new lease agreement for 124,000 square feet of office space for the Company’s headquarters at 800 Nicollet Mall. The term of the lease commences on June 1, 2014, and expires on November 30, 2025, and includes an option to terminate the lease early effective January 31, 2022.

18

ITEM 3.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Due to the nature of our business, we are involved in a variety of legal proceedings (including, but not limited to, those described below). These proceedings include litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, which may arise from, among other things, underwriting or other transactional activity, client account activity, employment matters, regulatory examinations of our businesses and investigations of securities industry practices by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations. The securities industry is highly regulated, and the regulatory scrutiny applied to securities firms is intense, resulting in a significant number of regulatory investigations and enforcement actions and uncertainty regarding the likely outcome of these matters.

Litigation-related expenses include amounts we reserve and/or pay out as legal and regulatory settlements, awards or judgments, and fines. Parties who initiate litigation and arbitration proceedings against us may seek substantial or indeterminate damages, and regulatory investigations can result in substantial fines being imposed on us. We reserve for contingencies related to legal proceedings at the time and to the extent we determine the amount to be probable and reasonably estimable. However, it is inherently difficult to predict accurately the timing and outcome of legal proceedings, including the amounts of any settlements, judgments or fines. We assess each proceeding based on its particular facts, our outside advisors' and our past experience with similar matters, and expectations regarding the current legal and regulatory environment and other external developments that might affect the outcome of a particular proceeding or type of proceeding. Subject to the foregoing and except for the legal proceeding described below, we believe, based on our current knowledge, after appropriate consultation with outside legal counsel and taking into account our established reserves, that pending legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings, will be resolved with no material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, there can be no assurance that our assessments will reflect the ultimate outcome of pending proceedings, and the outcome of any particular matter may be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, on the operating results for that period and the amount of established reserves. We generally have denied, or believe that we have meritorious defenses and will deny, liability in all significant cases currently pending against us, and we intend to vigorously defend such actions.

Municipal Derivatives Investigations and Litigation

The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), Antitrust Division, the SEC and various state attorneys general are conducting broad investigations of numerous firms, including Piper Jaffray, for possible antitrust and securities violations in connection with the bidding or sale of guaranteed investment contracts and derivatives to municipal issuers from the early 1990s to date. These investigations commenced in November 2006, and approximately six years ago we received and responded to various subpoenas and requests for information. In December 2007, the DOJ notified one of our employees, whose employment subsequently was terminated, that he is regarded as a target of the investigation. In addition, several class action complaints were brought on behalf of a purported class of state, local and municipal government entities that purchased municipal derivatives directly from one of the defendants or through a broker, from January 1, 1992, to the present. The complaints, which have been consolidated into a single nationwide class action entitled In re Municipal Derivatives Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1950 (Master Docket No. 08-2516), allege antitrust violations and are pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under the multi-district litigation rules. The consolidated complaint seeks unspecified treble damages under the Sherman Act. Several California municipalities also brought separate class action complaints in California federal court, and approximately eighteen California municipalities and two New York municipalities filed individual lawsuits that are not as part of class actions, all of which have since been transferred to the Southern District of New York and consolidated for pretrial purposes. All three sets of complaints assert similar claims under federal (and for the California and New York plaintiffs, state) antitrust claims.

ITEM 4.     MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

19

PART II

ITEM 5.     MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PJC.” The following table contains historical quarterly price information for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. On February 20, 2013, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $40.77.

2012 Fiscal Year	High		Low
First Quarter	$	27.20	$	21.03
Second Quarter	27.46		20.53
Third Quarter	27.81		19.56
Fourth Quarter	32.13		25.33
2011 Fiscal Year	High		Low
First Quarter	$	43.54	$	35.68
Second Quarter	42.17		27.96
Third Quarter	32.00		17.93
Fourth Quarter	21.95		16.99

Shareholders

We had 17,365 shareholders of record and approximately 33,673 beneficial owners of our common stock as of February 20, 2013.

Dividends

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Our board of directors is free to change our dividend policy at any time. Restrictions on our U.S. broker dealer subsidiary’s ability to pay dividends are described in Note 26 to the consolidated financial statements.

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Piper Jaffray Companies or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of our common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2012.

				Total Number of Shares	Approximate
				Purchased as Part of	Dollar Value of Shares
	Total Number of	Average Price		Publicly Announced	Yet to be Purchased Under
Period	Shares Purchased	Paid per Share		Plans or Programs	the Plans or Programs (1)
Month #1
(October 1, 2012 to October 31, 2012)	—	$	—	—	$	100	million
Month #2
(November 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012)	1,755	$	29.17	—	$	100	million
Month #3
(December 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012)	156,577	$	29.38	156,577	$	95	million
Total	158,332	$	29.37	156,577	$	95	million

(1) On August 24, 2012, we announced that our board of directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of common stock through September 30, 2014. This share repurchase authorization became effective on October 1, 2012.

In addition, a third-party trustee makes open-market purchases of our common stock from time to time pursuant to the Piper Jaffray Companies Retirement Plan, under which participating employees may allocate assets to a company stock fund.

20

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the performance of an investment in our common stock from December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2012, with the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Diversified Financials Index. The graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2007, in each of our common stock, the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Diversified Financials Index and that all dividends were reinvested on the date of payment without payment of any commissions. Dollar amounts in the graph are rounded to the nearest whole dollar. The performance shown in the graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance.

FIVE YEAR TOTAL RETURN FOR PIPER JAFFRAY COMPANIES COMMON STOCK,

THE S&P 500 INDEX AND THE S&P DIVERSIFIED FINANCIALS INDEX

Company/Index	12/31/2007	12/31/2008	12/31/2009	12/31/2010	12/31/2011	12/31/2012
Piper Jaffray Companies	100	85.84	109.26	75.58	43.61	69.37
S&P 500 Index	100	63.00	79.67	91.68	93.61	108.59
S&P 500 Diversified Financials	100	41.38	53.95	56.69	39.66	56.06

21

ITEM 6.     SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

The following table presents our selected consolidated financial data for the periods and dates indicated. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

	For the year ended December 31,
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)	2012			2011				2010			2009			2008
Revenues:
Investment banking	$	230,929		$	200,500			$	237,847		$	195,970		$	153,749
Institutional brokerage	172,023			136,096				162,539			218,463			112,341
Asset management	65,215			63,307				55,948			5,122			5,268
Interest	48,844			55,440				51,703			40,453			49,220
Other income/(loss)	1,231			8,313				6,685			(1,011		)	(2,086		)
Total revenues	518,242			463,656				514,722			458,997			318,492
Interest expense	29,290			31,573				34,788			18,081			20,471
Net revenues	488,952			432,083				479,934			440,916			298,021
Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits	296,882			265,015				280,047			257,842			222,994
Restructuring-related expense	3,642			—				10,699			3,541			17,016
Goodwill impairment	—			120,298				—			—			130,500
Other	119,417			126,959				135,371			119,444			141,724
Total non-interest expenses	419,941			512,272				426,117			380,827			512,234
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	69,011			(80,189		)		53,817			60,089			(214,213		)
Income tax expense/(benefit)	19,470			9,120				32,163			26,706			(38,617		)
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations	49,541			(89,309		)		21,654			33,383			(175,596		)
Discontinued operations:
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807		)	(11,248		)		2,276			(3,187		)	(7,275		)
Net income/(loss)	43,734			(100,557		)		23,930			30,196			(182,871		)
Net income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests	2,466			1,463				(432		)	(173		)	104
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)		$	24,362		$	30,369		$	(182,975	)
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies' common shareholders	$	35,335		$	(102,020	)	(1)	$	18,929		$	24,888		$	(182,975	)	(1)
Amounts applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	47,075		$	(90,772	)		$	22,086		$	33,556		$	(175,700	)
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807		)	(11,248		)		2,276			(3,187		)	(7,275		)
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)		$	24,362		$	30,369		$	(182,975	)
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	2.58		$	(5.79	)		$	1.12		$	1.72		$	(11.09	)
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	(0.32		)	(0.72		)		0.12			(0.16		)	(0.46		)
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share	$	2.26		$	(6.51	)		$	1.23		$	1.56		$	(11.55	)
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	2.58		$	(5.79	)		$	1.12		$	1.72		$	(11.09	)
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	(0.32		)	(0.72		)		0.11			(0.16		)	(0.46		)
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share	$	2.26		$	(6.51	)	(2)	$	1.23		$	1.55		$	(11.55	)	(2)
Weighted average number of common shares
Basic	15,615			15,672				15,348			15,952			15,837
Diluted	15,616			15,672			(2)	15,378			16,007			15,837			(2)
Other data
Total assets	$	2,087,733		$	1,655,721			$	2,033,787		$	1,703,330		$	1,320,158
Long-term debt	$	125,000		$	115,000			$	125,000		$	—		$	—
Total common shareholders' equity	$	733,292		$	718,391			$	813,312		$	778,616		$	747,979
Total employees (3)	907			919				922			934			917

(1) No allocation of income was made due to loss position.

(2) Earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which a loss is incurred.

(3) Number of employees reflect continuing operations.

22

ITEM 7.     MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and exhibits included elsewhere in this report. Certain statements in this report may be considered forward-looking. Statements that are not historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements include, among other things, statements other than historical information or statements of current condition and may relate to our future plans and objectives and results, and also may include our belief regarding the effect of various legal proceedings, as set forth under “Legal Proceedings” in Part I, Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including those factors discussed below under “External Factors Impacting Our Business” as well as the factors identified under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as updated in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC. These reports are available at our Web site at www.piperjaffray.com and at the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We have included financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the effects of a goodwill impairment charge recognized in 2011 and affect the following financial measure disclosures: net income/loss from continuing operations applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies, earnings per diluted common share, non-compensation expenses, non-interest expenses, Capital Markets pre-tax operating income/loss and Capital Markets pre-tax operating margin. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have been used because management believes they are useful to investors by providing greater transparency and more relevant measures of our operating performance and aid comparison to other periods.

Executive Overview

Our continuing operations are principally engaged in providing investment banking, institutional brokerage, asset management and related financial services to corporations, private equity groups, public entities, non-profit entities and institutional investors in the United States and Europe. We operate through two reportable business segments:

Capital Markets – The Capital Markets segment provides institutional sales, trading and research services and investment banking services. Institutional sales, trading and research services focus on the trading of equity and fixed income products with institutions, government and non-profit entities. Revenues are generated through commissions and sales credits earned on equity and fixed income institutional sales activities, net interest revenues on trading securities held in inventory, and profits and losses from trading these securities. Investment banking services include management of and participation in underwritings, merger and acquisition services and public finance activities. Revenues are generated through the receipt of advisory and financing fees. Also, we generate revenue through strategic trading activities, which focus on proprietary investments in municipal bond and non-agency mortgage-backed securities, and merchant banking activities, which involve equity or debt investments in late stage private companies. As certain of these efforts have matured and an investment process has been developed, we have created alternative asset management funds in merchant banking and municipal securities in order to invest firm capital as well as seek capital from outside investors. We receive management and performance fees for managing these funds.

Asset Management – The Asset Management segment provides traditional asset management services with product offerings in equity and master limited partnership (“MLP”) securities to institutions and individuals through proprietary distribution channels. Revenues are generated in the form of management and performance fees. The majority of our performance fees, if earned, are generally recognized in the fourth quarter. Revenues are also generated through investments in the partnerships and funds that we manage.

Our discontinued operations for all periods presented include the operating results of our Hong Kong capital markets business and Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC ("FAMCO"), a division of our asset management segment.

As of September 30, 2012, we ceased operations related to our Hong Kong capital markets business. As a result of discontinuing this business, we will realize net cash proceeds of approximately $19.1 million, due principally to a U.S. tax benefit for the realized loss on the investment in our Hong Kong subsidiaries. The results of the Hong Kong capital markets business were previously reported in our Capital Markets segment.

23

We are actively pursuing a sale of FAMCO. Strategically, given its client base, limited scale and investment strategies, it is not a compelling fit with the rest of our asset management business. In light of this, FAMCO is classified as held for sale and reported in discontinued operations for all periods presented. The results of FAMCO were previously reported in our Asset Management segment. As discussed in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K, in the first quarter of 2012 we reorganized our FAMCO and ARI reporting units, resulting in FAMCO's MLP business becoming part of ARI.

See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our discontinued operations.

Our business is a human capital business. Accordingly, compensation and benefits comprise the largest component of our expenses, and our performance is dependent upon our ability to attract, develop and retain highly skilled employees who are motivated and committed to providing the highest quality of service and guidance to our clients.

Results for the year ended December 31, 2012

For the year ended December 31, 2012, net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies, including continuing and discontinued operations, was $41.3 million, or $2.26 per diluted common share. Net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies from continuing operations in 2012 was $47.1 million, or $2.58 per diluted common share, compared with a net loss applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies from continuing operations of $90.8 million, or $5.79 per diluted common share, for the prior-year period. The net loss in 2011 included a $118.4 million after-tax non-cash charge for impairment of goodwill related to our Capital Markets reporting unit. Excluding this charge, in 2011 we recorded net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies, from continuing operations of $27.7 million⁽¹⁾, or $1.44⁽¹⁾ per diluted common share. Net revenues from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $489.0 million, up 13.2 percent from the $432.1 million reported in the year-ago period due primarily to higher fixed income institutional brokerage revenues, particularly related to our strategic trading activities. In 2012, we recorded increased debt financing and advisory services revenues, offset in part by lower equity institutional brokerage revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2012, non-compensation expenses from continuing operations were $123.1 million, down slightly from $127.0 million in 2011 (excluding the $120.3 million goodwill impairment charge).

(1)    Net income/(loss) from continuing operations applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies and earnings per share

	For the Year Ended
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	December 31, 2011
Loss from continuing operations	$	(90,772	)
Adjustment to exclude the goodwill impairment charge, net of income tax	118,448
Net income from continuing operations, excluding the goodwill impairment charge	$	27,676
Net income from continuing operations applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies common shareholders, excluding the goodwill impairment charge	$	22,593
Diluted earnings per common share, excluding the goodwill impairment charge	$	1.44
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted	15,685

24

Market Data

The following table provides a summary of relevant market data over the past three years.

										2012		2011
Year Ended December 31,	2012			2011			2010			v 2011		v 2010
Dow Jones Industrials Average (a)	13,104			12,218			11,578			7.3	%	5.5	%
NASDAQ (a)	3,020			2,605			2,653			15.9	%	(1.8	)%
NYSE Average Daily Number of Shares Traded (millions of shares)	1,146			1,552			1,764			(26.2	)%	(12.0	)%
NASDAQ Average Daily Number of Shares Traded (millions of shares)	1,741			2,042			2,192			(14.7	)%	(6.8	)%
Mergers and Acquisitions (number of transactions in U.S.) (b)	8,400			8,539			8,214			(1.6	)%	4.0	%
Public Equity Offerings (number of transactions in U.S.) (c) (e)	748			663			783			12.8	%	(15.3	)%
Initial Public Offerings (number of transactions in U.S.) (c)	139			138			155			0.7	%	(11.0	)%
Managed Municipal Underwritings (number of transactions in U.S.) (d)	12,994			10,574			13,828			22.9	%	(23.5	)%
Managed Municipal Underwritings (value of transactions in billions in U.S.) (d)	$	374.2		$	287.7		$	433.3		30.1	%	(33.6	)%
10-Year Treasuries Average Rate	1.80		%	2.79		%	3.21		%	(35.3	)%	(13.3	)%
3-Month Treasuries Average Rate	0.09		%	0.05		%	0.14		%	63.5	%	(61.6	)%

(a) Data provided is at period end.

(b) Source: Securities Data Corporation.

(c) Source: Dealogic (offerings with reported market value greater than $20 million).

(d) Source: Thomson Financial.

(e) Number of transactions includes convertible offerings.

External Factors Impacting Our Business

Performance in the financial services industry in which we operate is highly correlated to the overall strength of economic conditions and financial market activity. Overall market conditions are a product of many factors, which are beyond our control and mostly unpredictable. These factors may affect the financial decisions made by investors, including their level of participation in the financial markets. In turn, these decisions may affect our business results. With respect to financial market activity, our profitability is sensitive to a variety of factors, including the demand for investment banking services as reflected by the number and size of equity and debt financings and merger and acquisition transactions, the volatility of the equity and fixed income markets, changes in interest rates (especially rapid and extreme changes), the level and shape of various yield curves, the volume and value of trading in securities, and the demand for asset management services as reflected by the amount of assets under management.

Factors that differentiate our business within the financial services industry may also affect our financial results. For example, our business focuses on a middle-market clientele in specific industry sectors. If the business environment for our focus sectors is impacted disproportionately as compared to the economy as a whole, or does not recover on pace with other sectors of the economy, our business and results of operations will be negatively impacted. In addition, our business could be affected differently than overall market trends. Given the variability of the capital markets and securities businesses, our earnings may fluctuate significantly from period to period, and results for any individual period should not be considered indicative of future results.

As a participant in the financial services industry, we are subject to complex and extensive regulation of our business. In recent years and following the credit crisis of 2008, legislators and regulators increased their focus on the regulation of the financial services industry, resulting in fundamental changes to the manner in which the industry is regulated and increased regulation in a number of areas. For example, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was enacted in 2010 bringing sweeping change to financial services regulation in the U.S. Changes in the regulatory environment in which we operate could affect our business and the competitive environment, potentially adversely.

25

Outlook for 2013

We believe a gradual economic recovery will continue into 2013 with the potential to benefit several of our businesses. We are mindful, however, that certain factors could cause a more challenging economic environment to emerge in 2013. The impact of recent tax increases and pending spending cuts could have a negative impact on economic growth. In addition, the ongoing political debate related to the U.S. debt ceiling limit, the federal budget, and the level of federal deficit spending will intensify in early 2013. As we have seen in recent years, global issues like the European debt crisis also can impact the U.S. economy and our businesses. In 2012, equity market volatility remained near a five-year low and the equity markets posted positive results, which resulted in increased U.S. capital markets activity as compared to 2011. We believe that the level of U.S. capital markets activity will continue to improve in 2013 if the key economic metrics remain strong. However, this level of activity can change rapidly as economic and market indicators fluctuate. In the fourth quarter of 2012, we recorded strong advisory services revenues partially attributed to sellers' desire to complete deals prior to the year-end and pending tax increases. This may result in lower advisory activity in early 2013. We anticipate that interest rates will remain at historically low levels throughout 2013 consistent with policy statements communicated by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The low interest rate environment, which aided our tax-exempt financing revenues in 2012, will continue to provide a favorable environment for refinancing of existing debt. We generated robust fixed income institutional brokerage revenue in 2012, particularly related to our strategic trading activities. These revenues will vary from period to period as a result of the timing of transactions based on market opportunities and other economic factors. Our asset management performance in 2013 will continue to be dependent upon equity valuations and our investment performance, which can impact the amount of client inflows and outflows of assets under management. Lastly, over the past few years, there has been a market trend of assets flowing out of equities into fixed income or alternative asset classes. We believe there are early indications that this trend may be reversing.

26

Results of Operations

Financial Summary

The following table provides a summary of the results of our operations and the results of our operations as a percentage of net revenues for the periods indicated.

	Year Ended December 31,													As a Percentage of Net Revenues
										2012		2011		for the Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010			v2011		v2010		2012		2011		2010
Revenues:
Investment banking	$	230,929		$	200,500		$	237,847		15.2	%	(15.7	)%	47.2	%	46.4	%	49.6	%
Institutional brokerage	172,023			136,096			162,539			26.4		(16.3	)	35.2		31.6		33.9
Asset management	65,215			63,307			55,948			3.0		13.2		13.3		14.7		11.7
Interest	48,844			55,440			51,703			(11.9	)	7.2		10.0		12.8		10.8
Other income	1,231			8,313			6,685			(85.2	)	24.4		0.3		1.9		1.4
Total revenues	518,242			463,656			514,722			11.8		(9.9	)	106.0		107.3		107.2
Interest expense	29,290			31,573			34,788			(7.2	)	(9.2	)	6.0		7.3		7.2
Net revenues	488,952			432,083			479,934			13.2		(10.0	)	100.0		100.0		100.0
Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits	296,882			265,015			280,047			12.0		(5.4	)	60.7		61.3		58.4
Occupancy and equipment	26,454			28,430			30,034			(7.0	)	(5.3	)	5.4		6.6		6.3
Communications	20,543			22,121			22,832			(7.1	)	(3.1	)	4.2		5.1		4.8
Floor brokerage and clearance	8,054			8,925			11,347			(9.8	)	(21.3	)	1.6		2.1		2.4
Marketing and business development	19,908			22,640			21,642			(12.1	)	4.6		4.1		5.2		4.5
Outside services	27,998			27,570			30,265			1.6		(8.9	)	5.7		6.4		6.3
Restructuring-related expense	3,642			—			10,699			N/M		N/M		0.7		—		2.2
Goodwill impairment	—			120,298			—			N/M		N/M		—		27.8		—
Intangible asset amortization expense	6,944			7,256			6,474			(4.3	)	12.1		1.4		1.7		1.3
Other operating expenses	9,516			10,017			12,777			(5.0	)	(21.6	)	1.9		2.3		2.7
Total non-interest expenses	419,941			512,272			426,117			(18.0	)	20.2		85.9		118.6		88.8
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	69,011			(80,189		)	53,817			N/M		N/M		14.1		(18.6	)	11.2
Income tax expense	19,470			9,120			32,163			113.5		(71.6	)%	4.0		2.2		6.7
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	49,541			(89,309		)	21,654			N/M		N/M		10.1		(20.8	)	4.5
Discontinued operations:
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807		)	(11,248		)	2,276			(48.4	)	N/M		(1.2	)	(2.6	)	0.5
Net income/(loss)	43,734			(100,557		)	23,930			N/M		N/M		8.9		(23.3	)	5.0
Net income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests	2,466			1,463			(432		)	68.6	%	N/M		0.5		0.3		(0.1	)
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)	$	24,362		N/M		N/M		8.4	%	(23.6	)%	5.1	%

N/M – Not meaningful

For the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies, including continuing and discontinued operations, of $41.3 million. Net revenues from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $489.0 million, a 13.2 percent increase from the year-ago period. In 2012, investment banking revenues were $230.9 million, compared with $200.5 million in 2011, due to higher public finance and advisory services revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2012, institutional brokerage revenues increased 26.4 percent to $172.0 million, compared with $136.1 million in the prior year, driven by strong fixed income strategic trading revenues. In 2012, asset management fees were $65.2 million, up modestly compared with 2011. Net interest income in2012 decreased 18.1 percent to $19.6 million, compared with $23.9 millionin2011. The decrease was primarily the result of a strategic decision to further diversify from overnight funding sources to short term funding sources with extended terms. These short term funding sources with extended terms typically have higher interest costs than overnight financing obtained from repurchase obligations. The change in net interest income is also partly attributable to a decline of our

27

average long inventory balances. For the year ended December 31, 2012, other income was $1.2 million, compared with $8.3 million in the prior year as we recorded higher investment gains associated with our merchant banking activities in 2011. In 2012, non-interest expenses from continuing operations increased 7.1 percent to $419.9 million, compared with $392.0 million in 2011, which excludes the pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $120.3 million. This increase was driven by increased variable compensation due to improved operating performance.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, we recorded a net loss applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies, including continuing and discontinued operations, of $102.0 million. Included in this loss was a $118.4 million after-tax charge for the impairment of goodwill related to our Capital Markets reporting unit. Net revenues from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $432.1 million, a 10.0 percent decrease from the year-ago period. In 2011, investment banking revenues were $200.5 million, compared with $237.8 million in 2010. This decline was due to lower equity underwriting and public finance underwriting revenues, as well as decreased advisory services revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2011, institutional brokerage revenues decreased 16.3 percent to $136.1 million, compared with $162.5 million in the prior year, driven by decreased performance in cash equities and taxable fixed income products. In 2011, asset management fees were $63.3 million, compared with $55.9 million in 2010. The increased revenues were driven by a full year of revenue for ARI, which we acquired on March 1, 2010, offset by lower performance fees. Net interest income in 2011 increased 41.1 percent to $23.9 million, compared with $16.9 million in 2010. The increase was primarily the result of higher interest income earned on higher average net inventory balances, particularly related to municipal securities. Other income increased to $8.3 million in 2011, compared with $6.7 million in the prior year, due to higher investment gains associated with our merchant banking activities. Non-interest expenses increased to $512.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. Excluding the goodwill impairment charge of $120.3 million, non-interest expenses were $392.0 million in 2011, compared with $426.1 million in the prior year. This decline was driven by a decrease in variable compensation due to lower operating performance in 2011 and $10.7 million of expense incurred in 2010 to restructure the firm’s European operations.

Consolidated Non-Interest Expenses from Continuing Operations

Compensation and Benefits– Compensation and benefits expenses, which are the largest component of our expenses, include salaries, incentive compensation, benefits, stock-based compensation, employment taxes, income associated with the forfeiture of stock-based compensation and other employee costs. A portion of compensation expense is comprised of variable incentive arrangements, including discretionary incentive compensation, the amount of which fluctuates in proportion to the level of business activity, increasing with higher revenues and operating profits. Other compensation costs, primarily base salaries and benefits, are more fixed in nature. The timing of incentive compensation payments, which generally occur in February, has a greater impact on our cash position and liquidity than is reflected on our consolidated statements of operations.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, compensation and benefits expenses increased 12.0 percent to $296.9 million from $265.0 million in 2011, due to increased variable compensation expense driven by higher net revenues and operating profits. Compensation and benefits expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 60.7 percentin2012, compared with 61.3 percentin2011. The lower compensation ratio in 2012 was driven by increased revenues and our mix of business as we recorded significantly higher fixed income strategic trading revenues in 2012, which have a lower compensation payout.

Compensation and benefits expenses decreased 5.4 percent to $265.0 million in 2011, from $280.0 million in 2010. This decrease was due to lower variable compensation costs resulting from reduced net revenues and profitability. Compensation expense in 2010 was reduced by a $5.0 million compensation expense reversal related to a performance-based restricted stock award granted to our leadership team that was no longer expected to be earned. Compensation and benefits expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 61.3 percent for 2011, compared with 58.4 percent for 2010. The higher compensation ratio was primarily driven by the impact of fixed compensation costs on a reduced revenue base and the impact of the compensation expense reversal, which decreased the 2010 compensation rate by 1.0 percent.

Occupancy and Equipment – For the year ended December 31, 2012, occupancy and equipment expenses decreased 7.0 percent to $26.5 million, compared with $28.4 million in 2011. The decrease was primarily due to cost saving initiatives.

Occupancy and equipment expenses decreased 5.3 percent to $28.4 million in 2011, compared with $30.0 million in 2010. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower occupancy costs due to the consolidation of office space in New York City, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2010.

28

Communications – Communication expenses include costs for telecommunication and data communication, primarily consisting of expenses for obtaining third-party market data information. For the year ended December 31, 2012, communication expenses decreased 7.1 percent to $20.5 million, compared with $22.1 millionin2011. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower market data service expenses.

In 2011, communication expenses were $22.1 million, a 3.1 percent decrease from 2010.

Floor Brokerage and Clearance – For the year ended December 31, 2012, floor brokerage and clearance expenses decreased 9.8 percent to $8.1 million, compared with $8.9 million in 2011. The decline was due to lower trading fees resulting from lower U.S. equity client volumes.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, floor brokerage and clearance expenses decreased 21.3 percent to $8.9 million, compared with $11.3 million in 2010. The decline was due to lower trading fees resulting from more efficient routing methods and lower U.S. equity client volumes, as well as our exit from the distribution of European securities completed in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Marketing and Business Development – Marketing and business development expenses include travel and entertainment and promotional and advertising costs. In 2012, marketing and business development expenses decreased 12.1 percent to $19.9 million, compared with $22.6 million in 2011. In 2011, we recorded higher travel expenses from write-offs related to equity investment banking deals that were never completed due to volatility in the capital markets.

In 2011, marketing and business development expenses increased 4.6 percent to $22.6 million, compared with $21.6 million in 2010. This increase was driven by travel expenses written-off related to equity investment banking deals that were never completed and higher travel expenses related to our asset management business.

Outside Services – Outside services expenses include securities processing expenses, outsourced technology functions, outside legal fees and other professional fees. In 2012, outside services expenses were $28.0 million, essentially flat compared with 2011.

In 2011, outside services expenses decreased 8.9 percent to $27.6 million, compared with $30.3 million in 2010, primarily due to reductions in legal fees and lower securities processing expenses.

Restructuring-Related Expense – In 2012, we recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $3.6 million, consisting of $2.4 million of severance benefits and $1.2 million for the reduction of leased office space.

In 2010, we recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $10.7 million, primarily related to restructuring the firm’s European operations, consisting of employee severance costs, charges related to leased office space and contract termination costs related to the modification of technology contracts.

Goodwill Impairment — During the fourth quarter of 2011, we completed our annual goodwill impairment testing, which resulted in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $120.3 million related to our Capital Markets reporting unit. The charge primarily related to the goodwill originating from our 1998 acquisition by U.S. Bancorp, which was retained by us when we spun off as a separate public company on December 31, 2003.

Intangible Asset Amortization Expense – Intangible asset amortization expense includes the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets consisting of asset management contractual relationships. In 2012, intangible asset amortization expense was $6.9 million, compared with $7.3 million in 2011.

In 2011, intangible asset amortization expense was $7.3 million, compared with $6.5 million in 2010. The increase in 2011 reflects a full year of intangible asset amortization expense related to the acquisition of ARI.

Other Operating Expenses – Other operating expenses include insurance costs, license and registration fees, expenses related to our charitable giving program and litigation-related expenses, which consist of the amounts we reserve and/or pay out related to legal and regulatory matters. Other operating expenses decreased 5.0 percent to $9.5 million in 2012, compared with $10.0 million in 2011, due primarily to a business tax refund received in 2012.

Other operating expenses decreased to $10.0 million in 2011, compared with $12.8 million in 2010. This decrease primarily resulted from decreased litigation-related expenses.

29

Income Taxes - For the year ended December 31, 2012, our provision for income taxes was $19.5 million, equating to an effective tax rate of 28.2 percent. In2012, we recorded a tax benefit for the reversal of previously accrued uncertain state income tax positions of $7.4 million, net of federal tax, partially offset by a $4.6 million write-off of deferred tax assets related to equity grants that either were forfeited or vested at share prices lower than the grant date share price.

In 2011, our provision for income taxes was $9.1 million. In 2011, we incurred a pre-tax loss due to the $120.3 million goodwill impairment charge. Excluding the goodwill impairment charge, the substantial majority of which had no tax impact, we recorded pre-tax income from continuing operations of $40.1 million, which resulted in an effective tax rate for 2011 of 22.7 percent. Income tax expense in 2011 included a $1.1 million partial reversal of our U.K. subsidiary’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance as we expect future taxable profits.

In 2010, our provision for income taxes was $32.2 million, an effective tax rate of 59.8 percent. Our elevated tax rate in 2010 was principally due to a $5.8 million write-off of deferred tax assets resulting from restricted stock grants that vested at share prices lower than the grant date share price and net operating losses in the U.K.

Segment Performance from Continuing Operations

We measure financial performance by business segment. Our two reportable segments are Capital Markets and Asset Management. We determined these segments based upon the nature of the financial products and services provided to customers and the Company’s management organization. Segment pre-tax operating income and segment pre-tax operating margin are used to evaluate and measure segment performance by our management team in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance in relation to our competitors. Revenues and expenses directly associated with each respective segment are included in determining segment operating results. Revenues and expenses that are not directly attributable to a particular segment are allocated based upon the Company’s allocation methodologies, generally based on each segment’s respective net revenues, use of shared resources, headcount or other relevant measures.

The following table provides our segment performance for the periods presented:

	Year Ended December 31,
											2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011				2010			v2011		v2010
Net revenues
Capital Markets	$	424,138		$	369,037			$	423,609		14.9	%	(12.9	)%
Asset Management	64,814			63,046				56,325			2.8		11.9
Total net revenues	$	488,952		$	432,083			$	479,934		13.2	%	(10.0	)%
Pre-tax operating income/(loss)
Capital Markets	$	52,510		$	(95,297	)	(1)	$	39,128		N/M		N/M
Asset Management	16,501			15,108				14,689			9.2	%	2.9	%
Total pre-tax operating income/(loss)	$	69,011		$	(80,189	)		$	53,817		N/M		N/M
Pre-tax operating margin
Capital Markets	12.4		%	N/M			(1)	9.2		%
Asset Management	25.5		%	24.0		%		26.1		%
Total pre-tax operating margin	14.1		%	N/M				11.2		%

N/M – Not meaningful

(1) Capital Markets pre-tax operating loss for 2011 includes a $120.3 million goodwill impairment charge. Excluding this charge, Capital Markets pre-tax operating income for 2011 was $25.0 million and produced a pre-tax operating margin of 6.8 percent.

30

Capital Markets

	Year Ended December 31,
										2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010			v2011		v2010
Net revenues:
Investment banking
Financing
Equities	$	73,180		$	74,161		$	89,537		(1.3	)%	(17.2	)%
Debt	74,102			54,565			65,996			35.8		(17.3	)
Advisory services	86,165			74,373			86,032			15.9		(13.6	)
Total investment banking	233,447			203,099			241,565			14.9		(15.9	)
Institutional sales and trading
Equities	75,723			86,175			100,847			(12.1	)	(14.5	)
Fixed income	119,253			77,017			79,663			54.8		(3.3	)
Total institutional sales and trading	194,976			163,192			180,510			19.5		(9.6	)
Other income/(loss)	(4,285		)	2,746			1,534			N/M		79.0
Total net revenues	424,138			369,037			423,609			14.9		(12.9	)
Non-interest expenses
Goodwill impairment	—			120,298			—			N/M		N/M
Operating expenses	371,628			344,036			384,481			8.0		(10.5	)
Total non-interest expenses	371,628			464,334			384,481			(20.0	)%	20.8	%
Pre-tax operating income/(loss)	$	52,510		$	(95,297	)	$	39,128		N/M		N/M
Non-GAAP pre-tax operating income (1)	N/A			$	25,001		N/A			N/A		N/A
Pre-tax operating margin	12.4		%	N/M			9.2		%
Non-GAAP pre-tax operating margin (1)	N/A			6.8		%	N/A

N/M – Not meaningful

N/A – Not applicable

(1) Excludes a $120,298 pre-tax goodwill impairment charge.

Capital Markets net revenues increased 14.9 percent to $424.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared with $369.0 million in the prior-year period.

Investment banking revenues comprise all the revenues generated through financing and advisory services activities, including derivative activities that relate to debt financing. To assess the profitability of investment banking, we aggregate investment banking fees with the net interest income or expense associated with these activities.

In2012, investment banking revenues increased 14.9 percent to $233.4 million compared with $203.1 million in the prior year, due to an increase in debt financing and advisory services revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2012, equity financing revenues were $73.2 million, essentially flat compared with the prior year. In 2012, we continued to experience sluggish equity capital markets activity due to uncertain economic conditions. During2012, we completed 67 equity financings, raising $9.1 billion for our clients (excluding the $16.0 billion of capital raised from the Facebook initial public offering, on which we had a small co-manager position), compared with 60 equity financings, raising $12.9 billion in 2011. Equity financing revenues in 2012 were helped by the increased number of transactions for which we served as the book runner. In 2012, we were book runner on 55 percent of our transactions, representing 75 percent of fees, versus 46 percent of our transactions and 65 percent of our fees in 2011. Debt financing revenues in2012 increased 35.8 percent to $74.1 million, compared with $54.6 millionin2011, due to an increase in public finance revenues. In 2012, historically low interest rates created client refinancing opportunities, which resulted in a 33.9 percent increase in our par value from new debt issuances. In addition, 2011 municipal underwriting activity was at historic lows following a robust 2010 municipal financing year driven by the taxable Build America Bonds. In 2012, we completed 568 public finance issues with a total par value of $9.3 billion, compared with 520 public finance issues with a total par value of $6.9 billion in 2011. Additionally, in 2012 we were able to grow our public finance economic market share. For the year ended

31

December 31, 2012, advisory services revenues increased 15.9 percent to $86.2 million due to higher U.S. advisory services revenue. The increased advisory services revenues were attributable to more conducive equity capital markets in the U.S., an increased internal focus on this product and motivated sellers anticipating tax increases for 2013. We completed 40 transactions with an aggregate enterprise value of $10.2 billionduring2012, compared with 38 transactions with an aggregate enterprise value of $5.2 billionin2011.

Institutional sales and trading revenues comprise all of the revenues generated through trading activities, which consist of facilitating customer trades and our strategic trading activities in municipal and structured mortgage securities. Also, it includes gains and losses on our investments in the municipal bond funds that we manage. To assess the profitability of institutional brokerage activities, we aggregate institutional brokerage revenues with the net interest income or expense associated with financing, economically hedging and holding long or short inventory positions. Our results may vary from quarter to quarter as a result of changes in trading margins, trading gains and losses, net interest spreads, trading volumes and the timing of transactions based on market opportunities.

In2012, institutional brokerage revenues increased 19.5 percent to $195.0 million, compared with $163.2 million in 2011, driven by strong fixed income trading revenues. Equity institutional brokerage revenues decreased to $75.7 million in 2012, compared with $86.2 million in 2011. The decrease was attributable to lower U.S. equity client volumes resulting from the uncertainty in the equity markets in2012. For the year ended December 31, 2012, fixed income institutional brokerage revenues increased to $119.3 million, compared with $77.0 million in the prior-year period. The increase was principally driven by our non-agency mortgage-backed security strategic trading activities. Additionally, in 2012 we experienced more favorable fixed income market conditions that resulted in higher customer activity and increased taxable fixed income sales and trading revenues.

Other income/loss includes gains and losses from our merchant banking investments and other firm investments, performance and management fees on municipal bond and merchant banking funds, interest expense related to long-term funding and a commitment fee on a bank line of credit. For the year ended December 31, 2012, other income/loss was a loss of $4.3 million as gains on our merchant banking and firm investments were not large enough to offset our interest expense related to long-term funding.

Capital Markets segment pre-tax operating margin for 2012 was 12.4 percent, compared with 6.8 percent, excluding the $120.3 million pre-tax goodwill impairment charge, for 2011. The increase compared to 2011 was due to operating leverage from higher net revenues and a lower compensation ratio due to our mix of business, as we recorded significantly higher fixed income strategic trading revenues in 2012, which have a lower compensation payout.

In 2011, investment banking revenues decreased to $203.1 million compared with $241.6 million in 2010, due to a decline in debt and equity financing revenues, as well as decreased advisory services revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2011, equity financing revenues decreased to $74.2 million, compared with $89.5 million in the prior-year period. In the second half of 2011, equity market volatility and uncertainty regarding the European debt crisis and other macroeconomic issues slowed capital-raising, particularly U.S. initial public offerings. During 2011, we completed 60 equity financings, raising $12.9 billion for our clients, compared with 85 equity financings, raising $10.9 billion in 2010. Debt financing revenues in 2011 decreased 17.3 percent to $54.6 million, compared with $66.0 million in 2010 due to a decline in public finance revenues. In 2011, our public finance revenues were negatively impacted by a significant industry-wide decline in municipal underwriting. For the industry, the par value of new negotiated issuances dropped 36.4 percent due to reduced borrowing from state and local governments and the significant volume of municipal issuances in the fourth quarter of 2010 from municipalities taking advantage of the expiring Build America Bond program. In 2011, our par value from new negotiated issuances dropped 14.9 percent, as compared to 36.4 percent for the industry, on 520 public finance issues with a total par value of $6.9 billion, compared with 567 public finance issues with a total par value of $8.1 billion during 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, advisory services revenues decreased 13.6 percent to $74.4 million due to lower U.S. advisory services revenue, partially offset by increased European advisory services revenue. During 2011, we completed 38 transactions with an aggregate enterprise value of $5.2 billion, compared with 43 transactions with an aggregate enterprise value of $10.3 billion in 2010.

In 2011, institutional brokerage revenues declined 9.6 percent to $163.2 million, compared with $180.5 million in 2010, driven by lower institutional brokerage revenues in both equity and fixed income products. Equity institutional brokerage revenues decreased to $86.2 million in 2011, compared with $100.8 million in 2010. The decrease was attributable to lower U.S. client volumes and our exit from the distribution of European securities in the fourth quarter of 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, fixed income institutional brokerage revenues decreased to $77.0 million, compared to $79.7 million in the prior-year period. The relatively low interest rate environment and increased volatility created a challenging fixed income trading environment that reduced customer activity and resulted in lower taxable fixed income sales and trading revenues. This decline was partially offset

32

by higher municipal strategic trading revenues, which comprised a significant amount of our fixed income business in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, other income increased to $2.7 million, compared with $1.5 million in 2010, as a result of increased gains on our merchant banking investments.

Excluding the $120.3 million pre-tax goodwill impairment charge, Capital Markets segment pre-tax operating margin for 2011 was 6.8 percent, compared to 9.2 percent for 2010. The decrease compared to 2010 was due to the impact of fixed compensation costs on a reduced revenue base.

Asset Management

	Year Ended December 31,
										2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010			v2011		v2010
Net revenues:
Management fees
Value equity	$	48,696		$	50,619		$	41,135		(3.8	)%	23.1	%
MLP	14,600			10,254			6,066			42.4		69.0
Total management fees	63,296			60,873			47,201			4.0		29.0
Performance fees
Value equity	785			2,092			7,998			(62.5	)	(73.8	)
MLP	—			153			749			(100.0	)	(79.6	)
Total performance fees	785			2,245			8,747			(65.0	)	(74.3	)
Total management and performance fees	64,081			63,118			55,948			1.5		12.8
Other income/(loss)	733			(72		)	377			N/M		N/M
Total net revenues	64,814			63,046			56,325			2.8		11.9
Operating expenses	48,313			47,938			41,636			0.8		15.1
Pre-tax operating income	$	16,501		$	15,108		$	14,689		9.2	%	2.9	%
Pre-tax operating margin	25.5		%	24.0		%	26.1		%

N/M – Not meaningful

Management and performance fee revenues comprise the revenues generated through management and investment advisory services performed for separately managed accounts, registered funds and partnerships. Fluctuations in financial markets and client asset inflows and outflows have a direct effect on management and performance fee revenues. Management fees are generally based on the level of assets under management (“AUM”) measured monthly or quarterly, and an increase or reduction in assets under management, due to market price fluctuations or net client asset flows, will result in a corresponding increase or decrease in management fees. Fees vary with the type of assets managed and the vehicle in which they are managed. Performance fees are earned when the investment return on assets under management exceeds certain benchmark targets or other performance targets over a specified measurement period. The level of performance fees earned can vary significantly from period to period and these fees may not necessarily be correlated to changes in total assets under management. The majority of performance fees, if earned, are generally recorded in the fourth quarter of the applicable year or upon withdrawal of client assets. At December 31, 2012, approximately two percent of our AUM was eligible to earn performance fees.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, management fees were $63.3 million, an increase of 4.0 percent, compared with the prior year, as a decline in management fees from our value equity strategies were more than offset by increased management fees from our MLP product offerings. In 2012, management fees related to our value equity strategies decreased 3.8 percent to $48.7 million, compared with $50.6 million in 2011, due to a lower average effective revenue yield (total management fees as a percentage of our assets under management). Our average effective revenue yield for value equity strategies was 81 basis points in 2012, compared with 84 basis points in the prior year. Management fees associated with our MLP strategy increased 42.4 percent in 2012 to $14.6 million, compared with $10.3 million in 2011, due to increases in our average effective revenue yield and average AUM. Our average effective revenue yield for the MLP strategy was 49 basis points in 2012, compared with 43 basis points in the prior year.

33

For the year ended December 31, 2012, performance fees were $0.8 million, compared with $2.2 million in the prior year. The performance fees recorded during 2012 and 2011 were the result of certain funds exceeding their performance targets at the time of client asset withdrawals.

Other income/loss includes gains and losses from our investments in registered funds and private funds or partnerships that we manage. For the year ended December 31, 2012, other income/loss was income of $0.7 million compared with a loss of $0.1 million for the prior year.

Segment pre-tax operating margin for 2012 was 25.5 percent, compared to 24.0 percent for 2011.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, management fees increased 29.0 percent to $60.9 million, compared with $47.2 million in the prior year. In 2011, management fees related to our value equity strategies increased 23.1 percent to $50.6 million, compared with $41.1 million in 2010 due to the recognition of a full year of ARI's management fee revenues. Management fees associated with our MLP product offerings in 2011 increased 69.0 percent to $10.3 million, compared with $6.1 million in 2010, due primarily to a 78.3 percent increase in our average AUM.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, performance fees decreased to $2.2 million, compared with $8.7 million in the prior year. In 2010, the majority of the performance fees recorded were the result of two of our product offerings exceeding their benchmark and performance targets.

Other income/loss was a loss of $0.1 million in 2011, compared with income of $0.4 million in 2010.

Segment pre-tax operating margin for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 24.0 percent, compared to 26.1 percent for the prior year. The decreased margin in 2011 was driven by lower performance fees.

The following table summarizes the changes in our assets under management for the years ended December 31:

	Value
(Dollars in millions)	Equity			MLP		Total
Assets under management:
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	6,449		$	1,567	$	8,016
Net inflows/(outflows)	(711		)	912		201
Net market appreciation	67			272		339
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	5,805		$	2,751	$	8,556
Net inflows/(outflows)	(515		)	338		(177		)
Net market appreciation	575			97		672
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	5,865		$	3,186	$	9,051

Total assets under management increased $0.5 billion to $9.1 billion in 2012 as improved market performance in our value equity product offerings and client inflows into our MLP product offering more than offset client outflows related to our value equity product offerings. Value equity AUM was $5.9 billion at December 31, 2012, essentially flat compared to the prior year, as net market appreciation of $0.6 billion was offset by client outflows of $0.5 billionduring2012. In 2012, we continued to experience the broader market trend of AUM flowing out of equity products into fixed income or alternative assets. MLP AUM increased $0.4 billion to $3.2 billion in 2012 as we experienced net inflows of $0.3 billion and market appreciation of $0.1 billion.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, assets under management increased $0.5 billion to $8.6 billion as the MLP product offering client inflows and market appreciation more than offset the impact of equity product outflows. Value equity AUM decreased $0.6 billion to $5.8 billion in 2011, due primarily to client outflows of $0.7 billion as clients changed investment strategies and reallocated assets. MLP AUM increased $1.2 billion to $2.8 billion in 2011 as we experienced customer asset inflows of $0.9 billion and market appreciation of $0.3 billion.

34

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations include the operating results of our Hong Kong capital markets business, which ceased operations as of September 30, 2012, and our FAMCO subsidiary, which we are holding for sale as of December 31, 2012. The results of these businesses are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $5.8 million, compared with a loss of $11.2 million in 2011, and income of $2.3 million in 2010.

The components of discontinued operations for the Hong Kong capital markets business are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
									2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010		v2011		v2010
Net revenues	$	6,635		$	15,996		$	33,994	(58.5	)%	(52.9	)%
Restructuring expenses	11,535			—			—		N/M		N/M
Operating expenses	16,550			24,983			31,962		(33.8	)	(21.8	)
Total non-interest expenses	28,085			24,983			31,962		12.4		(21.8	)
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	(21,450		)	(8,987		)	2,032		138.7	%	N/M
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(21,069		)	1,927			648		N/M		197.4	%
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(381	)	$	(10,914	)	$	1,384	N/M		N/M

N/M – Not meaningful

The $11.5 million of restructuring expenses recorded in 2012 consisted primarily of costs incurred for early termination of leased office space and severance benefits. Additionally, we recorded a $21.1 million U.S. tax benefit related to the realized loss on our Piper Jaffray Asia subsidiaries.

The components of discontinued operations for FAMCO are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
									2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010		v2011		v2010
Net revenues	$	5,718		$	6,584		$	10,883	(13.2	)%	(39.5	)%
Goodwill impairment	5,508			—			—		N/M		N/M
Operating expenses	8,362			7,089			9,448		18.0		(25.0	)
Total non-interest expenses	13,870			7,089			9,448		95.7	%	(25.0	)%
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	(8,152		)	(505		)	1,435		N/M		N/M
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(2,726		)	(171		)	543		N/M		N/M
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(5,426	)	$	(334	)	$	892	N/M		N/M

N/M – Not meaningful

The $5.5 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in 2012 represents the full value of goodwill attributable to the FAMCO reporting unit and pertains to goodwill created from our 2007 acquisition of FAMCO.

See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our discontinued operations.

35

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements are set forth in Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our accounting and reporting policies comply with GAAP and conform to practices within the securities industry. The preparation of financial statements in compliance with GAAP and industry practices requires us to make estimates and assumptions that could materially affect amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements. Critical accounting policies are those policies that we believe to be the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that require us to make estimates that are difficult, subjective or complex. Most accounting policies are not considered by us to be critical accounting policies. Several factors are considered in determining whether or not a policy is critical, including whether the estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, the nature of the estimates, the ability to readily validate the estimates with other information (e.g. third-party or independent sources), the sensitivity of the estimates to changes in economic conditions and whether alternative accounting methods may be used under GAAP.

For a full description of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following are our critical accounting policies.

Valuation of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned, financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased, and certain of our investments recorded in other assets on our consolidated statements of financial condition consist of financial instruments recorded at fair value, either as required by accounting guidance or through the fair value election. Unrealized gains and losses related to these financial instruments are reflected on our consolidated statements of operations.

The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants. Based on the nature of our business and our role as a “dealer” in the securities industry or our role as a manager of alternative asset management funds, the fair values of our financial instruments are determined internally. Our processes are designed to ensure that the fair values  used for  financial  reporting are based on observable inputs wherever possible. In the event that observable inputs are not available, unobservable inputs are developed based on an evaluation of all relevant empirical market data, including prices evidenced by market transactions, interest rates, credit spreads, volatilities and correlations, and other security-specific information. Valuation adjustments related to illiquidity or counterparty credit risk are also considered. In estimating fair value, we may use information provided by third-party pricing vendors to corroborate internally-developed fair value estimates.

A substantial percentage of the fair value of our financial instruments and other inventory positions owned, and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased, are based on observable market prices, observable market parameters, or derived from broker or dealer prices. The availability of observable market prices and pricing parameters can vary from product to product. Where available, observable market prices and pricing or market parameters in a product may be used to derive a price without requiring significant judgment. In certain markets, observable market prices or market parameters are not available for all products, and fair value is determined using techniques appropriate for each particular product. These techniques may involve some degree of judgment. Results from valuation models and other valuation techniques in one period may not be indicative of the future period fair value measurement.

For investments in illiquid or privately held securities that do not have readily determinable fair values, the determination of fair value requires us to estimate the value of the securities using the best information available. Among the factors considered by us in determining the fair value of such financial instruments are the cost, terms and liquidity of the investment, the financial condition and operating results of the issuer, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar quality and yield, and other factors generally pertinent to the valuation of investments. In instances where a security is subject to transfer restrictions, the value of the security is based primarily on the quoted price of a similar security without restriction but may be reduced by an amount estimated to reflect such restrictions. In addition, even where we derive the value of a security based on information from an independent source, certain assumptions may be required to determine the security’s fair value. For example, we assume that the size of positions that we hold would not be large enough to affect the quoted price of the securities if we sell them, and that any such sale would happen in an orderly manner. The actual value realized upon disposition could be different from the current estimated fair value.

36

Depending upon the product and terms of the transaction, the fair value of our derivative contracts can be observed or priced using models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. Our models generally incorporate inputs that we believe are representative of inputs other market participants would use to determine fair value of the same instruments, including contractual terms, yield curves, discount rates and measures of volatility. The valuation models and underlying assumptions are monitored over the life of the derivative product. If there are any changes necessary in the underlying inputs, the model is updated for those new inputs.

Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurement," establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level I measurements) and the lowest priority to inputs with little or no pricing observability (Level III measurements). Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The following table reflects the composition of our Level III assets and Level III liabilities by asset class:

	Level III
	December 31,		December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Fixed income securities	$	—	$	2,815
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	1,429		3,135
Short-term securities	656		175
Asset-backed securities	116,171		53,088
Derivative contracts	827		—
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	119,083		59,213
Investments	33,245		21,341
Total assets	$	152,328	$	80,554
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Convertible securities	$	—	$	1,171
Fixed income securities	—		900
Derivative contracts	5,218		3,594
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	5,218	$	5,665

37

The following table reflects activity with respect to our Level III assets and liabilities:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011
Assets:
Purchases	$	145,042		$	125,261
Sales	(79,608		)	(115,386		)
Transfers in	304			5,160
Transfers out	(266		)	(7,610		)
Realized gains/(losses)	808			1,657
Unrealized gains/(losses)	5,494			(4,781		)
Liabilities:
Purchases	$	(7,446	)	$	(35,434	)
Sales	—			32,097
Transfers in	—			1,908
Transfers out	(1,171		)	(3,615		)
Realized losses	6,500			954
Unrealized losses	1,670			3,201

See Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of Level III assets and liabilities.

We employ specific control processes to determine the reasonableness of the fair value of our financial instruments. Our processes are designed to ensure that the internally estimated fair values are accurately recorded and that the data inputs and the valuation techniques used are appropriate, consistently applied, and that the assumptions are reasonable and consistent with the objective of determining fair value. Individuals outside of the trading departments perform independent pricing verification reviews as of each reporting date. We have established parameters which set forth when securities are independently verified. The selection parameters are generally based upon the type of security, the level of estimation risk of a security, the materiality of the security to our financial statements, changes in fair value from period to period, and other specific facts and circumstances of our security portfolio. In evaluating the initial internally-estimated fair values made by our traders, the nature and complexity of securities involved (e.g. term, coupon, collateral, and other key drivers of value), level of market activity for securities, and availability of market data are considered. The independent price verification procedures include, but are not limited to, analysis of trade data (both internal and external where available), corroboration to the valuation of positions with similar characteristics, risks and components, or comparison to an alternative pricing source, such as a discounted cash flow model. We have a valuation committee, comprised of members of senior management, that provides oversight and overall responsibility for the internal control processes and procedures related to fair value measurements.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We record all assets and liabilities acquired in purchase acquisitions, including goodwill and other intangible assets, at fair value. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired requires certain management estimates. At December 31, 2012, we had goodwill of $196.8 million, all of which relates to our asset management segment.

Under FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other," ("ASC 350") we are required to perform impairment tests of our goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets annually and on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances exist that could indicate possible impairment. We have elected to test for goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of each calendar year. We have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if we conclude otherwise, then we are required to perform the two-step impairment test, which requires management to make judgments in determining what assumptions to use in the calculation. The first step of the process consists of estimating the fair value of our reporting units based on the following factors: our market capitalization, a discounted cash flow model using revenue and profit forecasts, public market comparables and multiples of recent mergers and acquisitions of similar businesses. Valuation multiples may be based on revenues, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), price-to-earnings or cash flows of comparable public companies and business segments. These multiples may be adjusted to consider competitive differences including size, operating leverage and other factors. The estimated fair values of our reporting units are compared with their

38

carrying values, which includes the allocated goodwill. If the estimated fair values are less than the carrying values, a second step is performed to compute the amount of the impairment by determining an “implied fair value” of goodwill. The determination of a reporting unit’s “implied fair value” of goodwill requires us to allocate the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. Any unallocated fair value represents the “implied fair value” of goodwill, which is compared to its corresponding carrying value.

As noted above, the initial recognition of goodwill and other intangible assets and the subsequent impairment analysis requires management to make subjective judgments concerning estimates of how the acquired assets or businesses will perform in the future using valuation methods including discounted cash flow analysis. Our estimated cash flows typically extend for five years and, by their nature, are difficult to determine over an extended time period. Events and factors that may significantly affect the estimates include, among others, competitive forces and changes in revenue growth trends, cost structures, technology, discount rates and market conditions. To assess the reasonableness of cash flow estimates and validate assumptions used in our estimates, we review historical performance of the underlying assets or similar assets. In assessing the fair value of our reporting units, the volatile nature of the securities markets and our industry requires us to consider the business and market cycle and assess the stage of the cycle in estimating the timing and extent of future cash flows.

In the first quarter of 2012, we reorganized our FAMCO and ARI reporting units, resulting in FAMCO's MLP business becoming part of ARI, which triggered an interim impairment analysis of our goodwill. We concluded there was no impairment. In accordance with ASC 350, $44.6 million of the $50.1 million in goodwill attributable to our 2007 acquisition of FAMCO was reallocated to the ARI reporting unit.

We completed our annual goodwill impairment testing as of November 30, 2012, and concluded there was no goodwill impairment from continuing operations, which consists of our ARI reporting unit. We recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $5.5 million related to our FAMCO reporting unit reported within discontinued operations. The amount represents the full value of goodwill attributable to the FAMCO reporting unit. We estimated the fair value of our FAMCO reporting unit using a discounted cash flow model and the anticipated sales price for FAMCO, which is classified as held for sale. We also tested the intangible assets (indefinite and definite-lived) and concluded there was no impairment.

In 2011, our annual goodwill impairment testing resulted in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $120.3 million. The charge related to our capital markets reporting unit and primarily pertained to goodwill created from the 1998 acquisition of our predecessor, Piper Jaffray Companies, Inc., and its subsidiaries by U.S. Bancorp, which was retained by us when we spun-off from U.S. Bancorp on December 31, 2003.

Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

As part of our compensation to employees and directors, we use stock-based compensation, consisting of restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options. The Company accounts for equity awards in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, "Compensation – Stock Compensation," ("ASC 718"), which requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized on the consolidated statements of operations at grant date fair value over the service period of the award, net of estimated forfeitures. We grant shares of restricted stock to current employees as part of year-end compensation (“Annual Grants”) and as a retention tool. Employees may receive restricted stock with service conditions upon initial hiring or as a retention award (“Sign-on Grants”). We have also granted incremental restricted stock awards with service conditions to key employees (“Retention Grants”), as well as restricted stock awards with performance conditions to members of senior management (“Performance Grants”). On May 15, 2012, we granted restricted stock units with market conditions to our leadership team (“Leadership Grants”). Upon closing of the ARI acquisition in March 2010, we granted restricted stock with service conditions to ARI employees (“Inducement Grants”).

Annual Grants are made each February for the prior fiscal year performance and constitute a portion of an employee’s annual incentive for the prior year. We recognize the compensation expense prior to the grant date of the award as we determined that the service inception date precedes the grant date. These grants are not subject to service requirements that employees must fulfill in exchange for the right to these awards, as the grants continue to vest after termination of employment, so long as the employee does not violate certain post-termination restrictions as set forth in the award agreements or any agreements entered into upon termination. Prior to 2011, Annual Grants were subject to three-year cliff vesting. Beginning in 2011, Annual Grants are subject to annual ratable vesting over a three-year period. Unvested shares are subject to post-termination restrictions. These post-

39

termination restrictions do not meet the criteria for an in-substance service condition as defined by ASC 718. Accordingly, such shares of restricted stock comprising Annual Grants are expensed in the period to which those awards are deemed to be earned, which is the calendar year preceding the February grant date. If any of these awards are forfeited, the lower of the fair value at grant date or the fair value at the date of forfeiture is recorded within the consolidated statements of operations as a reduction of compensation and benefits expense.

Sign-on Grants are used as a recruiting tool for new employees and are issued to current employees as a retention tool. The majority of these awards have three-year cliff vesting terms and employees must fulfill service requirements in exchange for the right to the awards. Compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis from the grant date over the requisite service period. Employees forfeit unvested shares upon termination of employment and a reversal of compensation expense is recorded.

Retention Grants and Inducement Grants are subject to ratable vesting based upon a five-year service requirement and are amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis from the grant date over the requisite service period. Employees forfeit unvested retention shares upon termination of employment and a reversal of compensation expense is recorded.

Performance-based restricted stock awards granted in 2008 and 2009 cliff vest upon meeting a specific performance-based metric prior to May 2013. Performance Grants are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period we expect the performance target to be met. The performance condition must be met for the awards to vest and total compensation cost will be recognized only if the performance condition is satisfied. The probability that the performance conditions will be achieved and that the awards will vest is reevaluated each reporting period with changes in actual or estimated outcomes accounted for using a cumulative effect adjustment to compensation expense. In the third quarter of 2010, we deemed it improbable that the performance condition related to the Performance Grants would be met. As a result, we recorded a $6.6 million cumulative effect compensation expense reversal in the third quarter of 2010. As of December 31, 2012, we continue to believe it is improbable that the performance condition will be met prior to the expiration of the award.

The Leadership Grants will vest and convert to shares of common stock at the end of the 36-month performance period only if the Company satisfies predetermined market conditions over the performance period that began on May 15, 2012 and ends on May 14, 2015. Under the terms of the grant, the number of units that will vest and convert to shares will be based on the achievement of certain levels of absolute and relative shareholder return during the performance period. Compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the three-year requisite service period based on the fair value of the award on the grant date. The market conditions must be met for the awards to vest and compensation cost will be recognized regardless if the market conditions are satisfied. Employees forfeit unvested share units upon termination of employment with a corresponding reversal of compensation expense.

Stock-based compensation granted to our non-employee directors is in the form of unrestricted common shares of Piper Jaffray Companies stock. The stock-based compensation paid to non-employee directors is expensed on the grant date and included in our results of operations as outside services expense.

We granted stock options in fiscal years 2004 through 2008. The options were expensed on a straight-line basis over the required service period, based on the estimated fair value of the award on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This model required management to exercise judgment with respect to certain assumptions, including the expected dividend yield, the expected volatility, and the expected life of the options. As described above pertaining to our Annual Grants of restricted shares, stock options granted to employees were expensed in the calendar year preceding the annual February grant. Stock options have a ten year life and will begin expiring in 2014.

Deferred Compensation Plan

We established a deferred compensation plan in 2012, which allows eligible employees to elect to receive a portion of the incentive compensation they would otherwise receive in the form of restricted stock or other equity, instead in restricted mutual fund shares (“MFRS Awards”) of registered funds managed by our asset management business. MFRS Awards are awarded to qualifying employees in February of each year, and represent a portion of their compensation for performance in the preceding year similar to our Annual Grants. MFRS Awards vest ratably over three years in equal installments and provide for continued vesting after termination of employment so long as the employee does not violate certain post-termination restrictions set forth in the award agreement or any agreement entered into upon termination. Forfeitures are recorded as a reduction of compensation and benefits expenses within the consolidated statements of operations.

40

Contingencies

We are involved in various pending and potential legal proceedings related to our business, including litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings. Some of these matters involve claims for substantial amounts, including claims for punitive and other special damages. We have, after consultation with outside legal counsel and consideration of facts currently known by management, established reserves for potential losses in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450, “Contingencies,” to the extent that claims are probable of loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The determination of these reserve amounts requires significant judgment on the part of management. In making these determinations, we consider many factors, including, but not limited to, the loss and damages sought by the plaintiff or claimant, the basis and validity of the claim, the likelihood of a successful defense against the claim, and the potential for, and magnitude of, damages or settlements from such pending and potential litigation and arbitration proceedings, and fines and penalties or orders from regulatory agencies. Given the uncertainties regarding timing, size, volume and outcome of pending and potential legal proceedings and other factors, the amounts of reserves are difficult to determine and of necessity subject to future revision.

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, which includes all of our qualifying subsidiaries. We also are subject to income tax in various states and municipalities and those foreign jurisdictions in which we operate. Amounts provided for income taxes are based on income reported for financial statement purposes and do not necessarily represent amounts currently payable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for tax loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in reporting certain items, principally, amortization of share-based compensation. The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance is recognized to the extent that it is more likely than not that any portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We believe that our future taxable profits will be sufficient to recognize our U.S. deferred tax assets. However, if our projections of future taxable profits do not materialize, we may conclude that a valuation allowance is necessary, which would impact our results of operations in that period. As of December 31, 2012, we have a deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $5.1 million related to our U.K. subsidiary’s net operating loss carryforwards, which represents all but $1.1 million of the U.K. subsidiary’s deferred tax asset. We anticipate being able to reverse the full amount of our U.K. subsidiary's valuation allowance in the fourth quarter of 2013, based upon achieving three years of profitability and projected future earnings. This will result in a tax benefit to our results of operations.

In connection with the closure of our Hong Kong capital markets business, we realized a $21.1 million U.S. tax benefit due to a realized loss on the investment in our Hong Kong subsidiaries. The tax benefit represents the excess of the tax basis of our investment in the subsidiaries over the financial statement carrying amount (the deductible outside basis difference). We recorded the tax benefit within discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.

We record deferred tax benefits for future tax deductions expected upon the vesting of share-based compensation. If deductions reported on our tax return for share-based compensation (i.e., the value of the share-based compensation at the time of vesting) exceed the cumulative cost of those instruments recognized for financial reporting (i.e., the grant date fair value of the compensation computed in accordance with ASC 718), we record the excess tax benefit as additional paid-in capital. Conversely, if deductions reported on our tax return for share-based compensation are less than the cumulative cost of those instruments recognized for financial reporting, we offset the deficiency first to any previously recognized excess tax benefits recorded as additional paid-in capital and any remaining deficiency is recorded as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2012, we did not have any available excess tax benefits within additional paid-in capital. Approximately 1,000,000 shares of restricted stock vested in2012 at values less than the grant date fair value resulting in $4.6 million of income tax expense in2012. Approximately 890,000 shares vested in the first quarter of 2013, resulting in $0.1 million of excess tax benefits recorded as additional paid-in capital in the first quarter of 2013.

We establish reserves for uncertain income tax positions in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, "Income Taxes," when it is not more likely than not that a certain position or component of a position will be ultimately upheld by the relevant taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in evaluating uncertain tax positions. Our tax provision and related accruals include the impact of estimates for uncertain tax positions and changes to the reserves that are considered appropriate. To the extent the probable tax outcome of these matters changes, such change in estimate will impact the income tax

41

provision in the period of change and, in turn, our results of operations. In 2012, we recorded reversals of previously accrued uncertain state income tax positions of $7.4 million, net of federal income tax.

Liquidity, Funding and Capital Resources

Liquidity is of critical importance to us given the nature of our business. Insufficient liquidity resulting from adverse circumstances contributes to, and may be the cause of, financial institution failure. Accordingly, we regularly monitor our liquidity position, including our cash and net capital positions, and we have implemented a liquidity strategy designed to enable our business to continue to operate even under adverse circumstances, although there can be no assurance that our strategy will be successful under all circumstances.

The majority of our tangible assets consist of assets readily convertible into cash. Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned are stated at fair value and are generally readily marketable in most market conditions. Receivables and payables with brokers, dealers and clearing organizations usually settle within a few days. As part of our liquidity strategy, we emphasize diversification of funding sources to the extent possible while considering terms and cost. Our assets are financed by our cash flows from operations, equity capital, and our funding arrangements. The fluctuations in cash flows from financing activities are directly related to daily operating activities from our various businesses. One of our most important risk management disciplines is our ability to manage the size and composition of our balance sheet. While our asset base changes due to client activity, market fluctuations and business opportunities, the size and composition of our balance sheet reflect our overall risk tolerance, our ability to access stable funding sources and the amount of equity capital we hold.

The following are financial instruments that are cash and cash equivalents, or are deemed by management to be generally readily convertible into cash or accessible for liquidity purposes within a short period of time:

					Average Balance for the
	December 31,				Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2012			2011
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash in banks	$	54,025	$	20,092	$	39,920		$	27,067
Cash in banks reserved for Credit Agreement repayment	—		14,240		12,786			7,895
Money market investments	51,346		50,692		39,063			16,155
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	105,371	$	85,024	$	91,769	(1)	$	51,117	(1)

(1) Average balance calculated based upon ending daily balances.

In addition, we had cash and cash equivalents segregated of $31.0 million and $25.0 million that was available exclusively for customer liabilities included on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents segregated consist of deposits in accordance with Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which subjects Piper Jaffray & Co., our U.S. broker dealer subsidiary carrying client accounts, to requirements related to maintaining cash or qualified securities in a segregated reserve account for the exclusive benefit of our clients.

A portion of these financial instruments are held within our regulated entities and our ability to transfer these financial instruments out of our regulated entities is limited by net capital requirements that apply to those entities only. Our regulated entities could seek regulatory approval to dividend these financial instruments to the parent for liquidity purposes; however, this could curtail our revenue producing activities within our regulated entities if it reduced our net capital.

Certain market conditions can impact the liquidity of our inventory positions, requiring us to hold larger inventory positions for longer than expected or requiring us to take other actions that may adversely impact our results.

A significant component of our employees’ compensation is paid in annual discretionary incentive compensation. The timing of these incentive compensation payments, which generally are made in February, has a significant impact on our cash position and liquidity.

We currently do not pay cash dividends on our common stock and do not plan to in the foreseeable future.

42

In 2010, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $75 million in shares of our common stock through September 30, 2012. In the first nine months of 2012, we repurchased 1,488,881 shares or $33.5 million of our common stock related to this authorization. In the third quarter of 2012, our board of directors approved a new share repurchase authorization of up to $100 million in common shares through September 30, 2014. This new authorization became effective October 1, 2012. We repurchased 156,577 shares or $4.6 million of our common stock related to this new authorization. We also purchase shares of common stock from restricted stock award recipients upon the award vesting as recipients sell shares to meet their employment tax obligations. During2012, we purchased 385,449 shares or $9.1 million of our common shares for this purpose.

Cash Flows

Cash and cash equivalents increased $20.3 million to $105.4 million at December 31, 2012 from December 31, 2011. Operating activities used $211.8 million of cash due to an increase in operating assets, particularly our net financial instruments and other inventory positions owned. Inventory increased related to the expansion of our fixed income sales and trading efforts to support customer flow and increases related to our strategic trading portfolios. The increase is also attributable to the low level of inventory we maintained at the end of 2011 as we managed risk due to more volatile market conditions at that time. Partially offsetting these increases in operating assets were increases in operating liabilities, particularly related to accrued compensation, payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and other liabilities and accrued expenses. Investing activities in 2012 used $2.1 million of cash for the purchase of fixed assets. Cash of $234.3 million was provided through financing activities; primarily an increase in short-term financing, offset in part by decreases in repurchase agreements. A significant portion of our funding needs are driven by the levels of long inventory positions. As we increased our levels of long inventory in 2012, it led to an increase in funding needs, particularly related to short-term financing. Additionally, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement under which we issued unsecured variable rate senior notes in late 2012, which provided $125.0 million in financing that was used to repay our bank syndicated credit agreement which had $115.0 million outstanding as of December 31, 2011. Offsetting these increases to financing was $47.2 million used to repurchase common stock.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $34.8 million to $85.0 million at December 31, 2011 from December 31, 2010. Operating activities provided $205.3 million of cash. Late in 2011, to manage risk due to volatile market conditions, we reduced long inventory balances, which increased our cash position. This reduction in long inventory resulted in a decreased receivable related to unsettled inventory trades, which provided additional cash flow. The reduction in long inventory also allowed us to reduce our short inventory hedges, which resulted in a decrease of our securities purchased under agreements to resell, when compared to December 31, 2010. Partially offsetting these increases in cash was a decrease in operating liabilities, particularly related to accrued compensation and other liabilities and accrued expenses. Additionally, included in our net loss of $100.6 million was a non-cash goodwill charge of $120.3 million. Investing activities in 2011 used $7.7 million of cash for the purchase of fixed assets. Cash of $162.7 million was used through financing activities. A significant portion of our funding needs are driven by the levels of long inventory positions. As we lowered our levels of long inventory late in 2011, it led to a reduction in funding needs, particularly related to repurchase agreements.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $9.2 million to $50.2 million at December 31, 2010 from December 31, 2009. Operating activities used $26.3 million of cash due to an increase in operating assets, particularly our net financial instruments and other inventory positions owned. During 2010, market conditions improved and as a result, we increased certain inventory balances to take advantage of opportunities in the market and to serve our clients. Investing activities in 2010 used $198.6 million of cash, the majority of which related to our acquisition of ARI. Cash of $234.2 million was provided through financing activities; primarily an increase in repurchase agreements and issuance of commercial paper, offset in part by $57.8 million utilized to repurchase common stock. Cash from financing activities was used to fund our acquisition of ARI and increased levels of securities inventory. Additionally, we entered into a three-year bank syndicated credit agreement in late 2010, which provided $125.0 million in financing that was used to repay the $120.0 million in variable rate senior notes on December 30, 2010.

43

Leverage

The following table presents total assets, adjusted assets, total shareholders’ equity and tangible shareholders’ equity with the resulting leverage ratios as of December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011
Total assets	$	2,087,733		$	1,655,721
Deduct: Goodwill and intangible assets	(240,480		)	(253,656		)
Adjusted assets	$	1,847,253		$	1,402,065
Total shareholders' equity	$	790,175		$	750,600
Deduct: Goodwill and intangible assets	(240,480		)	(253,656		)
Tangible shareholders' equity	$	549,695		$	496,944
Leverage ratio (1)	2.6			2.2
Adjusted leverage ratio (2)	3.4			2.8

(1) Leverage ratio equals total assets divided by total shareholders’ equity.

(2) Adjusted leverage ratio equals adjusted assets divided by tangible shareholders’ equity.

Adjusted assets and tangible shareholders’ equity are non-GAAP financial measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numeric measure of financial performance that includes adjustments to the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, or for which there is no specific GAAP measure. Goodwill and intangible assets are subtracted from total assets and total shareholders’ equity in determining adjusted assets and tangible shareholders’ equity, respectively, as we believe that goodwill and intangible assets do not constitute operating assets which can be deployed in a liquid manner. We view the resulting measure of adjusted leverage, also a non-GAAP financial measure, as a more relevant measure of financial risk when comparing financial services companies. Our leverage ratio and adjusted leverage ratio increased from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2012 as a result of higher inventory balances.

Our alternative asset management funds in municipal securities use leverage on a daily basis, generally through borrowings from their prime broker to purchase financial instruments and interest rate swaps. The level of borrowings fluctuates within a targeted average portfolio leverage level depending on market conditions and opportunities. The use of leverage increases the risk of losses due to factors such as rising interest rates. The rates at which the funds can borrow may have a substantial effect on performance. Volatility or illiquidity in the financial markets may also cause leverage to no longer be available. The impact of our alternative asset management funds are included in the above table.

Funding and Capital Resources

The primary goal of our funding activities is to ensure adequate funding over a wide range of market conditions. Given the mix of our business activities, funding requirements are fulfilled through a diversified range of short-term and long-term financing. We attempt to ensure that the tenor of our liabilities equals or exceeds the expected holding period of the assets being financed. Our ability to support increases in total assets is largely a function of our ability to obtain funding from external sources. Access to these external sources, as well as the cost of that financing, is dependent upon various factors, including market conditions, the general availability of credit and credit ratings. We currently do not have a credit rating, which could adversely affect our liquidity and competitive position by increasing our financing costs and limiting access to sources of liquidity that require a credit rating as a condition to providing the funds.

Short-term financing

Our day-to-day funding and liquidity is obtained primarily through the use of repurchase agreements, commercial paper issuance, prime broker agreements, and bank lines of credit, and is typically collateralized by our securities inventory. These funding sources are critical to our ability to finance and hold inventory, which is a necessary part of our institutional brokerage and municipal bond funds businesses. The majority of our inventory is very liquid and is therefore funded by overnight or short-term facilities. These short-term facilities (i.e., our committed line, term repurchase agreement and commercial paper) have been established to mitigate changes in the liquidity of our inventory based on changing market conditions. Our funding sources are also dependent on the types of inventory that our counterparties are willing to accept as collateral and the number of counterparties available. From time

44

to time the number of counterparties that will enter into municipal repurchase agreements can be limited based on market conditions. Currently, the majority of our bank lines, our commercial paper programs and our prime broker arrangement will accept municipal inventory as collateral, which helps mitigate this municipal repurchase agreement counterparty risk. We also have established arrangements to obtain financing by another broker dealer at the end of each business day related specifically to our convertible inventory. Funding is generally obtained at rates based upon the federal funds rate and/or the London Interbank Offer Rate.

Commercial Paper Program – Our U.S. broker dealer subsidiary, Piper Jaffray & Co, issues secured commercial paper to fund a portion of its securities inventory. This commercial paper is issued under two separate programs, CP Series A and CP Series II A, and is secured by different inventory classes, which is reflected in the interest rate paid on the respective program. The maximum amount that may be issued under CP Series A and CP Series II A is $300 million and $150 million, respectively. At December 31, 2012, CP Series A had $202.2 million outstanding and CP Series II A had $102.2 million outstanding. Both programs can issue with maturities of 28 to 270 days. The weighted average maturity of CP Series A and CP Series II A as of December 31, 2012 was 98 days and 34 days, respectively.

Prime Broker Arrangement – We have established an arrangement to obtain overnight financing by a single prime broker related to our alternative asset management funds in municipal securities. Financing under this arrangement is secured by certain securities, primarily municipal securities, and collateral limitations could reduce the amount of funding available under this arrangement. More specifically, this funding is at the discretion of the prime broker and could be denied, which may be particularly true during times of market stress or market perceptions of our exposures. At December 31, 2012, we had $172.6 million of financing outstanding under this prime broker arrangement.

Uncommitted Lines – We use uncommitted lines in the ordinary course of business to fund a portion of our daily operations, and the amount borrowed under our uncommitted lines varies daily based on our funding needs. Our uncommitted secured lines total $175 million with two banks and are dependent on having appropriate collateral, as determined by the bank agreement, to secure an advance under the line. Collateral limitations could reduce the amount of funding available under these secured lines. We also have a $100 million uncommitted unsecured facility with one of these banks. All of these uncommitted lines are discretionary and are not a commitment by the bank to provide an advance under the line. More specifically, these lines are subject to approval by the respective bank each time an advance is requested and advances may be denied, which may be particularly true during times of market stress or market perceptions of our exposures. We manage our relationships with the banks that provide these uncommitted facilities in order to have appropriate levels of funding for our business. At December 31, 2012, we had no outstanding advances against these lines of credit.

Committed Lines – Our committed line is a one-year $250 million revolving secured credit facility. We use this credit facility in the ordinary course of business to fund a portion of our daily operations, and the amount borrowed under the facility varies daily based on our funding needs. Advances under this facility are secured by certain marketable securities. The facility includes a covenant that requires Piper Jaffray & Co., our U.S. broker dealer subsidiary, to maintain a minimum net capital of $120 million, and the unpaid principal amount of all advances under the facility will be due on December 28, 2013. At December 31, 2012, we had no advances against this line of credit.

45

The following table presents the average balances outstanding for our various short-term funding sources by quarter for 2012 and 2011, respectively.

	Average Balance for the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)	Dec. 31, 2012		Sept. 30, 2012		June 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012
Funding source:
Repurchase agreements	$	50.0	$	71.0	$	158.5	$	114.3
Commercial paper	307.2		278.5		238.8		201.2
Prime broker arrangement	180.0		154.7		32.1		5.8
Short-term bank loans	0.2		3.5		40.9		9.7
Total	$	537.4	$	507.7	$	470.3	$	331.0

	Average Balance for the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)	Dec. 31, 2011		Sept. 30, 2011		June 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011
Funding source:
Repurchase agreements	$	252.7	$	324.6	$	326.5	$	253.6
Commercial paper	147.1		125.7		117.9		112.1
Prime broker arrangement	5.8		—		—		—
Short-term bank loans	13.4		68.1		68.7		24.7
Total	$	419.0	$	518.4	$	513.1	$	390.4

The average funding in the fourth quarter of2012 increased to $537.4 million, compared with $507.7 million during the third quarter of2012 as a result of higher average inventory balances in the fourth quarter of2012. The increased inventory balances were the result of facilitating customer flow and an increase in proprietary positions. The average funding balance increased from $419.0 million in the fourth quarter of2011 to $537.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, as a result of higher average inventory balances.

The following table presents the maximum daily funding amount by quarter for 2012 and 2011, respectively.

	For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)	Dec. 31, 2012		Sept. 30, 2012		June 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012
Maximum amount of daily funding	$	619.4	$	613.8	$	666.1	$	486.0

	For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)	Dec. 31, 2011		Sept. 30, 2011		June 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011
Maximum amount of daily funding	$	597.3	$	678.5	$	661.2	$	569.2

Variable rate senior notes

On November 30, 2012, we entered into a note purchase agreement (“Note Purchase Agreement”) under which we issued unsecured variable rate senior notes (“Notes”) in the amount of $125 million. The initial holders of the Notes are certain entities advised by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (“PIMCO”). The Notes consist of two classes, Class A Notes and Class B Notes, with principal amounts of $50 million and $75 million, respectively. The unpaid principal amount of the Class A Notes and Class B Notes will be due on May 31, 2014 and November 30, 2015, respectively. The proceeds from the Notes were used to repay the outstanding balance under the three-year bank syndicated credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”), which eliminated our obligation to comply with the covenants under the Credit Agreement, including limitations on our share repurchasing activity. The remaining proceeds are used for general corporate purposes.

The Note Purchase Agreement includes customary events of default, including failure to pay principal when due or failure to pay interest within five business days of when due, any representation or warranty in the Note Purchase Agreement proving untrue in any material respect when made by us, failure to comply with the covenants in the Note Purchase Agreement, failure to pay or another event of default under other material indebtedness in an amount exceeding $10 million, bankruptcy or insolvency or a change in control. If there is any event of default, the noteholders may exercise customary remedies, including declaring the entire principal and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable.

The Note Purchase Agreement includes covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain a minimum consolidated tangible net worth and minimum regulatory net capital, limit our leverage ratio and require maintenance of a minimum ratio of operating

46

cash flow to fixed charges. With respect to the net capital covenant, our U.S. broker dealer subsidiary is required to maintain minimum net capital of $120 million. At December 31, 2012, we were in compliance with all covenants.

Three-year bank syndicated credit agreement

On December 29, 2010, we entered into a Credit Agreement comprised of a $100 million amortizing term loan and a $50 million revolving credit facility. The unpaid principal and interest on the Credit Agreement was paid off on November 30, 2012 from the proceeds of the Notes.

Contractual Obligations

In the normal course of business, we enter into various contractual obligations that may require future cash payments. The following table summarizes the contractual amounts at December 31, 2012, in total and by remaining maturity. Excluded from the table are a number of obligations recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition that generally are short-term in nature, including secured financing transactions, trading liabilities, short-term borrowings and other payables and accrued liabilities.

On May 30, 2012, we entered into a lease agreement for 124,000 square feet of office space for the Company’s headquarters. The term of the lease commences on June 1, 2014, and expires on November 30, 2025, and includes an option to terminate the lease early effective January 31, 2022. Our contractual rental obligations for the full 11.5 year lease term are $24.5 million.

			2014		2016		2018 and
(Dollars in millions)	2013		- 2015		- 2017		thereafter		Total
Operating lease obligations	$	13.0	$	19.2	$	16.5	$	34.7	$	83.4
Purchase commitments	13.8		14.8		8.6		4.2		41.4
Investment commitments (a)	—		—		—		—		44.0
Loan commitments (b)	—		—		—		—		—
Variable rate senior notes	—		125.0		—		—		125.0

(a) The investment commitments have no specified call dates; however, the investment period for these funds is through 2016. The timing of capital calls is based on market conditions and investment opportunities. Investment commitments of $42.8 million related to a commitment to an affiliated merchant banking fund.

(b) We may commit to merchant banking financing for our clients or make commitments to underwrite debt. We are unable to estimate the timing on the funding of these commitments and have no commitments outstanding at this time.

Purchase commitments include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, fixed, minimum or variable price provisions, and the approximate timing of the transaction. Purchase commitments with variable pricing provisions are included in the table based on the minimum contractual amounts. Certain purchase commitments contain termination or renewal provisions. The table reflects the minimum contractual amounts likely to be paid under these agreements assuming the contracts are not terminated.

The amounts presented in the table above may not necessarily reflect our actual future cash funding requirements, because the actual timing of the future payments made may vary from the stated contractual obligation. In addition, due to the uncertainty with respect to the timing of future cash flows associated with our unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2012, we are unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authority. Therefore, $0.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from the contractual obligation table above. See Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of income taxes.

Capital Requirements

As a registered broker dealer and member firm of FINRA, our U.S. broker dealer subsidiary is subject to the uniform net capital rule of the SEC and the net capital rule of FINRA. We have elected to use the alternative method permitted by the uniform net capital rule, which requires that we maintain minimum net capital of the greater of $1.0 million or 2 percent of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions, as this is defined in the rule. FINRA may prohibit a member firm from expanding its business or paying dividends if resulting net capital would be less than 5 percent of aggregate debit balances. Advances to affiliates, repayment of subordinated liabilities, dividend payments and other equity withdrawals are subject to certain notification and other provisions of the uniform net capital rules. We expect that these provisions will not impact our ability to meet current and future obligations. We also are subject to certain notification requirements related to withdrawals of excess net capital from our broker

47

dealer subsidiary. At December 31, 2012, our net capital under the SEC’s uniform net capital rule was $178.9 million, and exceeded the minimum net capital required under the SEC rule by $177.9 million.

Although we operate with a level of net capital substantially greater than the minimum thresholds established by FINRA and the SEC, a substantial reduction of our capital would curtail many of our Capital Markets revenue producing activities.

Piper Jaffray Ltd., our broker dealer subsidiary registered in the United Kingdom, is subject to the capital requirements of the U.K. Financial Services Authority.

Our Piper Jaffray entities operating in the Hong Kong region are registered under the laws of Hong Kong and subject to the liquid capital requirements of the Securities and Futures (Finance Resources) Rule promulgated under the Securities and Futures Ordinance.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the ordinary course of business we enter into various types of off-balance sheet arrangements. The following table summarizes our off-balance sheet arrangements at December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Expiration Per Period at December 31, 2012												Total Contractual Amount
							2016		2018				December 31,		December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2013		2014		2015		- 2017		- 2019		Later		2012		2011
Customer matched-book derivative contracts (1) (2)	$	50,220	$	30,000	$	72,765	$	138,072	$	85,250	$	5,192,789	$	5,569,096	$	5,848,530
Trading securities derivative contracts (2)	—		—		—		—		—		244,250		244,250		99,750
Credit default swap index contracts (2)	—		—		96,000		134,650		—		—		230,650		188,000
Private equity investment commitments (3)	—		—		—		—		—		—		44,010		1,520

(1) Consists of interest rate swaps. We have minimal market risk related to these matched-book derivative contracts; however, we do have counterparty risk with two major financial institutions, which is mitigated by collateral deposits. In addition, we have a limited number of counterparties (contractual amount of $203.0 million at December 31, 2012) who are not required to post collateral. The uncollateralized amounts, representing the fair value of the derivative contracts, expose us to the credit risk of these counterparties. At December 31, 2012, we had $31.7 million of credit exposure with these counterparties, including $17.6 million of credit exposure with one counterparty.

(2) We believe the fair value of these derivative contracts is a more relevant measure of the obligations because we believe the notional or contract amount overstates the expected payout. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the net fair value of these derivative contracts approximated $35.5 million and $36.0 million, respectively.

(3) The investment commitments have no specified call dates; however, the investment period for these funds is through 2016. The timing of capital calls is based on market conditions and investment opportunities.

Derivatives

Derivatives’ notional contract amounts are not reflected as assets or liabilities on our consolidated statements of financial condition. Rather, the fair value of the derivative transactions are reported on the consolidated statements of financial condition as assets or liabilities in financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased, as applicable. Derivatives are reported on a net basis by counterparty when a legal right of offset exists and on a net basis by cross product when applicable provisions are stated in a master netting agreement.

We enter into derivative contracts in a principal capacity as a dealer to satisfy the financial needs of clients. We also use derivative products to hedge the interest rate and market value risks associated with our security positions. Our interest rate hedging strategies may not work in all market environments and as a result may not be effective in mitigating interest rate risk. For a complete discussion of our activities related to derivative products, see Note 6, “Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased,” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

Loan Commitments

We may commit to bridge loan financing for our clients or make commitments to underwrite corporate debt. We had no loan commitments outstanding at December 31, 2012.

48

Private Equity and Other Principal Investments

A component of our private equity and principal investments, including investments made as part of our merchant banking activities, are made through investments in various legal entities, typically partnerships or limited liability companies, established for the purpose of investing in securities of private companies or municipal debt obligations. We commit capital or act as the managing partner of these entities. Some of these entities are deemed to be variable interest entities. For a complete discussion of our activities related to these types of entities, see Note 8, “Variable Interest Entities,” to our consolidated financial statements.

We have committed capital to certain entities and these commitments generally have no specified call dates. We had $44.0 million of commitments outstanding at December 31, 2012, of which $42.8 million related to a commitment to an affiliated merchant banking fund.

Other Off-Balance Sheet Exposure

Our other types of off-balance-sheet arrangements include contractual commitments. For a discussion of our activities related to these off-balance sheet arrangements, see Note 18, “Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees,” to our consolidated financial statements.

Enterprise Risk Management

Risk is an inherent part of our business. In the course of conducting business operations, we are exposed to a variety of risks. Market risk, liquidity risk, credit risk, operational risk, legal, regulatory and compliance risk, and reputational risk are the principal risks we face in operating our business. We seek to identify, assess and monitor each risk in accordance with defined policies and procedures. The extent to which we properly identify and effectively manage each of these risks is critical to our financial condition and profitability.

With respect to market risk and credit risk, the cornerstone of our risk management process is daily communication among traders, trading department management and senior management concerning our inventory positions, including those associated with our strategic trading activities, and overall risk profile. Our risk management functions supplement this communication process by providing their independent perspectives on our market and credit risk profile on a daily basis. The broader objectives of our risk management functions are to understand the risk profile of each trading area, to consolidate risk monitoring company-wide, to assist in implementing effective hedging strategies, to articulate large trading or position risks to senior management, and to ensure accurate fair values of our financial instruments.

In addition to supporting daily risk management processes on the trading desks, our risk management functions support our financial risk committee and valuation committee. The financial risk committee oversees risk management practices, including defining acceptable risk tolerances and approving risk management policies.

Risk management techniques, processes and strategies may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposure in all market environments or against all types of risk, and any risk management failures could expose us to material unanticipated losses.

Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk of financial volatility that may result from the change in value of a financial instrument due to fluctuations in its market price. Our exposure to market risk is directly related to our role as a financial intermediary for our clients, to our market-making activities and our strategic trading activities. Market risks are inherent to both cash and derivative financial instruments. The scope of our market risk management policies and procedures includes all market-sensitive financial instruments.

Our different types of market risk include:

Interest Rate Risk — Interest rate risk represents the potential volatility from changes in market interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level and volatility of interest rates, changes in the shape of the yield curve, changes in credit spreads, and the rate of prepayments on our interest-earning assets (including client cash balances, investments, inventories, and resale agreements) and our funding sources (including client cash balances, short-term and bank syndicated financing, and repurchase agreements), which finance these assets. Interest rate risk is managed through the use of appropriate hedging in U.S. government securities, agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt securities, interest rate swaps, options, futures and forward contracts. We use interest rate swap contracts and MMD rate lock agreements to hedge a portion of our fixed income

49

inventory. These interest rate swap contracts are recorded at fair value with the changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Our interest rate hedging strategies may not work in all market environments and as a result may not be effective in mitigating interest rate risk.

Equity Price Risk — Equity price risk represents the potential loss in value due to adverse changes in the level or volatility of equity prices. We are exposed to equity price risk through our trading activities in the U.S. market on both listed and over-the-counter equity markets. We attempt to reduce the risk of loss inherent in our market-making and in our inventory of equity securities by establishing limits on the notional level of our inventory and by managing net position levels within those limits.

Currency Risk — Currency risk arises from the possibility that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates will impact the value of financial instruments. A portion of our business is conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and changes in foreign exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar can therefore affect the value of non-U.S. dollar net assets, revenues and expenses. A change in the foreign currency rates could create either a foreign currency transaction gain/loss (recorded in our consolidated statements of operations) or a foreign currency translation adjustment (recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income within the shareholders’ equity section of our consolidated statements of financial condition and other comprehensive income within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income).

Value-at-Risk

Value-at-Risk (“VaR”) is the potential loss in value of our trading positions, excluding non-controlling interests, due to adverse market movements over a defined time horizon with a specified confidence level. We perform a daily VaR analysis on substantially all of our trading positions, including fixed income, equities, convertible bonds, asset-backed securities, and all associated economic hedges. These positions encompass both customer-related and strategic trading activities. We use a VaR model because it provides a common metric for assessing market risk across business lines and products. Changes in VaR between reporting periods are generally due to changes in levels of risk exposure, volatilities and/or correlations among asset classes and individual securities.

We use a Monte Carlo simulation methodology for VaR calculations. We believe this methodology provides VaR results that properly reflect the risk profile of all our instruments, including those that contain optionality, and also accurately models correlation movements among all of our asset classes. In addition, it provides improved tail results as there are no assumptions of distribution, and can provide additional insight for scenario shock analysis.

Model-based VaR derived from simulation has inherent limitations including: reliance on historical data to predict future market risk; VaR calculated using a one-day time horizon does not fully capture the market risk of positions that cannot be liquidated or offset with hedges within one day; and published VaR results reflect past trading positions while future risk depends on future positions.

The modeling of the market risk characteristics of our trading positions involves a number of assumptions and approximations. While we believe that these assumptions and approximations are reasonable, different assumptions and approximations could produce materially different VaR estimates.

The following table quantifies the model-based VaR simulated for each component of market risk for the periods presented, which are computed using the past 250 days of historical data. When calculating VaR we use a 95 percent confidence level and a one-day time horizon. This means that, over time, there is a 1 in 20 chance that daily trading net revenues will fall below the expected daily trading net revenues by an amount at least as large as the reported VaR. Shortfalls on a single day can exceed reported VaR by significant amounts. Shortfalls can also accumulate over a longer time horizon, such as a number of consecutive trading days. Therefore, there can be no assurance that actual losses occurring on any given day arising from changes in market conditions will not exceed the VaR amounts shown below or that such losses will not occur more than once in a 20-day trading period.

	At December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011
Interest Rate Risk	$	779		$	696
Equity Price Risk	911			1,005
Diversification Effect (1)	(737		)	(734		)
Total Value-at-Risk	$	953		$	967

(1) Equals the difference between total VaR and the sum of the VaRs for the two risk categories. This effect arises because the two market risk categories are not perfectly correlated.

50

We view average VaR over a period of time as more representative of trends in the business than VaR at any single point in time. The table below illustrates the daily high, low and average value-at-risk calculated for each component of market risk during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(Dollars in thousands)	High		Low		Average
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
Interest Rate Risk	$	1,273	$	369	$	780
Equity Price Risk	2,664		170		995
Diversification Effect (1)					(716		)
Total Value-at-Risk	$	2,451	$	539	$	1,059

(Dollars in thousands)	High		Low		Average
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
Interest Rate Risk	$	1,968	$	604	$	1,072
Equity Price Risk	1,451		25		280
Diversification Effect (1)					(300		)
Total Value-at-Risk	$	1,889	$	589	$	1,052

(1) Equals the difference between total VaR and the sum of the VaRs for the two risk categories. This effect arises because the two market risk categories are not perfectly correlated. Because high and low VaR numbers for these risk categories may have occurred on different days, high and low numbers for diversification benefit would not be meaningful.

Trading losses exceeded our one-day VaR on two occasions during2012.

The aggregate VaR as of December 31, 2012 was consistent with levels reported as of December 31, 2011. Although inventories were higher year-over-year, the December 31, 2012 VaR level is the result of reductions in some inventories with higher VaR exposure, adjustments in hedging at the end of the year, and lower realized volatility over the previous measuring period.

In addition to VaR, we also employ additional measures to monitor and manage market risk exposure including the following: net market position, duration exposure, option sensitivities, and inventory turnover. All metrics are aggregated by asset concentration and are used for monitoring limits and exception approvals.

Liquidity Risk

Market risk can be exacerbated in times of trading illiquidity when market participants refrain from transacting in normal quantities and/or at normal bid-offer spreads. Depending on the specific security, the structure of the financial product, and/or overall market conditions, we may be forced to hold a security for substantially longer than we had planned. Our inventory positions, including those associated with strategic trading activities, subject us to potential financial losses from the reduction in value of illiquid positions.

We are also exposed to liquidity risk in our day-to-day funding activities. We have a relatively low leverage ratio of 2.6 and adjusted leverage ratio of 3.4 as of December 31, 2012, as discussed above. We manage liquidity risk by diversifying our funding sources across products and among individual counterparties within those products. For example, our treasury department actively manages the use of our committed bank line, repurchase agreements, commercial paper issuance and secured and unsecured bank borrowings each day depending on pricing, availability of funding, available collateral and lending parameters from any one of these sources.

In addition to managing our capital and funding, the treasury department oversees the management of net interest income risk and the overall use of our capital, funding, and balance sheet.

We currently act as the remarketing agent for approximately $4.0 billion of variable rate demand notes, the majority of which have a financial institution providing a liquidity guarantee. At certain times, demand from buyers of variable rate demand notes is less than the supply generated by sellers of these instruments. In times of supply and demand imbalance, we may (but are not obligated to) facilitate liquidity by purchasing variable rate demand notes from sellers for our own account. Our liquidity risk related to variable rate demand notes is ultimately mitigated by our ability to tender these securities back to the financial institution providing the liquidity guarantee.

51

Credit Risk

Credit risk in our business arises from potential non-performance by counterparties, customers, borrowers or issuers of securities we hold in our trading inventory. The global credit crisis also has created increased credit risk, particularly counterparty risk, as the interconnectedness of the financial markets has caused market participants to be impacted by systemic pressure, or contagion, that results from the failure or potential failure of market participants. We manage this risk by imposing and monitoring position limits for each counterparty, monitoring trading counterparties, conducting credit reviews of financial counterparties, and conducting business through clearing organizations, which guarantee performance.

We have concentrated counterparty credit exposure with six non-publicly rated entities totaling $31.7 million at December 31, 2012. This counterparty credit exposure is part of our derivative program, consisting primarily of interest rate swaps. One derivative counterparty represents 55.4 percent, or $17.6 million, of this exposure. Credit exposure associated with our derivative counterparties is driven by uncollateralized market movements in the fair value of the interest rate swap contracts and is monitored regularly by our financial risk committee. We attempt to minimize the credit (or repayment) risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by senior management.

We are exposed to credit risk in our role as a trading counterparty to dealers and customers, as a holder of securities and as a member of exchanges and clearing organizations. Our client activities involve the execution, settlement and financing of various transactions. Client activities are transacted on a delivery versus payment, cash or margin basis. Our credit exposure to institutional client business is mitigated by the use of industry-standard delivery versus payment through depositories and clearing banks.

Credit exposure associated with our customer margin accounts in the U.S. is monitored daily. Our risk management functions have credit risk policies establishing appropriate credit limits and collateralization thresholds for our customers utilizing margin lending.

Merchant banking debt investments that have been funded are recorded in other assets at amortized cost on the consolidated statements of financial condition. At December 31, 2012, we had two funded merchant banking debt investments totaling $14.8 million. Merchant banking investments are monitored regularly by our financial risk committee.

Our risk management functions review risk associated with institutional counterparties with whom we hold repurchase and resale agreement facilities, stock borrow or loan facilities, derivatives, TBAs and other documented institutional counterparty agreements that may give rise to credit exposure. Counterparty levels are established relative to the level of counterparty ratings and potential levels of activity.

We are subject to credit concentration risk if we hold large individual securities positions, execute large transactions with individual counterparties or groups of related counterparties, extend large loans to individual borrowers or make substantial underwriting commitments. Concentration risk can occur by industry, geographic area or type of client. Potential credit concentration risk is carefully monitored through review of counterparties and borrowers and is managed through the use of policies and limits.

We also are exposed to the risk of loss related to changes in the credit spreads of debt instruments. Credit spread risk arises from potential changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s credit worthiness. We use credit default swap index contracts to mitigate this risk.

Operational Risk

Operational risk refers to the risk of direct or indirect loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events. We rely on the ability of our employees, our internal systems and processes and systems at computer centers operated by third parties to process a large number of transactions. In the event of a breakdown or improper operation of our systems or processes or improper action by our employees or third-party vendors, we could suffer financial loss, a disruption of our businesses, regulatory sanctions and damage to our reputation. We have business continuity plans in place that we believe will cover critical processes on a company-wide basis, and redundancies are built into our systems as we have deemed appropriate. These control mechanisms attempt to ensure that operations policies and procedures are being followed and that our various businesses are operating within established corporate policies and limits.

52

Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Risk

Legal, regulatory and compliance risk includes the risk of non-compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and the risk that a counterparty’s performance obligations will be unenforceable. We are generally subject to extensive regulation in the various jurisdictions in which we conduct our business. We have established procedures that are designed to ensure compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, including, but not limited to, those related to regulatory net capital requirements, sales and trading practices, use and safekeeping of customer funds and securities, credit extension, money-laundering, privacy and recordkeeping.

We have established internal policies relating to ethics and business conduct, and compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, as well as training and other procedures designed to ensure that these policies are followed.

Reputation and Other Risk

We recognize that maintaining our reputation among clients, investors, regulators and the general public is critical. Maintaining our reputation depends on a large number of factors, including the conduct of our business activities and the types of clients and counterparties with whom we conduct business. We seek to maintain our reputation by conducting our business activities in accordance with high ethical standards and performing appropriate reviews of clients and counterparties.

Other risks include political, regulatory and tax risks. These risks reflect the potential impact that changes in local and international laws and tax statutes have on the economics and viability of current or future transactions. In an effort to mitigate these risks, we review new and pending regulations and legislation. For example, policy discussions surrounding the debt and deficits of the federal government, including recent discussions around the “fiscal cliff,” have resulted in various proposals to increase revenue, including through restructuring of the federal tax code. The American Jobs Act of 2011 and the Debt Reduction Act of 2011 proposed capping tax-exempt interest for higher-income taxpayers, and the Bipartisan Tax Fairness and Simplification Act, introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier in 2011, proposed the use of tax-credit bonds over tax-exempt bonds, which also could have a negative impact on municipal issuance.

Effects of Inflation

Because our assets are liquid in nature, they are not significantly affected by inflation. However, the rate of inflation affects our expenses, such as employee compensation, office space leasing costs and communications charges, which may not be readily recoverable in the price of services we offer to our clients. To the extent inflation results in rising interest rates and has other adverse effects upon the securities markets, it may adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.

ITEM 7A.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

The information under the caption “Enterprise Risk Management” in Part II, Item 7 entitled, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” is incorporated herein by reference.

53

ITEM 8.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION.

INDEX TO AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting	55
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	56
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	57
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	58
Consolidated Statements of Operations	59
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	60
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity	61
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	62
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements:
Note 1 Organization and Basis of Presentation	63
Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	64
Note 3 Recent Accounting Pronouncements	69
Note 4 Discontinued Operations	71
Note 5 Acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.	72
Note 6 Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased	73
Note 7 Fair Value of Financial Instruments	75
Note 8 Variable Interest Entities	83
Note 9 Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations	83
Note 10 Receivables from and Payables to Customers	84
Note 11 Collateralized Securities Transactions	84
Note 12 Other Assets	85
Note 13 Goodwill and Intangible Assets	86
Note 14 Fixed Assets	87
Note 15 Short-Term Financing	87
Note 16 Variable Rate Senior Notes	88
Note 17 Bank Syndicated Financing	89
Note 18 Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees	89
Note 19 Restructuring	91
Note 20 Shareholders’ Equity	91
Note 21 Noncontrolling Interests	92
Note 22 Employee Benefit Plans	92
Note 23 Compensation Plans	94
Note 24 Earnings Per Share	99
Note 25 Segment Reporting	99
Note 26 Net Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters	101
Note 27 Income Taxes	102
Note 28 Piper Jaffray Companies (Parent Company only)	104
Supplemental Information	106

54

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting. Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on its assessment and those criteria, management has concluded that we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements of Piper Jaffray Companies included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. Their report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Piper Jaffray Companies’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, is included herein.

55

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Piper Jaffray Companies

We have audited Piper Jaffray Companies’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Piper Jaffray Companies’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Piper Jaffray Companies maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on the COSO criteria.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 2012 consolidated financial statements of Piper Jaffray Companies and our report dated February 27, 2013, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 27, 2013

56

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Piper Jaffray Companies

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Piper Jaffray Companies (the Company) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Piper Jaffray Companies at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Piper Jaffray Companies’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 27, 2013

57

Piper Jaffray Companies

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

	December 31,			December 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)	2012			2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	105,371		$	85,024
Cash and cash equivalents segregated for regulatory purposes	31,007			25,008
Receivables:
Customers	13,795			24,196
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	148,117			124,661
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	145,433			160,146
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	384,789			391,694
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and pledged as collateral	826,806			405,887
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	1,211,595			797,581
Fixed assets (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $61,032 and $58,153, respectively)	15,089			21,537
Goodwill	196,844			196,844
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $23,876 and $16,932, respectively)	41,258			48,202
Other receivables	44,874			40,037
Other assets	129,697			121,164
Assets held for sale	4,653			11,321
Total assets	$	2,087,733		$	1,655,721
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Short-term financing	$	477,014		$	168,701
Variable rate senior notes	125,000			—
Bank syndicated financing	—			115,000
Payables:
Customers	42,007			29,373
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	60,155			35,436
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	50,000			109,080
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	357,201			303,504
Accrued compensation	132,124			108,696
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	53,193			34,339
Liabilities held for sale	864			992
Total liabilities	1,297,558			905,121
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value:
Shares authorized: 100,000,000 at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011;
Shares issued: 19,530,359 at December 31, 2012 and 19,524,512 at December 31, 2011;
Shares outstanding: 15,213,796 at December 31, 2012 and 15,750,188 at December 31, 2011	195			195
Additional paid-in capital	754,566			791,166
Retained earnings	118,803			77,535
Less common stock held in treasury, at cost: 4,316,563 shares at December 31, 2012 and 3,774,324 shares at December 31, 2011	(140,939		)	(151,110		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	667			605
Total common shareholders’ equity	733,292			718,391
Noncontrolling interests	56,883			32,209
Total shareholders’ equity	790,175			750,600
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,087,733		$	1,655,721

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

58

Piper Jaffray Companies

Consolidated Statements of Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	2012			2011				2010
Revenues:
Investment banking	$	230,929		$	200,500			$	237,847
Institutional brokerage	172,023			136,096				162,539
Asset management	65,215			63,307				55,948
Interest	48,844			55,440				51,703
Other income	1,231			8,313				6,685
Total revenues	518,242			463,656				514,722
Interest expense	29,290			31,573				34,788
Net revenues	488,952			432,083				479,934
Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits	296,882			265,015				280,047
Occupancy and equipment	26,454			28,430				30,034
Communications	20,543			22,121				22,832
Floor brokerage and clearance	8,054			8,925				11,347
Marketing and business development	19,908			22,640				21,642
Outside services	27,998			27,570				30,265
Restructuring-related expense	3,642			—				10,699
Goodwill impairment	—			120,298				—
Intangible asset amortization expense	6,944			7,256				6,474
Other operating expenses	9,516			10,017				12,777
Total non-interest expenses	419,941			512,272				426,117
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	69,011			(80,189		)		53,817
Income tax expense	19,470			9,120				32,163
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	49,541			(89,309		)		21,654
Discontinued operations:
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807		)	(11,248		)		2,276
Net income/(loss)	43,734			(100,557		)		23,930
Net income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests	2,466			1,463				(432		)
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)		$	24,362
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders	$	35,335		$	(102,020	)	(1)	$	18,929
Amounts applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	47,075		$	(90,772	)		$	22,086
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807		)	(11,248		)		2,276
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)		$	24,362
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	2.58		$	(5.79	)		$	1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	(0.32		)	(0.72		)		0.12
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share	$	2.26		$	(6.51	)		$	1.23
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	2.58		$	(5.79	)		$	1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	(0.32		)	(0.72		)		0.11
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share	$	2.26		$	(6.51	)	(2)	$	1.23
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic	15,615			15,672				15,348
Diluted	15,616			15,672			(2)	15,378

(1) No allocation of income was made due to loss position.

(2) Earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which a loss is incurred.

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

59

Piper Jaffray Companies

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2012		2011			2010
Net income/(loss)	$	43,734	$	(100,557	)	$	23,930
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Adjustment to unrecognized pension cost	—		—			(26		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	62		(122		)	(365		)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	62		(122		)	(391		)
Comprehensive income/(loss)	43,796		(100,679		)	23,539
Comprehensive income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests	2,466		1,463			(432		)
Comprehensive income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	41,330	$	(102,142	)	$	23,971

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

60

Piper Jaffray Companies

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

														Accumulated			Total
	Common				Additional									Other			Common						Total
(Amounts in thousands,	Shares		Common		Paid-In			Retained			Treasury			Comprehensive			Shareholders'			Noncontrolling			Shareholders'
except share amounts)	Outstanding		Stock		Capital			Earnings			Stock			Income/(Loss)			Equity			Interests			Equity
Balance at December 31, 2009	15,633,690		$	195	$	803,553		$	155,193		$	(181,443	)	$	1,118		$	778,616		$	3,703		$	782,319
Net income/(loss)	—		—		—			24,362			—			—			24,362			(432		)	23,930
Issuance of restricted stock as deal consideration for Advisory Research, Inc.	—		—		31,822			—			—			—			31,822			—			31,822
Amortization/issuance of restricted stock	—		—		32,690			—			—			—			32,690			—			32,690
Repurchase of common stock through share repurchase program	(1,517,587	)	—		—			—			(47,610		)	—			(47,610		)	—			(47,610		)
Issuance of treasury shares for restricted stock vestings and options exercised	691,303		—		(32,028		)	—			32,126			—			98			—			98
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding	(244,302	)	—		—			—			(10,209		)	—			(10,209		)	—			(10,209		)
Issuance of treasury shares for 401k match	81,696		—		(185		)	—			3,819			—			3,634			—			3,634
Shares reserved to meet deferred compensation obligations	7,865		—		300			—			—			—			300			—			300
Other comprehensive loss	—		—		—			—			—			(391		)	(391		)	—			(391		)
Fund capital contributions	—		—		—			—			—			—			—			1,518			1,518
Balance at December 31, 2010	14,652,665		$	195	$	836,152		$	179,555		$	(203,317	)	$	727		$	813,312		$	4,789		$	818,101
Net income/(loss)	—		—		—			(102,020		)	—			—			(102,020		)	1,463			(100,557		)
Amortization/issuance of restricted stock	—		—		29,459			—			—			—			29,459			—			29,459
Repurchase of common stock through share repurchase program	(293,829	)	—		—			—			(5,994		)	—			(5,994		)	—			(5,994		)
Issuance of treasury shares for restricted stock vestings and options exercised	1,796,239		—		(74,920		)	—			74,960			—			40			—			40
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding	(509,671	)	—		—			—			(20,535		)	—			(20,535		)	—			(20,535		)
Issuance of treasury shares for 401k match	90,085		—		38			—			3,776			—			3,814			—			3,814
Shares reserved to meet deferred compensation obligations	14,699		—		437			—			—			—			437			—			437
Other comprehensive loss	—		—		—			—			—			(122		)	(122		)	—			(122		)
Fund capital contributions, net	—		—		—			—			—			—			—			25,957			25,957
Balance at December 31, 2011	15,750,188		$	195	$	791,166		$	77,535		$	(151,110	)	$	605		$	718,391		$	32,209		$	750,600
Net income	—		—		—			41,268			—			—			41,268			2,466			43,734
Amortization/issuance of restricted stock	—		—		16,681			—			—			—			16,681			—			16,681
Repurchase of common stock through share repurchase program	(1,645,458	)	—		—			—			(38,068		)	—			(38,068		)	—			(38,068		)
Issuance of treasury shares for restricted stock vestings	1,323,427		—		(50,776		)	—			50,776			—			—			—			—
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding	(385,449	)	—		—			—			(9,096		)	—			(9,096		)	—			(9,096		)
Issuance of treasury shares for 401k match	165,241		—		(2,745		)	—			6,559			—			3,814			—			3,814
Shares reserved to meet deferred compensation obligations	5,847		—		240			—			—			—			240			—			240
Other comprehensive income	—		—		—			—			—			62			62			—			62
Fund capital contributions, net	—		—		—			—			—			—			—			22,208			22,208
Balance at December 31, 2012	15,213,796		$	195	$	754,566		$	118,803		$	(140,939	)	$	667		$	733,292		$	56,883		$	790,175

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

61

Piper Jaffray Companies

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Operating Activities:
Net income/(loss)	$	43,734		$	(100,557	)	$	23,930
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets	7,005			7,338			7,204
Deferred income taxes	11,458			17,100			17,878
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	1,624			—			—
Share-based and deferred compensation	20,641			22,803			31,268
Goodwill impairment	5,508			120,298			—
Amortization of intangible assets	7,669			8,276			7,546
Amortization of forgivable loans	8,057			8,365			7,679
Decrease/(increase) in operating assets:
Cash and cash equivalents segregated for regulatory purposes	(5,999		)	1,998			(18,000		)
Receivables:
Customers	10,395			18,706			28,885
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	(23,452		)	66,655			73,263
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	14,713			98,851			(109,315		)
Net financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	(360,317		)	14,326			(44,200		)
Other receivables	(12,889		)	3,596			(19,501		)
Other assets	(19,917		)	(5,056		)	(7,819		)
Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities:
Payables:
Customers	12,592			(22,826		)	3,690
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	24,720			19,466			(27,607		)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	—			(8,581		)	(7,718		)
Accrued compensation	23,424			(27,225		)	(4,124		)
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	18,945			(38,685		)	7,833
Assets held for sale	435			438			2,795
Liabilities held for sale	(128		)	47			41
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	(211,782		)	205,333			(26,272		)
Investing Activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(56		)	(186,853		)
Purchases of fixed assets, net	(2,131		)	(7,648		)	(11,747		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,131		)	(7,704		)	(198,600		)
Financing Activities:
Increase/(decrease) in short-term financing	308,313			(29,940		)	103,231
Issuance/(repayment) of variable rate senior notes	125,000			—			(120,000		)
Increase/(decrease) in bank syndicated financing	(115,000		)	(10,000		)	121,703
Decrease in securities loaned	—			—			(25,988		)
Increase/(decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase	(59,080		)	(122,219		)	211,464
Increase in noncontrolling interests	22,208			25,957			1,518
Repurchase of common stock	(47,164		)	(26,529		)	(57,819		)
Proceeds from stock option transactions	—			40			98
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	234,277			(162,691		)	234,207
Currency adjustment:
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(17		)	(130		)	(162		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	20,347			34,808			9,173
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	85,024			50,216			41,043
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	105,371		$	85,024		$	50,216
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information -
Cash paid/(received) during the year for:
Interest	$	29,552		$	33,261		$	35,620
Income taxes	$	(4,961	)	$	14,982		$	5,388
Non-cash investing activities -
Issuance of restricted common stock for acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.:
893,105 shares for the year ended December 31, 2010	$	—		$	—		$	31,822
Non-cash financing activities -
Issuance of common stock for retirement plan obligations:
165,241 shares, 90,085 shares and 81,696 shares for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	3,814		$	3,814		$	3,634
Issuance of restricted common stock for annual equity award:
487,181 shares, 592,697 shares and 669,673 shares for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	11,244		$	25,095		$	31,121

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

62

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Piper Jaffray Companies is the parent company of Piper Jaffray & Co. (“Piper Jaffray”), a securities broker dealer and investment banking firm; Piper Jaffray Ltd., a firm providing securities brokerage and mergers and acquisitions services in Europe headquartered in London, England; Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI”) and Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC (“FAMCO”), entities providing asset management services to separately managed accounts, closed-end and open-end funds and partnerships; Piper Jaffray Investment Group Inc., which consists of entities providing alternative asset management services; Piper Jaffray Financial Products Inc., Piper Jaffray Financial Products II Inc. and Piper Jaffray Financial Products III Inc., entities that facilitate derivative transactions; and other immaterial subsidiaries. Piper Jaffray Companies and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) operate in two reporting segments: Capital Markets and Asset Management. A summary of the activities of each of the Company’s business segments is as follows:

Capital Markets

The Capital Markets segment provides institutional sales, trading and research services and investment banking services. Institutional sales, trading and research services focus on the trading of equity and fixed income products with institutions, government and non-profit entities. Revenues are generated through commissions and sales credits earned on equity and fixed income institutional sales activities, net interest revenues on trading securities held in inventory, and profits and losses from trading these securities. Investment banking services include management of and participation in underwritings, merger and acquisition services and public finance activities. Revenues are generated through the receipt of advisory and financing fees. Also, the Company generates revenue through strategic trading activities, which focus on proprietary investments in municipal bond and non-agency mortgage-backed securities, and merchant banking activities, which involve equity or debt investments in late stage private companies. As certain of these efforts have matured and an investment process has been developed, the Company has created alternative asset management funds in merchant banking and municipal securities in order to invest firm capital as well as seek capital from outside investors. The Company receives management and performance fees for managing these funds.

As discussed in Note 4, the Company discontinued its Hong Kong capital markets business in 2012.

Asset Management

The Asset Management segment provides traditional asset management services with product offerings in equity securities and master limited partnerships to institutions and individuals through proprietary distribution channels. Revenues are generated in the form of management and performance fees. The majority of the Company’s performance fees, if earned, are generally recognized in the fourth quarter. Revenues are also generated through investments in the partnerships and funds that the Company manages.

As discussed in Note 4, the Company's FAMCO subsidiary is being held for sale as of December 31, 2012.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of Piper Jaffray Companies, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Noncontrolling interests represent equity interests in consolidated entities that are not attributable, either directly or indirectly, to Piper Jaffray Companies. Noncontrolling interests include the minority equity holders’ proportionate share of the equity in a municipal bond fund, merchant banking fund and private equity investment vehicles. All material intercompany balances have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates and assumptions are based on the best information available, actual results could differ from those estimates.

63

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Reclassification

In 2012, the Company reclassified the value of restricted stock forfeitures from other income to a reduction of compensation and benefits expense within the consolidated statements of operations to be consistent with the reporting of forfeitures for the Piper Jaffray Companies Mutual Fund Restricted Share Investment Plan and to more accurately reflect compensation expense. Prior period amounts have been reclassified in the accompanying financial statements to conform to current period presentation. The reclassified amounts within continuing operations were $3.3 million and $5.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. This change had no effect on shareholders’ equity, net income or cash flows for any of the periods presented.

Note 2Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”).

Voting interest entities are entities in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable each entity to finance itself independently and provides the equity holders with the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right or power to make decisions about or direct the entity’s activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. Voting interest entities, where the Company has a majority interest, are consolidated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, “Consolidations” (“ASC 810”). ASC 810 states that the usual condition for a controlling financial interest in an entity is ownership of a majority voting interest. Accordingly, the Company consolidates voting interest entities in which it has all, or a majority of, the voting interests.

As defined in ASC 810, VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity described above. With the exception of entities eligible for the deferral codified in FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-10, “Consolidation: Amendments for Certain Investment Funds,” (“ASU 2010-10”) (generally asset managers and investment companies), ASC 810 states that a controlling financial interest in an entity is present when an enterprise has a variable interest, or combination of variable interests, that have both the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the rights to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. Accordingly, the Company consolidates VIEs in which the Company has a controlling financial interest.

Entities meeting the deferral provision defined by ASU 2010-10 are evaluated under the historical VIE guidance. Under the historical guidance, a controlling financial interest in an entity is present when an enterprise has a variable interest, or combination of variable interests, that will absorb a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both. The enterprise with a controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE. Accordingly, the Company consolidates VIEs subject to the deferral provisions defined by ASU 2010-10 in which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

When the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity but exerts significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies (generally defined as owning a voting or economic interest of between 20 percent to 50 percent), the Company accounts for its investment in accordance with the equity method of accounting prescribed by FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 323, “Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures.” If the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in, or exert significant influence over, an entity, the Company accounts for its investment at fair value, if the fair value option was elected, or at cost.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with maturities of 90 days or less at the date of origination.

In accordance with Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Piper Jaffray, as a registered broker dealer carrying customer accounts, is subject to requirements related to maintaining cash or qualified securities in a segregated reserve account for the exclusive benefit of its customers.

64

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Customer Transactions

Customer securities transactions are recorded on a settlement date basis, while the related revenues and expenses are recorded on a trade date basis. Customer receivables and payables include amounts related to both cash and margin transactions. Securities owned by customers, including those that collateralize margin or other similar transactions, are not reflected on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Management estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts to reserve for probable losses from unsecured and partially secured customer accounts. Management is continually evaluating its receivables from customers for collectability and possible write-off by examining the facts and circumstances surrounding each customer where a loss is deemed possible.

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations

Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations include receivables arising from unsettled securities transactions, deposits paid for securities borrowed, receivables from clearing organizations, deposits with clearing organizations and amounts receivable for securities not delivered to the purchaser by the settlement date (“securities failed to deliver”). Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations include payables arising from unsettled securities transactions, payables to clearing organizations and amounts payable for securities not received from a seller by the settlement date (“securities failed to receive”). Unsettled securities transactions related to the Company's broker dealer operations are recorded at contract value on a net basis. Unsettled securities transactions related to the Company's consolidated investment company operations are recorded on a gross basis.

Collateralized Securities Transactions

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase are carried at the contractual amounts at which the securities will be subsequently resold or repurchased, including accrued interest. It is the Company’s policy to take possession or control of securities purchased under agreements to resell at the time these agreements are entered into. The counterparties to these agreements typically are primary dealers of U.S. government securities and major financial institutions. Collateral is valued daily, and additional collateral is obtained from or refunded to counterparties when appropriate.

Securities borrowed and loaned result from transactions with other broker dealers or financial institutions and are recorded at the amount of cash collateral advanced or received. These amounts are included in receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Securities borrowed transactions require the Company to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. Securities loaned transactions require the borrower to deposit cash with the Company. The Company monitors the market value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or refunded as necessary.

Interest is accrued on securities borrowed and loaned transactions and is included in (i) other receivables or other liabilities and accrued expenses on the consolidated statements of financial condition and (ii) the respective interest income or interest expense amounts on the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased on our consolidated statements of financial condition consist of financial instruments recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses related to these financial instruments are reflected on the consolidated statements of operations. Securities (both long and short) are recognized on a trade-date basis. Additionally, certain of the Company’s investments recorded in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition are recorded at fair value, either as required by accounting guidance or through the fair value election.

Fair Value Hierarchy — FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” (“ASC 820”) provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC 820 maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from

65

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect management’s assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the transparency of inputs as follows:

Level I — Quoted prices (unadjusted) are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the report date. A quoted price for an identical asset or liability in an active market provides the most reliable fair value measurement because it is directly observable to the market. The type of financial instruments included in Level I are highly liquid instruments with quoted prices such as equities listed in active markets, U.S. treasury bonds, money market securities and certain exchange traded firm investments.

Level II — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the report date. The nature of these financial instruments include instruments for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently, derivative instruments whose fair value have been derived using a model where inputs to the model are directly observable in the market, or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, and instruments that are fair valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed. Instruments which are generally included in this category are certain types of the following securities: non-exchange traded equities, U.S. government agency securities, corporate bonds, municipal securities, asset-backed securities, convertible securities and derivative instruments.

Level III — Instruments that have little to no pricing observability as of the report date. These financial instruments may not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Instruments included in this category generally include certain types of the following securities: non-exchange traded equities, asset-backed securities, municipal securities, firm investments, convertible securities, corporate bonds and derivative instruments.

Valuation Of Financial Instruments — The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). Based on the nature of the Company’s business and its role as a “dealer” in the securities industry or its role as a manager of alternative asset management funds, the fair values of its financial instruments are determined internally. When available, the Company values financial instruments at observable market prices, observable market parameters, or broker or dealer prices (bid and ask prices). In the case of financial instruments transacted on recognized exchanges, the observable market prices represent quotations for completed transactions from the exchange on which the financial instrument is principally traded.

A substantial percentage of the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased, are based on observable market prices, observable market parameters, or derived from broker or dealer prices. The availability of observable market prices and pricing parameters can vary from product to product. Where available, observable market prices and pricing or market parameters in a product may be used to derive a price without requiring significant judgment. In certain markets, observable market prices or market parameters are not available for all products, and fair value is determined using techniques appropriate for each particular product. These techniques involve some degree of judgment. Results from valuation models and other techniques in one period may not be indicative of future period fair value measurement.

For investments in illiquid or privately held securities that do not have readily determinable fair values, the determination of fair value requires the Company to estimate the value of the securities using the best information available. Among the factors considered by the Company in determining the fair value of such financial instruments are the cost, terms and liquidity of the investment, the financial condition and operating results of the issuer, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar quality and yield, and other factors generally pertinent to the valuation of investments. In instances where a security is subject to transfer restrictions, the value of the security is based primarily on the quoted price of a similar security without restriction but may be reduced by an amount estimated to reflect such restrictions. In addition, even where the Company derives the value of a security based on information from an independent source, certain assumptions may be required to determine the security’s fair value. For instance, the Company assumes that the size of positions in securities that the Company holds would not be large enough to affect the quoted price of the securities if the firm sells them, and that any such sale would happen in an orderly manner. The actual value realized upon disposition could be different from the currently estimated fair value.

The fair values related to derivative contract transactions are reported in financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased on the consolidated statements of financial

66

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

condition and any unrealized gain or loss resulting from changes in fair values of derivatives is reported on the consolidated statements of operations. Depending upon the product and terms of the transaction, the fair value of the Company’s derivative contracts can be observed or priced using models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. The valuation models used require inputs including contractual terms, yield curves, discount rates and measures of volatility.

The Company does not utilize “hedge accounting” as described within FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). Derivatives are reported on a net basis by counterparty when a legal right of offset exists and on a net basis by cross product when applicable provisions are stated in master netting agreements. Cash collateral received or paid is netted on a counterparty basis, provided a legal right of offset exists.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets include furniture and equipment, software and leasehold improvements. Furniture and equipment and software are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful life or the life of the lease, whichever is shorter. The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with internal use software projects and amortizes the amount over the expected useful life of the asset, generally three to seven years.

Leases

The Company leases its corporate headquarters and other offices under various non-cancelable leases. The leases require payment of real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, in addition to rent. The terms of the Company’s lease agreements generally range up to twelve years. Some of the leases contain renewal options, escalation clauses, rent-free holidays and operating cost adjustments.

For leases that contain escalations or rent-free holidays, the Company recognizes the related rent expense on a straight-line basis from the date the Company takes possession of the property to the end of the initial lease term. The Company records any difference between the straight-line rent amounts and amounts payable under the leases as part of other liabilities and accrued expenses.

Cash or lease incentives received upon entering into certain leases are recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rent expense from the date the Company takes possession of the property or receives the cash to the end of the initial lease term. The Company records the unamortized portion of lease incentives as part of other liabilities and accrued expenses.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the fair value of the consideration transferred in excess of the fair value of identifiable net assets at the acquisition date. The recoverability of goodwill is evaluated annually, at a minimum, or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Further quantitative analysis is required if the Company determines that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The evaluation includes assessing the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units based on the Company’s market capitalization, market prices for similar assets, where available, and the present value of the estimated future cash flows associated with each reporting unit.

Intangible assets with determinable lives consist of asset management contractual relationships that are amortized over their estimated useful lives of up to ten years. Indefinite-life intangible assets consist of the ARI trade name. It is not amortized and is evaluated annually, at a minimum, or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount.

Other Receivables

Other receivables include management fees receivable, accrued interest and loans made to employees, typically in connection with their recruitment. Employee loans are forgiven based on continued employment and are amortized to compensation and benefits expense using the straight-line method over the respective terms of the loans, which generally range from two to five years.

67

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Other Assets

Other assets include net deferred income tax assets, proprietary investments, income tax receivables and prepaid expenses. The Company’s investments include investments in private companies and partnerships, warrants of public and private companies and private company debt. Equity investments in private companies are accounted for at fair value, if the fair value option was elected, or at cost. Investments in partnerships are accounted for under the equity method, which is generally the net asset value. Company-owned warrants with a cashless exercise option are valued at fair value, while warrants without a cashless exercise option are valued at cost. Private company debt investments are recorded at amortized cost, net of any unamortized premium or discount.

Revenue Recognition

Investment Banking — Investment banking revenues, which include underwriting fees, management fees and advisory fees, are recorded when services for the transactions are completed under the terms of each engagement. Expenses associated with such transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded. Investment banking revenues are presented net of related unreimbursed expenses. Expenses related to investment banking deals not completed are recognized as non-interest expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Institutional Brokerage — Institutional brokerage revenues include (i) commissions received from customers for the execution of brokerage transactions in listed and over-the-counter (OTC) equity, fixed income and convertible debt securities, which are recorded on a trade date basis, (ii) trading gains and losses and (iii) fees received by the Company for equity research. The Company permits institutional customers to allocate a portion of their gross commissions to pay for research products and other services provided by third parties. The amounts allocated for those purposes are commonly referred to as soft dollar arrangements. As the Company is not the primary obligor for these arrangements, expenses relating to soft dollars are netted against commission revenues.

Asset Management — Asset management fees include revenues the Company receives in connection with management and investment advisory services performed for separately managed accounts and various funds and partnerships. These fees are recognized in the period in which services are provided. Fees are defined in client contracts as either fixed or based on a percentage of portfolio assets under management and may include performance fees. Performance fees are earned when the investment return on assets under management exceeds certain benchmark targets or other performance targets over a specified measurement period (monthly, quarterly or annually). Performance fees, if earned, are generally recognized at the end of the specified measurement period, typically the fourth quarter of the applicable year, or upon client liquidation. Performance fees are recognized as of each reporting date for certain consolidated entities.

Interest Revenue and Expense — The Company nets interest expense within net revenues to mitigate the effects of fluctuations in interest rates on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company recognizes contractual interest on financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, on an accrual basis as a component of interest revenue and expense. The Company accounts for interest related to its short-term and bank syndicated financings and its variable rate senior notes on an accrual basis with related interest recorded as interest expense. In addition, the Company recognizes interest revenue related to its securities borrowed and securities purchased under agreements to resell activities and interest expense related to its securities loaned and securities sold under agreements to repurchase activities on an accrual basis.

Stock-based Compensation

FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” (“ASC 718”) requires all stock-based compensation to be expensed on the consolidated statements of operations based on the grant date fair value of the award. Compensation expense related to share-based awards that do not require future service are recognized in the year in which the awards were deemed to be earned. Share-based awards that require future service are amortized over the relevant service period net of estimated forfeitures.

Income Taxes

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, which includes all of its qualifying subsidiaries. The Company is also subject to income tax in various states and municipalities and those foreign jurisdictions in which we operate. Income taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between amounts reported for income tax purposes and financial statement purposes, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected

68

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

to be recovered or settled. The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance is recognized to the extent that it is more likely than not that any portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Tax reserves for uncertain tax positions are recorded in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”).

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Net income/(loss) applicable to common shareholders represents net income/(loss) reduced by the allocation of earnings to participating securities. Losses are not allocated to participating securities. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average outstanding shares to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive stock options.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are included in the earnings allocation in the earnings per share calculation under the two-class method. The Company grants restricted stock and restricted stock units as part of its share-based compensation program. Recipients of restricted stock are entitled to receive nonforfeitable dividends during the vesting period, and therefore meet the definition of a participating security. The Company's unvested restricted stock units are not participating securities as recipients are not eligible to receive nonforfeitable dividends.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company consolidates foreign subsidiaries which have designated their local currency as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated at year-end rates of exchange. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 830, “Foreign Currency Matters,” gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are included in other comprehensive income. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in net income.

Contingencies

The Company is involved in various pending and potential legal proceedings related to its business, including litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings. The Company establishes reserves for potential losses in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450, “Contingencies,” to the extent that claims are probable of loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The determination of the outcome and reserve amounts requires significant judgment on the part of management.

Note 3Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Repurchase Agreements

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03, “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements,” (“ASU 2011-03”) amending FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing” (“ASC 860”). The amended guidance addresses the reporting of repurchase agreements (“repos”) and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity. ASC 860 states that the accounting for repos depends in part on whether the transferor maintains effective control over the transferred financial assets. If the transferor maintains effective control, the transferor is required to account for its repo as a secured borrowing rather than a sale. ASU 2011-03 removes from the assessment of effective control the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets. ASU 2011-03 was effective for new transactions and transactions that are modified on or after January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-03 did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company accounts for its repos as secured borrowings.

69

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Fair Value Measurement

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs,” (“ASU 2011-04”) amending ASC 820. The amended guidance improves the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. Although most of the amendments only clarify existing guidance in U.S. GAAP, ASU 2011-04 requires new disclosures, with a particular focus on Level III measurements, including quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for all Level III measurements and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of recurring Level III measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs disclosed. ASU 2011-04 also requires the hierarchy classification for those items whose fair value is not recorded on the balance sheet but is disclosed in the footnotes. ASU 2011-04 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position, but did impact the Company’s disclosures about fair value measurement.

Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2011-05”) amending FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income.” The amended guidance improves the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and increases the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity, and requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position. The Company included its presentation of other comprehensive income, and the components of other comprehensive income, in a separate statement of comprehensive income.

Goodwill

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment,” (“ASU 2011-08”) amending FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”). The amended guidance permits companies to first assess qualitative factors in determining whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2011-08 was effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed by the Company for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-08 did not impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” (“ASU 2011-11”) amending FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 210, “Balance Sheet.” The amended guidance requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” (“ASU 2013-01”) to limit the scope of ASU 2011-11 to derivatives, repurchase agreements, and securities lending arrangements. ASU 2011-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and will be applied retrospectively for all comparable periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position, but will impact the Company’s disclosures about the offsetting of derivative contracts and related arrangements.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment,” (“ASU 2012-02”) amending ASC 350. The amended guidance permits companies to first assess qualitative factors in determining whether the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2012-02 will not impact the Company's results of operations or financial position.

70

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Note 4Discontinued Operations

The Company's Hong Kong capital markets business ceased operations as of September 30, 2012. In accordance with the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 205-20, “Discontinued Operations,” the results from this business, previously reported in the Capital Markets segment, have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

The components of discontinued operations for the Hong Kong capital markets business are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Net revenues	$	6,635		$	15,996		$	33,994
Restructuring expenses	11,535			—			—
Operating expenses	16,550			24,983			31,962
Total non-interest expenses	28,085			24,983			31,962
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	(21,450		)	(8,987		)	2,032
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(21,069		)	1,927			648
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(381	)	$	(10,914	)	$	1,384

The Company's FAMCO subsidiary is classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2012. A sale is expected to close within one year. FAMCO's results, previously reported in the Asset Management segment, have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented and the related assets and liabilities have been classified as held for sale. The disposal group primarily consists of intangible assets, other receivables and accrued compensation at December 31, 2012, and also included goodwill at December 31, 2011.

The components of discontinued operations for FAMCO are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Net revenues	$	5,718		$	6,584		$	10,883
Goodwill impairment	5,508			—			—
Operating expenses	8,362			7,089			9,448
Total non-interest expenses	13,870			7,089			9,448
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	(8,152		)	(505		)	1,435
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(2,726		)	(171		)	543
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(5,426	)	$	(334	)	$	892

71

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Note 5Acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.

On March 1, 2010, the Company completed the purchase of ARI, an asset management firm based in Chicago, Illinois. The fair value as of the acquisition date was $212.1 million, consisting of $180.3 million in cash and 893,105 shares (881,846 of which vest in four installments) of the Company’s common stock valued at $31.8 million. The fair value of the 881,846 shares of common stock with vesting restrictions was determined using the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the acquisition discounted for the liquidity restrictions in accordance with the valuation principles of ASC 820. The vesting provisions of these 881,846 shares (of which 220,461 shares and 324,962 shares vested in 2012 and 2011, respectively) are principally time-based, but also include certain post-termination restrictions. The remaining 11,259 shares had no vesting restrictions and the fair value was determined using the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the acquisition. A portion of the purchase price payable in cash was funded by proceeds from the issuance of variable rate senior notes in the amount of $120 million pursuant to the note purchase agreement dated December 31, 2009 with certain entities advised by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (“PIMCO”) and discussed further in Note 16 to these consolidated financial statements.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” Accordingly, goodwill was measured as the excess of the acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred over the amount of acquisition-date identifiable assets acquired net of assumed liabilities. The Company recorded $152.3 million of goodwill as an asset on the consolidated statements of financial condition, which is deductible for income tax purposes. In management’s opinion, the goodwill represents the reputation and expertise of ARI in the asset management business.

Identifiable intangible assets purchased by the Company consisted of customer relationships and the ARI trade name with acquisition-date fair values of $52.2 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Acquisition costs of $0.3 million were incurred in the year ended December 31, 2010, and are included in outside services within continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations.

ARI’s results of operations have been included in the consolidated Company’s financial statements prospectively beginning on the date of acquisition.

The following unaudited pro forma financial data assumes the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the period presented. Pro forma results have been prepared by adjusting the consolidated Company’s historical results to include ARI’s results of operations adjusted for the following changes: depreciation and amortization expenses were adjusted as a result of acquisition-date fair value adjustments to fixed assets, intangible assets, deferred acquisition costs and lease obligations; interest expense was adjusted for revised debt structures; and the income tax effect of applying the Company’s statutory tax rates to ARI’s results. The consolidated Company’s unaudited pro forma information presented does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have resulted had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the applicable period presented, nor does it indicate the results of operations in future periods.

(Dollars in thousands)	2010
Net revenues	$	538,119
Net income from continuing operations applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	26,109

72

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Note 6 Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased

Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased were as follows:

	December 31,		December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	16,478	$	29,233
Convertible securities	44,978		34,480
Fixed income securities	33,668		14,924
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	164,059		231,999
Tax-exempt securities	418,189		209,317
Short-term securities	68,328		47,387
Asset-backed securities	116,195		61,830
U.S. government agency securities	304,259		118,387
U.S. government securities	4,966		8,266
Derivative contracts	40,475		41,758
	$	1,211,595	$	797,581
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	27,090	$	33,737
Convertible securities	1,015		3,118
Fixed income securities	19,314		12,621
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	—		3,270
Short-term securities	60		145
Asset-backed securities	—		11,333
U.S. government agency securities	73,724		37,903
U.S. government securities	231,043		195,662
Derivative contracts	4,955		5,715
	$	357,201	$	303,504

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, financial instruments and other inventory positions owned in the amount of $826.8 million and $405.9 million, respectively, had been pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements, short-term financings and to the prime broker of the Company’s municipal bond funds.

Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased represent obligations of the Company to deliver the specified security at the contracted price, thereby creating a liability to purchase the security in the market at prevailing prices. The Company is obligated to acquire the securities sold short at prevailing market prices, which may exceed the amount reflected on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company economically hedges changes in the market value of its financial instruments and other inventory positions owned using inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased, interest rate derivatives, credit default swap index contracts, futures and exchange-traded options.

Derivative Contract Financial Instruments

The Company uses interest rate swaps, interest rate locks, credit default swap index contracts and foreign currency forward contracts to facilitate customer transactions and as a means to manage risk in certain inventory positions and firm investments. The following describes the Company’s derivatives by the type of transaction or security the instruments are economically hedging.

Customer matched-book derivatives: The Company enters into interest rate derivative contracts in a principal capacity as a dealer to satisfy the financial needs of its customers.  The Company simultaneously enters into  an interest rate  derivative  contract with

73

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

a third party for the same notional amount to hedge the interest rate and credit risk of the initial client interest rate derivative contract. In certain limited instances, the Company has only hedged interest rate risk with a third party, and retains uncollateralized credit risk as described below. The instruments use interest rates based upon either the London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) index or the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) index.

Trading securities derivatives: The Company enters into interest rate derivative contracts to hedge interest rate and market value risks associated with its fixed income securities. The instruments use interest rates based upon either the Municipal Market Data (“MMD”) index, LIBOR or the SIFMA index. The Company also enters into credit default swap index contracts to hedge credit risk associated with its taxable fixed income securities.

Firm investments: The Company has historically entered into foreign currency forward contracts to manage the currency exposure related to its non-U.S. dollar denominated firm investments.

The following table presents the total absolute notional contract amount associated with the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments:

(Dollars in thousands)		December 31,		December 31,
Transaction Type or Hedged Security	Derivative Category	2012		2011
Customer matched-book	Interest rate derivative contract	$	5,569,096	$	5,848,530
Trading securities	Interest rate derivative contract	244,250		99,750
Trading securities	Credit default swap index contract	230,650		188,000
		$	6,043,996	$	6,136,280

The Company’s interest rate derivative contracts, credit default swap index contracts and foreign currency forward contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting, therefore, unrealized gains and losses are recorded on the consolidated statements of operations. The following table presents the Company’s unrealized gains/(losses) on derivative instruments:

(Dollars in thousands)		Year Ended December 31,
Derivative Category	Operations Category	2012			2011			2010
Interest rate derivative contract	Investment banking	$	(2,583	)	$	(4,959	)	$	3,531
Interest rate derivative contract	Institutional brokerage	(798		)	(7,371		)	3,107
Credit default swap index contract	Institutional brokerage	(1,603		)	1,009			(1,665		)
Foreign currency forward contract	Other operating expenses	—			(59		)	115
		$	(4,984	)	$	(11,380	)	$	5,088

The gross fair market value of all derivative instruments and their location on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition prior to counterparty netting are shown below by asset or liability position (1):

		Asset Value at			Liability Value at
(Dollars in thousands)		December 31,			December 31,
Derivative Category	Financial Condition Location	2012		Financial Condition Location	2012
Interest rate derivative contract	Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	$	593,627	Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold,  but not yet purchased	$	571,359
Credit default swap index contract	Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	2,686		Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold,  but not yet purchased	3,623
		$	596,313		$	574,982

(1) Amounts are disclosed at gross fair value in accordance with the requirements of ASC 815.

Derivatives are reported on a net basis by counterparty when a legal right of offset exists and on a net basis by cross product when applicable provisions are stated in master netting agreements. Cash collateral received or paid is netted on a counterparty basis, provided a legal right of offset exists.

Credit risk associated with the Company’s derivatives is the risk that a derivative counterparty will not perform in accordance with the terms of the applicable derivative contract. Credit exposure associated with the Company’s derivatives is driven by uncollateralized market movements in the fair value of the contracts with counterparties and is monitored regularly by the

74

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Company’s financial risk committee. The Company considers counterparty credit risk in determining derivative contract fair value. The majority of the Company’s  derivative contracts are substantially collateralized by its counterparties, who  are major  financial institutions. The Company has a limited number of counterparties who are not required to post collateral. Based on market movements, the uncollateralized amounts representing the fair value of the derivative contract can become material, exposing the Company to the credit risk of these counterparties. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $31.7 million of uncollateralized credit exposure with these counterparties (notional contract amount of $203.0 million), including $17.6 million of uncollateralized credit exposure with one counterparty.

Note 7Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Based on the nature of the Company’s business and its role as a “dealer” in the securities industry or as a manager of alternative asset management funds, the fair values of its financial instruments are determined internally. The Company’s processes are designed to ensure that the fair values used for financial reporting are based on observable inputs wherever possible. In the event that observable inputs are not available, unobservable inputs are developed based on an evaluation of all relevant empirical market data, including prices evidenced by market transactions, interest rates, credit spreads, volatilities and correlations and other security-specific information. Valuation adjustments related to illiquidity or counterparty credit risk are also considered. In estimating fair value, the Company may utilize information provided by third-party pricing vendors to corroborate internally-developed fair value estimates.

The Company employs specific control processes to determine the reasonableness of the fair value of its financial instruments. The Company’s processes are designed to ensure that the internally estimated fair values are accurately recorded and that the data inputs and the valuation techniques used are appropriate, consistently applied, and that the assumptions are reasonable and consistent with the objective of determining fair value. Individuals outside of the trading departments perform independent pricing verification reviews as of each reporting date. The Company has established parameters which set forth when the fair value of securities are independently verified. The selection parameters are generally based upon the type of security, the level of estimation risk of a security, the materiality of the security to the Company’s financial statements, changes in fair value from period to period, and other specific facts and circumstances of the Company’s securities portfolio. In evaluating the initial internally-estimated fair values made by the Company’s traders, the nature and complexity of securities involved (e.g., term, coupon, collateral, and other key drivers of value), level of market activity for securities, and availability of market data are considered. The independent price verification procedures include, but are not limited to, analysis of trade data (both internal and external where available), corroboration to the valuation of positions with similar characteristics, risks and components, or comparison to an alternative pricing source, such as a discounted cash flow model. The Company’s valuation committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides oversight and overall responsibility for the internal control processes and procedures related to fair value measurements.

The following is a description of the valuation techniques used to measure fair value.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Actively traded money market funds are measured at their net asset value and classified as Level I.

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned

The Company records financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with unrealized gains and losses reflected on the consolidated statements of operations.

Equity securities – Exchange traded equity securities are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange for identical assets or liabilities as of the period-end date. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized as Level I. Non-exchange traded equity securities (principally hybrid preferred securities) are measured primarily using broker quotations, prices observed for recently executed market transactions and internally-developed fair value estimates based on observable inputs and are categorized within Level II of the fair value hierarchy. Where such information is not available, non-exchange traded equity securities are categorized as Level III financial instruments and measured using valuation techniques involving quoted prices of or market data for comparable companies. When using pricing data of comparable companies,

75

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

judgment must be applied to adjust the pricing data to account for differences between the measured security and the comparable security (e.g., issuer market capitalization, yield, dividend rate and geographical concentration).

Convertible securities – Convertible securities are valued based on observable trades, when available. Accordingly, these convertible securities are categorized as Level II. When  observable price quotations are not available, fair value is determined using model-based valuation techniques with observable market inputs, such as specific company stock price and volatility, and unobservable inputs such as option adjusted spreads over the U.S. treasury securities curve. These instruments are categorized as Level III.

Corporate fixed income securities – Fixed income securities include corporate bonds which are valued based on recently executed market transactions of comparable size, internally-developed fair value estimates based on observable inputs, or broker quotations. Accordingly, these corporate bonds are categorized as Level II. When observable price quotations or certain observable inputs are not available, fair value is determined using model-based valuation techniques with observable inputs such as specific security contractual terms and yield curves, and unobservable inputs such as credit spreads over U.S. treasury securities. Corporate bonds measured using model-based valuation techniques are categorized as Level III.

Taxable municipal securities – Taxable municipal securities are valued using recently executed observable trades or market price quotations and therefore are generally categorized as Level II.

Tax-exempt municipal securities – Tax-exempt municipal securities are valued using recently executed observable trades or market price quotations and therefore are generally categorized as Level II. Certain illiquid tax-exempt municipal securities are valued using market data for comparable securities (maturity and sector) and management judgment to infer an appropriate current yield or other model-based valuation techniques deemed appropriate by management based on the specific nature of the individual security and are therefore categorized as Level III.

Short-term municipal securities – Short-term municipal securities include auction rate securities, variable rate demand notes, and other short-term municipal securities. Variable rate demand notes and other short-term municipal securities are valued using recently executed observable trades or market price quotations and therefore are generally categorized as Level II. Auction rate securities with limited liquidity are categorized as Level III and are valued using discounted cash flow models with unobservable inputs such as the Company’s expectations of recovery rate on the securities.

Asset-backed securities – Asset-backed securities are valued using observable trades, when available. Certain asset-backed securities are valued using models where inputs to the model are directly observable in the market, or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. These asset-backed securities are categorized as Level II. Other asset-backed securities, which are principally collateralized by residential mortgages, have experienced low volumes of executed transactions resulting in less observable transaction data. Certain asset-backed securities collateralized by residential mortgages are valued using cash flow models that utilize unobservable inputs including credit default rates, prepayment rates, loss severity and valuation yields. As judgment is used to determine the range of these inputs, these asset-backed securities are categorized as Level III.

U.S. government agency securities – U.S. government agency securities include agency debt bonds and mortgage bonds. Agency debt bonds are valued by using either direct price quotes or price quotes for comparable bond securities and are categorized as Level II. Mortgage bonds include bonds secured by mortgages, mortgage pass-through securities, agency collateralized mortgage-obligation (“CMO”) securities and agency interest-only securities. Mortgage pass-through securities, CMO securities and interest-only securities are valued using recently executed observable trades or other observable inputs, such as prepayment speeds and therefore are generally categorized as Level II. Mortgage bonds are valued using observable market inputs, such as market yields ranging from 75-115 basis points (“bps”) on spreads over U.S. treasury securities, or models based upon prepayment expectations ranging from 350-500 Public Securities Association (“PSA”) prepayment levels. These securities are categorized as Level II.

U.S. government securities – U.S. government securities include highly liquid U.S. treasury securities which are generally valued using quoted market prices and therefore categorized as Level I. The Company does not transact in securities of countries other than the U.S. government.

Derivatives – Derivative contracts include interest rate and basis swaps, forward purchase agreements, interest rate locks, futures, credit default swap index contracts and foreign currency forward contracts. These instruments derive their value from underlying assets, reference rates, indices or a combination of these factors. The majority of the Company’s interest rate derivative contracts, including both interest rate swaps and interest rate locks, are valued using market standard pricing models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. The valuation models used do not involve material subjectivity as the methodologies do not

76

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

entail significant judgment and the pricing inputs are market observable, including contractual terms, yield curves and measures of volatility. These instruments are classified as Level II within the fair value hierarchy. Certain interest rate locks transact in less active markets and were valued using valuation models that used the previously mentioned observable inputs and certain unobservable inputs that required significant judgment, such as the premium over the MMD curve. These instruments are classified as Level III. The Company’s credit default swap index contracts and foreign currency forward contracts are valued using market price quotations and are classified as Level II.

Investments

The Company’s investments valued at fair value include equity investments in private companies, investments in public companies and warrants of public or private companies. These investments are included in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Exchange traded direct equity investments in public companies and registered mutual funds are valued based on quoted prices on active markets and classified as Level I. Company-owned warrants, which have a cashless exercise option, are valued based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and certain unobservable inputs. The Company applies a liquidity discount to the value of its warrants in public and private companies. For warrants in private companies, valuation adjustments, based upon management’s judgment, are made to account for differences between the measured security and the stock volatility factors of comparable companies. Company-owned warrants are reported as Level III assets. Equity securities in private companies are valued based on an assessment of each underlying security, considering rounds of financing and third-party transactions, discounted cash flow analyses and market-based information, including comparable company transactions, trading multiples and changes in market outlook, among other factors. These securities are generally categorized as Level III.

Fair Value Option – The fair value option permits the irrevocable fair value option election on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument. The fair value option was elected for certain merchant banking and other investments at inception to reflect economic events in earnings on a timely basis. At December 31, 2012, $15.4 million in merchant banking and other equity investments, included within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition, are accounted for at fair value and are classified as Level III assets. The gains from fair value changes included in earnings as a result of electing to apply the fair value option to certain financial assets were $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

77

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

The following table summarizes quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s Level III financial instruments as of December 31, 2012:

	Valuation			Weighted
	Technique	Unobservable Input	Range	Average
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	Discounted cash flow	Debt service coverage ratio (2)	5 - 69%	24.7%
Short-term securities	Discounted cash flow	Expected recovery rate (% of par) (2)	77 - 80%	79.6%
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized by residential mortgages	Discounted cash flow	Credit default rates (3)	1 - 9%	4.6%
		Prepayment rates (4)	1 - 27%	9.0%
		Loss severity (3)	50 - 100%	68.2%
		Valuation yields (3)	3 - 8%	5.7%
Derivative contracts:
Interest rate locks	Discounted cash flow	Premium over the MMD curve (1)	18 - 61 bps	49.1 bps
Investments:
Warrants in public and private companies	Black-Scholes option pricing model	Liquidity discount rates (1)	30 - 40%	35.8%
Warrants in private companies	Black-Scholes option pricing model	Stock volatility factors of comparable companies (2)	36 - 135%	49.4%
Equity securities in private companies	Discounted cash flow/ Market approach	Revenue multiple (2)	2 - 4 times	2.8 times
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Derivative contracts:
Interest rate locks	Discounted cash flow	Premium over the MMD curve (1)	1 - 69 bps	7.3 bps

Sensitivity of the fair value to changes in unobservable inputs:

(1) Significant increase/(decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in a significantly lower/(higher) fair value measurement.

(2) Significant increase/(decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in a significantly higher/(lower) fair value measurement.

(3) Significant changes in any of these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly different fair value. Generally, a change in the assumption used for credit default rates is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally inverse change in the assumption for valuation yields.

(4) The potential impact of changes in prepayment rates on fair value is dependent on other security-specific factors, such as the par value and structure. Changes in the prepayment rates may result in directionally similar or directionally inverse changes in fair value depending on whether the security trades at a premium or discount to the par value.

78

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments by pricing observability levels defined in ASC 820 as of December 31, 2012:

							Counterparty
							and Cash
							Collateral
(Dollars in thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Netting (1)			Total
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	3,180	$	13,298	$	—	$	—		$	16,478
Convertible securities	—		44,978		—		—			44,978
Fixed income securities	—		33,668		—		—			33,668
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	—		164,059		—		—			164,059
Tax-exempt securities	—		416,760		1,429		—			418,189
Short-term securities	—		67,672		656		—			68,328
Asset-backed securities	—		24		116,171		—			116,195
U.S. government agency securities	—		304,259		—		—			304,259
U.S. government securities	4,966		—		—		—			4,966
Derivative contracts	—		595,486		827		(555,838		)	40,475
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	8,146		1,640,204		119,083		(555,838		)	1,211,595
Cash equivalents	51,346		—		—		—			51,346
Investments	5,810		—		33,245		—			39,055
Total assets	$	65,302	$	1,640,204	$	152,328	$	(555,838	)	$	1,301,996
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	25,362	$	1,728	$	—	$	—		$	27,090
Convertible securities	—		1,015		—		—			1,015
Fixed income securities	—		19,314		—		—			19,314
Municipal securities:
Short-term securities	—		60		—		—			60
U.S. government agency securities	—		73,724		—		—			73,724
U.S. government securities	231,043		—		—		—			231,043
Derivative contracts	—		569,764		5,218		(570,027		)	4,955
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	256,405	$	665,605	$	5,218	$	(570,027	)	$	357,201

(1) Represents cash collateral and the impact of netting on a counterparty basis. The Company had no securities posted as collateral to its counterparties.

79

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments by pricing observability levels defined in ASC 820 as of December 31, 2011:

							Counterparty
							and Cash
							Collateral
(Dollars in thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Netting (1)			Total
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	25,039	$	4,194	$	—	$	—		$	29,233
Convertible securities	—		34,480		—		—			34,480
Fixed income securities	—		12,109		2,815		—			14,924
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	—		231,999		—		—			231,999
Tax-exempt securities	—		206,182		3,135		—			209,317
Short-term securities	—		47,212		175		—			47,387
Asset-backed securities	—		8,742		53,088		—			61,830
U.S. government agency securities	—		118,387		—		—			118,387
U.S. government securities	8,266		—		—		—			8,266
Derivative contracts	—		628,121		—		(586,363		)	41,758
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	33,305		1,291,426		59,213		(586,363		)	797,581
Cash equivalents	65,690		—		—		—			65,690
Investments	5,159		—		21,341		—			26,500
Total assets	$	104,154	$	1,291,426	$	80,554	$	(586,363	)	$	889,771
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	33,495	$	242	$	—	$	—		$	33,737
Convertible securities	—		1,947		1,171		—			3,118
Fixed income securities	—		11,721		900		—			12,621
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	—		3,270		—		—			3,270
Short-term securities	—		145		—		—			145
Asset-backed securities	—		11,333		—		—			11,333
U.S. government agency securities	—		37,903		—		—			37,903
U.S. government securities	195,662		—		—		—			195,662
Derivative contracts	—		599,627		3,594		(597,506		)	5,715
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	229,157	$	666,188	$	5,665	$	(597,506	)	$	303,504

(1) Represents cash collateral and the impact of netting on a counterparty basis. The Company had no securities posted as collateral to its counterparties.

The Company’s Level III assets were $152.3 million and $80.6 million, or 11.7 percent and 9.1 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The value of transfers between levels are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period. There were $1.2 million of transfers of financial liabilities from Level III to Level II during the year ended December 31, 2012 related to convertible securities for which market trades were observed that provided transparency into the valuation of these liabilities. There were no other significant transfers between Level I, Level II or Level III for the year ended December 31, 2012.

80

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

The following tables summarize the changes in fair value associated with Level III financial instruments during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Balance at													Realized			Unrealized			Balance at
	December 31,								Transfers		Transfers			gains/			gains/			December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2011		Purchases			Sales			in		out			(losses) (1)			(losses) (1)			2012
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Fixed income securities	2,815		1,995			(4,594		)	—		—			(118		)	(98		)	—
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	3,135		1,550			(2,997		)	266		—			(1,156		)	631			1,429
Short-term securities	175		650			—			—		—			—			(169		)	656
Asset-backed securities	53,088		125,844			(69,623		)	38		—			487			6,337			116,171
Derivative contracts	—		—			—			—		—			—			827			827
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	59,213		130,039			(77,214		)	304		—			(787		)	7,528			119,083
Investments	21,341		15,003			(2,394		)	—		(266		)	1,595			(2,034		)	33,245
Total assets	$	80,554	$	145,042		$	(79,608	)	$	304	$	(266	)	$	808		$	5,494		$	152,328
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Convertible securities	$	1,171	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	(1,171	)	$	—		$	—		$	—
Fixed income securities	900		(897		)	—			—		—			(49		)	46			—
Derivative contracts	3,594		(6,549		)	—			—		—			6,549			1,624			5,218
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	5,665	$	(7,446	)	$	—		$	—	$	(1,171	)	$	6,500		$	1,670		$	5,218

(1) Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to financial instruments, with the exception of foreign currency forward contracts and customer matched-book derivatives, are reported in institutional brokerage on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in other operating expenses. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to customer matched-book derivatives are reported in investment banking. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to investments are reported in investment banking revenues or other income/(loss) on the consolidated statements of operations.

81

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

	Balance at													Realized			Unrealized			Balance at
	December 31,								Transfers		Transfers			gains/			gains/			December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2010		Purchases			Sales			in		out			(losses) (1)			(losses) (1)			2011
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	1,340	$	—		$	(1,467	)	$	—	$	—		$	127		$	—		$	—
Convertible securities	2,885		—			—			—		(2,885		)	—			—			—
Fixed income securities	6,268		23,419			(27,195		)	91		—			114			118			2,815
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	6,118		—			(6,210		)	3,870		—			(11		)	(632		)	3,135
Short-term securities	125		50			—			—		—			—			—			175
Asset-backed securities	45,170		85,229			(77,453		)	1,009		—			509			(1,376		)	53,088
Derivative contracts	4,665		2,142			(2,363		)	—		—			221			(4,665		)	—
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	66,571		110,840			(114,688		)	4,970		(2,885		)	960			(6,555		)	59,213
Investments	9,682		14,421			(698		)	190		(4,725		)	697			1,774			21,341
Total assets	$	76,253	$	125,261		$	(115,386	)	$	5,160	$	(7,610	)	$	1,657		$	(4,781	)	$	80,554
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Convertible securities	$	1,777	$	(12,578	)	$	14,167		$	—	$	(1,777	)	$	(394	)	$	(24	)	$	1,171
Fixed income securities	2,323		(641		)	1,105			—		(1,838		)	(22		)	(27		)	900
Asset-backed securities	2,115		(20,733		)	16,825			1,908		—			(112		)	(3		)	—
Derivative contracts	339		(1,482		)	—			—		—			1,482			3,255			3,594
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	6,554	$	(35,434	)	$	32,097		$	1,908	$	(3,615	)	$	954		$	3,201		$	5,665

(1) Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to financial instruments, with the exception of foreign currency forward contracts and customer matched-book derivatives, are reported in institutional brokerage on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in other operating expenses. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to customer matched-book derivatives are reported in investment banking. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to investments are reported in investment banking revenues or other income/(loss) on the consolidated statements of operations.

The carrying values of some of the Company’s financial instruments approximate fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature. Such financial assets and financial liabilities include cash, securities either purchased or sold under agreements to resell, receivables and payables either from or to customers and brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and short-term financings.

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurement

During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $5.5 million within discontinued operations representing the full value of goodwill attributable to the FAMCO reporting unit. The fair value measurement used in the analysis was based on a discounted cash flow model and the anticipated pricing for the sale of FAMCO. The discounted cash flow model was calculated using unobservable inputs, such as operational budgets, strategic plans and other estimates, which are classified as Level III within the fair value hierarchy.

In 2011, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $120.3 million within continuing operations representing the full value of goodwill attributable to the capital markets reporting unit. The fair value measurement used in the analysis was based on the Company’s market capitalization, a discounted cash flow model, and public company comparables. The discounted cash flow model was calculated using unobservable inputs, such as operational budgets, long range strategic plans and other estimates, which are classified as Level III within the fair value hierarchy. See Note 13 for further discussion.

82

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Note 8Variable Interest Entities

In the normal course of business, the Company periodically creates or transacts with entities that are investment vehicles organized as partnerships or limited liability companies. These entities were established for the purpose of investing in securities of public or private companies, or municipal debt obligations and were initially financed through the capital commitments of the members. The Company has investments in and/or acts as the managing partner of these entities. In certain instances, the Company provides management and investment advisory services for which it earns fees generally based upon the market value of assets under management and may include incentive fees based upon performance. The Company’s aggregate investments in these investment vehicles totaled $96.9 million and $45.3 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are recorded in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company’s remaining capital commitments to these entities was $44.0 million at December 31, 2012.

Variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are entities in which equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities. The determination as to whether an entity is a VIE is based on the amount and nature of the members’ equity investment in the entity. The Company also considers other characteristics such as the power through voting rights or similar rights to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. For those entities that meet the deferral provisions defined by ASU 2010-10, the Company considers characteristics such as the ability to influence the decision making about the entity’s activities and how the entity is financed. The Company has identified certain of the entities described above as VIEs. These VIEs had net assets approximating $0.8 billion at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company’s exposure to loss from these VIEs is $6.1 million, which is the carrying value of its capital contributions recorded in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition at December 31, 2012. The Company had no liabilities related to these VIEs at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

The Company is required to consolidate all VIEs for which it is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The determination as to whether the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary is based on whether the Company has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For those entities that meet the deferral provisions defined by ASU 2010-10, the determination as to whether the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary differs in that it is based on whether the Company will absorb a majority of the VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, or both. The Company determined it is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and accordingly does not consolidate them. Furthermore, the Company has not provided financial or other support to these VIEs that it was not previously contractually required to provide as of December 31, 2012.

Note 9Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations

Amounts receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations at December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Receivable arising from unsettled securities transactions	$	66,426	$	279
Deposits paid for securities borrowed	32,163		46,298
Receivable from clearing organizations	17,655		20,453
Deposits with clearing organizations	24,717		31,061
Securities failed to deliver	5,440		23,140
Other	1,716		3,430
	$	148,117	$	124,661

83

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Amounts payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations at December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Payable arising from unsettled securities transactions	$	24,643	$	29,005
Payable to clearing organizations	5,763		3,064
Securities failed to receive	7,459		1,402
Other	22,290		1,965
	$	60,155	$	35,436

Deposits paid for securities borrowed approximate the market value of the securities. Securities failed to deliver and receive represent the contract value of securities that have not been delivered or received by the Company on settlement date.

Note 10Receivables from and Payables to Customers

Amounts receivable from customers as of December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Cash accounts	$	7,444	$	10,833
Margin accounts	6,351		13,363
Total receivables	$	13,795	$	24,196

Securities owned by customers are held as collateral for margin loan receivables. This collateral is not reflected on the consolidated financial statements. Margin loan receivables earn interest at floating interest rates based on prime rates.

Amounts payable to customers as of December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Cash accounts	$	32,103	$	17,455
Margin accounts	9,904		11,918
Total payables	$	42,007	$	29,373

Payables to customers primarily comprise certain cash balances in customer accounts consisting of customer funds pending settlement of securities transactions and customer funds on deposit. Except for amounts arising from customer short sales, all amounts payable to customers are subject to withdrawal by customers upon their request.

Note 11Collateralized Securities Transactions

The Company’s financing and customer securities activities involve the Company using securities as collateral. In the event that the counterparty does not meet its contractual obligation to return securities used as collateral, or customers do not deposit additional securities or cash for margin when required, the Company may be exposed to the risk of reacquiring the securities or selling the securities at unfavorable market prices in order to satisfy its obligations to its customers or counterparties. The Company seeks to control this risk by monitoring the market value of securities pledged or used as collateral on a daily basis and requiring adjustments in the event of excess market exposure. The Company will also use an unaffiliated third party custodian to administer the underlying collateral for certain of its repurchase agreements and short-term financing to mitigate risk.

In the normal course of business, the Company obtains securities purchased under agreements to resell, securities borrowed and margin agreements on terms that permit it to repledge or resell the securities to others. The Company obtained securities with a fair value of approximately $186.1 million and $221.9 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of which $174.4 million and $196.9 million, respectively, had been pledged or otherwise transferred to satisfy its commitments under financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased.

84

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

The following is a summary of the Company’s securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“Repurchase Liabilities”), the fair market value of related collateral pledged and the interest rate charged by the Company’s counterparty, which is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin, as of December 31, 2012:

(Dollars in thousands)	Repurchase Liabilities		Fair Market Value		Interest Rate
Term of 30 to 90 day maturities:
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	$	6,679	$	7,943	1.90%
Tax-exempt securities	27,339		32,889		1.90%
Short-term securities	11,409		13,740		1.90%
U.S. government agency securities	2,981		3,019		1.90%
U.S. government securities	1,592		1,624		1.90%
	$	50,000	$	59,215

Note 12Other Assets

Other assets include net deferred income tax assets, proprietary investments, income tax receivables and prepaid expenses. The Company’s investments include investments in private companies and partnerships, warrants of public and private companies and private company debt. Other assets at December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Net deferred income tax assets	$	33,622	$	45,080
Investments at fair value	39,055		26,500
Investments at cost	26,364		25,672
Investments accounted for under the equity method	20,353		16,157
Income tax receivables	5,448		—
Prepaid expenses	3,840		5,897
Other	1,015		1,858
Total other assets	$	129,697	$	121,164

Management regularly reviews the Company’s investments in private company debt and has concluded that no valuation allowance is needed as it is probable that all contractual principal and interest will be collected.

At December 31, 2012, investments carried on a cost basis had an estimated fair market value of $40.3 million. The estimated fair value of these investments was measured using discounted cash flow models that utilize market data for comparable companies (e.g., multiples of revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")). Because valuation adjustments, based upon management’s judgment, were made to account for differences between the measured security and comparable securities, investments carried at cost would be categorized as Level III assets in the fair value hierarchy, if they were carried at fair value.

Investments accounted for under the equity method include general and limited partnership interests. The carrying value of these investments is based on the investment vehicle’s net asset value. The net assets of investment partnerships consist of investments in both marketable and non-marketable securities. The underlying investments held by such partnerships are valued based on the estimated fair value ultimately determined by management in our capacity as general partner or investor and, in the case of investments in unaffiliated investment partnerships, are based on financial statements prepared by the unaffiliated general partners.

85

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Note 13Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The following table presents the changes in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets from continuing operations for the years ended December 31:

	Capital			Asset
(Dollars in thousands)	Markets			Management			Total
Goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	120,298		$	196,788		$	317,086
FAMCO earn-out payment	—			56			56
Impairment charge	(120,298		)	—			(120,298		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	—			196,844			196,844
Goodwill acquired	—			—			—
Impairment charge	—			—			—
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	196,844		$	196,844
Intangible assets
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	—		$	55,458		$	55,458
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(7,256		)	(7,256		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	—			48,202			48,202
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(6,944		)	(6,944		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	41,258		$	41,258

The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis and on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances exist that could indicate possible impairment. The Company tests for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is generally one level below its operating segments. The Company has identified three reporting units: capital markets, FAMCO and ARI. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if the Company concludes otherwise, then the Company is required to perform the two-step impairment test, which requires management to make judgments in determining what assumptions to use in the calculation. The first step of the process consists of estimating the fair value of our reporting units based on the following factors: the Company’s market capitalization, a discounted cash flow model using revenue and profit forecasts, public market comparables and multiples of recent mergers and acquisitions of similar businesses, if available. The estimated fair values of our reporting units are compared with their carrying values, which includes the allocated goodwill. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying values, a second step is performed to compute the amount of the impairment by determining an “implied fair value” of goodwill. The determination of a reporting unit’s “implied fair value” of goodwill requires us to allocate the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. Any unallocated fair value represents the “implied fair value” of goodwill, which is compared to its corresponding carrying value.

In the first quarter of 2012, the Company reorganized its FAMCO and ARI reporting units, resulting in FAMCO's master limited partnership and energy infrastructure strategies becoming part of ARI. In accordance with ASC 350, $44.6 million of the $50.1 million in goodwill attributable to the Company's 2007 acquisition of FAMCO was reallocated to the ARI reporting unit.

The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment testing as of November 30, 2012, and concluded there was no goodwill impairment from reporting units included in continuing operations. The Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $5.5 million within discontinued operations. This amount represents the full value of goodwill attributable to the FAMCO reporting unit. The fair value of the FAMCO reporting unit was calculated based on a discounted cash flow model and the anticipated sales price for FAMCO, which is classified as held for sale.

In 2011, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $120.3 million within continuing operations. The charge related to the capital markets reporting unit and primarily pertains to goodwill created from the 1998 acquisition of Piper Jaffray Companies Inc. by U.S. Bancorp, which was retained by the Company when the Company spun-off from U.S. Bancorp on December 31, 2003. The fair value of the capital markets reporting unit was calculated based on the following factors: the Company’s market capitalization, a discounted cash flow model using revenue and profits forecasts and public company comparables. The

86

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

impairment charge resulted from deteriorating economic and market conditions and declining profitability in 2011, which led to reduced valuations from these factors. The annual goodwill impairment testing resulted in no impairment associated with FAMCO or ARI in 2011. The Company also tested its intangible assets (indefinite and definite-lived) and concluded there was no impairment in 2012 or 2011. The Company concluded there was no goodwill or intangible asset impairment in 2010.

Intangible assets with determinable lives consist of asset management contractual relationships that are amortized over their estimated useful lives of up to ten years. The following table presents the future aggregate intangible asset amortization expense for the years ended:

(Dollars in thousands)
2013	$	6,644
2014	6,299
2015	6,039
2016	5,551
Thereafter	13,865
Total	$	38,398

Note 14Fixed Assets

The following is a summary of fixed assets as of December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011
Furniture and equipment	$	36,454		$	37,633
Leasehold improvements	19,508			22,031
Software	20,159			20,026
Total	76,121			79,690
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(61,032		)	(58,153		)
	$	15,089		$	21,537

For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, depreciation and amortization of furniture and equipment, leasehold improvements and software from continuing operations totaled $6.5 million, $6.6 million and $6.7 million, respectively, and are included in occupancy and equipment on the consolidated statements of operations.

Note 15Short-Term Financing

The following is a summary of short-term financing and the weighted average interest rate on borrowings as of December 31:

	Outstanding Balance				Weighted Average Interest Rate
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2012	2011
Commercial paper (secured)	$	304,439	$	166,175	1.65%	1.37%
Prime broker arrangement	172,575		2,526		0.98%	1.05%
Total short-term financing	$	477,014	$	168,701

The Company issues secured commercial paper to fund a portion of its securities inventory. The secured commercial paper notes (“CP Notes”) are issued with maturities of 28 days to 270 days from the date of issuance. The CP Notes are issued under two separate programs, CP Series A and CP Series II A, and are secured by different inventory classes. As of December 31, 2012, the weighted average maturity of CP Series A and CP Series II A was 98 days and 34 days, respectively. The CP Notes are interest bearing or sold at a discount to par with an interest rate based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin.

The Company has established an arrangement to obtain financing with a prime broker related to its municipal bond funds. Financing under this arrangement is secured by certain securities, primarily municipal securities, and collateral limitations could reduce the amount of funding available under this arrangement. The funding is at the discretion of the prime broker.

The Company has committed short-term bank line financing available on a secured basis and uncommitted short-term bank line financing available on both a secured and unsecured basis. The Company uses these credit facilities in the ordinary course of business to fund a portion of its daily operations and the amount borrowed under these credit facilities varies daily based on the Company’s funding needs.

87

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

The Company’s committed short-term bank line financing at December 31, 2012 consisted of a one-year $250 million committed revolving credit facility with U.S. Bank, N.A., which was renewed in December 2012. Advances under this facility are secured by certain marketable securities. The facility includes a covenant that requires the Company’s U.S. broker dealer subsidiary to maintain a minimum net capital of $120 million, and the unpaid principal amount of all advances under this facility will be due on December 28, 2013. The Company pays a nonrefundable commitment fee on the unused portion of the facility on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2012, the Company had no advances against this line of credit.

The Company’s uncommitted secured lines at December 31, 2012 totaled $175 million with two banks and are dependent on having appropriate collateral, as determined by the bank agreement, to secure an advance under the line. The availability of the Company’s uncommitted lines are subject to approval by the individual banks each time an advance is requested and may be denied. At December 31, 2012, the Company had no advances against these lines of credit.

Note 16Variable Rate Senior Notes

2012 Variable Rate Senior Notes

On November 30, 2012, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement (“Note Purchase Agreement”) under which the Company issued unsecured variable rate senior notes (“Notes”) in the amount of $125 million. The initial holders of the Notes are certain entities advised by PIMCO. The Notes consist of two classes, Class A Notes and Class B Notes, with principal amounts of $50 million and $75 million, respectively. The Class A Notes bear interest at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 4.00 percent and mature on May 31, 2014. The Class B Notes bear interest at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 4.50 percent and mature on November 30, 2015. Interest on the Notes is adjustable and payable quarterly. The unpaid principal amounts are due in full on the respective maturity dates and are not subject to prepayment at the Company's discretion. The proceeds from the Notes were used to repay the outstanding balance under the bank syndicated credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) discussed in Note 17. The remaining proceeds are being used for general corporate purposes.

The Note Purchase Agreement includes customary events of default, including failure to pay principal when due or failure to pay interest within five business days of when due, any representation or warranty in the Note Purchase Agreement proving untrue in any material respect when made by the Company, failure to comply with the covenants in the Note Purchase Agreement, failure to pay or another event of default under other material indebtedness in an amount exceeding $10 million, bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a change in control of the Company. If there is any event of default under the Note Purchase Agreement, the noteholders may declare the entire principal and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable and exercise other customary remedies.

The Note Purchase Agreement includes covenants that, among other things, require the Company to maintain a minimum consolidated tangible net worth and regulatory net capital, limit the Company's leverage ratio and require the Company to maintain a minimum ratio of operating cash flow to fixed charges. With respect to the net capital covenant, the Company's U.S. broker dealer subsidiary is required to maintain minimum net capital of $120 million. At December 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.

The Notes are recorded at amortized cost. As of December 31, 2012, the carrying value of the Notes approximates fair value.

2009 Variable Rate Senior Notes

On December 31, 2009, the Company issued unsecured variable rate senior notes (the “2009 Notes”) in the amount of $120 million. The initial holders of the 2009 Notes were certain entities advised by PIMCO. Interest was based on an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 4.10 percent, adjustable and payable quarterly. The proceeds from the 2009 Notes were used to fund a portion of the ARI acquisition discussed in Note 5. The unpaid principal and interest on the 2009 Notes were repaid on December 30, 2010, from the proceeds of the bank syndicated credit agreement discussed in Note 17.

88

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Note 17Bank Syndicated Financing

On December 29, 2010, the Company entered into a three-year Credit Agreement comprised of a $100 million amortizing term loan and a $50 million revolving credit facility. SunTrust Bank was the administrative agent (“Agent”) for the lenders. The outstanding balance and unpaid interest on the Credit Agreement was repaid on November 30, 2012 from the proceeds of the Notes discussed in Note 16. The unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.1 million were recorded as additional interest expense within continuing operations upon repayment of the outstanding balance. The outstanding balance on the term loan and revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2011 was $90 million and $25 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of 3.05 percent.

The interest rate for borrowing under the Credit Agreement was, at the option of the Company, equal to LIBOR or a base rate, plus an applicable margin, adjustable and payable quarterly at a minimum. The base rate was defined as the highest of the Agent’s prime lending rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50 percent or one-month LIBOR plus 1.00 percent. The applicable margin varied from 1.50 percent to 3.00 percent and was based on the Company’s leverage ratio. In addition, the Company also paid a nonrefundable commitment fee of 0.50 percent on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility on a quarterly basis.

The Company’s Credit Agreement was recorded at amortized cost. As of December 31, 2011, the carrying value of the Credit Agreement approximated fair value.

Note 18Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

Legal Contingencies

The Company has been named as a defendant in various legal actions, including complaints and litigation and arbitration claims, arising from its business activities. Such actions include claims related to securities brokerage and investment banking activities, and certain class actions that primarily allege violations of securities laws and seek unspecified damages, which could be substantial. Also, the Company is involved from time to time in investigations and proceedings by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations ("SROs") which could result in adverse judgments, settlement, penalties, fines or other relief.

The Company has established reserves for potential losses that are probable and reasonably estimable that may result from pending and potential legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings. In many cases, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount or range of any potential loss, particularly where proceedings may be in relatively early stages or where plaintiffs are seeking substantial or indeterminate damages. Matters frequently need to be more developed before a loss or range of loss can reasonably be estimated.

Given uncertainties regarding the timing, scope, volume and outcome of pending and potential legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings and other factors, the amounts of reserves and ranges of reasonably possible losses are difficult to determine and of necessity subject to future revision. Subject to the foregoing and except for the legal proceeding described below, as to which management believes a material loss is reasonably possible, management of the Company believes, based on currently available information, after consultation with outside legal counsel and taking into account its established reserves, that pending legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings will be resolved with no material adverse effect on the consolidated statements of financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. However, if during any period a potential adverse contingency should become probable or resolved for an amount in excess of the established reserves, the results of operations and cash flows in that period and the financial condition as of the end of that period could be materially adversely affected. In addition, there can be no assurance that material losses will not be incurred from claims that have not yet been brought to the Company’s attention or are not yet determined to be reasonably possible.

The Company has a contingency as to which management of the Company believes that a material loss is reasonably possible. The U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, the SEC and various state attorneys general are conducting broad investigations of numerous firms, including the Company, for possible antitrust and securities violations in connection with the bidding or sale of guaranteed investment contracts and derivatives to municipal issuers from the early 1990s to date. These investigations commenced in November 2006. In addition, several class action complaints were brought on behalf of a proposed class of government entities that purchased municipal derivatives. The complaints, which have been consolidated into a single class action, allege antitrust violations and are pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under the multi-district litigation rules. Several California municipalities also brought separate class action complaints in California federal court, and approximately 18 California municipalities and two New York municipalities filed individual lawsuits that are not part of class actions, all of which have been transferred to the Southern District of New York and consolidated for pretrial purposes. No loss

89

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

contingency has been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as this contingency is neither probable nor reasonably estimable at this time. Management is currently unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss for these matters because alleged damages have not been specified, the proceedings remain in the early stages, there is uncertainty as to the likelihood of a class or classes being certified or the ultimate size of any class if certified, and there are significant factual issues to be resolved.

Litigation-related reserve activity from continuing operations included within other operating expenses resulted in expense of $0.9 million, a benefit of $0.2 million, and expense of $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Operating Lease Commitments

The Company leases office space throughout the United States and in a limited number of foreign countries where the Company’s international operations reside. Aggregate minimum lease commitments under operating leases as of December 31, 2012 are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
2013	$	12,951
2014	10,297
2015	8,884
2016	9,067
2017	7,460
Thereafter	34,733
	$	83,392

Total minimum rentals to be received from 2013 through 2017 under noncancelable subleases were $13.4 million at December 31, 2012.

Rental expense, including operating costs and real estate taxes, from continuing operations was $13.1 million, $14.9 million and $15.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Fund Commitments

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had commitments to invest approximately $44.0 million in limited partnerships that make investments in private equity and venture capital funds. The commitments are estimated to be funded, if called, through the end of the respective investment periods ranging from 2013 to 2016.

Other Guarantees

The Company is a member of numerous exchanges and clearinghouses. Under the membership agreements with these entities, members generally are required to guarantee the performance of other members, and if a member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the clearinghouse, other members would be required to meet shortfalls. To mitigate these performance risks, the exchanges and clearinghouses often require members to post collateral. In addition, the Company identifies and guarantees certain clearing agents against specified potential losses in connection with providing services to the Company or its affiliates. The Company’s maximum potential liability under these arrangements cannot be quantified. However, management believes the likelihood that the Company would be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no liability is recorded in the consolidated financial statements for these arrangements.

As general partner, Piper Jaffray Investment Management LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has guaranteed the debts, liabilities and obligations of a municipal bond fund to the extent of the general partner’s assets. Management believes the likelihood that the Company would be required to make payments under this arrangement is remote. Accordingly, no liability is recorded in the consolidated financial statements for this arrangement.

90

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company provides investment, capital-raising and related services to a diverse group of domestic and foreign customers, including governments, corporations, and institutional and individual investors. The Company’s exposure to credit risk associated with the non-performance of customers in fulfilling their contractual obligations pursuant to securities transactions can be directly impacted by volatile securities markets, credit markets and regulatory changes. This exposure is measured on an individual customer basis and on a group basis for customers that share similar attributes. To alleviate the potential for risk concentrations, counterparty credit limits have been implemented for certain products and are continually monitored in light of changing customer and market conditions.

Note 19Restructuring

In the second quarter of 2012, the Company implemented certain expense reduction measures to better align its cost infrastructure with its revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company incurred a pre-tax restructuring-related charge of $3.6 million from continuing operations. The charge resulted from severance benefits of $2.4 million and from the reduction of leased office space of $1.2 million.

The Company incurred pre-tax restructuring-related expenses of $10.7 million from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2010. The majority of these expenses were incurred to restructure the Company’s European operations to focus European resources on (i) the distribution of U.S. and Asian securities to European institutional investors and (ii) merger and acquisition advisory services. As a result of the restructuring, the Company exited the origination and distribution of European securities. As of December 31, 2012, all of these expenses had been paid.

Note 20Shareholders’ Equity

The certificate of incorporation of Piper Jaffray Companies provides for the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share and up to 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.

Common Stock

The holders of Piper Jaffray Companies common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock of Piper Jaffray Companies, the holders of its common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Piper Jaffray Companies board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. In the event that Piper Jaffray Companies is liquidated or dissolved, the holders of its common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to any prior distribution rights of Piper Jaffray Companies preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. The holders of the common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies common stock.

Piper Jaffray Companies does not intend to pay cash dividends on its common stock for the foreseeable future. Instead, Piper Jaffray Companies intends to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of its business and to repurchase outstanding common stock to the extent authorized by its board of directors. Additionally, as set forth in Note 26, there are dividend restrictions on Piper Jaffray.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 165,241 common shares out of treasury stock in fulfillment of $3.8 million in obligations under the Piper Jaffray Companies Retirement Plan (the "Retirement Plan") and issued 937,978 common shares out of treasury stock as a result of employee vesting and exercise transactions under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan") and the 2010 Employment Inducement Award Plan (the "Inducement Plan"). During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company issued 90,085 common shares out of treasury stock in fulfillment of $3.8 million in obligations under the Retirement Plan and issued 1,286,568 common shares out of treasury stock as a result of employee vesting and exercise transactions under the Incentive and Inducement Plans.

In the third quarter of 2010, the Company’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $75.0 million in common shares through September 30, 2012. In 2011, the Company repurchased 293,829 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $20.40 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $6.0 million related to this authorization. During the nine months

91

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

ended September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 1,488,881 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $22.48 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $33.5 million related to this authorization. This share repurchase authorization expired as of September 30, 2012.

In the third quarter of 2012, the Company's board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million in common shares through September 30, 2014. This share repurchase authorization became effective on October 1, 2012. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company repurchased 156,577 shares of the Company's common stock at an average price of $29.38 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $4.6 million related to this authorization. The Company has $95.4 million remaining under this authorization.

The Company also purchases shares of common stock from restricted stock award recipients upon the award vesting as recipients sell shares to meet their employment tax obligations. The Company purchased 385,449 shares or $9.1 million and 509,671 shares or $20.5 million of the Company’s common stock for this purpose during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Preferred Stock

The Piper Jaffray Companies board of directors has the authority, without action by its shareholders, to designate and issue preferred stock in one or more series and to designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each series, which may be greater than the rights associated with the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of common stock until the Piper Jaffray Companies board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of preferred stock. However, the effects might include, among other things, the following: restricting dividends on its common stock, diluting the voting power of its common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of its common stock and delaying or preventing a change in control of Piper Jaffray Companies without further action by its shareholders.

Rights Agreement

Piper Jaffray Companies has adopted a rights agreement. The issuance of a share of Piper Jaffray Companies common stock also constitutes the issuance of a preferred stock purchase right associated with such share. These rights are intended to have anti-takeover effects in that the existence of the rights may deter a potential acquirer from making a takeover proposal or a tender offer for Piper Jaffray Companies stock.

Note 21Noncontrolling Interests

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Piper Jaffray Companies, its wholly owned subsidiaries and other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Noncontrolling interests represent equity interests in consolidated entities that are not attributable, either directly or indirectly, to Piper Jaffray Companies. Noncontrolling interests include the minority equity holders’ proportionate share of the equity in a municipal bond fund of $43.7 million, a merchant banking fund of $6.4 million and private equity investment vehicles aggregating $6.8 million as of December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, noncontrolling interests included the minority equity holders’ proportionate share of the equity in a municipal bond fund of $26.4 million and private equity investment vehicles aggregating $5.8 million.

Ownership interests in entities held by parties other than the Company’s common shareholders are presented as noncontrolling interests within shareholders’ equity, separate from the Company’s own equity. Revenues, expenses and net income or loss are reported on the consolidated statements of operations on a consolidated basis, which includes amounts attributable to both the Company’s common shareholders and noncontrolling interests. Net income or loss is then allocated between the Company and noncontrolling interests based upon their relative ownership interests. Net income applicable to noncontrolling interests is deducted from consolidated net income to determine net income applicable to the Company. There was no other comprehensive income or loss attributed to noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Note 22Employee Benefits Plans

The Company has various employee benefit plans, and substantially all employees are covered by at least one plan. The plans include health and welfare plans, a tax-qualified retirement plan (the “Retirement Plan”), a post-retirement medical plan, and a non-qualified retirement plan (“the Non-Qualified Plan”), which was terminated iin 2010. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company incurred employee benefits expenses from continuing operations of $13.0 million, $11.6 million and $12.3 million, respectively.

92

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Health and Welfare Plans

Company employees who meet certain work schedule and service requirements are eligible to participate in the Company’s health and welfare plans. The Company subsidizes the cost of coverage for employees. The medical plan contains cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance.

The Company is self-insured for losses related to health claims, although it obtains third-party stop loss insurance coverage on both an individual and a group plan basis. Self-insured liabilities are based on a number of factors, including historical claims experience, an estimate of claims incurred but not reported and valuations provided by third-party actuaries. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized expense of $8.0 million, $6.9 million and $6.6 million, respectively, in compensation and benefits expense from continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations related to its health plans.

Retirement Plan

The Retirement Plan consists of a defined contribution retirement savings plan. The defined contribution retirement savings plan allows qualified employees, at their option, to make contributions through salary deductions under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employee contributions are 100 percent matched by the Company to a maximum of six percent of recognized compensation up to the social security taxable wage base. Although the Company’s matching contribution vests immediately, a participant must be employed on December 31 to receive that year’s matching contribution. The matching contribution can be made in cash or Piper Jaffray Companies common stock, at the Company’s discretion.

Non-Qualified Plan and Post-retirement Medical Plan

The Company accounts for its Non-Qualified Plan, which was terminated in 2010, and post-retirement medical plan in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits” (“ASC 715”). The Company recognizes the funded status of its plans on the consolidated statements of financial condition with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The net unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise and are not recognized as net periodic benefit cost in the same periods are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. These amounts are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost on the same basis as the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

All employees of the Company who meet defined age and service requirements are eligible to receive post-retirement health care benefits provided under a post-retirement benefit plan established by the Company in 2004. The estimated cost of these retiree health care benefits is accrued during the employees’ active service. For each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the net periodic benefit cost from continuing operations was $0.1 million.

Certain employees participated in the Non-Qualified Plan, an unfunded, non-qualified cash balance pension plan. The Company froze the plan effective January 1, 2004, thereby eliminating future benefits related to pay increases and excluding new participants from the plan. Effective December 31, 2009, the Company resolved to terminate the Non-Qualified Plan through lump sum cash distributions to all participants. These lump-sum cash payments, totaling $10.4 million, were based on the December 31, 2009 actuarial valuation of the Non-Qualified Plan and were distributed on March 15, 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the net periodic benefit cost from continuing operations related to the Non-Qualified Plan was $0.1 million. In 2010, the Company recognized settlement expense of $0.2 million in compensation and benefits expenses from continuing operations on the consolidated statement of operations related to the settlement of all Non-Qualified Plan liabilities.

93

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Note 23Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company maintains two stock-based compensation plans, the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) and the 2010 Employment Inducement Award Plan (the “Inducement Plan”). The Company’s equity awards are recognized on the consolidated statements of operations at grant date fair value over the service period of the award, net of estimated forfeitures.

The following table provides a summary of the Company’s outstanding equity awards (in shares or units) as of December 31, 2012:

Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Shares
Annual grants	1,316,998
Sign-on grants	319,069
Retention grants	45,032
Performance grants	217,457
	1,898,556
Inducement Plan
Restricted Stock Shares	87,459
Total restricted stock shares related to compensation	1,986,015
ARI deal consideration (1)	336,423
Total restricted stock shares outstanding	2,322,438
Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Units
Leadership grants	173,271
Incentive Plan
Stock options outstanding	486,563

(1) The Company issued restricted stock as part of deal consideration for ARI. See Note 5 for further discussion.

Incentive Plan

The Incentive Plan permits the grant of equity awards, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and non-qualified stock options, to the Company’s employees and directors for up to 7.0 million shares of common stock (1.3 million shares remained available for future issuance under the Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2012). The Company believes that such awards help align the interests of employees and directors with those of shareholders and serve as an employee retention tool. The Incentive Plan provides for accelerated vesting of awards if there is a severance event, a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Incentive Plan), in the event of a participant’s death, and at the discretion of the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock grants are valued at the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and are amortized over the related requisite service period. The Company grants shares of restricted stock to current employees as part of year-end compensation (“Annual Grants”) and as a retention tool. Employees may receive restricted stock upon initial hiring or as a retention award (“Sign-on Grants”). The Company has also granted incremental restricted stock awards with service conditions to key employees (“Retention Grants”) and restricted stock with performance conditions to members of senior management (“Performance Grants”).

94

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

The Company’s Annual Grants are made each year in February. Prior to 2011, Annual Grants had three-year cliff vesting periods. Beginning in 2011, Annual Grants vest ratably over three years in equal installments. The Annual Grants provide for continued vesting after termination of employment, so long as the employee does not violate certain post-termination restrictions set forth in the award agreement or any agreements entered into upon termination. The Company determined the service inception date precedes the grant date for the Annual Grants, and that the post-termination restrictions do not meet the criteria for an in-substance service condition, as defined by ASC 718. Accordingly, restricted stock granted as part of the Annual Grants is expensed in the one-year period in which those awards are deemed to be earned, which is generally the calendar year preceding the February grant date. For example, the Company recognized compensation expense during fiscal 2012 for its February 2013 Annual Grant. If an equity award related to the Annual Grants is forfeited as a result of violating the post-termination restrictions, the lower of the fair value of the award at grant date or the fair value of the award at the date of forfeiture is recorded within the consolidated statements of operations as a reversal of compensation expense. The Company recorded $1.3 million, $3.3 million and $5.3 million of forfeitures through compensation and benefits expense within continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Sign-on Grants are used as a recruiting tool for new employees and are issued to current employees as a retention tool. The majority of these awards have three-year cliff vesting terms and employees must fulfill service requirements in exchange for rights to the awards. Compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis from the grant date over the requisite service period. Employees forfeit unvested shares upon termination of employment and a reversal of compensation expense is recorded.

Retention Grants are subject to ratable vesting based upon a five-year service requirement and are amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis from the 2008 grant date over the requisite service period, which ends May 2013. Employees forfeit unvested retention shares upon termination of employment and a reversal of compensation expense is recorded.

Performance-based restricted stock awards granted in 2008 and 2009 cliff vest upon meeting a specific performance-based metric prior to May 2013. Performance Grants are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period the Company expects the performance target to be met. The performance condition must be met for the awards to vest and total compensation cost will be recognized only if the performance condition is satisfied. The probability that the performance conditions will be achieved and that the awards will vest is reevaluated each reporting period with changes in actual or estimated outcomes accounted for using a cumulative effect adjustment to compensation expense. In 2010, the Company deemed it improbable that the performance condition related to the Performance Grants would be met. As a result, the Company recorded a $6.6 million cumulative effect compensation expense reversal within continuing operations in the third quarter of 2010. As of December 31, 2012, management continues to believe it is improbable that the performance condition will be met prior to the expiration of the award.

Annually, the Company grants stock to its non-employee directors. The stock-based compensation paid to non-employee directors is fully expensed on the grant date and included within outside services expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Restricted Stock Units

On May 15, 2012, the Company granted restricted stock units to its leadership team (“Leadership Grants”). The units will vest and convert to shares of common stock at the end of the 36-month performance period only if the Company satisfies predetermined market conditions over the performance period that began on May 15, 2012 and ends on May 14, 2015. Under the terms of the grant, the number of units that will vest and convert to shares will be based on the Company achieving specified market conditions during the performance period as described below. Compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the three-year requisite service period based on the fair value of the award on the grant date. The market condition must be met for the awards to vest and compensation cost will be recognized regardless if the market condition is satisfied. Employees forfeit unvested share units upon termination of employment with a corresponding reversal of compensation expense.

Up to 50 percent of the award can be earned based on the Company’s total shareholder return relative to members of a predetermined peer group and up to 50 percent of the award can be earned based on the Company’s total shareholder return. The fair value of the award on the grant date was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation, which assumed a risk-free interest rate of 0.38 percent and expected stock price volatility of 47.6 percent. Because a portion of the award vesting depends on the Company’s total shareholder return relative to a peer group, the valuation modeled the performance of the peer group as well as the correlation between the Company and the peer group. The expected stock price volatility assumptions were determined using historical volatility as correlation coefficients can only be developed through historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate was determined based on three-year U.S. Treasury bond yields.

95

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Stock Options

The Company previously granted options to purchase Piper Jaffray Companies common stock to employees and non-employee directors in fiscal years 2004 through 2008. Employee and director options were expensed by the Company on a straight-line basis over the required service period, based on the estimated fair value of the award on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. As described above pertaining to the Company’s Annual Grants of restricted shares, stock options granted to employees were expensed in the calendar year preceding the annual February grant date. For example, the Company recognized compensation expense during fiscal 2007 for its February 2008 option grant. The maximum term of the stock options granted to employees and directors is ten years. The Company has not granted stock options since 2008.

Inducement Plan

In 2010, the Company established the Inducement Plan in conjunction with the acquisition of ARI. The Company granted $7.0 million in restricted stock (158,801 shares) under the Inducement Plan to ARI employees upon closing of the transaction. These shares vest ratably over five years in equal annual installments ending on March 1, 2015. Inducement Plan awards are amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Employees forfeit unvested Inducement Plan shares upon termination of employment and a reversal of compensation expense is recorded.

Stock-Based Compensation Activity

The Company recorded total compensation expense within continuing operations of $21.6 million, $24.5 million and $30.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to employee restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards. Total compensation cost includes year-end compensation for Annual Grants and the amortization of Sign-on, Retention and Leadership Grants, less forfeitures. The tax benefit related to stock-based compensation costs totaled $8.4 million, $9.5 million and $12.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s unvested restricted stock (including the unvested restricted stock issued as part of the deal consideration for ARI) under the Incentive Plan and Inducement Plan for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

	Unvested		Weighted Average
	Restricted Stock		Grant Date
	(in Shares)		Fair Value
December 31, 2009	3,512,749		$	40.46
Granted	1,958,608		43.09
Vested	(682,988	)	63.18
Cancelled	(265,185	)	39.07
December 31, 2010	4,523,184		$	39.84
Granted	663,887		40.87
Vested	(1,791,712	)	37.77
Cancelled	(243,358	)	39.03
December 31, 2011	3,152,001		$	38.79
Granted	635,136		22.89
Vested	(1,309,881	)	34.21
Cancelled	(154,818	)	39.37
December 31, 2012	2,322,438		$	37.01

The fair value of restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $44.8 million, $67.7 million and $43.2 million, respectively.

96

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

The following summarizes the changes in the Company’s unvested restricted stock units under the Incentive Plan for the year ended December 31, 2012:

	Unvested		Weighted Average
	Restricted		Grant Date
	Stock Units		Fair Value
December 31, 2011	—		$	—
Granted	214,526		12.12
Vested	—		—
Cancelled	(41,255	)	12.12
December 31, 2012	173,271		$	12.12

As of December 31, 2012, there was $9.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock and restricted stock units expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.88 years.

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s outstanding stock options for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

					Weighted Average
			Weighted		Remaining
	Options		Average		Contractual Term	Aggregate
	Outstanding		Exercise Price		(in Years)	Intrinsic Value
December 31, 2009	538,804		$	44.50	5.7	$	4,237,480
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(2,456	)	40.06
Cancelled	(20,856	)	41.89
December 31, 2010	515,492		$	44.64	4.9	$	166,406
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(1,023	)	39.62
Cancelled	(11,846	)	42.19
December 31, 2011	502,623		$	44.71	3.9	$	—
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		—
Cancelled	(16,060	)	43.17
December 31, 2012	486,563		$	44.76	2.9	$	94,150
Options exercisable at December 31, 2010	386,605		$	45.82	4.1	$	166,406
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011	502,623		$	44.71	3.9	$	—
Options exercisable at December 31, 2012	486,563		$	44.76	2.9	$	94,150

Additional information regarding Piper Jaffray Companies options outstanding as of December 31, 2012 is as follows:

	Options Outstanding				Exercisable Options
		Weighted Average
		Remaining	Weighted			Weighted
Range of		Contractual	Average			Average
Exercise Prices	Shares	Life (in Years)	Exercise Price		Shares	Exercise Price
$28.01	22,852	2.3	$	28.01	22,852	$	28.01
$33.40	4,001	2.6	$	33.40	4,001	$	33.40
$39.62	141,753	2.1	$	39.62	141,753	$	39.62
$41.09	128,887	5.1	$	41.09	128,887	$	41.09
$47.30 — $51.05	141,657	1.5	$	47.73	141,657	$	47.73
$70.13 — $70.65	47,413	3.9	$	70.26	47,413	$	70.26

As of December 31, 2012, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options expected to be recognized over future years.

97

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

The fair value of options exercised, cash received from option exercises and the resulting tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercises were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company has a policy of issuing shares out of treasury (to the extent available) to satisfy share option exercises and restricted stock vesting. The Company expects to withhold approximately 0.4 million shares from employee equity awards vesting in 2013, related to employee individual income tax withholding obligations on restricted stock vesting. For accounting purposes, withholding shares to cover employees’ tax obligations is deemed to be a repurchase of shares by the Company.

Deferred Compensation Plan

In 2012, the Company established the Piper Jaffray Companies Mutual Fund Restricted Share Investment Plan, a deferred compensation plan which allows eligible employees to elect to receive a portion of the incentive compensation they would otherwise receive in the form of restricted stock or other equity, instead in restricted mutual fund shares (“MFRS Awards”) of registered funds managed by the Company's asset management business. MFRS Awards are awarded to qualifying employees in February of each year, and represent a portion of their compensation for performance in the preceding year similar to the Company's Annual Grants. MFRS Awards vest ratably over three years in equal installments and provide for continued vesting after termination of employment so long as the employee does not violate certain post-termination restrictions set forth in the award agreement or any agreement entered into upon termination. Forfeitures are recorded as a reduction of compensation and benefits expense within the consolidated statements of operations.

98

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Note 24Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates earnings per share using the two-class method. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders represents net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies reduced by the allocation of earnings to participating securities. Losses are not allocated to participating securities. All of the Company’s unvested restricted shares are deemed to be participating securities as they are eligible to share in the profits (e.g., receive dividends) of the Company. The Company’s unvested restricted stock units are not participating securities as they are not eligible to share in the profits of the Company. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average outstanding shares to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive stock options. The computation of earnings per share is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	2012			2011				2010
Income/(loss) from continuing operations applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	47,075		$	(90,772	)		$	22,086
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807		)	(11,248		)		2,276
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	41,268			(102,020		)		24,362
Earnings allocated to participating securities (1)	(5,933		)	—				(5,433		)
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders(2)	$	35,335		$	(102,020	)		$	18,929
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Average shares used in basic computation	15,615			15,672				15,348
Stock options	1			13				30
Restricted stock	—			2,892				—
Average shares used in diluted computation	15,616			18,577			(3)	15,378
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share:
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	2.58		$	(5.79	)		$	1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	(0.32		)	(0.72		)		0.12
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share	$	2.26		$	(6.51	)		$	1.23
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share:
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	2.58		$	(5.79	)		$	1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	(0.32		)	(0.72		)		0.11
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share	$	2.26		$	(6.51	)	(3)	$	1.23

(1) Represents the allocation of earnings to participating securities. Losses are not allocated to participating securities. Participating securities include all of the Company’s unvested restricted shares. The weighted average participating shares outstanding were 2,622,438, 3,528,624 and 4,413,956 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(2) Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders for diluted and basic EPS may differ under the two-class method as a result of adding the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options to dilutive shares outstanding, which alters the ratio used to allocate earnings to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders and participating securities for purposes of calculating diluted and basic EPS.

(3) Earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which a loss is incurred.

The anti-dilutive effects from stock options were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Note 25Segment Reporting

Basis for Presentation

The Company structures its segments primarily based upon the nature of the financial products and services provided to customers and the Company’s management organization. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on segment pre-tax operating income or loss and segment pre-tax operating margin. Revenues and expenses directly associated with each respective segment are included in determining their operating results. Other revenues and expenses that are not directly attributable to a particular segment are allocated based upon the Company’s allocation methodologies, including each segment’s respective

99

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

net revenues, use of shared resources, headcount or other relevant measures. The financial management of assets is performed on an enterprise-wide basis. As such, assets are not assigned to the business segments.

Segment pre-tax operating income and segment pre-tax operating margin exclude the results of discontinued operations.

Reportable segment financial results from continuing operations are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Capital Markets
Investment banking
Financing
Equities	$	73,180		$	74,161		$	89,537
Debt	74,102			54,565			65,996
Advisory services	86,165			74,373			86,032
Total investment banking	233,447			203,099			241,565
Institutional sales and trading
Equities	75,723			86,175			100,847
Fixed income	119,253			77,017			79,663
Total institutional sales and trading	194,976			163,192			180,510
Other income/(loss)	(4,285		)	2,746			1,534
Net revenues	424,138			369,037			423,609
Non-interest expenses
Goodwill impairment	—			120,298			—
Operating expenses	371,628			344,036			384,481
Total non-interest expenses	371,628			464,334			384,481
Segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)	$	52,510		$	(95,297	)	$	39,128
Segment pre-tax operating margin	12.4		%	N/M			9.2		%
Asset Management
Management and performance fees
Management fees	$	63,296		$	60,873		$	47,201
Performance fees	785			2,245			8,747
Total management and performance fees	64,081			63,118			55,948
Other income/(loss)	733			(72		)	377
Net revenues	64,814			63,046			56,325
Operating expenses (1)	48,313			47,938			41,636
Segment pre-tax operating income	$	16,501		$	15,108		$	14,689
Segment pre-tax operating margin	25.5		%	24.0		%	26.1		%
Total
Net revenues	$	488,952		$	432,083		$	479,934
Non-interest expenses
Goodwill impairment	—			120,298			—
Operating expenses (1)	419,941			391,974			426,117
Total non-interest expenses	419,941			512,272			426,117
Total segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)	$	69,011		$	(80,189	)	$	53,817
Pre-tax operating margin	14.1		%	N/M			11.2		%

N/M – Not meaningful

(1) Operating expenses include intangible asset amortization expense of $6.9 million, $7.3 million and $6.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

100

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Geographic Areas

The Company operates in both U.S. and non-U.S. markets. The Company’s non-U.S. business activities are conducted through European and Asian locations. Net revenues disclosed in the following table reflect the regional view, with financing revenues allocated to geographic locations based upon the location of the capital market, advisory revenues allocated based upon the location of the investment banking team and net institutional sales and trading revenues allocated based upon the location of the client. Asset management revenues are allocated to the U.S. based upon the geographic location of the Company’s asset management team. Net revenues exclude discontinued operations for all periods presented.

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Net revenues:
United States	$	476,718	$	415,647	$	458,610
Europe	12,234		16,436		21,324
Consolidated	$	488,952	$	432,083	$	479,934

Long-lived assets are allocated to geographic locations based upon the location of the asset. The following table presents long-lived assets held for use by geographic region:

	December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Long-lived assets:
United States	$	285,682	$	308,321
Asia	—		2,055
Europe	1,131		1,287
Consolidated	$	286,813	$	311,663

Note 26Net Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters

Piper Jaffray is registered as a securities broker dealer with the SEC and is a member of various SROs and securities exchanges. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) serves as Piper Jaffray’s primary SRO. Piper Jaffray is subject to the uniform net capital rule of the SEC and the net capital rule of FINRA. Piper Jaffray has elected to use the alternative method permitted by the SEC rule, which requires that it maintain minimum net capital of the greater of $1.0 million or 2 percent of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions, as such term is defined in the SEC rule. Under its rules, FINRA may prohibit a member firm from expanding its business or paying dividends if resulting net capital would be less than 5 percent of aggregate debit balances. Advances to affiliates, repayment of subordinated debt, dividend payments and other equity withdrawals by Piper Jaffray are subject to certain notification and other provisions of SEC and FINRA rules. In addition, Piper Jaffray is subject to certain notification requirements related to withdrawals of excess net capital.

At December 31, 2012, net capital calculated under the SEC rule was $178.9 million, and exceeded the minimum net capital required under the SEC rule by $177.9 million.

The Company’s short-term committed credit facility of $250 million and its variable rate senior notes include covenants requiring Piper Jaffray to maintain minimum net capital of $120 million.

Piper Jaffray Ltd., which is a registered United Kingdom broker dealer, is subject to the capital requirements of the U.K. Financial Services Authority (“FSA”). As of December 31, 2012, Piper Jaffray Ltd. was in compliance with the capital requirements of the FSA.

Piper Jaffray Asia operates entities licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, which are subject to the liquid capital requirements of the Securities and Futures (Financial Resources) Rules promulgated under the Securities and Futures Ordinance. As of December 31, 2012, Piper Jaffray Asia regulated entities were in compliance with the liquid capital requirements of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance.

101

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Note 27Income Taxes

Income tax expense is provided using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between amounts reported for income tax purposes and financial statement purposes, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

The components of income tax expense from continuing operations are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Current:
Federal	$	16,939		$	(6,108	)	$	10,573
State	(9,563		)	27			3,860
Foreign	—			—			—
	7,376			(6,081		)	14,433
Deferred:
Federal	7,735			13,803			16,261
State	4,413			2,491			1,469
Foreign	(54		)	(1,093		)	—
	12,094			15,201			17,730
Total income tax expense from continuing operations	$	19,470		$	9,120		$	32,163
Total income tax expense/(benefit) from discontinued operations	$	(23,795	)	$	1,756		$	1,191

A reconciliation of federal income taxes at statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rates from continuing operations is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Federal income tax expense/(benefit) at statutory rates	$	24,153		$	(28,066	)	$	18,836
Increase/(reduction) in taxes resulting from:
Goodwill impairment	—			40,440			—
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2,540			1,327			2,468
Net tax-exempt interest income	(3,353		)	(3,308		)	(2,065		)
Foreign jurisdictions tax rate differential	(164		)	413			1,761
Change in valuation allowance	(1,110		)	(2,185		)	3,373
Restricted stock deferred tax asset write-off	4,577			557			5,799
Loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(863		)	(512		)	151
Other, net	(6,310		)	454			1,840
Total income tax expense from continuing operations	$	19,470		$	9,120		$	32,163

In accordance with ASC 740, U.S. income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries that are permanently reinvested. As of December 31, 2012, undistributed earnings permanently reinvested in the Company’s foreign subsidiaries were not material.

102

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for the same items for income tax reporting purposes. The net deferred tax asset included in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition consisted of the following items at December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred compensation	$	37,702		$	41,746
Net operating loss carry forwards	7,645			11,703
Liabilities/accruals not currently deductible	2,035			1,989
Pension and retirement costs	388			314
Other	2,667			5,101
Total deferred tax assets	50,437			60,853
Valuation allowance	(5,139		)	(9,247		)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	45,298			51,606
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill amortization	6,010			3,340
Unrealized gains on firm investments	2,134			1,444
Fixed assets	2,706			1,444
Other	826			298
Total deferred tax liabilities	11,676			6,526
Net deferred tax assets	$	33,622		$	45,080

The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance is recorded to the extent that it is more likely than not that any portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company believes that its future tax profits will be sufficient to recognize its U.S. deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has recorded a $5.1 million valuation allowance for its U.K. subsidiary’s net operating loss carry forwards, which represents all but $1.1 million of the U.K. subsidiary’s deferred tax asset.

The Company accounts for unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, which requires tax reserves to be recorded for uncertain tax positions on the consolidated statements of financial condition. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	9,600
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(30		)
Settlements	(60		)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	9,510
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(595		)
Settlements	—
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	8,915
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	200
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(8,825		)
Settlements	—
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	290

In 2012, the Company reversed $8.8 million of its $8.9 million balance for unrecognized tax benefits. In addition, the Company reversed $2.6 million of accrued interest related to these positions. In aggregate, the Company recorded a $7.4 million credit to income tax expense, net of federal income tax. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has $0.3 million of tax reserves for uncertain state income tax positions. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a

103

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

component of income tax expense. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recognized no interest and penalties. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in interest and penalties. The Company had approximately $0.1 million and $2.6 million for the payment of interest and penalties accrued at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns with the various states and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company is not subject to U.S. federal tax authorities for years before 2009 and is not subject to state and local or non-U.S. tax authorities for taxable years before 2006. The Company anticipates all of its uncertain income tax provisions will be resolved within the next twelve months.

Note 28Piper Jaffray Companies (Parent Company only)

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

	December 31,		December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2012		2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,069	$	14,493
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	857,973		845,612
Other assets	20,850		1,969
Total assets	$	879,892	$	862,074
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Variable rate senior notes	$	125,000	$	—
Bank syndicated financing	—		115,000
Accrued compensation	20,838		17,117
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	762		11,566
Total liabilities	146,600		143,683
Shareholders’ equity	733,292		718,391
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	879,892	$	862,074

Condensed Statements of Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Revenues:
Dividends from subsidiaries	$	119,000		$	80,483		$	201,000
Interest	82			31			194
Total revenues	119,082			80,514			201,194
Interest expense	5,823			5,392			5,451
Net revenues	113,259			75,122			195,743
Non-interest expenses:
Total non-interest expenses	4,222			13,044			4,710
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense/(benefit) and equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	109,037			62,078			191,033
Income tax expense/(benefit)	39,175			(3,128		)	112,404
Income from continuing operations of parent company	69,862			65,206			78,629
Equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	(49,617		)	(167,226		)	(54,267		)
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations	20,245			(102,020		)	24,362
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	21,023			—			—
Net income/(loss)	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)	$	24,362

104

Piper Jaffray Companies

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Operating Activities:
Net income/(loss)	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)	$	24,362
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based and deferred compensation	240			437			300
Goodwill impairment	—			9,247			—
Equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	49,617			167,226			54,267
Net cash provided by operating activities	91,125			74,890			78,929
Financing Activities:
Issuance/(repayment) of variable rate senior notes	125,000			—			(120,000		)
Increase/(decrease) in bank syndicated financing	(115,000		)	(10,000		)	125,000
Advances to subsidiaries	(76,481		)	(51,916		)	(29,369		)
Repurchase of common stock	(38,068		)	(5,994		)	(47,610		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(104,549		)	(67,910		)	(71,979		)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(13,424		)	6,980			6,950
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	14,493		7,513			563
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	1,069		$	14,493		$	7,513
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash received/(paid) during the year for:
Interest	$	(5,741	)	$	(5,361	)	$	(5,257	)
Income taxes	$	(39,175	)	$	3,128		$	(112,404	)

105

Supplemental Information

Quarterly Information (unaudited)

	2012 Fiscal Quarter
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)		First			Second			Third		Fourth
Total revenues		$	119,872		$	109,723		$	138,630	150,017
Interest expense		6,434			6,625			7,125		9,106
Net revenues		113,438			103,098			131,505		140,911
Non-interest expenses		98,216			97,443			106,153		118,129
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense/(benefit)		15,222			5,655			25,352		22,782
Income tax expense/(benefit)		7,553			(5,699		)	10,194		7,422
Net income from continuing operations		7,669			11,354			15,158		15,360
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(3,303		)	(3,934		)	5,171		(3,741		)
Net income		4,366			7,420			20,329		11,619
Net income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests		1,437			569			665		(205		)
Net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies		$	2,929		$	6,851		$	19,664	11,824
Net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies' common shareholders		$	2,480		$	5,890		$	16,840	$	10,198
Amounts applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies
Income from continuing operations		$	6,232		$	10,785		$	14,493	$	15,565
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(3,303		)	(3,934		)	5,171		(3,741		)
Net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies		$	2,929		$	6,851		$	19,664	$	11,824
Earnings per basic common share
Income from continuing operations		$	0.33		$	0.58		$	0.82	$	0.88
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations		(0.17		)	(0.21		)	0.29		(0.21		)
Earnings per basic common share		$	0.15		$	0.37		$	1.11	$	0.67
Earnings per diluted common share
Income from continuing operations		$	0.33		$	0.58		$	0.82	$	0.88
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations		(0.17		)	(0.21		)	0.29		(0.21		)
Earnings per diluted common share		$	0.15		$	0.37		$	1.11	$	0.67
Weighted average number of common shares
Basic		16,072			15,932			15,210		15,253
Diluted		16,072			15,932			15,210		15,256

106

	2011 Fiscal Quarter
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)		First			Second			Third				Fourth
Total revenues		$	128,678		$	131,943		$	103,158			$	99,877
Interest expense		8,161			7,693			8,895				6,824
Net revenues		120,517			124,250			94,263				93,053
Non-interest expenses		105,183			106,788			88,872				211,429			(1)
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense/(benefit)		15,334			17,462			5,391				(118,376		)
Income tax expense/(benefit)		4,586			6,071			1,452				(2,989		)
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations		10,748			11,391			3,939				(115,387		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(3,329		)	(244		)	(7,315		)		(360		)
Net income/(loss)		7,419			11,147			(3,376		)		(115,747		)
Net income applicable to noncontrolling interests		186			453			207				617
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies		$	7,233		$	10,694		$	(3,583	)		$	(116,364	)
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies' common shareholders		$	5,711		$	8,760		$	(3,583	)	(2)	$	(116,364	)	(2)
Amounts applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies
Income/(loss) from continuing operations		$	10,562		$	10,938		$	3,732			$	(116,004	)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(3,329		)	(244		)	(7,315		)		(360		)
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies		$	7,233		$	10,694		$	(3,583	)		$	(116,364	)
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations		$	0.55		$	0.57		$	0.23			$	(7.35	)
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.17		)	(0.01		)	(0.46		)		(0.02		)
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share		$	0.38		$	0.55		$	(0.23	)		$	(7.38	)
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations		$	0.55		$	0.57		$	0.23			$	(7.35	)
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.17		)	(0.01		)	(0.46		)		(0.02		)
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share		$	0.38		$	0.55		$	(0.23	)	(3)	$	(7.38	)	(3)
Weighted average number of common shares
Basic		15,177			15,840			15,889				15,773
Diluted		15,224			15,845			15,889			(3)	15,773			(3)

(1) Includes a $120.3 million goodwill impairment charge.

(2) No allocation of income was made due to loss position.

(3) Earnings per diluted common shares is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which a loss is incurred.

ITEM 9.       CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A.     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (b) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

107

During the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended December 31,2012, there was no change in our system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and the attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting are included in Part II, Item 8 entitled “Financial Statements and Supplemental Information” and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9B.     OTHER INFORMATION.

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10.     DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

The information regarding our executive officers included in Part I of this Form 10-K under the caption “Executive Officers” is incorporated herein by reference. The information in the definitive proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 8, 2013, under the captions “Item I — Election of Directors,” “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance — Committees of the Board — Audit Committee,” “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance — Codes of Ethics and Business Conduct” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11.     EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The information in the definitive proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 8, 2013, under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance — Compensation Program for Non-Employee Directors” and “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance — Non-Employee Director Compensation for 2012” is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.     SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS.

The information in the definitive proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 8, 2013, under the captions “Security Ownership — Beneficial Ownership of Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers,” “Security Ownership — Beneficial Owners of More than Five Percent of Our Common Stock” and “Executive Compensation — Outstanding Equity Awards” are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.     CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

The information in the definitive proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 8, 2013, under the captions “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance — Director Independence,” “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions with Related Persons” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons” is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.     PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

The information in the definitive proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 8, 2013, under the captions “Audit Committee Report and Payment of Fees to Our Independent Auditor — Auditor Fees” and “Audit Committee Report and Payment of Fees to Our Independent Auditor — Auditor Services Pre-Approval Policy” is incorporated herein by reference.

108

PART IV

ITEM 15.     EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a)(1)    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY.

The Consolidated Financial Statements are incorporated herein by reference and included in Part II, Item 8 to this Form 10-K.

(a)(2)    FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

All financial statement schedules for the Company have been included in the consolidated financial statements or the related footnotes, or are either inapplicable or not required.

(a)(3)    EXHIBITS.

Exhibit
Number	Description
2.1	Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of December 23, 2003, between U.S. Bancorp and Piper Jaffray Companies (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed March 8, 2004). #
2.2	Securities Purchase Agreement dated December 20, 2009 among Piper Jaffray Companies, Piper Jaffray Newco Inc., Advisory Research Holdings, Inc., each of the persons listed on the signature page thereto and Brien M. O’Brien and TA Associates, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2009).
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007, filed August 3, 2007).
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007, filed August 3, 2007).
4.1	Form of Specimen Certificate for Piper Jaffray Companies Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 10, filed June 25, 2003).
4.2	Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2003, between Piper Jaffray Companies and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year end December 31, 2003, filed March 8, 2004).
4.3	Second Amended and Restated Indenture dated as of June 11, 2012 (Secured Commercial Paper Notes), between Piper Jaffray & Co. and the Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012, filed August 2, 2012).
4.4	Indenture dated as of April 2, 2012 (Secured Commercial Paper Notes -- Series II), between Piper Jaffray & Co. and the Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 5, 2012).
10.1	Office Lease Agreement, dated May 30, 2012, by and among Piper Jaffray & Co. and Wells REIT – 800 Nicollett Avenue Owner, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 1, 2012).
10.2	U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. Second Century 2000 Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed March 8, 2004). †
10.3	U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. Second Century Growth Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective September 30, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed March 8, 2004). †
10.4	Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the year ended June 30, 2009, filed July 31, 2009). †
10.5	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Management Committee Performance Grants in 2008 under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the year ended June 30, 2008, filed August 1, 2008). †

109

Exhibit
Number	Description
10.6	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee Grants in 2010 (related to 2009 performance) under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed February 26, 2010). †
10.7	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee Grants in 2011, 2012 and 2013 (related to 2010, 2011 and 2012 performance, respectively) under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed February 28, 2011). †
10.8	Form of Stock Option Agreement for Employee Grants in 2004 and 2005 (related to 2003 and 2004 performance, respectively) under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004, filed August 4, 2004). †
10.9	Form of Stock Option Agreement for Employee Grants in 2006 (related to 2005 performance) under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed March 1, 2006). †
10.10	Form of Stock Option Agreement for Employee Grants in 2007 and 2008 (related to 2006 and 2007 performance, respectively) under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed March 1, 2007). †
10.11	Form of Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Director Grants under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004, filed August 4, 2004). †
10.12	Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement for 2012 Leadership Team Grants under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012, filed August 2, 2012). †
10.13	Piper Jaffray Companies Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K For the year ended December 31, 2010, filed February 28, 2011). †
10.14	Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation Program † *
10.15	Form of Notice Period Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed March 1, 2007). †
10.16	Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated December 28, 2012, between Piper Jaffray & Co. and U.S. Bank National Association. *
10.17	Note Purchase Agreement dated November 30, 2012 among Piper Jaffray Companies, Piper Jaffray & Co. and the Purchasers party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 30, 2012).
10.18	Letter Agreement between the Company and Brien M. O’Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010, filed on May 7, 2010). †
10.19	Restricted Stock Agreement with Brien O’Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010, filed on May 7, 2010). †
10.20	Amendment to Restricted Stock Agreement with Brien O’Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed February 27, 2012). †
10.21	Employment Agreement between the Company and Brien M. O’Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 11, 2012). †
10.22	First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 27, 2012, by and between Piper Jaffray Companies and Brien M. O'Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on 8-K, filed February 27, 2012). †
10.23	Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated January 30, 2013, by and between Piper Jaffray Companies and Brien M. O'Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on 8-K, filed February 8, 2013). †

110

Exhibit
Number	Description
10.24	Compensation Arrangement with M. Brad Winges *
10.25	Piper Jaffray Companies Mutual Fund Restricted Share Investment Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed February 27, 2012). †
10.26	Form of Mutual Fund Restricted Share Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed February 27, 2012). †
21.1	Subsidiaries of Piper Jaffray Companies *
23.1	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP *
24.1	Power of Attorney *
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. *
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer. *
32.1	Section 1350 Certifications. **
101	Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 Registration S-T: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and (vi) the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

_______________________

# The Company hereby agrees to furnish supplementally to the Commission upon request any omitted exhibit or schedule.

† This exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or agreement.

* Filed herewith

** This information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

111

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on February 27, 2013.

PIPER JAFFRAY COMPANIES
By	/s/ Andrew S. Duff
Its	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 27, 2013.

SIGNATURE	TITLE
/s/ Andrew S. Duff	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Andrew S. Duff	(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Debbra L. Schoneman	Chief Financial Officer
Debbra L. Schoneman	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Michael R. Francis	Director
Michael R. Francis
/s/ B. Kristine Johnson	Director
B. Kristine Johnson
/s/ Addison L. Piper	Director
Addison L. Piper
/s/ Lisa K. Polsky	Director
Lisa K. Polsky
/s/ Philip E. Soran	Director
Philip E. Soran
/s/ Frank L. Sims	Director
Frank L. Sims
/s/ Jean M. Taylor	Director
Jean M. Taylor
/s/ Michele Volpi	Director
Michele Volpi
/s/ Hope Woodhouse	Director
Hope Woodhouse

112

Exhibit Index

Exhibit
Number	Description
2.1	Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of December 23, 2003, between U.S. Bancorp and Piper Jaffray Companies (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed March 8, 2004). #
2.2	Securities Purchase Agreement dated December 20, 2009 among Piper Jaffray Companies, Piper Jaffray Newco Inc., Advisory Research Holdings, Inc., each of the persons listed on the signature page thereto and Brien M. O’Brien and TA Associates, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2009).
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007, filed August 3, 2007).
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007, filed August 3, 2007).
4.1	Form of Specimen Certificate for Piper Jaffray Companies Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 10, filed June 25, 2003).
4.2	Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2003, between Piper Jaffray Companies and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year end December 31, 2003, filed March 8, 2004).
4.3	Second Amended and Restated Indenture dated as of June 11, 2012 (Secured Commercial Paper Notes), between Piper Jaffray & Co. and the Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012, filed August 2, 2012).
4.4	Indenture dated as of April 2, 2012 (Secured Commercial Paper Notes -- Series II), between Piper Jaffray & Co. and the Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 5, 2012).
10.1	Office Lease Agreement, dated May 30, 2012, by and among Piper Jaffray & Co. and Wells REIT – 800 Nicollett Avenue Owner, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 1, 2012).
10.2	U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. Second Century 2000 Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed March 8, 2004). †
10.3	U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. Second Century Growth Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective September 30, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed March 8, 2004). †
10.4	Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the year ended June 30, 2009, filed July 31, 2009). †
10.5	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Management Committee Performance Grants in 2008 under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the year ended June 30, 2008, filed August 1, 2008). †
10.6	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee Grants in 2010 (related to 2009 performance) under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed February 26, 2010). †
10.7	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee Grants in 2011, 2012 and 2013 (related to 2010, 2011 and 2012 performance, respectively) under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed February 28, 2011). †
10.8	Form of Stock Option Agreement for Employee Grants in 2004 and 2005 (related to 2003 and 2004 performance, respectively) under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004, filed August 4, 2004). †
10.9	Form of Stock Option Agreement for Employee Grants in 2006 (related to 2005 performance) under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed March 1, 2006). †

113

Exhibit
Number	Description
10.10	Form of Stock Option Agreement for Employee Grants in 2007 and 2008 (related to 2006 and 2007 performance, respectively) under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed March 1, 2007). †
10.11	Form of Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Director Grants under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004, filed August 4, 2004). †
10.12	Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement for 2012 Leadership Team Grants under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012, filed August 2, 2012). †
10.13	Piper Jaffray Companies Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K For the year ended December 31, 2010, filed February 28, 2011). †
10.14	Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation Program † *
10.15	Form of Notice Period Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed March 1, 2007). †
10.16	Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated December 28, 2012, between Piper Jaffray & Co. and U.S. Bank National Association. *
10.17	Note Purchase Agreement dated November 30, 2012 among Piper Jaffray Companies, Piper Jaffray & Co. and the Purchasers party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 30, 2012).
10.18	Letter Agreement between the Company and Brien M. O’Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010, filed on May 7, 2010). †
10.19	Restricted Stock Agreement with Brien O’Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010, filed on May 7, 2010). †
10.20	Amendment to Restricted Stock Agreement with Brien O’Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed February 27, 2012). †
10.21	Employment Agreement between the Company and Brien M. O’Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 11, 2012). †
10.22	First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 27, 2012, by and between Piper Jaffray Companies and Brien M. O'Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on 8-K, filed February 27, 2012). †
10.23	Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated January 30, 2013, by and between Piper Jaffray Companies and Brien M. O'Brien (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on 8-K, filed February 8, 2013). †
10.24	Compensation Arrangement with M. Brad Winges *
10.25	Piper Jaffray Companies Mutual Fund Restricted Share Investment Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed February 27, 2012). †
10.26	Form of Mutual Fund Restricted Share Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed February 27, 2012). †
21.1	Subsidiaries of Piper Jaffray Companies *
23.1	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP *
24.1	Power of Attorney *
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. *
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer. *
32.1	Section 1350 Certifications. **

114

Exhibit
Number	Description
101	Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 Registration S-T: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and (vi) the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

_______________________

# The Company hereby agrees to furnish supplementally to the Commission upon request any omitted exhibit or schedule.

† This exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or agreement.

* Filed herewith

** This information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

115

EX-10.14

Exhibit 10.14

PIPER JAFFRAY COMPANIES

2013 Compensation and Benefits for Non-Employee Directors

	Amount	Objective	Time and Terms of Payment
Annual Cash Retainer	$60,000	Consideration for Board and committee service for the current calendar year	Paid on the first business day in January. For directors joining the Board after January in any year, a pro rata amount will be paid on the date the director is elected to the Board based on the number of days during which the director will serve on the Board during that year.
Additional Annual Cash Retainer for Lead Director and Committee Chairpersons	$20,000-Lead Director $20,000-Audit $10,000-Compensation $5,000-Nominating and Governance	Consideration for service as lead director or committee chairperson for the current calendar year	Paid on the first business day in January.
Initial Equity Grant	$60,000 (valued as of election date)	Establish PJC equity interest upon initial election to the Board to align director and shareholder interests	Shares of PJC common stock granted on the date of the director's initial election or appointment to the Board.
Annual Equity Grant	$60,000 (valued on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders)	Incentive compensation for continuing service on the Board and enhanced alignment of director and shareholder interests	Shares of PJC common stock granted on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders to any director whose service on the Board will continue following the annual meeting. For directors joining the Board after the annual meeting in any year, an equity award will be granted on the date the director is elected to the Board covering a pro rata number of shares based on the number of days during which the director will serve on the Board during that year.
Deferral Opportunity	All cash and equity received on an annual basis	Increase equity stake by directors	Annual opportunity to participate in the Amended and Restated Piper Jaffray Companies Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, permitting deferral into phantom stock units of all or a portion of the director's annual cash compensation for service as a Piper Jaffray Companies director, and deferral of any shares granted in consideration of the director's service as a director. To participate in any year, irrevocable election must be made by December 31 of the preceding year for continuing directors and on the date of initial election or appointment to the Board for new directors. Annual opportunity to change the subsequent year's election. The deferral date for the cash retainer is the first business day in January each year; the deferral date for the equity grant is the date of the annual meeting of shareholders each year.
Charitable Gift Matching Program	Up to $1,500	Encourage charitable giving	Pursuant to the Piper Jaffray Gift Matching Program, Piper Jaffray will match directors' gifts to eligible organizations dollar for dollar from a minimum of $50 up to an aggregate maximum of $1,500 per year (the same terms and conditions as are applicable to employees).
Reimbursement of Out-of-Pocket Expenses	In addition to the foregoing, non-employee directors will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their service on the Board and Board committees.

EX-10.16

Exhibit 10.16

AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December 28, 2012, by and between: PIPER JAFFRAY & CO., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”); and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (“Lender”); and has reference to the following facts and circumstances:

A.Borrower and Lender executed the Loan Agreement (Broker-Dealer VRDN Facility) dated as of September 30, 2008, as subsequently amended (the “Original Agreement”).

B.Borrower and Lender have agreed that the Original Agreement shall be amended, restated and replaced to provide for a revolving credit facility from Lender in the principal amount of up to $250,000,000.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Borrower and Lender covenant and agree as follows:

1.Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings (and such meanings shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural form of the terms defined, as the context may require):

Advance shall mean each loan advance made hereunder by Lender to Borrower.

Applicable Margin shall have the meaning described in Exhibit C attached hereto.

Banking Day shall mean any day on which Lender is open for business at its principal offices in St. Louis, Missouri and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

BONYM shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon, formerly known as The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation.

Borrowing Base shall mean the sum of the values of the Pledged Securities consisting of Eligible Securities on Borrower's books as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, multipliedby the applicable percentage(s) described in Exhibit B attached hereto.

Collateral Pledge Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(c).

Collateral Summary shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

Control Agreement shall mean the Collateral Account Control Agreement dated December 28, 2012, executed by Lender, as Pledgor, and BONYM, as Securities Intermediary, as amended.

Credit Documents shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a).

Eligible Securities shall mean the securities held by BONYM as “Collateral” in the “Account” (as those terms are defined in the Control Agreement) and the categories of which are described on Schedule 1 attached thereto, as the same shall be amended upon the mutual agreement of Borrower and Lender.

Event of Default shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.

Facility Amount shall mean Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00).

FOCUS Report shall mean each Financial and Operational Combined Uniform Single (FOCUS) Report (Securities and Exchange Commission form X-17A-5).

5652985

LIBOR Rate shall mean the one-month LIBOR rate quoted by Lender from Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page or any successor thereto, which shall be that one-month LIBOR rate in effect two (2) New York Banking Days prior to the first day of each month, adjusted for any reserve requirement and any subsequent costs arising from a change in government regulation, such rate rounded up to the nearest one-sixteenth percent and such rate to be reset monthly on the first day of each month.

New York Banking Day means any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which commercial banks are open for business in New York, New York.

Note shall mean the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note dated the date hereof, executed by Borrower and payable to the order of Lender in the principal amount of up to $250,000,000.00, in the form attached hereto and incorporated by reference as Exhibit A.

Pledged Securities shall mean, collectively, at any time, Eligible Securities described in any Collateral Summary(ies) or in which a security interest is otherwise granted to Lender under any provision of the Collateral Pledge Agreement; providedthat Lender reserves the right at anytime to require Borrower to substitute any Pledged Securities with replacement Pledged Securities acceptable to Lender in its sole discretion if such Pledged Securities have lost value as the result of market conditions.

Regulatory Capital shall mean “Net Capital” as calculated by Borrower, and set forth on line 10 of the “Computation of Net Capital” section of Part II of each monthly FOCUS Report of Borrower.

Termination Date shall mean the earlier of December 28, 2013, or the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 12.

2.Credit Facility. Borrower may request Advances and unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Lender shall make the Advances so requested, from time to time during the period from the date hereof until the Termination Date. Interest shall accrue on each Advance as described in Section 6 below. Lender will refuse to make any requested Advance to Borrower that would cause the aggregate principal amount of: (a) the Advances outstanding hereunder to exceed the Facility Amount; or (b) the Advances outstanding hereunder to exceed the limits set forth the Borrowing Base; providedthat in no instance shall the principal amount of the Advances exceed the amount permitted under any applicable law, regulation, rule or direction of any applicable regulatory authority. Borrower may, upon five (5) Banking Days' prior written notice to Lender, terminate the credit facility hereunder at any time, or reduce the Facility Amount from time to time; provided, however, that at no time shall the Facility Amount be reduced to an amount less than the aggregate principal balance of all outstanding Advances, and any such termination or reduction shall be permanent and Borrower shall have no right to thereafter reinstate or increase, as the case may be, the credit facility hereunder or the Facility Amount

3.Procedures for Advances. The following provisions shall govern certain aspects of any Advance that Borrower may request under this Agreement:

(a)Requests for Advances. Borrower may request an Advance by written notice or by telephonic, facsimile or electronic notice. All requests for Advances shall be directed to the individuals designated for such purpose by Lender from time to time. Each request by Borrower for an Advance shall be accompanied by further documents or information as required by Lender, including but not limited to, documents that evidence that the applicable Pledged Securities have been assigned or transferred to Borrower and that Borrower is the current owner of such Pledged Securities, and that such Pledged Securities have been delivered to Lender, or are in the possession of or registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company or other clearing corporation or a custodian bank or nominee thereof (including BONYM).

(b)Authorized Persons. Upon request, Borrower shall provide Lender with the names, titles and signatures of all individuals designated by Borrower to request Advances under this Agreement Borrower shall immediately

5652985                            -2 -

notify Lender if any designated individuals of Borrower are no longer employed by Borrower, or are no longer authorized to request Advances under this Agreement; and if any new and/or additional individuals are designated by Borrower to request Advances under this Agreement.

(c)Disbursements. Lender shall disburse the amount of each Advance by crediting the amount of that Advance to deposit account no. 150250032516 maintained by Borrower at Lender or by the transfer of immediately available funds, or otherwise, all as instructed by Borrower in its request for the Advance.

4.The Note. Borrower's obligation to repay all Advances shall be evidenced by the Note which shall be duly executed by Borrower and delivered to Lender.

5.Payment of Principal and Prepayments. The unpaid principal balance of the Note shall be due and payable in full on the Termination Date. Borrower may prepay all or any part of the Note at any time, without premium or penalty, but any voluntary prepayment must include interest on the amount prepaid.

6.Interest. Borrower shall pay interest to Lender on the aggregate unpaid principal amounts of each Advance from time to time outstanding at an annual rate equal to the Applicable Margin plus the LIBOR Rate; providedthat, if the initial Advance priced at the LIBOR Rate occurs other than on the first day of the month, the initial LIBOR Rate shall be that one-month LIBOR rate in effect two (2) New York Banking Days prior to the date of the initial Advance priced at the LIBOR Rate, which rate plus the Applicable Margin shall be in effect until the first day of the following month. The amount of interest accrued on the Note in each month shall be payable on the first Banking Day of the next month and also on the Termination Date. After the Termination Date or during the continuance of an Event of Default, Borrower shall pay interest to Lender on the aggregate, unpaid principal amount of all Advances from time to time outstanding at an annual rate equal to Two Percent (2%) over the applicable interest rate(s). Borrower agrees to pay to Lender as additional interest hereunder, upon demand, the amount of any increased cost or reduced rate of return applicable to the Advances resulting from change or change in application to Lender of any law, rule, regulation or direction of any regulatory agency, including without limitation tax, duty, reserve (including, without limitation, any such item imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) or similar requirement imposed on Lender, its assets or any deposits or credit extended by or to Lender.

7.Commitment Fee. From and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the Termination Date, Borrower shall pay a nonrefundable commitment fee as described in Exhibit C attached hereto.

8.Payments. All payments under the Note shall be made in immediately available funds, by debiting a deposit account of Borrower at Lender, by wire transfer or otherwise. All payments by Borrower and all proceeds of any Pledged Securities that are foreclosed on by Lender shall be applied first to costs of collection, next to any other amounts owed under Section 13 below, next to accrued interest on the Note and finally to the principal balance of the Note. If any payment of principal of or interest on the Note, or any amount payable under Section 13 below, becomes due and payable on a day which is not a Banking Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Banking Day and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing interest in connection with such payment.

9.Security.

(a)Upon any request for an Advance, Borrower will simultaneously deliver to Lender a summary of the Pledged Securities in form and substance satisfactory to Lender (a “Collateral Summary”), which shall identify the Pledged Securities, shall include the values of such Pledged Securities (as initially determined by Borrower), and which shall be sufficient to enable Lender to objectively determine the identity of the Pledged Securities. The total value of the Pledged Securities as summarized shall be such that the aggregate principal amount of the Advances, before and after giving effect to the requested Advance, shall not exceed the Borrowing Base. By requesting an Advance, Borrower shall be deemed to represent and covenant that the summarized Pledged Securities are held by Borrower, free and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance other than any security interest in favor of Lender.

5652985                            -3 -

(b)Borrower agrees that in all instances the total value of the Pledged Securities will be sufficient to support the outstanding Advances. If a change in market conditions or the status of an issuer reduces the total value of any Pledged Securities below the level necessary to collateralize the Advances, Borrower shall immediately either (i) pledge additional Pledged Securities (acceptable to Lender in its sole discretion) sufficient to restore the total value of the Pledged Securities to a level such that the Borrowing Base equals or exceeds the aggregate amount of outstanding Advances, or (ii) pay the Advances to the extent required to reduce the aggregate amount of outstanding Advances to an amount not in excess of the Borrowing Base.

(c)The security interests granted by Borrower to Lender and Borrower's duties with respect thereto are set forth in more detail in the Amended and Restated Collateral Pledge Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “Collateral Pledge Agreement”).

10.Minimum Regulatory Capital. Borrower shall at all times have Regulatory Capital of at least $120,000,000 and shall have fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of any FOCUS Report which indicates that there is a violation of this covenant to cure such violation; providedhowever no cure period shall exist if any such violation is the direct result of a decrease in total ownership equity (as reflected in Part II, line 30 of the “Statement of Financial Condition Liabilities and Equity” section of any such FOCUS Report); and providedfurther, that Borrower shall not be required to maintain said minimum Regulatory Capital requirement on any day if and to the extent Borrower's securities underwriting commitments cause Borrower to have Regulatory Capital of less than said minimum Regulatory Capital requirement on or as of such day, so long as the total number of such days when Regulatory Capital is less than said minimum Regulatory Capital requirement does not exceed twenty (20) cumulative days in any single fiscal year of Borrower.

11.Conditions Precedent to Advances. In addition to requirements for the making of any Advance set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, and without limiting the discretion of Lender to make or refuse to make any Advance, Lender shall not make any Advance hereunder unless and until Lender has received all of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender:

(a)this Agreement, the Note, the Collateral Pledge Agreement, and the Control Agreement (collectively, the “Credit Documents”), all properly executed;

(b)the following organizational information of Borrower: (i) a copy of the resolutions adopted by the board of directors of Borrower, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents and certified by the Secretary of Borrower; (ii) copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of Borrower, certified by its Secretary as being true and correct copies thereof; (iii) a certificate signed by the Secretary of Borrower as to the incumbency and signature of the person or persons authorized to execute and deliver the Credit Documents and all other documents referred to in this Agreement and make requests for advances hereunder; and (iv) a certificate of good standing issued by the Delaware Secretary of State;

(c)an opinion of counsel from Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, counsel for Borrower;

(d)payment to Lender of the Work Fee as described in Exhibit C attached hereto; and

(e)such other documents and information as reasonably requested by Lender.

12.Events of Default; Remedies.The occurrence of any one of the following shall constitute a default (each an “Event of Default”) by Borrower under this Agreement: (a) if Borrower shall fail to pay any (i) principal amount of any Advance, when due and payable, or declared due and payable, or (ii) interest on any Advance within five (5) days after the date on which such payment of interest shall become due and payable, or declared due and payable; (b) if Borrower shall fail to pledge additional Pledged Securities as required under Section 9(b) above; (c) if Borrower shall default in the performance or observance of any other of its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, and such default shall remain uncured for a period of fifteen (15) days after notice from Lender; (d) if any representation, warranty, statement, report or certificate made or delivered by Borrower, or

5652985                            -4 -

any of its officers, employees or agents, to Lender is not true and correct in any material respect when made or deemed made; (e) If Borrower shall (i) become insolvent, (ii) not be paying its debts generally as such debts become due, (iii) make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or cause or suffer any of their respective assets to come within the possession of any receiver, trustee or custodian, (iv) have a petition filed by or against Borrower under the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended, or any similar law or regulation, (v) have any of its assets attached, seized or levied upon, or (vi) otherwise become the subject of any insolvency or creditor enforcement proceedings, providedhowever, that any involuntary petition or other proceeding against Borrower shall not be an Event of Default unless an order for relief is entered or such proceeding remains undismissed for at least sixty (60) days; (f) if Borrower or Piper Jaffray Companies (“PJC”) shall default in the payment, when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, of any indebtedness of Borrower or PJC in excess of $1,000,000, and such default is declared and is not cured within the time, if any, specified therefore in any agreement governing the same, or any event or condition shall occur which results in the acceleration of the maturity of any such Indebtedness of Borrower or PJC; (g) if one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against Borrower involving, individually, or in the aggregate, a liability of $1,000,000 or more and such judgments or decrees shall not have been satisfied, vacated, discharged or stayed pending appeal within thirty (30) days after the entry thereof; or (h) if this Agreement, the Note, or any other Credit Documents executed by Borrower at any time after their respective execution and delivery, shall cease to be in full force and effect, shall be declared null and void, shall be revoked or terminated or shall be subject to any contest by Borrower as to their validity and/or enforceability, for any reason, or if Borrower shall for any reason deny any further liability to Lender hereunder and thereunder. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Borrower may not request any Advance under this Agreement, Lender may then forthwith cease making Advances to or for the benefit of Borrower under this Agreement without any notice to Borrower, and Lender may terminate this Agreement; provided that this Agreement shall automatically terminate, and all amounts Borrower owes Lender hereunder and under the Note shall become due, without any notice should an order for relief be entered with respect to Borrower under the United States Bankruptcy Code. Upon an Event of Default, with notice by Lender to or demand by Lender of Borrower, Lender may declare all Advances to be immediately due and payable. Lender, in its sole discretion, upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default may exercise one or more of the rights and remedies accruing to Lender under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, and/or applicable law upon default by Borrower, including, without limitation, the right to set off and/or reduce to cash and apply to the payment of any of Borrower's obligations, any monies, reserves, deposits, certificates of deposit, deposit accounts and interest and dividends thereon, securities, investment property, cash and other property in the possession of or under the control of Lender or any of Lender's affiliates.

13.Fees and Expenses. Borrower agrees, whether or not any Advance is made under this Agreement, to pay Lender upon demand for (a) all out-of-pocket costs and expenses and all reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by Lender in connection with the preparation, documentation, negotiation and/or execution of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, (b) all recording, filing and search fees and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, (c) all out-of-pocket costs and expenses and all reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by Lender in connection with (i) the preparation, documentation, negotiation and execution of any amendment, modification, extension, renewal or restatement of this Agreement and/or any other Credit Document, and (ii) the preparation of any waiver or consent under this Agreement and/or under any other Credit Document, and (d) if an Event of Default occurs, all out-of-pocket costs and expenses and all reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by Lender in connection with such Event of Default and collection and other enforcement proceedings resulting therefrom. Borrower's obligations under this Section 13 shall survive the Termination Date.

14.Reporting Requirements and Inspections. Until the Termination Date and thereafter until the Note and all other obligations of Borrower under this Agreement are paid in full, in addition to the Collateral Summaries and other information described in Section 8 above, Borrower will provide to Lender: (a) at Lender's request, an updated, detailed list of the Pledged Securities; (b) within ten (10) days after filing, copies of all monthly FOCUS Reports of Borrower; (c) within ninety (90) days after the end of its fiscal year, audited financial statements of Borrower, its parent and their subsidiaries which shall include, but not be limited to, a balance sheet, income and expense statement and statement of retained earnings; and (d) from time to time such other information and reports as Lender may reasonably request. Borrower shall, at all times, maintain accurate books and records covering all collateral subject

5652985                            -5 -

to the Collateral Pledge Agreement, and Lender shall have the right by or through any of its representatives, attorneys or accountants to audit those books and records, upon reasonable notice to Borrower.

15.Miscellaneous. The following provisions shall also be applicable to Borrower's obligations to Lender under this Agreement and the Note:

(a)Amendments; Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor consent to any departure by Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Lender and Borrower, and then such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. No failure on Lender's part to exercise, and no delay in Lender's exercising, any right under this Agreement, the Note, the Collateral Pledge Agreement or any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or any partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

(b)Governing Law; Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made under and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Minnesota. This Agreement shall be binding on Borrower, its representatives, successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Lender, its successors, transferees and assigns. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations or duties under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Lender.

(c)Lender Records. Lender shall maintain records as to advances and payments made, and interest accrued on, the Note, and said records shall be presumed accurate until the contrary shall have been established.

(d)Captions. The captions or headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and in no way define, limit or describe the scope or intent of any provision of this Agreement.

(e)Regulations T and U. Borrower is subject to the provisions of Regulation T promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and does not extend or maintain credit to or for customers except in accordance with the provisions of such Regulation T. Borrower is an “exempted borrower” as defined by Regulation U. Upon request, Borrower shall provide to Bank a Certificate confirming that Borrower is in compliance with the provisions of Regulation T and U.

(f)Compliance With Other Regulations: Borrower shall at all times comply with all present and future laws, rules and regulations applicable to it in the operation of its business, including but not limited to all rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation and any self-regulatory organization of which Borrower is a member. Borrower shall deliver to Bank, immediately upon its receipt or transmission thereof, any notices to or from any such organization that Borrower is in violation of any applicable net capital rule, including but not limited to Rule 15c3-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(g)Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including bank wire, e-mail, telecopier or similar writing) and shall be given to such party at its address or telecopier number set forth on the signature pages hereof or such other address or telecopier number as such party may hereafter specify. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (a) if given by telecopier, when such telecopier is transmitted to the telecopier number specified in this Section and the appropriate answerback is received, (b) if given by mail, 72 hours after such communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid or (c) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section.

5652985                            -6 -

(h)Entire Agreement. The Credit Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between Lender and Borrower with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof (including the Original Agreement).

(i)Amendment and Restatement of Original Agreement. This Agreement amends, restates and replaces the Original Agreement in its entirety.

16.Termination. Unless terminated sooner by Lender pursuant to Section 12 above, this Agreement will terminate on the Termination Date.

17.Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY (a) SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY MINNESOTA STATE COURT SITTING IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN, OR ANY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA COURT SITTING IN THE DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA, AS LENDER MAY ELECT, IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED LOAN DOCUMENT, (b) AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT TO SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HELD AND DETERMINED IN ANY OF SUCH COURTS, (c) WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH BORROWER MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT, (d) WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM AND (e) WAIVES ALL RIGHTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHICH BORROWER MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE BY REASON OF ITS PRESENT OR SUBSEQUENT DOMICILES. BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION IN WHICH BORROWER AND LENDER ARE PARTIES RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED LOAN DOCUMENTS.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lender and Borrower have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first written hereinabove.

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

5652985                            -7 -

SIGNATURE PAGE-

AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT

Borrower:

PIPER JAFFRAY & CO.

By: /s/ Debbra L. Schoneman        

Debbra L. Schoneman, Chief Financial Officer

By: /s/ Timothy L. Carter            

Timothy L. Carter, Treasurer

800 Nicollet Mall (J09S04)

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

Attention: Treasury

(612) 303-1316 (FAX)

firmfund@pjc.com (e-mail)

Lender:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By: /s/ Katherine R. Miller            

Name: Katherine R. Miller            

Title: Sr. Vice President            

One US Bank Plaza (Mail Code SL-MO-T12B)

St. Louis, Missouri 63101

Attention: Securities Industry and Investment Management

Division

(314) 418-2618 (FAX)

5652985                            -8 -

Exhibit A

(Form of Note)

AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

$250,000,000.00     December 28, 2012

FOR THE VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, PIPER JAFFRAY & CO., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), hereby unconditionally promises to pay, to the order of U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (“Lender”), on the Termination Date (as defined in the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between Lender and Borrower dated of even date herewith, as the same may from time to time be amended [the “Loan Agreement”; all capitalized terms not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement]), the principal amount of Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Advances made by Lender to Borrower and evidenced by this Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note (this “Note”), which amount may be borrowed, paid, reborrowed and repaid, in whole or in part, subject to the terms of this Note and the Loan Agreement.

Borrower further promises to pay to the order of Lender interest on the principal amount from time to time outstanding under this Note at the applicable interest rate(s) and at the times described in the Loan Agreement. In addition, if Borrower fails to make any payment of interest on this Note within five (5) days when due, Borrower promises to pay to the order of Lender on demand a late fee in an amount equal to Five Percent (5%) of each late payment. All payments received by Lender shall be applied first to the payment of billed and unpaid late fees and the costs and expenses hereinafter described, next to billed and unpaid interest hereon, and the remainder to principal. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days and paid for actual days elapsed.

This Note shall evidence all Advances made by Lender to Borrower under the Loan Agreement, reference to which is made for certain terms and provisions which affect this Note. Lender may record the date and amount of all loans and all payments of principal and interest hereunder in the records it maintains with respect thereto. The books and records of Lender hereof showing the account between Lender hereof and Borrower shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding and shall constitute prima facie proof of the items therein set forth.

All required payments shall be made in immediately available funds in lawful money of the United States of America at the office of Lender situated at One US Bank Plaza, 7^th Street & Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63101, or at such other place as the holder may designate in writing. The acceptance by Lender of any principal or interest due after the date it is due as described above shall not be held to establish a custom or waive any rights of Lender to enforce prompt payment of any other principal or interest payments or otherwise.

Borrower has the right to prepay this Note in whole or in part at any time without penalty or premium.

Borrower agrees to pay to Lender, upon demand by Lender, all reasonable costs, charges and expenses (including, without limitation the reasonable fees and expenses of any attorney retained by Lender) incurred by Lender in connection with (a) the collection or enforcement of Borrower's liabilities and obligations under this Note, and/or (b) any litigation, contest, dispute or other proceeding (whether instituted by Lender, Borrower or any other person or entity) in any way relating to Borrower's liabilities and obligations hereunder. Borrower's obligations, as aforesaid, shall survive payment of this Note.

Presentment, demand for payment, protest and notice of dishonor and of protest are hereby severally waived by all parties hereto, whether as maker, endorser or guarantor to Lender.

In addition to and not in limitation of all rights of offset that Lender or any other holder of this Note may have under applicable law, Lender or such other holder of this Note shall, have the right to appropriate and apply to the

5652985

payment of this Note any and all balances, credits, deposits, accounts or moneys of the Borrower then or thereafter with Lender or other holder.

This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.

This Note amends, restates and replaces the Revolving Credit Note (Broker-Dealer VRDN Facility) dated September 30, 2008, and is not a novation thereof.

Borrower:

PIPER JAFFRAY & CO.

By:

Debbra L. Schoneman, Chief Financial Officer

By:

Timothy L. Carter, Treasurer

5652985                            -2 -

Exhibit B

(Borrowing Base)

See page 1 of Schedule 1 (Schedule of Eligible Securities) to the Control Agreement for list of Eligible Securities and applicable advance rates.

5652985

Exhibit C

(Pricing and Fees)

Applicable Margin shall have the meaning set forth in the letter agreement dated December 28, 2012, executed by Lender and Borrower (the “Pricing Letter”).

Commitment Fee shall have the meaning set forth in the Pricing Letter.

Advisory Fee shall have the meaning set forth in the Pricing Letter.

5652985

EX-10.24

Exhibit 10.24

SUMMARY OF COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT

Pursuant to a letter agreement dated October 25, 2012, between Piper Jaffray Investment Management, LLC (“PJIM”) and an investor in a fund in which PJIM is the general partner, M. Brad Winges, the Company's Head of Fixed Income Services, is required to invest at least 25% of his annual deferred compensation in an alternative asset management fund of the Company.

EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

SUBSIDIARIES OF PIPER JAFFRAY COMPANIES

(as of January 10, 2013)

Name*	State or Jurisdiction of Entity
Piper Jaffray & Co.	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Ltd.	United Kingdom
Piper Jaffray Financial Products Inc.	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Financial Products II Inc.	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Financial Products III Inc.	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Funding LLC	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Lending Inc.	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Lending LLC	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Private Capital Inc.	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Ventures Inc.	Delaware
Piper Ventures Capital Inc.	Delaware
PJC Capital LLC	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Foundation	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Asset Management Inc.	Delaware
Fiduciary Asset Management LLC	Delaware
Advisory Research, Inc.	Delaware
Piper Jaffray MENA (LP) Inc.	Delaware
PJC Consumer Partners Acquisition I, LLC	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Investment Group Inc.	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Investment Management LLC	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Municipal Fund LLC	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Funds Management LLC	Delaware
PJC Capital Management LLC	Delaware
PJC Capital Partners LLC	Delaware
PJC Merchant Banking Partners I, LLC	Delaware
PJC Merchant Banking Partners II, LLC	Delaware
PJC Merchant Banking Partners III, LLC	Delaware
Piper Jaffray Hong Kong Limited	Hong Kong
Piper Jaffray Asia Holdings Limited	Hong Kong
Piper Jaffray Asia Limited	Hong Kong
Piper Jaffray Asia Securities Limited	Hong Kong
Piper Jaffray Asia Futures Limited	Hong Kong
Piper Jaffray Asia Management Services Limited	Hong Kong
Grandward Investments Limited	Hong Kong

* Indentation indicates the principal parent of each subsidiary.

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Piper Jaffray Companies (the Company) of our reports dated February 27, 2013, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of the Company, included in the 2012 Annual Report to Shareholders of the Company.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements

1. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-111665) of the Company dated December 31, 2003

2. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-112384) of the Company dated January 30, 2004

3. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-122494) of the Company dated February 2, 2005

4. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-142699) of the Company dated May 8, 2007

5. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-150962) of the Company dated May 16, 2008

6. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-159360) of the Company dated May 20, 2009

7. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-165094) of the Company dated February 26, 2010

of our reports dated February 27, 2013, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of the Company, incorporated herein by reference.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 27, 2013

EX-24.1

Exhibit 24.1

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Andrew S. Duff, Debbra L. Schoneman and John W. Geelan, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Piper Jaffray Companies (the “Company”) for the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, and any or all amendments to said Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to file the same with such other authorities as necessary, granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Dated and effective as of the 27th of February, 2013.

/s/ Andrew S. Duff Andrew S. Duff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	/s/ Philip E. Soran Philip E. Soran, Director
/s/ Debbra L. Schoneman Debbra L. Schoneman Chief Financial Officer	/s/ Frank L. Sims Frank L. Sims, Director
/s/ Michael R. Francis Michael R. Francis, Director	/s/ Jean M. Taylor Jean M. Taylor, Director
/s/ B. Kristine Johnson B. Kristine Johnson, Director	/s/ Michele Volpi Michele Volpi, Director
/s/ Addison L. Piper Addison L. Piper, Director	/s/ Hope Woodhouse Hope Woodhouse, Director
/s/ Lisa K. Polsky Lisa K. Polsky, Director

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Andrew S. Duff, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Piper Jaffray Companies;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 27, 2013

/s/ Andrew S. Duff

Andrew S. Duff

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Debbra L. Schoneman, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Piper Jaffray Companies;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 27, 2013

/s/ Debbra L. Schoneman

Debbra L. Schoneman

Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned certifies that this periodic report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in this periodic report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Piper Jaffray Companies.

Dated: February 27, 2013

/s/ Andrew S. Duff

Andrew S. Duff

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Debbra L. Schoneman

Debbra L. Schoneman

Chief Financial Officer

XML

Acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc. (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Unaudited Pro Forma Information

The consolidated Company’s unaudited pro forma information presented does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have resulted had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the applicable period presented, nor does it indicate the results of operations in future periods.

(Dollars in thousands)	2010
Net revenues	$	538,119
Net income from continuing operations applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	26,109

XML

Pipar Jaffray Companies (Parent Company only) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

	December 31,		December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2012		2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,069	$	14,493
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	857,973		845,612
Other assets	20,850		1,969
Total assets	$	879,892	$	862,074
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Variable rate senior notes	$	125,000	$	—
Bank syndicated financing	—		115,000
Accrued compensation	20,838		17,117
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	762		11,566
Total liabilities	146,600		143,683
Shareholders’ equity	733,292		718,391
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	879,892	$	862,074

Condensed Statements of Operations

Condensed Statements of Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Revenues:
Dividends from subsidiaries	$	119,000		$	80,483		$	201,000
Interest	82			31			194
Total revenues	119,082			80,514			201,194
Interest expense	5,823			5,392			5,451
Net revenues	113,259			75,122			195,743
Non-interest expenses:
Total non-interest expenses	4,222			13,044			4,710
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense/(benefit) and equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	109,037			62,078			191,033
Income tax expense/(benefit)	39,175			(3,128		)	112,404
Income from continuing operations of parent company	69,862			65,206			78,629
Equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	(49,617		)	(167,226		)	(54,267		)
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations	20,245			(102,020		)	24,362
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	21,023			—			—
Net income/(loss)	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)	$	24,362

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Operating Activities:
Net income/(loss)	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)	$	24,362
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based and deferred compensation	240			437			300
Goodwill impairment	—			9,247			—
Equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	49,617			167,226			54,267
Net cash provided by operating activities	91,125			74,890			78,929
Financing Activities:
Issuance/(repayment) of variable rate senior notes	125,000			—			(120,000		)
Increase/(decrease) in bank syndicated financing	(115,000		)	(10,000		)	125,000
Advances to subsidiaries	(76,481		)	(51,916		)	(29,369		)
Repurchase of common stock	(38,068		)	(5,994		)	(47,610		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(104,549		)	(67,910		)	(71,979		)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(13,424		)	6,980			6,950
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	14,493		7,513			563
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	1,069		$	14,493		$	7,513
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash received/(paid) during the year for:
Interest	$	(5,741	)	$	(5,361	)	$	(5,257	)
Income taxes	$	(39,175	)	$	3,128		$	(112,404	)

XML

Short-Term Financing (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Short-Term Financing and Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings

The following is a summary of short-term financing and the weighted average interest rate on borrowings as of December 31:

	Outstanding Balance				Weighted Average Interest Rate
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2012	2011
Commercial paper (secured)	$	304,439	$	166,175	1.65%	1.37%
Prime broker arrangement	172,575		2,526		0.98%	1.05%
Total short-term financing	$	477,014	$	168,701

XML

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations - Amounts Receivable from Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Amounts Receivable From Brokers Dealers And Clearing Organizations [Abstract]
Receivable arising from unsettled securities transactions	$ 66,426	$ 279
Deposits paid for securities borrowed	32,163	46,298
Receivable from clearing organizations	17,655	20,453
Deposits with clearing organizations	24,717	31,061
Securities failed to deliver	5,440	23,140
Other	1,716	3,430
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	$ 148,117	$ 124,661

XML

Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 segment	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2
Amount of restricted stock forfeitures		$ 3.3	$ 5.3

XML

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill
Goodwill beginning balance	$ 196,844	$ 317,086
Goodwill acquired	0
FAMCO earn-out payment		56
Impairment charge	0	(120,298)	0
Goodwill ending balance	196,844	196,844	317,086
Intangible assets
Intangible assets beginning balance	48,202	55,458
Amortization of intangible assets	(6,944)	(7,256)	(6,474)
Intangible assets ending balance	41,258	48,202	55,458
Asset Management
Goodwill
Goodwill beginning balance	196,844	196,788
Goodwill acquired	0
FAMCO earn-out payment		56
Impairment charge	0	0
Goodwill ending balance	196,844	196,844	196,788
Intangible assets
Intangible assets beginning balance	48,202	55,458
Amortization of intangible assets	(6,944)	(7,256)	(6,474)
Intangible assets ending balance	41,258	48,202	55,458
Capital Markets
Goodwill
Goodwill beginning balance	0	120,298
Goodwill acquired	0
FAMCO earn-out payment		0
Impairment charge	0	(120,298)
Goodwill ending balance	0	0
Intangible assets
Intangible assets beginning balance	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0
Intangible assets ending balance	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current:
Federal	$ 16,939	$ (6,108)	$ 10,573
State	(9,563)	27	3,860
Foreign	0	0	0
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	7,376	(6,081)	14,433
Deferred:
Federal	7,735	13,803	16,261
State	4,413	2,491	1,469
Foreign	(54)	(1,093)	0
Total Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	12,094	15,201	17,730
Total income tax expense from continuing operations	19,470	9,120	32,163
Total income tax expense/(benefit) from discontinued operations	$ (23,795)	$ 1,756	$ 1,191

XML

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The following table presents the changes in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets from continuing operations for the years ended December 31:

	Capital			Asset
(Dollars in thousands)	Markets			Management			Total
Goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	120,298		$	196,788		$	317,086
FAMCO earn-out payment	—			56			56
Impairment charge	(120,298		)	—			(120,298		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	—			196,844			196,844
Goodwill acquired	—			—			—
Impairment charge	—			—			—
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	196,844		$	196,844
Intangible assets
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	—		$	55,458		$	55,458
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(7,256		)	(7,256		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	—			48,202			48,202
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(6,944		)	(6,944		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	41,258		$	41,258

Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense

The following table presents the future aggregate intangible asset amortization expense for the years ended:

(Dollars in thousands)
2013	$	6,644
2014	6,299
2015	6,039
2016	5,551
Thereafter	13,865
Total	$	38,398

XML

Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

Basis for Presentation

The Company structures its segments primarily based upon the nature of the financial products and services provided to customers and the Company’s management organization. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on segment pre-tax operating income or loss and segment pre-tax operating margin. Revenues and expenses directly associated with each respective segment are included in determining their operating results. Other revenues and expenses that are not directly attributable to a particular segment are allocated based upon the Company’s allocation methodologies, including each segment’s respective net revenues, use of shared resources, headcount or other relevant measures. The financial management of assets is performed on an enterprise-wide basis. As such, assets are not assigned to the business segments.

Segment pre-tax operating income and segment pre-tax operating margin exclude the results of discontinued operations.

Reportable segment financial results from continuing operations are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Capital Markets
Investment banking
Financing
Equities	$	73,180		$	74,161		$	89,537
Debt	74,102			54,565			65,996
Advisory services	86,165			74,373			86,032
Total investment banking	233,447			203,099			241,565
Institutional sales and trading
Equities	75,723			86,175			100,847
Fixed income	119,253			77,017			79,663
Total institutional sales and trading	194,976			163,192			180,510
Other income/(loss)	(4,285		)	2,746			1,534
Net revenues	424,138			369,037			423,609
Non-interest expenses
Goodwill impairment	—			120,298			—
Operating expenses	371,628			344,036			384,481
Total non-interest expenses	371,628			464,334			384,481
Segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)	$	52,510		$	(95,297	)	$	39,128
Segment pre-tax operating margin	12.4		%	N/M			9.2		%
Asset Management
Management and performance fees
Management fees	$	63,296		$	60,873		$	47,201
Performance fees	785			2,245			8,747
Total management and performance fees	64,081			63,118			55,948
Other income/(loss)	733			(72		)	377
Net revenues	64,814			63,046			56,325
Operating expenses (1)	48,313			47,938			41,636
Segment pre-tax operating income	$	16,501		$	15,108		$	14,689
Segment pre-tax operating margin	25.5		%	24.0		%	26.1		%
Total
Net revenues	$	488,952		$	432,083		$	479,934
Non-interest expenses
Goodwill impairment	—			120,298			—
Operating expenses (1)	419,941			391,974			426,117
Total non-interest expenses	419,941			512,272			426,117
Total segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)	$	69,011		$	(80,189	)	$	53,817
Pre-tax operating margin	14.1		%	N/M			11.2		%

N/M – Not meaningful

(1) Operating expenses include intangible asset amortization expense of $6.9 million, $7.3 million and $6.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Geographic Areas

The Company operates in both U.S. and non-U.S. markets. The Company’s non-U.S. business activities are conducted through European and Asian locations. Net revenues disclosed in the following table reflect the regional view, with financing revenues allocated to geographic locations based upon the location of the capital market, advisory revenues allocated based upon the location of the investment banking team and net institutional sales and trading revenues allocated based upon the location of the client. Asset management revenues are allocated to the U.S. based upon the geographic location of the Company’s asset management team. Net revenues exclude discontinued operations for all periods presented.

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Net revenues:
United States	$	476,718	$	415,647	$	458,610
Europe	12,234		16,436		21,324
Consolidated	$	488,952	$	432,083	$	479,934

Long-lived assets are allocated to geographic locations based upon the location of the asset. The following table presents long-lived assets held for use by geographic region:

	December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Long-lived assets:
United States	$	285,682	$	308,321
Asia	—		2,055
Europe	1,131		1,287
Consolidated	$	286,813	$	311,663

XML

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 unit	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum	Mar. 31, 2012 Advisory Research Inc	Dec. 31, 2012 FAMCO	Dec. 31, 2012 Capital Markets	Dec. 31, 2011 Capital Markets	Dec. 31, 2010 Capital Markets	Dec. 31, 2011 Scenario, Previously Reported FAMCO
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of reporting units	3
Goodwill, re-allocate amount					$ 44,600,000
Goodwill	196,844,000	196,844,000	317,086,000				0	0	120,298,000	50,100,000
Goodwill impairment	$ 0	$ 120,298,000	$ 0			$ 5,508,000	$ 0	$ 120,298,000
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life				10 years

XML

Receivables from and Payables to Customers Amounts Payable to Customers (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Payables To Customers [Line Items]
Total payables	$ 42,007	$ 29,373
Cash accounts
Payables To Customers [Line Items]
Total payables	32,103	17,455
Margin accounts
Payables To Customers [Line Items]
Total payables	$ 9,904	$ 11,918

XML

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
One-time pre-tax restructuring-related charge incurred	$ 3,642,000	$ 0	$ 10,699,000
Severance benefits	2,400,000
Charge incurred due to reduction in leased office space	$ 1,200,000

XML

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (5,807)	$ (11,248)	$ 2,276
Hong Kong Capital Markets
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues	6,635	15,996	33,994
Restructuring expenses	11,535	0	0
Operating expenses	16,550	24,983	31,962
Total non-interest expenses	28,085	24,983	31,962
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	(21,450)	(8,987)	2,032
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(21,069)	1,927	648
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(381)	(10,914)	1,384
FAMCO
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues	5,718	6,584	10,883
Goodwill impairment	5,508	0	0
Operating expenses	8,362	7,089	9,448
Total non-interest expenses	13,870	7,089	9,448
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	(8,152)	(505)	1,435
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(2,726)	(171)	543
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (5,426)	$ (334)	$ 892

XML

Piper Jaffray Companies (Parent Company only) - Condensed Statements of Financial Condition (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 105,371	$ 85,024	$ 50,216	$ 41,043
Goodwill	196,844	196,844	317,086
Other assets	129,697	121,164
Total assets	2,087,733	1,655,721
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Variable rate senior notes	125,000	0
Bank syndicated financing	0	115,000
Accrued compensation	132,124	108,696
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	53,193	34,339
Total liabilities	1,297,558	905,121
Total common shareholders’ equity	733,292	718,391
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,087,733	1,655,721
Parent Company
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1,069	14,493	7,513	563
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	857,973	845,612
Other assets	20,850	1,969
Total assets	879,892	862,074
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Variable rate senior notes	125,000	0
Bank syndicated financing	0	115,000
Accrued compensation	20,838	17,117
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	762	11,566
Total liabilities	146,600	143,683
Total common shareholders’ equity	733,292	718,391
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 879,892	$ 862,074

XML

Other Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Net deferred income tax assets	$ 33,622	$ 45,080
Investments at fair value	39,055	26,500
Investments at cost	26,364	25,672
Investments accounted for under the equity method	20,353	16,157
Income tax receivables	5,448	0
Prepaid expenses	3,840	5,897
Other	1,015	1,858
Total other assets	$ 129,697	$ 121,164

XML

Bank Syndicated Financing - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Dec. 29, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term		3 years
Bank syndicated financing			$ 0	$ 115,000,000
Write-off of deferred debt issuance cost	1,100,000
Bank syndicated financing, weighted average interest rate				3.05%
Credit agreement, interest rate margin above federal funds rate			0.50%
LIBOR rate			1 month
Credit agreement, interest rate margin above one-month LIBOR rate			1.00%
Credit agreement, applicable margin rate, minimum			1.50%
Credit agreement, applicable margin rate, maximum			3.00%
Nonrefundable commitment fee, percentage			0.50%
Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank syndicated financing		100,000,000		90,000,000
Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank syndicated financing		50,000,000		$ 25,000,000

XML

Fixed Assets - Summary of Fixed Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 76,121	$ 79,690
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(61,032)	(58,153)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	15,089	21,537
Furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	36,454	37,633
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	19,508	22,031
Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 20,159	$ 20,026

XML

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees - Aggregate Minimum Lease Commitments under Operating Leases (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2013	$ 12,951
2014	10,297
2015	8,884
2016	9,067
2017	7,460
Thereafter	34,733
Total	$ 83,392

XML

Other Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated fair market value of investments carried at cost	$ 40.3

XML

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations - Amounts Payable to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Amounts Payable To Brokers Dealers And Clearing Organizations [Abstract]
Payable arising from unsettled securities transactions	$ 24,643	$ 29,005
Payable to clearing organizations	5,763	3,064
Securities failed to receive	7,459	1,402
Other	22,290	1,965
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	$ 60,155	$ 35,436

XML

Bank Syndicated Financing

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Bank Syndicated Financing

Bank Syndicated Financing

On December 29, 2010, the Company entered into a three-year Credit Agreement comprised of a $100 million amortizing term loan and a $50 million revolving credit facility. SunTrust Bank was the administrative agent (“Agent”) for the lenders. The outstanding balance and unpaid interest on the Credit Agreement was repaid on November 30, 2012 from the proceeds of the Notes discussed in Note 16. The unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.1 million were recorded as additional interest expense within continuing operations upon repayment of the outstanding balance. The outstanding balance on the term loan and revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2011 was $90 million and $25 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of 3.05 percent.

The interest rate for borrowing under the Credit Agreement was, at the option of the Company, equal to LIBOR or a base rate, plus an applicable margin, adjustable and payable quarterly at a minimum. The base rate was defined as the highest of the Agent’s prime lending rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50 percent or one-month LIBOR plus 1.00 percent. The applicable margin varied from 1.50 percent to 3.00 percent and was based on the Company’s leverage ratio. In addition, the Company also paid a nonrefundable commitment fee of 0.50 percent on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility on a quarterly basis.

The Company’s Credit Agreement was recorded at amortized cost. As of December 31, 2011, the carrying value of the Credit Agreement approximated fair value.

XML

Compensation Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Summary of Outstanding Equity Awards

The following table provides a summary of the Company’s outstanding equity awards (in shares or units) as of December 31, 2012:

Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Shares
Annual grants	1,316,998
Sign-on grants	319,069
Retention grants	45,032
Performance grants	217,457
	1,898,556
Inducement Plan
Restricted Stock Shares	87,459
Total restricted stock shares related to compensation	1,986,015
ARI deal consideration (1)	336,423
Total restricted stock shares outstanding	2,322,438
Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Units
Leadership grants	173,271
Incentive Plan
Stock options outstanding	486,563

(1) The Company issued restricted stock as part of deal consideration for ARI. See Note 5 for further discussion.

Changes in Unvested Restricted Stock

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s unvested restricted stock (including the unvested restricted stock issued as part of the deal consideration for ARI) under the Incentive Plan and Inducement Plan for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

	Unvested		Weighted Average
	Restricted Stock		Grant Date
	(in Shares)		Fair Value
December 31, 2009	3,512,749		$	40.46
Granted	1,958,608		43.09
Vested	(682,988	)	63.18
Cancelled	(265,185	)	39.07
December 31, 2010	4,523,184		$	39.84
Granted	663,887		40.87
Vested	(1,791,712	)	37.77
Cancelled	(243,358	)	39.03
December 31, 2011	3,152,001		$	38.79
Granted	635,136		22.89
Vested	(1,309,881	)	34.21
Cancelled	(154,818	)	39.37
December 31, 2012	2,322,438		$	37.01

Changes in Unvested Restricted Stock Units

The following summarizes the changes in the Company’s unvested restricted stock units under the Incentive Plan for the year ended December 31, 2012:

	Unvested		Weighted Average
	Restricted		Grant Date
	Stock Units		Fair Value
December 31, 2011	—		$	—
Granted	214,526		12.12
Vested	—		—
Cancelled	(41,255	)	12.12
December 31, 2012	173,271		$	12.12

Changes in Outstanding Stock Options

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s outstanding stock options for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

					Weighted Average
			Weighted		Remaining
	Options		Average		Contractual Term	Aggregate
	Outstanding		Exercise Price		(in Years)	Intrinsic Value
December 31, 2009	538,804		$	44.50	5.7	$	4,237,480
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(2,456	)	40.06
Cancelled	(20,856	)	41.89
December 31, 2010	515,492		$	44.64	4.9	$	166,406
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(1,023	)	39.62
Cancelled	(11,846	)	42.19
December 31, 2011	502,623		$	44.71	3.9	$	—
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		—
Cancelled	(16,060	)	43.17
December 31, 2012	486,563		$	44.76	2.9	$	94,150
Options exercisable at December 31, 2010	386,605		$	45.82	4.1	$	166,406
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011	502,623		$	44.71	3.9	$	—
Options exercisable at December 31, 2012	486,563		$	44.76	2.9	$	94,150

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range

Additional information regarding Piper Jaffray Companies options outstanding as of December 31, 2012 is as follows:

	Options Outstanding				Exercisable Options
		Weighted Average
		Remaining	Weighted			Weighted
Range of		Contractual	Average			Average
Exercise Prices	Shares	Life (in Years)	Exercise Price		Shares	Exercise Price
$28.01	22,852	2.3	$	28.01	22,852	$	28.01
$33.40	4,001	2.6	$	33.40	4,001	$	33.40
$39.62	141,753	2.1	$	39.62	141,753	$	39.62
$41.09	128,887	5.1	$	41.09	128,887	$	41.09
$47.30 — $51.05	141,657	1.5	$	47.73	141,657	$	47.73
$70.13 — $70.65	47,413	3.9	$	70.26	47,413	$	70.26

XML

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Brokers and Dealers [Abstract]

Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations

Amounts receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations at December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Receivable arising from unsettled securities transactions	$	66,426	$	279
Deposits paid for securities borrowed	32,163		46,298
Receivable from clearing organizations	17,655		20,453
Deposits with clearing organizations	24,717		31,061
Securities failed to deliver	5,440		23,140
Other	1,716		3,430
	$	148,117	$	124,661

Amounts payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations at December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Payable arising from unsettled securities transactions	$	24,643	$	29,005
Payable to clearing organizations	5,763		3,064
Securities failed to receive	7,459		1,402
Other	22,290		1,965
	$	60,155	$	35,436

XML

Collateralized Securities Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Collateralized Securities Transactions Disclosure [Abstract]
Securities purchased under agreements to resell, securities borrowed and margin agreements on terms that permit to repledge or resell the securities to others	$ 186.1	$ 221.9
Securities either pledged or otherwise transferred to others in connection with financing activities or to satisfy commitments under financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	$ 174.4	$ 196.9

XML

Compensation Plans - Additional Stock Option Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
$28.01 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, upper	$ 28.01
Options outstanding, shares	22,852
Options outstanding, weighted average contractual life (in Years)	2 years 3 months 18 days
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$ 28.01
Exercisable options, shares	22,852
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$ 28.01
$33.40 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, upper	$ 33.40
Options outstanding, shares	4,001
Options outstanding, weighted average contractual life (in Years)	2 years 7 months 6 days
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$ 33.40
Exercisable options, shares	4,001
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$ 33.40
$39.62 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, upper	$ 39.62
Options outstanding, shares	141,753
Options outstanding, weighted average contractual life (in Years)	2 years 1 month 6 days
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$ 39.62
Exercisable options, shares	141,753
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$ 39.62
$41.09 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, upper	$ 41.09
Options outstanding, shares	128,887
Options outstanding, weighted average contractual life (in Years)	5 years 1 month 6 days
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$ 41.09
Exercisable options, shares	128,887
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$ 41.09
$47.30 - $51.05 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, lower	$ 47.30
Range of exercise prices, upper	$ 51.05
Options outstanding, shares	141,657
Options outstanding, weighted average contractual life (in Years)	1 year 6 months
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$ 47.73
Exercisable options, shares	141,657
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$ 47.73
$70.13 - $70.65 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, lower	$ 70.13
Range of exercise prices, upper	$ 70.65
Options outstanding, shares	47,413
Options outstanding, weighted average contractual life (in Years)	3 years 10 months 24 days
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$ 70.26
Exercisable options, shares	47,413
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$ 70.26

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”).

Voting interest entities are entities in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable each entity to finance itself independently and provides the equity holders with the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right or power to make decisions about or direct the entity’s activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. Voting interest entities, where the Company has a majority interest, are consolidated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, “Consolidations” (“ASC 810”). ASC 810 states that the usual condition for a controlling financial interest in an entity is ownership of a majority voting interest. Accordingly, the Company consolidates voting interest entities in which it has all, or a majority of, the voting interests.

As defined in ASC 810, VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity described above. With the exception of entities eligible for the deferral codified in FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-10, “Consolidation: Amendments for Certain Investment Funds,” (“ASU 2010-10”) (generally asset managers and investment companies), ASC 810 states that a controlling financial interest in an entity is present when an enterprise has a variable interest, or combination of variable interests, that have both the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the rights to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. Accordingly, the Company consolidates VIEs in which the Company has a controlling financial interest.

Entities meeting the deferral provision defined by ASU 2010-10 are evaluated under the historical VIE guidance. Under the historical guidance, a controlling financial interest in an entity is present when an enterprise has a variable interest, or combination of variable interests, that will absorb a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both. The enterprise with a controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE. Accordingly, the Company consolidates VIEs subject to the deferral provisions defined by ASU 2010-10 in which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

When the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity but exerts significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies (generally defined as owning a voting or economic interest of between 20 percent to 50 percent), the Company accounts for its investment in accordance with the equity method of accounting prescribed by FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 323, “Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures.” If the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in, or exert significant influence over, an entity, the Company accounts for its investment at fair value, if the fair value option was elected, or at cost.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with maturities of 90 days or less at the date of origination.

In accordance with Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Piper Jaffray, as a registered broker dealer carrying customer accounts, is subject to requirements related to maintaining cash or qualified securities in a segregated reserve account for the exclusive benefit of its customers.

Customer Transactions

Customer Transactions

Customer securities transactions are recorded on a settlement date basis, while the related revenues and expenses are recorded on a trade date basis. Customer receivables and payables include amounts related to both cash and margin transactions. Securities owned by customers, including those that collateralize margin or other similar transactions, are not reflected on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful AccountsManagement estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts to reserve for probable losses from unsecured and partially secured customer accounts. Management is continually evaluating its receivables from customers for collectability and possible write-off by examining the facts and circumstances surrounding each customer where a loss is deemed possible.

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations

Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations include receivables arising from unsettled securities transactions, deposits paid for securities borrowed, receivables from clearing organizations, deposits with clearing organizations and amounts receivable for securities not delivered to the purchaser by the settlement date (“securities failed to deliver”). Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations include payables arising from unsettled securities transactions, payables to clearing organizations and amounts payable for securities not received from a seller by the settlement date (“securities failed to receive”). Unsettled securities transactions related to the Company's broker dealer operations are recorded at contract value on a net basis. Unsettled securities transactions related to the Company's consolidated investment company operations are recorded on a gross basis.

Collateralized Securities Transactions

Collateralized Securities Transactions

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase are carried at the contractual amounts at which the securities will be subsequently resold or repurchased, including accrued interest. It is the Company’s policy to take possession or control of securities purchased under agreements to resell at the time these agreements are entered into. The counterparties to these agreements typically are primary dealers of U.S. government securities and major financial institutions. Collateral is valued daily, and additional collateral is obtained from or refunded to counterparties when appropriate.

Securities borrowed and loaned result from transactions with other broker dealers or financial institutions and are recorded at the amount of cash collateral advanced or received. These amounts are included in receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Securities borrowed transactions require the Company to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. Securities loaned transactions require the borrower to deposit cash with the Company. The Company monitors the market value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or refunded as necessary.

Interest is accrued on securities borrowed and loaned transactions and is included in (i) other receivables or other liabilities and accrued expenses on the consolidated statements of financial condition and (ii) the respective interest income or interest expense amounts on the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased on our consolidated statements of financial condition consist of financial instruments recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses related to these financial instruments are reflected on the consolidated statements of operations. Securities (both long and short) are recognized on a trade-date basis. Additionally, certain of the Company’s investments recorded in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition are recorded at fair value, either as required by accounting guidance or through the fair value election.

Fair Value Hierarchy — FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” (“ASC 820”) provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC 820 maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect management’s assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the transparency of inputs as follows:

Level I — Quoted prices (unadjusted) are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the report date. A quoted price for an identical asset or liability in an active market provides the most reliable fair value measurement because it is directly observable to the market. The type of financial instruments included in Level I are highly liquid instruments with quoted prices such as equities listed in active markets, U.S. treasury bonds, money market securities and certain exchange traded firm investments.

Level II — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the report date. The nature of these financial instruments include instruments for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently, derivative instruments whose fair value have been derived using a model where inputs to the model are directly observable in the market, or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, and instruments that are fair valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed. Instruments which are generally included in this category are certain types of the following securities: non-exchange traded equities, U.S. government agency securities, corporate bonds, municipal securities, asset-backed securities, convertible securities and derivative instruments.

Level III — Instruments that have little to no pricing observability as of the report date. These financial instruments may not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Instruments included in this category generally include certain types of the following securities: non-exchange traded equities, asset-backed securities, municipal securities, firm investments, convertible securities, corporate bonds and derivative instruments.

Valuation Of Financial Instruments — The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). Based on the nature of the Company’s business and its role as a “dealer” in the securities industry or its role as a manager of alternative asset management funds, the fair values of its financial instruments are determined internally. When available, the Company values financial instruments at observable market prices, observable market parameters, or broker or dealer prices (bid and ask prices). In the case of financial instruments transacted on recognized exchanges, the observable market prices represent quotations for completed transactions from the exchange on which the financial instrument is principally traded.

A substantial percentage of the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased, are based on observable market prices, observable market parameters, or derived from broker or dealer prices. The availability of observable market prices and pricing parameters can vary from product to product. Where available, observable market prices and pricing or market parameters in a product may be used to derive a price without requiring significant judgment. In certain markets, observable market prices or market parameters are not available for all products, and fair value is determined using techniques appropriate for each particular product. These techniques involve some degree of judgment. Results from valuation models and other techniques in one period may not be indicative of future period fair value measurement.

For investments in illiquid or privately held securities that do not have readily determinable fair values, the determination of fair value requires the Company to estimate the value of the securities using the best information available. Among the factors considered by the Company in determining the fair value of such financial instruments are the cost, terms and liquidity of the investment, the financial condition and operating results of the issuer, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar quality and yield, and other factors generally pertinent to the valuation of investments. In instances where a security is subject to transfer restrictions, the value of the security is based primarily on the quoted price of a similar security without restriction but may be reduced by an amount estimated to reflect such restrictions. In addition, even where the Company derives the value of a security based on information from an independent source, certain assumptions may be required to determine the security’s fair value. For instance, the Company assumes that the size of positions in securities that the Company holds would not be large enough to affect the quoted price of the securities if the firm sells them, and that any such sale would happen in an orderly manner. The actual value realized upon disposition could be different from the currently estimated fair value.

The fair values related to derivative contract transactions are reported in financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased on the consolidated statements of financial condition and any unrealized gain or loss resulting from changes in fair values of derivatives is reported on the consolidated statements of operations. Depending upon the product and terms of the transaction, the fair value of the Company’s derivative contracts can be observed or priced using models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. The valuation models used require inputs including contractual terms, yield curves, discount rates and measures of volatility.

The Company does not utilize “hedge accounting” as described within FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). Derivatives are reported on a net basis by counterparty when a legal right of offset exists and on a net basis by cross product when applicable provisions are stated in master netting agreements. Cash collateral received or paid is netted on a counterparty basis, provided a legal right of offset exists.

Fixed Assets

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets include furniture and equipment, software and leasehold improvements. Furniture and equipment and software are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful life or the life of the lease, whichever is shorter. The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with internal use software projects and amortizes the amount over the expected useful life of the asset, generally three to seven years.

Leases

Leases

The Company leases its corporate headquarters and other offices under various non-cancelable leases. The leases require payment of real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, in addition to rent. The terms of the Company’s lease agreements generally range up to twelve years. Some of the leases contain renewal options, escalation clauses, rent-free holidays and operating cost adjustments.

For leases that contain escalations or rent-free holidays, the Company recognizes the related rent expense on a straight-line basis from the date the Company takes possession of the property to the end of the initial lease term. The Company records any difference between the straight-line rent amounts and amounts payable under the leases as part of other liabilities and accrued expenses.

Cash or lease incentives received upon entering into certain leases are recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rent expense from the date the Company takes possession of the property or receives the cash to the end of the initial lease term. The Company records the unamortized portion of lease incentives as part of other liabilities and accrued expenses.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the fair value of the consideration transferred in excess of the fair value of identifiable net assets at the acquisition date. The recoverability of goodwill is evaluated annually, at a minimum, or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Further quantitative analysis is required if the Company determines that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The evaluation includes assessing the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units based on the Company’s market capitalization, market prices for similar assets, where available, and the present value of the estimated future cash flows associated with each reporting unit.

Intangible assets with determinable lives consist of asset management contractual relationships that are amortized over their estimated useful lives of up to ten years. Indefinite-life intangible assets consist of the ARI trade name. It is not amortized and is evaluated annually, at a minimum, or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount.

Other Receivables

Other Receivables

Other receivables include management fees receivable, accrued interest and loans made to employees, typically in connection with their recruitment. Employee loans are forgiven based on continued employment and are amortized to compensation and benefits expense using the straight-line method over the respective terms of the loans, which generally range from two to five years.

Other Assets

Other Assets

Other assets include net deferred income tax assets, proprietary investments, income tax receivables and prepaid expenses. The Company’s investments include investments in private companies and partnerships, warrants of public and private companies and private company debt. Equity investments in private companies are accounted for at fair value, if the fair value option was elected, or at cost. Investments in partnerships are accounted for under the equity method, which is generally the net asset value. Company-owned warrants with a cashless exercise option are valued at fair value, while warrants without a cashless exercise option are valued at cost. Private company debt investments are recorded at amortized cost, net of any unamortized premium or discount.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Investment Banking — Investment banking revenues, which include underwriting fees, management fees and advisory fees, are recorded when services for the transactions are completed under the terms of each engagement. Expenses associated with such transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded. Investment banking revenues are presented net of related unreimbursed expenses. Expenses related to investment banking deals not completed are recognized as non-interest expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Institutional Brokerage — Institutional brokerage revenues include (i) commissions received from customers for the execution of brokerage transactions in listed and over-the-counter (OTC) equity, fixed income and convertible debt securities, which are recorded on a trade date basis, (ii) trading gains and losses and (iii) fees received by the Company for equity research. The Company permits institutional customers to allocate a portion of their gross commissions to pay for research products and other services provided by third parties. The amounts allocated for those purposes are commonly referred to as soft dollar arrangements. As the Company is not the primary obligor for these arrangements, expenses relating to soft dollars are netted against commission revenues.

Asset Management — Asset management fees include revenues the Company receives in connection with management and investment advisory services performed for separately managed accounts and various funds and partnerships. These fees are recognized in the period in which services are provided. Fees are defined in client contracts as either fixed or based on a percentage of portfolio assets under management and may include performance fees. Performance fees are earned when the investment return on assets under management exceeds certain benchmark targets or other performance targets over a specified measurement period (monthly, quarterly or annually). Performance fees, if earned, are generally recognized at the end of the specified measurement period, typically the fourth quarter of the applicable year, or upon client liquidation. Performance fees are recognized as of each reporting date for certain consolidated entities.

Interest Revenue and Expense — The Company nets interest expense within net revenues to mitigate the effects of fluctuations in interest rates on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company recognizes contractual interest on financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, on an accrual basis as a component of interest revenue and expense. The Company accounts for interest related to its short-term and bank syndicated financings and its variable rate senior notes on an accrual basis with related interest recorded as interest expense. In addition, the Company recognizes interest revenue related to its securities borrowed and securities purchased under agreements to resell activities and interest expense related to its securities loaned and securities sold under agreements to repurchase activities on an accrual basis.

Share-Based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” (“ASC 718”) requires all stock-based compensation to be expensed on the consolidated statements of operations based on the grant date fair value of the award. Compensation expense related to share-based awards that do not require future service are recognized in the year in which the awards were deemed to be earned. Share-based awards that require future service are amortized over the relevant service period net of estimated forfeitures.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, which includes all of its qualifying subsidiaries. The Company is also subject to income tax in various states and municipalities and those foreign jurisdictions in which we operate. Income taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between amounts reported for income tax purposes and financial statement purposes, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance is recognized to the extent that it is more likely than not that any portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Tax reserves for uncertain tax positions are recorded in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”).

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Net income/(loss) applicable to common shareholders represents net income/(loss) reduced by the allocation of earnings to participating securities. Losses are not allocated to participating securities. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average outstanding shares to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive stock options.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are included in the earnings allocation in the earnings per share calculation under the two-class method. The Company grants restricted stock and restricted stock units as part of its share-based compensation program. Recipients of restricted stock are entitled to receive nonforfeitable dividends during the vesting period, and therefore meet the definition of a participating security. The Company's unvested restricted stock units are not participating securities as recipients are not eligible to receive nonforfeitable dividends.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company consolidates foreign subsidiaries which have designated their local currency as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated at year-end rates of exchange. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 830, “Foreign Currency Matters,” gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are included in other comprehensive income. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in net income.

Contingencies

Contingencies

The Company is involved in various pending and potential legal proceedings related to its business, including litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings. The Company establishes reserves for potential losses in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450, “Contingencies,” to the extent that claims are probable of loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The determination of the outcome and reserve amounts requires significant judgment on the part of management.

XML

Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reportable Segment Financial Results

Reportable segment financial results from continuing operations are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Capital Markets
Investment banking
Financing
Equities	$	73,180		$	74,161		$	89,537
Debt	74,102			54,565			65,996
Advisory services	86,165			74,373			86,032
Total investment banking	233,447			203,099			241,565
Institutional sales and trading
Equities	75,723			86,175			100,847
Fixed income	119,253			77,017			79,663
Total institutional sales and trading	194,976			163,192			180,510
Other income/(loss)	(4,285		)	2,746			1,534
Net revenues	424,138			369,037			423,609
Non-interest expenses
Goodwill impairment	—			120,298			—
Operating expenses	371,628			344,036			384,481
Total non-interest expenses	371,628			464,334			384,481
Segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)	$	52,510		$	(95,297	)	$	39,128
Segment pre-tax operating margin	12.4		%	N/M			9.2		%
Asset Management
Management and performance fees
Management fees	$	63,296		$	60,873		$	47,201
Performance fees	785			2,245			8,747
Total management and performance fees	64,081			63,118			55,948
Other income/(loss)	733			(72		)	377
Net revenues	64,814			63,046			56,325
Operating expenses (1)	48,313			47,938			41,636
Segment pre-tax operating income	$	16,501		$	15,108		$	14,689
Segment pre-tax operating margin	25.5		%	24.0		%	26.1		%
Total
Net revenues	$	488,952		$	432,083		$	479,934
Non-interest expenses
Goodwill impairment	—			120,298			—
Operating expenses (1)	419,941			391,974			426,117
Total non-interest expenses	419,941			512,272			426,117
Total segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)	$	69,011		$	(80,189	)	$	53,817
Pre-tax operating margin	14.1		%	N/M			11.2		%

N/M – Not meaningful

(1) Operating expenses include intangible asset amortization expense of $6.9 million, $7.3 million and $6.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net Revenues by Geographic Locations

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Net revenues:
United States	$	476,718	$	415,647	$	458,610
Europe	12,234		16,436		21,324
Consolidated	$	488,952	$	432,083	$	479,934

Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Region

The following table presents long-lived assets held for use by geographic region:

	December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Long-lived assets:
United States	$	285,682	$	308,321
Asia	—		2,055
Europe	1,131		1,287
Consolidated	$	286,813	$	311,663

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Valuation of Financial Instruments by Pricing Observability Levels (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	$ 1,211,595		$ 797,581
Investments	39,055		26,500
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	357,201		303,504
Equity securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	16,478		29,233
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	27,090		33,737
Convertible securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	44,978		34,480
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	1,015		3,118
Fixed income securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	33,668		14,924
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	19,314		12,621
Taxable securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	164,059		231,999
Tax-exempt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	418,189		209,317
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		3,270
Short-term securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	68,328		47,387
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	60		145
Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	116,195		61,830
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		11,333
U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	304,259		118,387
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	73,724		37,903
U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	4,966		8,266
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	231,043		195,662
Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	40,475		41,758
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	4,955		5,715
Level I
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	8,146		33,305
Cash equivalents	51,346		65,690
Investments	5,810		5,159
Total assets	65,302		104,154
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	256,405		229,157
Level I | Equity securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	3,180		25,039
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	25,362		33,495
Level I | Convertible securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		0
Level I | Fixed income securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		0
Level I | Taxable securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Level I | Tax-exempt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased			0
Level I | Short-term securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		0
Level I | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased			0
Level I | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		0
Level I | U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	4,966		8,266
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	231,043		195,662
Level I | Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		0
Level II
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	1,640,204		1,291,426
Cash equivalents	0		0
Investments	0		0
Total assets	1,640,204		1,291,426
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	665,605		666,188
Level II | Equity securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	13,298		4,194
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	1,728		242
Level II | Convertible securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	44,978		34,480
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	1,015		1,947
Level II | Fixed income securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	33,668		12,109
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	19,314		11,721
Level II | Taxable securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	164,059		231,999
Level II | Tax-exempt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	416,760		206,182
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased			3,270
Level II | Short-term securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	67,672		47,212
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	60		145
Level II | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	24		8,742
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased			11,333
Level II | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	304,259		118,387
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	73,724		37,903
Level II | U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		0
Level II | Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	595,486		628,121
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	569,764		599,627
Level III
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	119,083		59,213
Cash equivalents	0		0
Investments	33,245		21,341
Total assets	152,328		80,554
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	5,218		5,665
Level III | Equity securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		0
Level III | Convertible securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		1,171
Level III | Fixed income securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		2,815
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		900
Level III | Taxable securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Level III | Tax-exempt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	1,429		3,135
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased			0
Level III | Short-term securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	656		175
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		0
Level III | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	116,171		53,088
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased			0
Level III | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		0
Level III | U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0		0
Level III | Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	827		0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	5,218		3,594
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	(555,838)	[1]	(586,363)	[1]
Cash equivalents	0	[1]	0	[1]
Investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total assets	(555,838)	[1]	(586,363)	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	(570,027)	[1]	(597,506)	[1]
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting | Equity securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0	[1]	0	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0	[1]	0	[1]
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting | Convertible securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0	[1]	0	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0	[1]	0	[1]
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting | Fixed income securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0	[1]	0	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0	[1]	0	[1]
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting | Taxable securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0	[1]	0	[1]
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting | Tax-exempt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0	[1]	0	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased			0	[1]
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting | Short-term securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0	[1]	0	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0	[1]	0	[1]
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0	[1]	0	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased			0	[1]
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0	[1]	0	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0	[1]	0	[1]
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting | U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	0	[1]	0	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0	[1]	0	[1]
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting | Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	(555,838)	[1]	(586,363)	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	(570,027)	[1]	(597,506)	[1]
Total
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	1,211,595		797,581
Cash equivalents	51,346		65,690
Investments	39,055		26,500
Total assets	1,301,996		889,771
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	357,201		303,504
Total | Equity securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	16,478		29,233
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	27,090		33,737
Total | Convertible securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	44,978		34,480
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	1,015		3,118
Total | Fixed income securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	33,668		14,924
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	19,314		12,621
Total | Taxable securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	164,059		231,999
Total | Tax-exempt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	418,189		209,317
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased			3,270
Total | Short-term securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	68,328		47,387
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	60		145
Total | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	116,195		61,830
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased			11,333
Total | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	304,259		118,387
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	73,724		37,903
Total | U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	4,966		8,266
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	231,043		195,662
Total | Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	40,475		41,758
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	$ 4,955		$ 5,715

[1] Represents cash collateral and the impact of netting on a counterparty basis. The Company had no securities posted as collateral to its counterparties.

XML

Piper Jaffray Companies (Parent Company only) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating Activities:
Net income/(loss)	$ 41,268	$ (102,020)	$ 24,362
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based and deferred compensation	20,641	22,803	31,268
Goodwill impairment	0	120,298	0
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	(211,782)	205,333	(26,272)
Financing Activities:
Issuance/(repayment) of variable rate senior notes	125,000	0	(120,000)
Increase/(decrease) in bank syndicated financing	(115,000)	(10,000)	121,703
Repurchase of common stock	(47,164)	(26,529)	(57,819)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	234,277	(162,691)	234,207
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	20,347	34,808	9,173
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	85,024	50,216	41,043
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	105,371	85,024	50,216
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information Cash received/(paid) during the year for:
Interest	29,552	33,261	35,620
Income taxes	(4,961)	14,982	5,388
Parent Company
Operating Activities:
Net income/(loss)	41,268	(102,020)	24,362
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based and deferred compensation	240	437	300
Goodwill impairment	0	9,247	0
Equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	49,617	167,226	54,267
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	91,125	74,890	78,929
Financing Activities:
Issuance/(repayment) of variable rate senior notes	125,000	0	(120,000)
Increase/(decrease) in bank syndicated financing	(115,000)	(10,000)	125,000
Advances to subsidiaries	(76,481)	(51,916)	(29,369)
Repurchase of common stock	(38,068)	(5,994)	(47,610)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(104,549)	(67,910)	(71,979)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(13,424)	6,980	6,950
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	14,493	7,513	563
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	1,069	14,493	7,513
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information Cash received/(paid) during the year for:
Interest	(5,741)	(5,361)	(5,257)
Income taxes	$ (39,175)	$ 3,128	$ (112,404)

XML

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased - Total Absolute Notional Contract Amount (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative [Line Items]
Absolute Notional Contract Amount of Derivative Instruments	$ 6,043,996	$ 6,136,280
Customer matched-book | Interest rate derivative contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Absolute Notional Contract Amount of Derivative Instruments	5,569,096	5,848,530
Trading securities | Interest rate derivative contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Absolute Notional Contract Amount of Derivative Instruments	244,250	99,750
Trading securities | Credit default swap index contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Absolute Notional Contract Amount of Derivative Instruments	$ 230,650	$ 188,000

XML

Fixed Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Summary of Fixed Assets

The following is a summary of fixed assets as of December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011
Furniture and equipment	$	36,454		$	37,633
Leasehold improvements	19,508			22,031
Software	20,159			20,026
Total	76,121			79,690
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(61,032		)	(58,153		)
	$	15,089		$	21,537

XML

Organization and Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Piper Jaffray Companies is the parent company of Piper Jaffray & Co. (“Piper Jaffray”), a securities broker dealer and investment banking firm; Piper Jaffray Ltd., a firm providing securities brokerage and mergers and acquisitions services in Europe headquartered in London, England; Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI”) and Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC (“FAMCO”), entities providing asset management services to separately managed accounts, closed-end and open-end funds and partnerships; Piper Jaffray Investment Group Inc., which consists of entities providing alternative asset management services; Piper Jaffray Financial Products Inc., Piper Jaffray Financial Products II Inc. and Piper Jaffray Financial Products III Inc., entities that facilitate derivative transactions; and other immaterial subsidiaries. Piper Jaffray Companies and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) operate in two reporting segments: Capital Markets and Asset Management. A summary of the activities of each of the Company’s business segments is as follows:

Capital Markets

The Capital Markets segment provides institutional sales, trading and research services and investment banking services. Institutional sales, trading and research services focus on the trading of equity and fixed income products with institutions, government and non-profit entities. Revenues are generated through commissions and sales credits earned on equity and fixed income institutional sales activities, net interest revenues on trading securities held in inventory, and profits and losses from trading these securities. Investment banking services include management of and participation in underwritings, merger and acquisition services and public finance activities. Revenues are generated through the receipt of advisory and financing fees. Also, the Company generates revenue through strategic trading activities, which focus on proprietary investments in municipal bond and non-agency mortgage-backed securities, and merchant banking activities, which involve equity or debt investments in late stage private companies. As certain of these efforts have matured and an investment process has been developed, the Company has created alternative asset management funds in merchant banking and municipal securities in order to invest firm capital as well as seek capital from outside investors. The Company receives management and performance fees for managing these funds.

As discussed in Note 4, the Company discontinued its Hong Kong capital markets business in 2012.

Asset Management

The Asset Management segment provides traditional asset management services with product offerings in equity securities and master limited partnerships to institutions and individuals through proprietary distribution channels. Revenues are generated in the form of management and performance fees. The majority of the Company’s performance fees, if earned, are generally recognized in the fourth quarter. Revenues are also generated through investments in the partnerships and funds that the Company manages.

As discussed in Note 4, the Company's FAMCO subsidiary is being held for sale as of December 31, 2012.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of Piper Jaffray Companies, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Noncontrolling interests represent equity interests in consolidated entities that are not attributable, either directly or indirectly, to Piper Jaffray Companies. Noncontrolling interests include the minority equity holders’ proportionate share of the equity in a municipal bond fund, merchant banking fund and private equity investment vehicles. All material intercompany balances have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates and assumptions are based on the best information available, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassification

In 2012, the Company reclassified the value of restricted stock forfeitures from other income to a reduction of compensation and benefits expense within the consolidated statements of operations to be consistent with the reporting of forfeitures for the Piper Jaffray Companies Mutual Fund Restricted Share Investment Plan and to more accurately reflect compensation expense. Prior period amounts have been reclassified in the accompanying financial statements to conform to current period presentation. The reclassified amounts within continuing operations were $3.3 million and $5.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. This change had no effect on shareholders’ equity, net income or cash flows for any of the periods presented.

XML

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased - Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Instruments	$ (4,984)	$ (11,380)	$ 5,088
Interest rate derivative contract | Investment banking
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Instruments	(2,583)	(4,959)	3,531
Interest rate derivative contract | Institutional brokerage
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Instruments	(798)	(7,371)	3,107
Credit default swap index contract | Institutional brokerage
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Instruments	(1,603)	1,009	(1,665)
Foreign currency forward | Other operating expenses
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Instruments	$ 0	$ (59)	$ 115

XML

Receivables from and Payables to Customers (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Receivables From and Payables to Customers [Abstract]

Amounts of Receivable from Customers

Amounts receivable from customers as of December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Cash accounts	$	7,444	$	10,833
Margin accounts	6,351		13,363
Total receivables	$	13,795	$	24,196

Amounts of Payable to Customers

Amounts payable to customers as of December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Cash accounts	$	32,103	$	17,455
Margin accounts	9,904		11,918
Total payables	$	42,007	$	29,373

XML

Noncontrolling Interests

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Piper Jaffray Companies, its wholly owned subsidiaries and other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Noncontrolling interests represent equity interests in consolidated entities that are not attributable, either directly or indirectly, to Piper Jaffray Companies. Noncontrolling interests include the minority equity holders’ proportionate share of the equity in a municipal bond fund of $43.7 million, a merchant banking fund of $6.4 million and private equity investment vehicles aggregating $6.8 million as of December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, noncontrolling interests included the minority equity holders’ proportionate share of the equity in a municipal bond fund of $26.4 million and private equity investment vehicles aggregating $5.8 million.

Ownership interests in entities held by parties other than the Company’s common shareholders are presented as noncontrolling interests within shareholders’ equity, separate from the Company’s own equity. Revenues, expenses and net income or loss are reported on the consolidated statements of operations on a consolidated basis, which includes amounts attributable to both the Company’s common shareholders and noncontrolling interests. Net income or loss is then allocated between the Company and noncontrolling interests based upon their relative ownership interests. Net income applicable to noncontrolling interests is deducted from consolidated net income to determine net income applicable to the Company. There was no other comprehensive income or loss attributed to noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

XML

Shareholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders’ Equity

The certificate of incorporation of Piper Jaffray Companies provides for the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share and up to 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.

Common Stock

The holders of Piper Jaffray Companies common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock of Piper Jaffray Companies, the holders of its common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Piper Jaffray Companies board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. In the event that Piper Jaffray Companies is liquidated or dissolved, the holders of its common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to any prior distribution rights of Piper Jaffray Companies preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. The holders of the common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies common stock.

Piper Jaffray Companies does not intend to pay cash dividends on its common stock for the foreseeable future. Instead, Piper Jaffray Companies intends to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of its business and to repurchase outstanding common stock to the extent authorized by its board of directors. Additionally, as set forth in Note 26, there are dividend restrictions on Piper Jaffray.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 165,241 common shares out of treasury stock in fulfillment of $3.8 million in obligations under the Piper Jaffray Companies Retirement Plan (the "Retirement Plan") and issued 937,978 common shares out of treasury stock as a result of employee vesting and exercise transactions under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan") and the 2010 Employment Inducement Award Plan (the "Inducement Plan"). During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company issued 90,085 common shares out of treasury stock in fulfillment of $3.8 million in obligations under the Retirement Plan and issued 1,286,568 common shares out of treasury stock as a result of employee vesting and exercise transactions under the Incentive and Inducement Plans.

In the third quarter of 2010, the Company’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $75.0 million in common shares through September 30, 2012. In 2011, the Company repurchased 293,829 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $20.40 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $6.0 million related to this authorization. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 1,488,881 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $22.48 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $33.5 million related to this authorization. This share repurchase authorization expired as of September 30, 2012.

In the third quarter of 2012, the Company's board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million in common shares through September 30, 2014. This share repurchase authorization became effective on October 1, 2012. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company repurchased 156,577 shares of the Company's common stock at an average price of $29.38 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $4.6 million related to this authorization. The Company has $95.4 million remaining under this authorization.

The Company also purchases shares of common stock from restricted stock award recipients upon the award vesting as recipients sell shares to meet their employment tax obligations. The Company purchased 385,449 shares or $9.1 million and 509,671 shares or $20.5 million of the Company’s common stock for this purpose during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Preferred Stock

The Piper Jaffray Companies board of directors has the authority, without action by its shareholders, to designate and issue preferred stock in one or more series and to designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each series, which may be greater than the rights associated with the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of common stock until the Piper Jaffray Companies board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of preferred stock. However, the effects might include, among other things, the following: restricting dividends on its common stock, diluting the voting power of its common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of its common stock and delaying or preventing a change in control of Piper Jaffray Companies without further action by its shareholders.

Rights Agreement

Piper Jaffray Companies has adopted a rights agreement. The issuance of a share of Piper Jaffray Companies common stock also constitutes the issuance of a preferred stock purchase right associated with such share. These rights are intended to have anti-takeover effects in that the existence of the rights may deter a potential acquirer from making a takeover proposal or a tender offer for Piper Jaffray Companies stock.

XML

Segment Reporting - Reportable Segment Financial Results (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Investment banking	$ 230,929		$ 200,500		$ 237,847
Institutional sales and trading	172,023		136,096		162,539
Total management and performance fees	65,215		63,307		55,948
Other income/(loss)	1,231		8,313		6,685
Net revenues	488,952		432,083		479,934
Goodwill impairment	0		120,298		0
Operating expenses	419,941		512,272		426,117
Segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)	69,011		(80,189)		53,817
Pre-tax operating margin	14.10%				11.20%
Intangible asset amortization expense	6,944		7,256		6,474
Capital Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Investment banking	233,447		203,099		241,565
Institutional sales and trading	194,976		163,192		180,510
Other income/(loss)	(4,285)		2,746		1,534
Net revenues	424,138		369,037		423,609
Goodwill impairment	0		120,298
Operating expenses	371,628		464,334		384,481
Segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)	52,510		(95,297)		39,128
Pre-tax operating margin	12.40%				9.20%
Intangible asset amortization expense	0		0
Asset Management
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Management fees	63,296		60,873		47,201
Performance fees	785		2,245		8,747
Total management and performance fees	64,081		63,118		55,948
Other income/(loss)	733		(72)		377
Net revenues	64,814		63,046		56,325
Goodwill impairment	0		0
Operating expenses	48,313	[1]	47,938	[1]	41,636	[1]
Segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)	16,501		15,108		14,689
Pre-tax operating margin	25.50%		24.00%		26.10%
Intangible asset amortization expense	6,944		7,256		6,474
Financing | Equities | Capital Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Investment banking	73,180		74,161		89,537
Financing | Debt | Capital Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Investment banking	74,102		54,565		65,996
Advisory Services | Capital Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Investment banking	86,165		74,373		86,032
Equity securities | Capital Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Institutional sales and trading	75,723		86,175		100,847
Debt securities | Capital Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Institutional sales and trading	119,253		77,017		79,663
Operating Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating expenses	419,941		391,974		426,117
Operating Expense [Member] | Capital Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating expenses	371,628		344,036		384,481
Impairment of Goodwill [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	0		120,298		0
Impairment of Goodwill [Member] | Capital Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	$ 0		$ 120,298		$ 0

[1] Operating expenses include intangible asset amortization expense of $6.9 million, $7.3 million and $6.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Disclosures (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Lease term	12 years
Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	3 years
Capitalized internal use software estimated useful life	3 years
Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	10 years
Capitalized internal use software estimated useful life	7 years
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	10 years

XML

Collateralized Securities Transactions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Collateralized Securities Transactions Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Repurchase Liabilities, Fair Market Value of Related Collateral Pledged and Interest Rate Charged

The following is a summary of the Company’s securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“Repurchase Liabilities”), the fair market value of related collateral pledged and the interest rate charged by the Company’s counterparty, which is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin, as of December 31, 2012:

(Dollars in thousands)	Repurchase Liabilities		Fair Market Value		Interest Rate
Term of 30 to 90 day maturities:
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	$	6,679	$	7,943	1.90%
Tax-exempt securities	27,339		32,889		1.90%
Short-term securities	11,409		13,740		1.90%
U.S. government agency securities	2,981		3,019		1.90%
U.S. government securities	1,592		1,624		1.90%
	$	50,000	$	59,215

XML

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefits Plans

The Company has various employee benefit plans, and substantially all employees are covered by at least one plan. The plans include health and welfare plans, a tax-qualified retirement plan (the “Retirement Plan”), a post-retirement medical plan, and a non-qualified retirement plan (“the Non-Qualified Plan”), which was terminated iin 2010. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company incurred employee benefits expenses from continuing operations of $13.0 million, $11.6 million and $12.3 million, respectively.

Health and Welfare Plans

Company employees who meet certain work schedule and service requirements are eligible to participate in the Company’s health and welfare plans. The Company subsidizes the cost of coverage for employees. The medical plan contains cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance.

The Company is self-insured for losses related to health claims, although it obtains third-party stop loss insurance coverage on both an individual and a group plan basis. Self-insured liabilities are based on a number of factors, including historical claims experience, an estimate of claims incurred but not reported and valuations provided by third-party actuaries. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized expense of $8.0 million, $6.9 million and $6.6 million, respectively, in compensation and benefits expense from continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations related to its health plans.

Retirement Plan

The Retirement Plan consists of a defined contribution retirement savings plan. The defined contribution retirement savings plan allows qualified employees, at their option, to make contributions through salary deductions under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employee contributions are 100 percent matched by the Company to a maximum of six percent of recognized compensation up to the social security taxable wage base. Although the Company’s matching contribution vests immediately, a participant must be employed on December 31 to receive that year’s matching contribution. The matching contribution can be made in cash or Piper Jaffray Companies common stock, at the Company’s discretion.

Non-Qualified Plan and Post-retirement Medical Plan

The Company accounts for its Non-Qualified Plan, which was terminated in 2010, and post-retirement medical plan in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits” (“ASC 715”). The Company recognizes the funded status of its plans on the consolidated statements of financial condition with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The net unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise and are not recognized as net periodic benefit cost in the same periods are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. These amounts are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost on the same basis as the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

All employees of the Company who meet defined age and service requirements are eligible to receive post-retirement health care benefits provided under a post-retirement benefit plan established by the Company in 2004. The estimated cost of these retiree health care benefits is accrued during the employees’ active service. For each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the net periodic benefit cost from continuing operations was $0.1 million.

Certain employees participated in the Non-Qualified Plan, an unfunded, non-qualified cash balance pension plan. The Company froze the plan effective January 1, 2004, thereby eliminating future benefits related to pay increases and excluding new participants from the plan. Effective December 31, 2009, the Company resolved to terminate the Non-Qualified Plan through lump sum cash distributions to all participants. These lump-sum cash payments, totaling $10.4 million, were based on the December 31, 2009 actuarial valuation of the Non-Qualified Plan and were distributed on March 15, 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the net periodic benefit cost from continuing operations related to the Non-Qualified Plan was $0.1 million. In 2010, the Company recognized settlement expense of $0.2 million in compensation and benefits expenses from continuing operations on the consolidated statement of operations related to the settlement of all Non-Qualified Plan liabilities.

XML

Compensation Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Compensation Plans

Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company maintains two stock-based compensation plans, the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) and the 2010 Employment Inducement Award Plan (the “Inducement Plan”). The Company’s equity awards are recognized on the consolidated statements of operations at grant date fair value over the service period of the award, net of estimated forfeitures.

The following table provides a summary of the Company’s outstanding equity awards (in shares or units) as of December 31, 2012:

Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Shares
Annual grants	1,316,998
Sign-on grants	319,069
Retention grants	45,032
Performance grants	217,457
	1,898,556
Inducement Plan
Restricted Stock Shares	87,459
Total restricted stock shares related to compensation	1,986,015
ARI deal consideration (1)	336,423
Total restricted stock shares outstanding	2,322,438
Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Units
Leadership grants	173,271
Incentive Plan
Stock options outstanding	486,563

(1) The Company issued restricted stock as part of deal consideration for ARI. See Note 5 for further discussion.

Incentive Plan

The Incentive Plan permits the grant of equity awards, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and non-qualified stock options, to the Company’s employees and directors for up to 7.0 million shares of common stock (1.3 million shares remained available for future issuance under the Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2012). The Company believes that such awards help align the interests of employees and directors with those of shareholders and serve as an employee retention tool. The Incentive Plan provides for accelerated vesting of awards if there is a severance event, a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Incentive Plan), in the event of a participant’s death, and at the discretion of the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock grants are valued at the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and are amortized over the related requisite service period. The Company grants shares of restricted stock to current employees as part of year-end compensation (“Annual Grants”) and as a retention tool. Employees may receive restricted stock upon initial hiring or as a retention award (“Sign-on Grants”). The Company has also granted incremental restricted stock awards with service conditions to key employees (“Retention Grants”) and restricted stock with performance conditions to members of senior management (“Performance Grants”).

The Company’s Annual Grants are made each year in February. Prior to 2011, Annual Grants had three-year cliff vesting periods. Beginning in 2011, Annual Grants vest ratably over three years in equal installments. The Annual Grants provide for continued vesting after termination of employment, so long as the employee does not violate certain post-termination restrictions set forth in the award agreement or any agreements entered into upon termination. The Company determined the service inception date precedes the grant date for the Annual Grants, and that the post-termination restrictions do not meet the criteria for an in-substance service condition, as defined by ASC 718. Accordingly, restricted stock granted as part of the Annual Grants is expensed in the one-year period in which those awards are deemed to be earned, which is generally the calendar year preceding the February grant date. For example, the Company recognized compensation expense during fiscal 2012 for its February 2013 Annual Grant. If an equity award related to the Annual Grants is forfeited as a result of violating the post-termination restrictions, the lower of the fair value of the award at grant date or the fair value of the award at the date of forfeiture is recorded within the consolidated statements of operations as a reversal of compensation expense. The Company recorded $1.3 million, $3.3 million and $5.3 million of forfeitures through compensation and benefits expense within continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Sign-on Grants are used as a recruiting tool for new employees and are issued to current employees as a retention tool. The majority of these awards have three-year cliff vesting terms and employees must fulfill service requirements in exchange for rights to the awards. Compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis from the grant date over the requisite service period. Employees forfeit unvested shares upon termination of employment and a reversal of compensation expense is recorded.

Retention Grants are subject to ratable vesting based upon a five-year service requirement and are amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis from the 2008 grant date over the requisite service period, which ends May 2013. Employees forfeit unvested retention shares upon termination of employment and a reversal of compensation expense is recorded.

Performance-based restricted stock awards granted in 2008 and 2009 cliff vest upon meeting a specific performance-based metric prior to May 2013. Performance Grants are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period the Company expects the performance target to be met. The performance condition must be met for the awards to vest and total compensation cost will be recognized only if the performance condition is satisfied. The probability that the performance conditions will be achieved and that the awards will vest is reevaluated each reporting period with changes in actual or estimated outcomes accounted for using a cumulative effect adjustment to compensation expense. In 2010, the Company deemed it improbable that the performance condition related to the Performance Grants would be met. As a result, the Company recorded a $6.6 million cumulative effect compensation expense reversal within continuing operations in the third quarter of 2010. As of December 31, 2012, management continues to believe it is improbable that the performance condition will be met prior to the expiration of the award.

Annually, the Company grants stock to its non-employee directors. The stock-based compensation paid to non-employee directors is fully expensed on the grant date and included within outside services expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Restricted Stock Units

On May 15, 2012, the Company granted restricted stock units to its leadership team (“Leadership Grants”). The units will vest and convert to shares of common stock at the end of the 36-month performance period only if the Company satisfies predetermined market conditions over the performance period that began on May 15, 2012 and ends on May 14, 2015. Under the terms of the grant, the number of units that will vest and convert to shares will be based on the Company achieving specified market conditions during the performance period as described below. Compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the three-year requisite service period based on the fair value of the award on the grant date. The market condition must be met for the awards to vest and compensation cost will be recognized regardless if the market condition is satisfied. Employees forfeit unvested share units upon termination of employment with a corresponding reversal of compensation expense.

Up to 50 percent of the award can be earned based on the Company’s total shareholder return relative to members of a predetermined peer group and up to 50 percent of the award can be earned based on the Company’s total shareholder return. The fair value of the award on the grant date was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation, which assumed a risk-free interest rate of 0.38 percent and expected stock price volatility of 47.6 percent. Because a portion of the award vesting depends on the Company’s total shareholder return relative to a peer group, the valuation modeled the performance of the peer group as well as the correlation between the Company and the peer group. The expected stock price volatility assumptions were determined using historical volatility as correlation coefficients can only be developed through historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate was determined based on three-year U.S. Treasury bond yields.

Stock Options

The Company previously granted options to purchase Piper Jaffray Companies common stock to employees and non-employee directors in fiscal years 2004 through 2008. Employee and director options were expensed by the Company on a straight-line basis over the required service period, based on the estimated fair value of the award on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. As described above pertaining to the Company’s Annual Grants of restricted shares, stock options granted to employees were expensed in the calendar year preceding the annual February grant date. For example, the Company recognized compensation expense during fiscal 2007 for its February 2008 option grant. The maximum term of the stock options granted to employees and directors is ten years. The Company has not granted stock options since 2008.

Inducement Plan

In 2010, the Company established the Inducement Plan in conjunction with the acquisition of ARI. The Company granted $7.0 million in restricted stock (158,801 shares) under the Inducement Plan to ARI employees upon closing of the transaction. These shares vest ratably over five years in equal annual installments ending on March 1, 2015. Inducement Plan awards are amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Employees forfeit unvested Inducement Plan shares upon termination of employment and a reversal of compensation expense is recorded.

Stock-Based Compensation Activity

The Company recorded total compensation expense within continuing operations of $21.6 million, $24.5 million and $30.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to employee restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards. Total compensation cost includes year-end compensation for Annual Grants and the amortization of Sign-on, Retention and Leadership Grants, less forfeitures. The tax benefit related to stock-based compensation costs totaled $8.4 million, $9.5 million and $12.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s unvested restricted stock (including the unvested restricted stock issued as part of the deal consideration for ARI) under the Incentive Plan and Inducement Plan for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

	Unvested		Weighted Average
	Restricted Stock		Grant Date
	(in Shares)		Fair Value
December 31, 2009	3,512,749		$	40.46
Granted	1,958,608		43.09
Vested	(682,988	)	63.18
Cancelled	(265,185	)	39.07
December 31, 2010	4,523,184		$	39.84
Granted	663,887		40.87
Vested	(1,791,712	)	37.77
Cancelled	(243,358	)	39.03
December 31, 2011	3,152,001		$	38.79
Granted	635,136		22.89
Vested	(1,309,881	)	34.21
Cancelled	(154,818	)	39.37
December 31, 2012	2,322,438		$	37.01

The fair value of restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $44.8 million, $67.7 million and $43.2 million, respectively.

The following summarizes the changes in the Company’s unvested restricted stock units under the Incentive Plan for the year ended December 31, 2012:

	Unvested		Weighted Average
	Restricted		Grant Date
	Stock Units		Fair Value
December 31, 2011	—		$	—
Granted	214,526		12.12
Vested	—		—
Cancelled	(41,255	)	12.12
December 31, 2012	173,271		$	12.12

As of December 31, 2012, there was $9.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock and restricted stock units expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.88 years.

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s outstanding stock options for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

					Weighted Average
			Weighted		Remaining
	Options		Average		Contractual Term	Aggregate
	Outstanding		Exercise Price		(in Years)	Intrinsic Value
December 31, 2009	538,804		$	44.50	5.7	$	4,237,480
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(2,456	)	40.06
Cancelled	(20,856	)	41.89
December 31, 2010	515,492		$	44.64	4.9	$	166,406
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(1,023	)	39.62
Cancelled	(11,846	)	42.19
December 31, 2011	502,623		$	44.71	3.9	$	—
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		—
Cancelled	(16,060	)	43.17
December 31, 2012	486,563		$	44.76	2.9	$	94,150
Options exercisable at December 31, 2010	386,605		$	45.82	4.1	$	166,406
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011	502,623		$	44.71	3.9	$	—
Options exercisable at December 31, 2012	486,563		$	44.76	2.9	$	94,150

Additional information regarding Piper Jaffray Companies options outstanding as of December 31, 2012 is as follows:

	Options Outstanding				Exercisable Options
		Weighted Average
		Remaining	Weighted			Weighted
Range of		Contractual	Average			Average
Exercise Prices	Shares	Life (in Years)	Exercise Price		Shares	Exercise Price
$28.01	22,852	2.3	$	28.01	22,852	$	28.01
$33.40	4,001	2.6	$	33.40	4,001	$	33.40
$39.62	141,753	2.1	$	39.62	141,753	$	39.62
$41.09	128,887	5.1	$	41.09	128,887	$	41.09
$47.30 — $51.05	141,657	1.5	$	47.73	141,657	$	47.73
$70.13 — $70.65	47,413	3.9	$	70.26	47,413	$	70.26

As of December 31, 2012, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options expected to be recognized over future years.

The fair value of options exercised, cash received from option exercises and the resulting tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercises were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company has a policy of issuing shares out of treasury (to the extent available) to satisfy share option exercises and restricted stock vesting. The Company expects to withhold approximately 0.4 million shares from employee equity awards vesting in 2013, related to employee individual income tax withholding obligations on restricted stock vesting. For accounting purposes, withholding shares to cover employees’ tax obligations is deemed to be a repurchase of shares by the Company.

Deferred Compensation Plan

In 2012, the Company established the Piper Jaffray Companies Mutual Fund Restricted Share Investment Plan, a deferred compensation plan which allows eligible employees to elect to receive a portion of the incentive compensation they would otherwise receive in the form of restricted stock or other equity, instead in restricted mutual fund shares (“MFRS Awards”) of registered funds managed by the Company's asset management business. MFRS Awards are awarded to qualifying employees in February of each year, and represent a portion of their compensation for performance in the preceding year similar to the Company's Annual Grants. MFRS Awards vest ratably over three years in equal installments and provide for continued vesting after termination of employment so long as the employee does not violate certain post-termination restrictions set forth in the award agreement or any agreement entered into upon termination. Forfeitures are recorded as a reduction of compensation and benefits expense within the consolidated statements of operations.

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Number of restricted common stock issued for acquisition of ARI	0	0	893,105
Number of common stock issued for retirement plan obligations	165,241	90,085	81,696
Number of restricted common stock issued for annual equity award	487,181	592,697	699,673

XML

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates earnings per share using the two-class method. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders represents net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies reduced by the allocation of earnings to participating securities. Losses are not allocated to participating securities. All of the Company’s unvested restricted shares are deemed to be participating securities as they are eligible to share in the profits (e.g., receive dividends) of the Company. The Company’s unvested restricted stock units are not participating securities as they are not eligible to share in the profits of the Company. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average outstanding shares to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive stock options. The computation of earnings per share is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	2012			2011				2010
Income/(loss) from continuing operations applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	47,075		$	(90,772	)		$	22,086
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807		)	(11,248		)		2,276
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	41,268			(102,020		)		24,362
Earnings allocated to participating securities (1)	(5,933		)	—				(5,433		)
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders(2)	$	35,335		$	(102,020	)		$	18,929
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Average shares used in basic computation	15,615			15,672				15,348
Stock options	1			13				30
Restricted stock	—			2,892				—
Average shares used in diluted computation	15,616			18,577			(3)	15,378
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share:
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	2.58		$	(5.79	)		$	1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	(0.32		)	(0.72		)		0.12
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share	$	2.26		$	(6.51	)		$	1.23
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share:
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	2.58		$	(5.79	)		$	1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	(0.32		)	(0.72		)		0.11
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share	$	2.26		$	(6.51	)	(3)	$	1.23

(1) Represents the allocation of earnings to participating securities. Losses are not allocated to participating securities. Participating securities include all of the Company’s unvested restricted shares. The weighted average participating shares outstanding were 2,622,438, 3,528,624 and 4,413,956 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(2) Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders for diluted and basic EPS may differ under the two-class method as a result of adding the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options to dilutive shares outstanding, which alters the ratio used to allocate earnings to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders and participating securities for purposes of calculating diluted and basic EPS.

(3) Earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which a loss is incurred.

The anti-dilutive effects from stock options were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

XML

Short-Term Financing - Summary of Short Term Financing and Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Oustanding Balance	$ 477,014,000	$ 168,701,000
Commercial paper (secured)
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Oustanding Balance	304,439,000	166,175,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate	1.65%	1.37%
Prime broker arrangement
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Oustanding Balance	$ 172,575,000	$ 2,526,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.98%	1.05%

XML

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Disclosure Financial Instruments And Other Inventory Positions Owned And Financial Instruments And Other Inventory Positions Sold But Not Yet Purchased [Abstract]

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but not yet Purchased

Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased were as follows:

	December 31,		December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	16,478	$	29,233
Convertible securities	44,978		34,480
Fixed income securities	33,668		14,924
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	164,059		231,999
Tax-exempt securities	418,189		209,317
Short-term securities	68,328		47,387
Asset-backed securities	116,195		61,830
U.S. government agency securities	304,259		118,387
U.S. government securities	4,966		8,266
Derivative contracts	40,475		41,758
	$	1,211,595	$	797,581
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	27,090	$	33,737
Convertible securities	1,015		3,118
Fixed income securities	19,314		12,621
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	—		3,270
Short-term securities	60		145
Asset-backed securities	—		11,333
U.S. government agency securities	73,724		37,903
U.S. government securities	231,043		195,662
Derivative contracts	4,955		5,715
	$	357,201	$	303,504

Total Absolute Notional Contract Amount

The following table presents the total absolute notional contract amount associated with the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments:

(Dollars in thousands)		December 31,		December 31,
Transaction Type or Hedged Security	Derivative Category	2012		2011
Customer matched-book	Interest rate derivative contract	$	5,569,096	$	5,848,530
Trading securities	Interest rate derivative contract	244,250		99,750
Trading securities	Credit default swap index contract	230,650		188,000
		$	6,043,996	$	6,136,280

Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Derivative Instruments

The following table presents the Company’s unrealized gains/(losses) on derivative instruments:

(Dollars in thousands)		Year Ended December 31,
Derivative Category	Operations Category	2012			2011			2010
Interest rate derivative contract	Investment banking	$	(2,583	)	$	(4,959	)	$	3,531
Interest rate derivative contract	Institutional brokerage	(798		)	(7,371		)	3,107
Credit default swap index contract	Institutional brokerage	(1,603		)	1,009			(1,665		)
Foreign currency forward contract	Other operating expenses	—			(59		)	115
		$	(4,984	)	$	(11,380	)	$	5,088

Gross Fair Market Value of Derivative Instruments and Location on Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition Prior to Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting by Asset or Liability Position

The gross fair market value of all derivative instruments and their location on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition prior to counterparty netting are shown below by asset or liability position (1):

		Asset Value at			Liability Value at
(Dollars in thousands)		December 31,			December 31,
Derivative Category	Financial Condition Location	2012		Financial Condition Location	2012
Interest rate derivative contract	Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	$	593,627	Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold,  but not yet purchased	$	571,359
Credit default swap index contract	Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	2,686		Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold,  but not yet purchased	3,623
		$	596,313		$	574,982

(1) Amounts are disclosed at gross fair value in accordance with the requirements of ASC 815.

XML

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense

The components of income tax expense from continuing operations are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Current:
Federal	$	16,939		$	(6,108	)	$	10,573
State	(9,563		)	27			3,860
Foreign	—			—			—
	7,376			(6,081		)	14,433
Deferred:
Federal	7,735			13,803			16,261
State	4,413			2,491			1,469
Foreign	(54		)	(1,093		)	—
	12,094			15,201			17,730
Total income tax expense from continuing operations	$	19,470		$	9,120		$	32,163
Total income tax expense/(benefit) from discontinued operations	$	(23,795	)	$	1,756		$	1,191

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation

A reconciliation of federal income taxes at statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rates from continuing operations is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Federal income tax expense/(benefit) at statutory rates	$	24,153		$	(28,066	)	$	18,836
Increase/(reduction) in taxes resulting from:
Goodwill impairment	—			40,440			—
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2,540			1,327			2,468
Net tax-exempt interest income	(3,353		)	(3,308		)	(2,065		)
Foreign jurisdictions tax rate differential	(164		)	413			1,761
Change in valuation allowance	(1,110		)	(2,185		)	3,373
Restricted stock deferred tax asset write-off	4,577			557			5,799
Loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(863		)	(512		)	151
Other, net	(6,310		)	454			1,840
Total income tax expense from continuing operations	$	19,470		$	9,120		$	32,163

Schedule of Net Deferred Tax Assets

The net deferred tax asset included in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition consisted of the following items at December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred compensation	$	37,702		$	41,746
Net operating loss carry forwards	7,645			11,703
Liabilities/accruals not currently deductible	2,035			1,989
Pension and retirement costs	388			314
Other	2,667			5,101
Total deferred tax assets	50,437			60,853
Valuation allowance	(5,139		)	(9,247		)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	45,298			51,606
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill amortization	6,010			3,340
Unrealized gains on firm investments	2,134			1,444
Fixed assets	2,706			1,444
Other	826			298
Total deferred tax liabilities	11,676			6,526
Net deferred tax assets	$	33,622		$	45,080

Changes in Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	9,600
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(30		)
Settlements	(60		)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	9,510
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(595		)
Settlements	—
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	8,915
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	200
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(8,825		)
Settlements	—
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	290

XML

Receivables from and Payables to Customers Amounts Receivable from Customers (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	$ 13,795	$ 24,196
Cash accounts
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	7,444	10,833
Margin accounts
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	$ 6,351	$ 13,363

XML

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 105,371	$ 85,024
Cash and cash equivalents segregated for regulatory purposes	31,007	25,008
Receivables:
Customers	13,795	24,196
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	148,117	124,661
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	145,433	160,146
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	384,789	391,694
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and pledged as collateral	826,806	405,887
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	1,211,595	797,581
Fixed assets (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $61,032 and $58,153, respectively)	15,089	21,537
Goodwill	196,844	196,844
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $23,876 and $16,932, respectively)	41,258	48,202
Other receivables	44,874	40,037
Other assets	129,697	121,164
Assets held for sale	4,653	11,321
Total assets	2,087,733	1,655,721
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Short-term financing	477,014	168,701
Variable rate senior notes	125,000	0
Bank syndicated financing	0	115,000
Payables:
Customers	42,007	29,373
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	60,155	35,436
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	50,000	109,080
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	357,201	303,504
Accrued compensation	132,124	108,696
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	53,193	34,339
Liabilities held for sale	864	992
Total liabilities	1,297,558	905,121
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Shares authorized: 100,000,000 at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011; Shares issued: 19,530,359 at December 31, 2012 and 19,524,512 at December 31, 2011; Shares outstanding: 15,213,796 at December 31, 2012 and 15,750,188 at December 31, 2011	195	195
Additional paid-in capital	754,566	791,166
Retained earnings	118,803	77,535
Less common stock held in treasury, at cost: 4,316,563 shares at December 31, 2012 and 3,774,324 shares at December 31, 2011	(140,939)	(151,110)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	667	605
Total common shareholders’ equity	733,292	718,391
Noncontrolling interests	56,883	32,209
Total shareholders’ equity	790,175	750,600
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 2,087,733	$ 1,655,721

XML

Other Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Assets

Other assets include net deferred income tax assets, proprietary investments, income tax receivables and prepaid expenses. The Company’s investments include investments in private companies and partnerships, warrants of public and private companies and private company debt. Other assets at December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Net deferred income tax assets	$	33,622	$	45,080
Investments at fair value	39,055		26,500
Investments at cost	26,364		25,672
Investments accounted for under the equity method	20,353		16,157
Income tax receivables	5,448		—
Prepaid expenses	3,840		5,897
Other	1,015		1,858
Total other assets	$	129,697	$	121,164

XML

Compensation Plans - Stock Options (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Options Outstanding
Beginning Balance	502,623	515,492	538,804
Granted	0	0	0
Exercised	0	(1,023)	(2,456)
Cancelled	(16,060)	(11,846)	(20,856)
Ending Balance	486,563	502,623	515,492	538,804
Options exercisable at period end	486,563	502,623	386,605
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)
Beginning Balance	$ 44.71	$ 44.64	$ 44.50
Granted	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Exercised	$ 0.00	$ 39.62	$ 40.06
Cancelled	$ 43.17	$ 42.19	$ 41.89
Ending Balance	$ 44.76	$ 44.71	$ 44.64	$ 44.50
Options exercisable at period end	$ 44.76	$ 44.71	$ 45.82
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)	2 years 10 months 24 days	3 years 10 months 24 days	4 years 10 months 24 days	5 years 8 months 12 days
Options exercisable at period end	2 years 10 months 24 days	3 years 10 months 24 days	4 years 1 month 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Aggregate Intrinsic Value of Stock Options	$ 94,150.24	$ 0	$ 166,406	$ 4,237,480
Options exercisable at end of period	$ 94,150.24	$ 0	$ 166,406

XML

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	Parent	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 782,319	$ 195	$ 803,553	$ 155,193	$ (181,443)	$ 1,118	$ 778,616	$ 3,703
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		15,633,690
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	23,930	0	0	24,362	0	0	24,362
Net income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests	(432)							(432)
Issuance of restriced stock as deal consideration for Advisory Research, Inc.	31,822	0	31,822	0	0	0	31,822	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	32,690	0	32,690	0	0	0	32,690	0
Repurchase of common stock, shares		(1,517,587)
Repurchase of common stock	(47,610)	0	0	0	(47,610)	0	(47,610)	0
Reissuance of treasury shares (in shares)		691,303
Reissuance of treasury shares	98	0	(32,028)	0	32,126	0	98	0
Stock Repurchased To Satisfy Employees Tax Withholding (in shares)		(244,302)
Stock Repurchased To Satisfy Employees Tax Withholding	(10,209)	0	0	0	(10,209)	0	(10,209)	0
Treasury Stock Issued (in shares)		81,696
Treasury Stock Issued	3,634	0	(185)	0	3,819	0	3,634	0
Shares reserved to meet deferred compensation obligations (in shares)		7,865
Shares reserved to meet deferred compensation obligations	300	0	300	0	0	0	300	0
Other comprehensive loss	(391)	0	0	0	0	(391)	(391)	0
Fund capital contributions	1,518	0	0	0	0	0	0	1,518
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	818,101	195	836,152	179,555	(203,317)	727	813,312	4,789
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		14,652,665
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(100,557)	0	0	(102,020)	0	0	(102,020)
Net income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests	1,463							1,463
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	29,459	0	29,459	0	0	0	29,459	0
Repurchase of common stock, shares	(293,829)	(293,829)
Repurchase of common stock	(5,994)	0	0	0	(5,994)	0	(5,994)	0
Reissuance of treasury shares (in shares)	1,286,568	1,796,239
Reissuance of treasury shares	40	0	(74,920)	0	74,960	0	40	0
Stock Repurchased To Satisfy Employees Tax Withholding (in shares)		(509,671)
Stock Repurchased To Satisfy Employees Tax Withholding	(20,535)	0	0	0	(20,535)	0	(20,535)	0
Treasury Stock Issued (in shares)		90,085
Treasury Stock Issued	3,814	0	38	0	3,776	0	3,814	0
Shares reserved to meet deferred compensation obligations (in shares)		14,699
Shares reserved to meet deferred compensation obligations	437	0	437	0	0	0	437	0
Other comprehensive loss	(122)	0	0	0	0	(122)	(122)	0
Fund capital contributions	25,957	0	0	0	0	0	0	25,957
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	750,600	195	791,166	77,535	(151,110)	605	718,391	32,209
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		15,750,188
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	43,734	0	0	41,268	0	0	41,268
Net income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests	2,466							2,466
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	16,681	0	16,681	0	0	0	16,681	0
Repurchase of common stock, shares		(1,645,458)
Repurchase of common stock	(38,068)	0	0	0	(38,068)	0	(38,068)	0
Reissuance of treasury shares (in shares)	937,978	1,323,427
Reissuance of treasury shares	0	0	(50,776)	0	50,776	0	0	0
Stock Repurchased To Satisfy Employees Tax Withholding (in shares)		(385,449)
Stock Repurchased To Satisfy Employees Tax Withholding	(9,096)	0	0	0	(9,096)	0	(9,096)	0
Treasury Stock Issued (in shares)		165,241
Treasury Stock Issued	3,814	0	(2,745)	0	6,559	0	3,814	0
Shares reserved to meet deferred compensation obligations (in shares)		5,847
Shares reserved to meet deferred compensation obligations	240	0	240	0	0	0	240	0
Other comprehensive loss	62	0	0	0	0	62	62	0
Fund capital contributions	22,208	0	0	0	0	0	0	22,208
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 790,175	$ 195	$ 754,566	$ 118,803	$ (140,939)	$ 667	$ 733,292	$ 56,883
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		15,213,796

XML

Compensation Plans - Unvested Restricted Stock (Details) (Restricted Stock, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Restricted Stock
Unvested Restricted Stock or Stock Units
Beginning Balance	3,152,001	4,523,184	3,512,749
Granted	635,136	663,887	1,958,608
Vested	(1,309,881)	(1,791,712)	(682,988)
Cancelled	(154,818)	(243,358)	(265,185)
Ending Balance	2,322,438	3,152,001	4,523,184
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)
Beginning Balance	$ 38.79	$ 39.84	$ 40.46
Granted	$ 22.89	$ 40.87	$ 43.09
Vested	$ 34.21	$ 37.77	$ 63.18
Cancelled	$ 39.37	$ 39.03	$ 39.07
Ending Balance	$ 37.01	$ 38.79	$ 39.84

XML

Acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc. - Unaudited Pro Forma Information (Details) (Advisory Research Inc, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010
Advisory Research Inc
Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 538,119
Net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$ 26,109

XML

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$ 47,075		$ (90,772)		$ 22,086
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807)		(11,248)		2,276
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	41,268		(102,020)		24,362
Earnings allocated to participating securities	(5,933)	[1]	0	[1]	(5,433)	[1]
Net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies' common shareholders	$ 35,335	[2]	$ (102,020)	[2],[3]	$ 18,929	[2]
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Average shares used in basic computation	15,615,000		15,672,000		15,348,000
Average shares used in diluted computation	15,616,000		15,672,000	[4]	15,378,000
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.58		$ (5.79)		$ 1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.32)		$ (0.72)		$ 0.12
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.26		$ (6.51)		$ 1.23
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.58		$ (5.79)		$ 1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.32)		$ (0.72)		$ 0.11
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.26		$ (6.51)	[4]	$ 1.23
Weighted average participating shares outstanding	2,622,438		3,528,624		4,413,956
Stock Options
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Incremental common share attributable to share-based payment arrangements	1,000		13,000		30,000
Restricted Stock
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Incremental common share attributable to share-based payment arrangements	0		2,892,000		0
Calculated diluted number of shares
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Average shares used in diluted computation			18,577,000	[4]

[1] Represents the allocation of earnings to participating securities. Losses are not allocated to participating securities. Participating securities include all of the Company’s unvested restricted shares. The weighted average participating shares outstanding were 2,622,438, 3,528,624 and 4,413,956 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

[2] Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders for diluted and basic EPS may differ under the two-class method as a result of adding the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options to dilutive shares outstanding, which alters the ratio used to allocate earnings to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders and participating securities for purposes of calculating diluted and basic EPS.

[3] No allocation of income was made due to loss position.

[4] Earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which a loss is incurred.

XML

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income tax expense is provided using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between amounts reported for income tax purposes and financial statement purposes, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

The components of income tax expense from continuing operations are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Current:
Federal	$	16,939		$	(6,108	)	$	10,573
State	(9,563		)	27			3,860
Foreign	—			—			—
	7,376			(6,081		)	14,433
Deferred:
Federal	7,735			13,803			16,261
State	4,413			2,491			1,469
Foreign	(54		)	(1,093		)	—
	12,094			15,201			17,730
Total income tax expense from continuing operations	$	19,470		$	9,120		$	32,163
Total income tax expense/(benefit) from discontinued operations	$	(23,795	)	$	1,756		$	1,191

A reconciliation of federal income taxes at statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rates from continuing operations is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Federal income tax expense/(benefit) at statutory rates	$	24,153		$	(28,066	)	$	18,836
Increase/(reduction) in taxes resulting from:
Goodwill impairment	—			40,440			—
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2,540			1,327			2,468
Net tax-exempt interest income	(3,353		)	(3,308		)	(2,065		)
Foreign jurisdictions tax rate differential	(164		)	413			1,761
Change in valuation allowance	(1,110		)	(2,185		)	3,373
Restricted stock deferred tax asset write-off	4,577			557			5,799
Loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(863		)	(512		)	151
Other, net	(6,310		)	454			1,840
Total income tax expense from continuing operations	$	19,470		$	9,120		$	32,163

In accordance with ASC 740, U.S. income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries that are permanently reinvested. As of December 31, 2012, undistributed earnings permanently reinvested in the Company’s foreign subsidiaries were not material.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for the same items for income tax reporting purposes. The net deferred tax asset included in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition consisted of the following items at December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred compensation	$	37,702		$	41,746
Net operating loss carry forwards	7,645			11,703
Liabilities/accruals not currently deductible	2,035			1,989
Pension and retirement costs	388			314
Other	2,667			5,101
Total deferred tax assets	50,437			60,853
Valuation allowance	(5,139		)	(9,247		)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	45,298			51,606
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill amortization	6,010			3,340
Unrealized gains on firm investments	2,134			1,444
Fixed assets	2,706			1,444
Other	826			298
Total deferred tax liabilities	11,676			6,526
Net deferred tax assets	$	33,622		$	45,080

The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance is recorded to the extent that it is more likely than not that any portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company believes that its future tax profits will be sufficient to recognize its U.S. deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has recorded a $5.1 million valuation allowance for its U.K. subsidiary’s net operating loss carry forwards, which represents all but $1.1 million of the U.K. subsidiary’s deferred tax asset.

The Company accounts for unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, which requires tax reserves to be recorded for uncertain tax positions on the consolidated statements of financial condition. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	9,600
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(30		)
Settlements	(60		)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	9,510
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(595		)
Settlements	—
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	8,915
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	200
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(8,825		)
Settlements	—
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	290

In 2012, the Company reversed $8.8 million of its $8.9 million balance for unrecognized tax benefits. In addition, the Company reversed $2.6 million of accrued interest related to these positions. In aggregate, the Company recorded a $7.4 million credit to income tax expense, net of federal income tax. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has $0.3 million of tax reserves for uncertain state income tax positions. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recognized no interest and penalties. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in interest and penalties. The Company had approximately $0.1 million and $2.6 million for the payment of interest and penalties accrued at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns with the various states and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company is not subject to U.S. federal tax authorities for years before 2009 and is not subject to state and local or non-U.S. tax authorities for taxable years before 2006. The Company anticipates all of its uncertain income tax provisions will be resolved within the next twelve months.

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC	Dec. 31, 2012 Capital Markets	Dec. 31, 2011 Capital Markets	Dec. 31, 2012 Level III	Dec. 31, 2011 Level III	Dec. 31, 2012 Merchant Banking Investments	Dec. 31, 2012 Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	Dec. 31, 2012 Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. government agency securities Minimum prepayment_level	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. government agency securities Maximum prepayment_level
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Market yields basis points spreads to treasury securities (as a percent)														0.75%	1.15%
Prepayment expectations based upon PSA prepayment levels														350	500
Other assets	$ 129,697,000	$ 121,164,000							$ 15,400,000
Gains from fair value changes	2,600,000
Total assets							152,328,000	80,554,000
Percentage of Level III assets to financial instruments measured at fair value							11.70%	9.10%
Transfers of financial assets from Level II to Level III	304,000	5,160,000										304,000	4,970,000
Transfers of financial assets from Level III to Level II	266,000	7,610,000										0	2,885,000
Transfers of financial liabilities from Level III to Level II										1,171,000	3,615,000
Goodwill impairment	0	120,298,000	0	5,508,000	0	120,298,000
Transfer of financial instruments between levels	$ 0

XML

Fixed Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Fixed Assets

Note 14Fixed Assets

The following is a summary of fixed assets as of December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011
Furniture and equipment	$	36,454		$	37,633
Leasehold improvements	19,508			22,031
Software	20,159			20,026
Total	76,121			79,690
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(61,032		)	(58,153		)
	$	15,089		$	21,537

For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, depreciation and amortization of furniture and equipment, leasehold improvements and software from continuing operations totaled $6.5 million, $6.6 million and $6.7 million, respectively, and are included in occupancy and equipment on the consolidated statements of operations.

XML

Piper Jaffray Companies (Parent Company only)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

Piper Jaffray Companies (Parent Company only)

Piper Jaffray Companies (Parent Company only)

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

	December 31,		December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2012		2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,069	$	14,493
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	857,973		845,612
Other assets	20,850		1,969
Total assets	$	879,892	$	862,074
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Variable rate senior notes	$	125,000	$	—
Bank syndicated financing	—		115,000
Accrued compensation	20,838		17,117
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	762		11,566
Total liabilities	146,600		143,683
Shareholders’ equity	733,292		718,391
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	879,892	$	862,074

Condensed Statements of Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Revenues:
Dividends from subsidiaries	$	119,000		$	80,483		$	201,000
Interest	82			31			194
Total revenues	119,082			80,514			201,194
Interest expense	5,823			5,392			5,451
Net revenues	113,259			75,122			195,743
Non-interest expenses:
Total non-interest expenses	4,222			13,044			4,710
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense/(benefit) and equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	109,037			62,078			191,033
Income tax expense/(benefit)	39,175			(3,128		)	112,404
Income from continuing operations of parent company	69,862			65,206			78,629
Equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	(49,617		)	(167,226		)	(54,267		)
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations	20,245			(102,020		)	24,362
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	21,023			—			—
Net income/(loss)	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)	$	24,362

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Operating Activities:
Net income/(loss)	$	41,268		$	(102,020	)	$	24,362
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based and deferred compensation	240			437			300
Goodwill impairment	—			9,247			—
Equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	49,617			167,226			54,267
Net cash provided by operating activities	91,125			74,890			78,929
Financing Activities:
Issuance/(repayment) of variable rate senior notes	125,000			—			(120,000		)
Increase/(decrease) in bank syndicated financing	(115,000		)	(10,000		)	125,000
Advances to subsidiaries	(76,481		)	(51,916		)	(29,369		)
Repurchase of common stock	(38,068		)	(5,994		)	(47,610		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(104,549		)	(67,910		)	(71,979		)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(13,424		)	6,980			6,950
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	14,493		7,513			563
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	1,069		$	14,493		$	7,513
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash received/(paid) during the year for:
Interest	$	(5,741	)	$	(5,361	)	$	(5,257	)
Income taxes	$	(39,175	)	$	3,128		$	(112,404	)

XML

Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended								0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 plan	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum	Dec. 31, 2012 Annual grants	Dec. 31, 2010 Annual grants	Dec. 31, 2012 Sign-on grants	Dec. 31, 2012 Retention grants	May 15, 2012 Restricted Stock Units	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock Units	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock Units Maximum Award Earned Based on Shareholder Return Relative to Predetermined Peer Group	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock Units Maximum Award Earned Based on Total Shareholder Return	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock	Dec. 31, 2010 Restricted Stock	Dec. 31, 2012 Stock Options	Dec. 31, 2012 Amended And Restated 2003 Annual And Long -Term Incentive Plan	Dec. 31, 2012 Amended And Restated 2003 Annual And Long -Term Incentive Plan Maximum	Dec. 31, 2010 2010 Employment Inducement Award Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock-based compensation plans			2
Equity award grants authorized																				7,000,000
Shares available for future issuance																			1,300,000
Award vesting period in years							3 years	3 years	3 years	5 years											5 years
Annual grant expense period							1 year
Forfeitures recorded as a result of violating the post-termination restrictions			$ 1,300,000	$ 3,300,000	$ 5,300,000
Cumulative effect compensation expense reversal		6,600,000
Restricted stock units, performance period											36 months
Weighted average period over which restricted stock expense expected to be recognized											3 years							1 year 10 months 17 days
Award earning percentage													50.00%	50.00%
Fair value assumption risk free interest rate												0.38%
Fair value assumption volatility rate												47.60%
Number of years risk free interest rate											3 years
Term of stock options						10 years
Restricted shares granted to ARI employees, value																					7,000,000
Restricted shares granted, share												214,526			635,136	663,887	1,958,608				158,801
Compensation expense related to employee restricted stock awards			21,600,000	24,500,000	30,800,000
Tax benefit related to compensation costs for stock-based compensation arrangements			8,400,000	9,500,000	12,100,000
Fair value of restricted stock vested during the period															44,800,000	67,700,000	43,200,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock			$ 0															$ 9,100,000
Shares expected to be withheld from employee equity awards vesting			400,000
MFRS awards vesting period	3 years

XML

Variable Rate Senior Notes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Variable Rate Senior Notes

Variable Rate Senior Notes

2012 Variable Rate Senior Notes

On November 30, 2012, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement (“Note Purchase Agreement”) under which the Company issued unsecured variable rate senior notes (“Notes”) in the amount of $125 million. The initial holders of the Notes are certain entities advised by PIMCO. The Notes consist of two classes, Class A Notes and Class B Notes, with principal amounts of $50 million and $75 million, respectively. The Class A Notes bear interest at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 4.00 percent and mature on May 31, 2014. The Class B Notes bear interest at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 4.50 percent and mature on November 30, 2015. Interest on the Notes is adjustable and payable quarterly. The unpaid principal amounts are due in full on the respective maturity dates and are not subject to prepayment at the Company's discretion. The proceeds from the Notes were used to repay the outstanding balance under the bank syndicated credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) discussed in Note 17. The remaining proceeds are being used for general corporate purposes.

The Note Purchase Agreement includes customary events of default, including failure to pay principal when due or failure to pay interest within five business days of when due, any representation or warranty in the Note Purchase Agreement proving untrue in any material respect when made by the Company, failure to comply with the covenants in the Note Purchase Agreement, failure to pay or another event of default under other material indebtedness in an amount exceeding $10 million, bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a change in control of the Company. If there is any event of default under the Note Purchase Agreement, the noteholders may declare the entire principal and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable and exercise other customary remedies.

The Note Purchase Agreement includes covenants that, among other things, require the Company to maintain a minimum consolidated tangible net worth and regulatory net capital, limit the Company's leverage ratio and require the Company to maintain a minimum ratio of operating cash flow to fixed charges. With respect to the net capital covenant, the Company's U.S. broker dealer subsidiary is required to maintain minimum net capital of $120 million. At December 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.

The Notes are recorded at amortized cost. As of December 31, 2012, the carrying value of the Notes approximates fair value.

2009 Variable Rate Senior Notes

On December 31, 2009, the Company issued unsecured variable rate senior notes (the “2009 Notes”) in the amount of $120 million. The initial holders of the 2009 Notes were certain entities advised by PIMCO. Interest was based on an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 4.10 percent, adjustable and payable quarterly. The proceeds from the 2009 Notes were used to fund a portion of the ARI acquisition discussed in Note 5. The unpaid principal and interest on the 2009 Notes were repaid on December 30, 2010, from the proceeds of the bank syndicated credit agreement discussed in Note 17.

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Changes in Fair Value Associated with Level III Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 80,554		$ 76,253
Purchases	145,042		125,261
Sales	(79,608)		(115,386)
Transfers in	304		5,160
Transfers out	(266)		(7,610)
Realized gains/ (losses)	808	[1]	1,657	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	5,494	[1]	(4,781)	[1]
Ending balance	152,328		80,554
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	5,665		6,554
Purchases	(7,446)		(35,434)
Sales	0		32,097
Transfers in	0		1,908
Transfers out	(1,171)		(3,615)
Realized gains/(losses)	6,500	[1]	954	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	1,670	[1]	3,201	[1]
Ending balance	5,218		5,665
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased | Convertible securities
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,171		1,777
Purchases	0		(12,578)
Sales	0		14,167
Transfers in	0		0
Transfers out	(1,171)		(1,777)
Realized gains/(losses)	0	[1]	(394)	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	0	[1]	(24)	[1]
Ending balance	0		1,171
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased | Fixed income securities
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	900		2,323
Purchases	(897)		(641)
Sales	0		1,105
Transfers in	0		0
Transfers out	0		(1,838)
Realized gains/(losses)	(49)	[1]	(22)	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	46	[1]	(27)	[1]
Ending balance	0		900
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			2,115
Purchases			(20,733)
Sales			16,825
Transfers in			1,908
Transfers out			0
Realized gains/(losses)			(112)	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)			(3)	[1]
Ending balance			0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased | Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3,594		339
Purchases	(6,549)		(1,482)
Sales	0		0
Transfers in	0		0
Transfers out	0		0
Realized gains/(losses)	6,549	[1]	1,482	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	1,624	[1]	3,255	[1]
Ending balance	5,218		3,594
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	59,213		66,571
Purchases	130,039		110,840
Sales	(77,214)		(114,688)
Transfers in	304		4,970
Transfers out	0		(2,885)
Realized gains/ (losses)	(787)	[1]	960	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	7,528	[1]	(6,555)	[1]
Ending balance	119,083		59,213
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			1,340
Purchases			0
Sales			(1,467)
Transfers in			0
Transfers out			0
Realized gains/ (losses)			127	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)			0	[1]
Ending balance			0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Convertible securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			2,885
Purchases			0
Sales			0
Transfers in			0
Transfers out			(2,885)
Realized gains/ (losses)			0	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)			0	[1]
Ending balance			0
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Fixed income securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,815		6,268
Purchases	1,995		23,419
Sales	(4,594)		(27,195)
Transfers in	0		91
Transfers out	0		0
Realized gains/ (losses)	(118)	[1]	114	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	(98)	[1]	118	[1]
Ending balance	0		2,815
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Tax-exempt securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3,135		6,118
Purchases	1,550		0
Sales	(2,997)		(6,210)
Transfers in	266		3,870
Transfers out	0		0
Realized gains/ (losses)	(1,156)	[1]	(11)	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	631	[1]	(632)	[1]
Ending balance	1,429		3,135
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Short-term securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	175		125
Purchases	650		50
Sales	0		0
Transfers in	0		0
Transfers out	0		0
Realized gains/ (losses)	0	[1]	0	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	(169)	[1]	0	[1]
Ending balance	656		175
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	53,088		45,170
Purchases	125,844		85,229
Sales	(69,623)		(77,453)
Transfers in	38		1,009
Transfers out	0		0
Realized gains/ (losses)	487	[1]	509	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	6,337	[1]	(1,376)	[1]
Ending balance	116,171		53,088
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0		4,665
Purchases	0		2,142
Sales	0		(2,363)
Transfers in	0		0
Transfers out	0		0
Realized gains/ (losses)	0	[1]	221	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	827	[1]	(4,665)	[1]
Ending balance	827		0
Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	21,341		9,682
Purchases	15,003		14,421
Sales	(2,394)		(698)
Transfers in	0		190
Transfers out	(266)		(4,725)
Realized gains/ (losses)	1,595	[1]	697	[1]
Unrealized gains/ (losses)	(2,034)	[1]	1,774	[1]
Ending balance	$ 33,245		$ 21,341

[1] Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to financial instruments, with the exception of foreign currency forward contracts and customer matched-book derivatives, are reported in institutional brokerage on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in other operating expenses. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to customer matched-book derivatives are reported in investment banking. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to investments are reported in investment banking revenues or other income/(loss) on the consolidated statements of operations

XML

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	$ 5,139,000	$ 9,247,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, reversal	8,825,000	595,000	30,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	290,000	8,915,000	9,510,000	9,600,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, reversal of accrued interest	2,600,000
Credit to income tax expense, net of federal income tax	7,400,000
Interest and penalties expense	0	300,000	700,000
Interest and penalties accrued	100,000	2,600,000
United Kingdom member [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	5,100,000
Valuation allowance, deferred tax asset, change in amount	$ 1,100,000

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating Activities:
Net income/(loss)	$ 43,734	$ (100,557)	$ 23,930
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets	7,005	7,338	7,204
Deferred income taxes	11,458	17,100	17,878
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	1,624	0	0
Share-based and deferred compensation	20,641	22,803	31,268
Goodwill impairment	5,508	120,298	0
Amortization of intangible assets	7,669	8,276	7,546
Amortization of forgivable loans	8,057	8,365	7,679
Decrease/(increase) in operating assets:
Cash and cash equivalents segregated for regulatory purposes	(5,999)	1,998	(18,000)
Receivables:
Customers	10,395	18,706	28,885
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	(23,452)	66,655	73,263
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	14,713	98,851	(109,315)
Net financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	(360,317)	14,326	(44,200)
Other receivables	(12,889)	3,596	(19,501)
Other assets	(19,917)	(5,056)	(7,819)
Payables:
Customers	12,592	(22,826)	3,690
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	24,720	19,466	(27,607)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0	(8,581)	(7,718)
Accrued compensation	23,424	(27,225)	(4,124)
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	18,945	(38,685)	7,833
Assets held for sale	435	438	2,795
Liabilities held for sale	(128)	47	41
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	(211,782)	205,333	(26,272)
Investing Activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(56)	(186,853)
Purchases of fixed assets, net	(2,131)	(7,648)	(11,747)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,131)	(7,704)	(198,600)
Financing Activities:
Increase/(decrease) in short-term financing	308,313	(29,940)	103,231
Issuance/(repayment) of variable rate senior notes	125,000	0	(120,000)
Increase/(decrease) in bank syndicated financing	(115,000)	(10,000)	121,703
Decrease in securities loaned	0	0	(25,988)
Increase/(decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase	(59,080)	(122,219)	211,464
Increase in noncontrolling interests	22,208	25,957	1,518
Repurchase of common stock	(47,164)	(26,529)	(57,819)
Proceeds from stock option transactions	0	40	98
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	234,277	(162,691)	234,207
Currency adjustment:
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(17)	(130)	(162)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	20,347	34,808	9,173
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	85,024	50,216	41,043
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	105,371	85,024	50,216
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information -
Interest	29,552	33,261	35,620
Income taxes	(4,961)	14,982	5,388
Issuance of restricted common stock for acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc, 893,105 shares for the year ended December 31, 2010	0	0	31,822
Non-cash financing activities -
Issuance of common stock for retirement plan obligations: 165,241 shares, 90,085 shares and 81,696 shares for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010, respectively	3,814	3,814	3,634
Issuance of restricted common stock for annual equity award: 487,181 shares, 592,697 shares, and 669,673 shares for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	$ 11,244	$ 25,095	$ 31,121

XML

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated depreciation and amortization on fixed assets	$ 61,032	$ 58,153
Accumulated amortization on intangible assets	$ 23,876	$ 16,932
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	19,530,359	19,524,512
Common stock, shares outstanding	15,213,796	15,750,188
Common stock held in treasury, shares	4,316,563	3,774,324

XML

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Brokers and Dealers [Abstract]

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations

Amounts receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations at December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Receivable arising from unsettled securities transactions	$	66,426	$	279
Deposits paid for securities borrowed	32,163		46,298
Receivable from clearing organizations	17,655		20,453
Deposits with clearing organizations	24,717		31,061
Securities failed to deliver	5,440		23,140
Other	1,716		3,430
	$	148,117	$	124,661

Amounts payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations at December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Payable arising from unsettled securities transactions	$	24,643	$	29,005
Payable to clearing organizations	5,763		3,064
Securities failed to receive	7,459		1,402
Other	22,290		1,965
	$	60,155	$	35,436

Deposits paid for securities borrowed approximate the market value of the securities. Securities failed to deliver and receive represent the contract value of securities that have not been delivered or received by the Company on settlement date.

XML

Net Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Compliance With Regulatory Capital Requirements For Broker Dealer [Line Items]
Net capital requirement	$ 1.0
Net capital requirement, percentage of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions	2.00%
Net capital requirement, percent of aggregate debit balances under restriction on business expansion or dividend payment	5.00%
Net capital	178.9
Amount of capital that exceeds the minimum net capital required	177.9
Committed Credit Facility
Schedule Of Compliance With Regulatory Capital Requirements For Broker Dealer [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	250
Committed Credit Facility | Covenant Requirement
Schedule Of Compliance With Regulatory Capital Requirements For Broker Dealer [Line Items]
Minimum net capital required	$ 120

XML

Compensation Plans - Summary of Outstanding Equity Awards (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock outstanding	1,986,015
Number of restricted common stock issued for acquisition of ARI	0		0	893,105
Total restricted stock outstanding	2,322,438
Stock options outstanding	486,563		502,623	515,492	538,804
Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Leadership grants	173,271
Amended And Restated 2003 Annual And Long -Term Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock outstanding	1,898,556
Amended And Restated 2003 Annual And Long -Term Incentive Plan | Annual grants
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock outstanding	1,316,998
Amended And Restated 2003 Annual And Long -Term Incentive Plan | Sign-on grants
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock outstanding	319,069
Amended And Restated 2003 Annual And Long -Term Incentive Plan | Retention grants
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock outstanding	45,032
Amended And Restated 2003 Annual And Long -Term Incentive Plan | Performance grants
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock outstanding	217,457
2010 Employment Inducement Award Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock outstanding	87,459
Advisory Research Inc
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of restricted common stock issued for acquisition of ARI	336,423	[1]

[1] The Company issued restricted stock as part of deal consideration for ARI. See Note 5 for further discussion.

XML

Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Noncontrolling Interest Note [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests	$ 56,883	$ 32,209
Municipal bond fund
Noncontrolling Interest Note [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests	43,700	26,400
Merchant banking fund
Noncontrolling Interest Note [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests	6,400
Other private equity investments
Noncontrolling Interest Note [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests	$ 6,800	$ 5,800

XML

Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 20, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	PJC
Entity Registrant Name	Piper Jaffray Companies
Entity Central Index Key	0001230245
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,684,098
Entity Public Float			$ 391

XML

Receivables from and Payables to Customers

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Receivables From and Payables to Customers [Abstract]

Receivables From Payables To Customers

Receivables from and Payables to Customers

Amounts receivable from customers as of December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Cash accounts	$	7,444	$	10,833
Margin accounts	6,351		13,363
Total receivables	$	13,795	$	24,196

Securities owned by customers are held as collateral for margin loan receivables. This collateral is not reflected on the consolidated financial statements. Margin loan receivables earn interest at floating interest rates based on prime rates.

Amounts payable to customers as of December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Cash accounts	$	32,103	$	17,455
Margin accounts	9,904		11,918
Total payables	$	42,007	$	29,373

Payables to customers primarily comprise certain cash balances in customer accounts consisting of customer funds pending settlement of securities transactions and customer funds on deposit. Except for amounts arising from customer short sales, all amounts payable to customers are subject to withdrawal by customers upon their request.

XML

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Aggregate Future Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2013	$ 6,644
2014	6,299
2015	6,039
2016	5,551
Thereafter	13,865
Total	$ 38,398

XML

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000				100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01				$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000				5,000,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01				$ 0.01
Common stock, number of votes per share	1				1
Reissuance of treasury shares					165,241	90,085
Compensation and benefits					$ 296,882,000	$ 265,015,000	$ 280,047,000
Reissuance of treasury shares as a result of employee vesting					937,978	1,286,568
Repurchase of common stock, authorized amount		100,000,000	75,000,000
Repurchase of common stock, shares	156,577			1,488,881		293,829
Repurchase of common stock, average share price	$ 29.38			$ 22.48		$ 20.40
Repurchase of common stock through share repurchase program	4,600,000			33,500,000	38,068,000	5,994,000	47,610,000
Share repurchase program, repurchase period end date		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2012
Common stock repurchase authorized, remaining amount	95,400,000
Shares of common stock purchased from restricted stock award related to recipients' employment tax obligations					385,449	509,671
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding					9,096,000	20,535,000	10,209,000
Retirement Plan
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Compensation and benefits					$ 3,800,000	$ 3,800,000

XML

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Investment banking	$ 230,929		$ 200,500		$ 237,847
Institutional brokerage	172,023		136,096		162,539
Asset management	65,215		63,307		55,948
Interest	48,844		55,440		51,703
Other income	1,231		8,313		6,685
Total revenues	518,242		463,656		514,722
Interest expense	29,290		31,573		34,788
Net revenues	488,952		432,083		479,934
Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits	296,882		265,015		280,047
Occupancy and equipment	26,454		28,430		30,034
Communications	20,543		22,121		22,832
Floor brokerage and clearance	8,054		8,925		11,347
Marketing and business development	19,908		22,640		21,642
Outside services	27,998		27,570		30,265
Restructuring-related expense	3,642		0		10,699
Goodwill impairment	0		120,298		0
Intangible asset amortization expense	6,944		7,256		6,474
Other operating expenses	9,516		10,017		12,777
Total non-interest expenses	419,941		512,272		426,117
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	69,011		(80,189)		53,817
Income tax expense	19,470		9,120		32,163
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	49,541		(89,309)		21,654
Discontinued operations:
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807)		(11,248)		2,276
Net income/(loss)	43,734		(100,557)		23,930
Net income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests	2,466		1,463		(432)
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	41,268		(102,020)		24,362
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders	35,335	[1]	(102,020)	[1],[2]	18,929	[1]
Amounts applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	47,075		(90,772)		22,086
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (5,807)		$ (11,248)		$ 2,276
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.58		$ (5.79)		$ 1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.32)		$ (0.72)		$ 0.12
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.26		$ (6.51)		$ 1.23
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.58		$ (5.79)		$ 1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.32)		$ (0.72)		$ 0.11
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.26		$ (6.51)	[3]	$ 1.23
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	15,615		15,672		15,348
Diluted (in shares)	15,616		15,672	[3]	15,378

[1] Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders for diluted and basic EPS may differ under the two-class method as a result of adding the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options to dilutive shares outstanding, which alters the ratio used to allocate earnings to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders and participating securities for purposes of calculating diluted and basic EPS.

[2] No allocation of income was made due to loss position.

[3] Earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which a loss is incurred.

XML

Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations

The Company's Hong Kong capital markets business ceased operations as of September 30, 2012. In accordance with the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 205-20, “Discontinued Operations,” the results from this business, previously reported in the Capital Markets segment, have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

The components of discontinued operations for the Hong Kong capital markets business are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Net revenues	$	6,635		$	15,996		$	33,994
Restructuring expenses	11,535			—			—
Operating expenses	16,550			24,983			31,962
Total non-interest expenses	28,085			24,983			31,962
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	(21,450		)	(8,987		)	2,032
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(21,069		)	1,927			648
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(381	)	$	(10,914	)	$	1,384

The Company's FAMCO subsidiary is classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2012. A sale is expected to close within one year. FAMCO's results, previously reported in the Asset Management segment, have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented and the related assets and liabilities have been classified as held for sale. The disposal group primarily consists of intangible assets, other receivables and accrued compensation at December 31, 2012, and also included goodwill at December 31, 2011.

The components of discontinued operations for FAMCO are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Net revenues	$	5,718		$	6,584		$	10,883
Goodwill impairment	5,508			—			—
Operating expenses	8,362			7,089			9,448
Total non-interest expenses	13,870			7,089			9,448
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	(8,152		)	(505		)	1,435
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(2,726		)	(171		)	543
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(5,426	)	$	(334	)	$	892

XML

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Repurchase Agreements

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03, “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements,” (“ASU 2011-03”) amending FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing” (“ASC 860”). The amended guidance addresses the reporting of repurchase agreements (“repos”) and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity. ASC 860 states that the accounting for repos depends in part on whether the transferor maintains effective control over the transferred financial assets. If the transferor maintains effective control, the transferor is required to account for its repo as a secured borrowing rather than a sale. ASU 2011-03 removes from the assessment of effective control the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets. ASU 2011-03 was effective for new transactions and transactions that are modified on or after January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-03 did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company accounts for its repos as secured borrowings.

Fair Value Measurement

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs,” (“ASU 2011-04”) amending ASC 820. The amended guidance improves the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. Although most of the amendments only clarify existing guidance in U.S. GAAP, ASU 2011-04 requires new disclosures, with a particular focus on Level III measurements, including quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for all Level III measurements and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of recurring Level III measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs disclosed. ASU 2011-04 also requires the hierarchy classification for those items whose fair value is not recorded on the balance sheet but is disclosed in the footnotes. ASU 2011-04 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position, but did impact the Company’s disclosures about fair value measurement.

Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2011-05”) amending FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income.” The amended guidance improves the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and increases the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity, and requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position. The Company included its presentation of other comprehensive income, and the components of other comprehensive income, in a separate statement of comprehensive income.

Goodwill

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment,” (“ASU 2011-08”) amending FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”). The amended guidance permits companies to first assess qualitative factors in determining whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2011-08 was effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed by the Company for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-08 did not impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” (“ASU 2011-11”) amending FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 210, “Balance Sheet.” The amended guidance requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” (“ASU 2013-01”) to limit the scope of ASU 2011-11 to derivatives, repurchase agreements, and securities lending arrangements. ASU 2011-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and will be applied retrospectively for all comparable periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position, but will impact the Company’s disclosures about the offsetting of derivative contracts and related arrangements.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment,” (“ASU 2012-02”) amending ASC 350. The amended guidance permits companies to first assess qualitative factors in determining whether the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2012-02 will not impact the Company's results of operations or financial position.

XML

Short-Term Financing

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Short-Term Financing

Short-Term Financing

The following is a summary of short-term financing and the weighted average interest rate on borrowings as of December 31:

	Outstanding Balance				Weighted Average Interest Rate
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2012	2011
Commercial paper (secured)	$	304,439	$	166,175	1.65%	1.37%
Prime broker arrangement	172,575		2,526		0.98%	1.05%
Total short-term financing	$	477,014	$	168,701

The Company issues secured commercial paper to fund a portion of its securities inventory. The secured commercial paper notes (“CP Notes”) are issued with maturities of 28 days to 270 days from the date of issuance. The CP Notes are issued under two separate programs, CP Series A and CP Series II A, and are secured by different inventory classes. As of December 31, 2012, the weighted average maturity of CP Series A and CP Series II A was 98 days and 34 days, respectively. The CP Notes are interest bearing or sold at a discount to par with an interest rate based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin.

The Company has established an arrangement to obtain financing with a prime broker related to its municipal bond funds. Financing under this arrangement is secured by certain securities, primarily municipal securities, and collateral limitations could reduce the amount of funding available under this arrangement. The funding is at the discretion of the prime broker.

The Company has committed short-term bank line financing available on a secured basis and uncommitted short-term bank line financing available on both a secured and unsecured basis. The Company uses these credit facilities in the ordinary course of business to fund a portion of its daily operations and the amount borrowed under these credit facilities varies daily based on the Company’s funding needs.

The Company’s committed short-term bank line financing at December 31, 2012 consisted of a one-year $250 million committed revolving credit facility with U.S. Bank, N.A., which was renewed in December 2012. Advances under this facility are secured by certain marketable securities. The facility includes a covenant that requires the Company’s U.S. broker dealer subsidiary to maintain a minimum net capital of $120 million, and the unpaid principal amount of all advances under this facility will be due on December 28, 2013. The Company pays a nonrefundable commitment fee on the unused portion of the facility on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2012, the Company had no advances against this line of credit.

The Company’s uncommitted secured lines at December 31, 2012 totaled $175 million with two banks and are dependent on having appropriate collateral, as determined by the bank agreement, to secure an advance under the line. The availability of the Company’s uncommitted lines are subject to approval by the individual banks each time an advance is requested and may be denied. At December 31, 2012, the Company had no advances against these lines of credit.

XML

Collateralized Securities Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Collateralized Securities Transactions Disclosure [Abstract]

Collateralized Securities Transactions

Collateralized Securities Transactions

The Company’s financing and customer securities activities involve the Company using securities as collateral. In the event that the counterparty does not meet its contractual obligation to return securities used as collateral, or customers do not deposit additional securities or cash for margin when required, the Company may be exposed to the risk of reacquiring the securities or selling the securities at unfavorable market prices in order to satisfy its obligations to its customers or counterparties. The Company seeks to control this risk by monitoring the market value of securities pledged or used as collateral on a daily basis and requiring adjustments in the event of excess market exposure. The Company will also use an unaffiliated third party custodian to administer the underlying collateral for certain of its repurchase agreements and short-term financing to mitigate risk.

In the normal course of business, the Company obtains securities purchased under agreements to resell, securities borrowed and margin agreements on terms that permit it to repledge or resell the securities to others. The Company obtained securities with a fair value of approximately $186.1 million and $221.9 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of which $174.4 million and $196.9 million, respectively, had been pledged or otherwise transferred to satisfy its commitments under financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased.

The following is a summary of the Company’s securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“Repurchase Liabilities”), the fair market value of related collateral pledged and the interest rate charged by the Company’s counterparty, which is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin, as of December 31, 2012:

(Dollars in thousands)	Repurchase Liabilities		Fair Market Value		Interest Rate
Term of 30 to 90 day maturities:
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	$	6,679	$	7,943	1.90%
Tax-exempt securities	27,339		32,889		1.90%
Short-term securities	11,409		13,740		1.90%
U.S. government agency securities	2,981		3,019		1.90%
U.S. government securities	1,592		1,624		1.90%
	$	50,000	$	59,215

XML

Short-Term Financing - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Minimum	Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum	Dec. 31, 2012 Commercial paper (secured) program	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial paper (secured)	Dec. 31, 2012 Commercial paper (secured) CP Series A	Dec. 31, 2012 Commercial paper (secured) CP Series II A	Dec. 31, 2012 Committed Credit Facility	Dec. 31, 2012 Committed Credit Facility Covenant Requirement	Dec. 31, 2012 Uncommitted Credit Facility Entity
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior secured commercial paper notes, maturity period				28 days	270 days
Number of commercial paper programs						2
Weighted average maturity period								98 days	34 days
Debt term	3 years									1 year
Line of credity, maximum borrowing capacity										$ 250,000,000		$ 175,000,000
Minimum net capital required											120,000,000
Short-term financing		$ 477,014,000	$ 168,701,000			$ 304,439,000	$ 166,175,000			$ 0
Number of banks												2

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Based on the nature of the Company’s business and its role as a “dealer” in the securities industry or as a manager of alternative asset management funds, the fair values of its financial instruments are determined internally. The Company’s processes are designed to ensure that the fair values used for financial reporting are based on observable inputs wherever possible. In the event that observable inputs are not available, unobservable inputs are developed based on an evaluation of all relevant empirical market data, including prices evidenced by market transactions, interest rates, credit spreads, volatilities and correlations and other security-specific information. Valuation adjustments related to illiquidity or counterparty credit risk are also considered. In estimating fair value, the Company may utilize information provided by third-party pricing vendors to corroborate internally-developed fair value estimates.

The Company employs specific control processes to determine the reasonableness of the fair value of its financial instruments. The Company’s processes are designed to ensure that the internally estimated fair values are accurately recorded and that the data inputs and the valuation techniques used are appropriate, consistently applied, and that the assumptions are reasonable and consistent with the objective of determining fair value. Individuals outside of the trading departments perform independent pricing verification reviews as of each reporting date. The Company has established parameters which set forth when the fair value of securities are independently verified. The selection parameters are generally based upon the type of security, the level of estimation risk of a security, the materiality of the security to the Company’s financial statements, changes in fair value from period to period, and other specific facts and circumstances of the Company’s securities portfolio. In evaluating the initial internally-estimated fair values made by the Company’s traders, the nature and complexity of securities involved (e.g., term, coupon, collateral, and other key drivers of value), level of market activity for securities, and availability of market data are considered. The independent price verification procedures include, but are not limited to, analysis of trade data (both internal and external where available), corroboration to the valuation of positions with similar characteristics, risks and components, or comparison to an alternative pricing source, such as a discounted cash flow model. The Company’s valuation committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides oversight and overall responsibility for the internal control processes and procedures related to fair value measurements.

The following is a description of the valuation techniques used to measure fair value.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Actively traded money market funds are measured at their net asset value and classified as Level I.

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned

The Company records financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with unrealized gains and losses reflected on the consolidated statements of operations.

Equity securities – Exchange traded equity securities are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange for identical assets or liabilities as of the period-end date. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized as Level I. Non-exchange traded equity securities (principally hybrid preferred securities) are measured primarily using broker quotations, prices observed for recently executed market transactions and internally-developed fair value estimates based on observable inputs and are categorized within Level II of the fair value hierarchy. Where such information is not available, non-exchange traded equity securities are categorized as Level III financial instruments and measured using valuation techniques involving quoted prices of or market data for comparable companies. When using pricing data of comparable companies, judgment must be applied to adjust the pricing data to account for differences between the measured security and the comparable security (e.g., issuer market capitalization, yield, dividend rate and geographical concentration).

Convertible securities – Convertible securities are valued based on observable trades, when available. Accordingly, these convertible securities are categorized as Level II. When  observable price quotations are not available, fair value is determined using model-based valuation techniques with observable market inputs, such as specific company stock price and volatility, and unobservable inputs such as option adjusted spreads over the U.S. treasury securities curve. These instruments are categorized as Level III.

Corporate fixed income securities – Fixed income securities include corporate bonds which are valued based on recently executed market transactions of comparable size, internally-developed fair value estimates based on observable inputs, or broker quotations. Accordingly, these corporate bonds are categorized as Level II. When observable price quotations or certain observable inputs are not available, fair value is determined using model-based valuation techniques with observable inputs such as specific security contractual terms and yield curves, and unobservable inputs such as credit spreads over U.S. treasury securities. Corporate bonds measured using model-based valuation techniques are categorized as Level III.

Taxable municipal securities – Taxable municipal securities are valued using recently executed observable trades or market price quotations and therefore are generally categorized as Level II.

Tax-exempt municipal securities – Tax-exempt municipal securities are valued using recently executed observable trades or market price quotations and therefore are generally categorized as Level II. Certain illiquid tax-exempt municipal securities are valued using market data for comparable securities (maturity and sector) and management judgment to infer an appropriate current yield or other model-based valuation techniques deemed appropriate by management based on the specific nature of the individual security and are therefore categorized as Level III.

Short-term municipal securities – Short-term municipal securities include auction rate securities, variable rate demand notes, and other short-term municipal securities. Variable rate demand notes and other short-term municipal securities are valued using recently executed observable trades or market price quotations and therefore are generally categorized as Level II. Auction rate securities with limited liquidity are categorized as Level III and are valued using discounted cash flow models with unobservable inputs such as the Company’s expectations of recovery rate on the securities.

Asset-backed securities – Asset-backed securities are valued using observable trades, when available. Certain asset-backed securities are valued using models where inputs to the model are directly observable in the market, or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. These asset-backed securities are categorized as Level II. Other asset-backed securities, which are principally collateralized by residential mortgages, have experienced low volumes of executed transactions resulting in less observable transaction data. Certain asset-backed securities collateralized by residential mortgages are valued using cash flow models that utilize unobservable inputs including credit default rates, prepayment rates, loss severity and valuation yields. As judgment is used to determine the range of these inputs, these asset-backed securities are categorized as Level III.

U.S. government agency securities – U.S. government agency securities include agency debt bonds and mortgage bonds. Agency debt bonds are valued by using either direct price quotes or price quotes for comparable bond securities and are categorized as Level II. Mortgage bonds include bonds secured by mortgages, mortgage pass-through securities, agency collateralized mortgage-obligation (“CMO”) securities and agency interest-only securities. Mortgage pass-through securities, CMO securities and interest-only securities are valued using recently executed observable trades or other observable inputs, such as prepayment speeds and therefore are generally categorized as Level II. Mortgage bonds are valued using observable market inputs, such as market yields ranging from 75-115 basis points (“bps”) on spreads over U.S. treasury securities, or models based upon prepayment expectations ranging from 350-500 Public Securities Association (“PSA”) prepayment levels. These securities are categorized as Level II.

U.S. government securities – U.S. government securities include highly liquid U.S. treasury securities which are generally valued using quoted market prices and therefore categorized as Level I. The Company does not transact in securities of countries other than the U.S. government.

Derivatives – Derivative contracts include interest rate and basis swaps, forward purchase agreements, interest rate locks, futures, credit default swap index contracts and foreign currency forward contracts. These instruments derive their value from underlying assets, reference rates, indices or a combination of these factors. The majority of the Company’s interest rate derivative contracts, including both interest rate swaps and interest rate locks, are valued using market standard pricing models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. The valuation models used do not involve material subjectivity as the methodologies do not entail significant judgment and the pricing inputs are market observable, including contractual terms, yield curves and measures of volatility. These instruments are classified as Level II within the fair value hierarchy. Certain interest rate locks transact in less active markets and were valued using valuation models that used the previously mentioned observable inputs and certain unobservable inputs that required significant judgment, such as the premium over the MMD curve. These instruments are classified as Level III. The Company’s credit default swap index contracts and foreign currency forward contracts are valued using market price quotations and are classified as Level II.

Investments

The Company’s investments valued at fair value include equity investments in private companies, investments in public companies and warrants of public or private companies. These investments are included in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Exchange traded direct equity investments in public companies and registered mutual funds are valued based on quoted prices on active markets and classified as Level I. Company-owned warrants, which have a cashless exercise option, are valued based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and certain unobservable inputs. The Company applies a liquidity discount to the value of its warrants in public and private companies. For warrants in private companies, valuation adjustments, based upon management’s judgment, are made to account for differences between the measured security and the stock volatility factors of comparable companies. Company-owned warrants are reported as Level III assets. Equity securities in private companies are valued based on an assessment of each underlying security, considering rounds of financing and third-party transactions, discounted cash flow analyses and market-based information, including comparable company transactions, trading multiples and changes in market outlook, among other factors. These securities are generally categorized as Level III.

Fair Value Option – The fair value option permits the irrevocable fair value option election on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument. The fair value option was elected for certain merchant banking and other investments at inception to reflect economic events in earnings on a timely basis. At December 31, 2012, $15.4 million in merchant banking and other equity investments, included within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition, are accounted for at fair value and are classified as Level III assets. The gains from fair value changes included in earnings as a result of electing to apply the fair value option to certain financial assets were $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The following table summarizes quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s Level III financial instruments as of December 31, 2012:

	Valuation			Weighted
	Technique	Unobservable Input	Range	Average
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	Discounted cash flow	Debt service coverage ratio (2)	5 - 69%	24.7%
Short-term securities	Discounted cash flow	Expected recovery rate (% of par) (2)	77 - 80%	79.6%
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized by residential mortgages	Discounted cash flow	Credit default rates (3)	1 - 9%	4.6%
		Prepayment rates (4)	1 - 27%	9.0%
		Loss severity (3)	50 - 100%	68.2%
		Valuation yields (3)	3 - 8%	5.7%
Derivative contracts:
Interest rate locks	Discounted cash flow	Premium over the MMD curve (1)	18 - 61 bps	49.1 bps
Investments:
Warrants in public and private companies	Black-Scholes option pricing model	Liquidity discount rates (1)	30 - 40%	35.8%
Warrants in private companies	Black-Scholes option pricing model	Stock volatility factors of comparable companies (2)	36 - 135%	49.4%
Equity securities in private companies	Discounted cash flow/ Market approach	Revenue multiple (2)	2 - 4 times	2.8 times
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Derivative contracts:
Interest rate locks	Discounted cash flow	Premium over the MMD curve (1)	1 - 69 bps	7.3 bps

Sensitivity of the fair value to changes in unobservable inputs:

(1) Significant increase/(decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in a significantly lower/(higher) fair value measurement.

(2) Significant increase/(decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in a significantly higher/(lower) fair value measurement.

(3) Significant changes in any of these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly different fair value. Generally, a change in the assumption used for credit default rates is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally inverse change in the assumption for valuation yields.

(4) The potential impact of changes in prepayment rates on fair value is dependent on other security-specific factors, such as the par value and structure. Changes in the prepayment rates may result in directionally similar or directionally inverse changes in fair value depending on whether the security trades at a premium or discount to the par value.

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments by pricing observability levels defined in ASC 820 as of December 31, 2012:

							Counterparty
							and Cash
							Collateral
(Dollars in thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Netting (1)			Total
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	3,180	$	13,298	$	—	$	—		$	16,478
Convertible securities	—		44,978		—		—			44,978
Fixed income securities	—		33,668		—		—			33,668
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	—		164,059		—		—			164,059
Tax-exempt securities	—		416,760		1,429		—			418,189
Short-term securities	—		67,672		656		—			68,328
Asset-backed securities	—		24		116,171		—			116,195
U.S. government agency securities	—		304,259		—		—			304,259
U.S. government securities	4,966		—		—		—			4,966
Derivative contracts	—		595,486		827		(555,838		)	40,475
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	8,146		1,640,204		119,083		(555,838		)	1,211,595
Cash equivalents	51,346		—		—		—			51,346
Investments	5,810		—		33,245		—			39,055
Total assets	$	65,302	$	1,640,204	$	152,328	$	(555,838	)	$	1,301,996
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	25,362	$	1,728	$	—	$	—		$	27,090
Convertible securities	—		1,015		—		—			1,015
Fixed income securities	—		19,314		—		—			19,314
Municipal securities:
Short-term securities	—		60		—		—			60
U.S. government agency securities	—		73,724		—		—			73,724
U.S. government securities	231,043		—		—		—			231,043
Derivative contracts	—		569,764		5,218		(570,027		)	4,955
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	256,405	$	665,605	$	5,218	$	(570,027	)	$	357,201

(1) Represents cash collateral and the impact of netting on a counterparty basis. The Company had no securities posted as collateral to its counterparties.

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments by pricing observability levels defined in ASC 820 as of December 31, 2011:

							Counterparty
							and Cash
							Collateral
(Dollars in thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Netting (1)			Total
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	25,039	$	4,194	$	—	$	—		$	29,233
Convertible securities	—		34,480		—		—			34,480
Fixed income securities	—		12,109		2,815		—			14,924
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	—		231,999		—		—			231,999
Tax-exempt securities	—		206,182		3,135		—			209,317
Short-term securities	—		47,212		175		—			47,387
Asset-backed securities	—		8,742		53,088		—			61,830
U.S. government agency securities	—		118,387		—		—			118,387
U.S. government securities	8,266		—		—		—			8,266
Derivative contracts	—		628,121		—		(586,363		)	41,758
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	33,305		1,291,426		59,213		(586,363		)	797,581
Cash equivalents	65,690		—		—		—			65,690
Investments	5,159		—		21,341		—			26,500
Total assets	$	104,154	$	1,291,426	$	80,554	$	(586,363	)	$	889,771
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	33,495	$	242	$	—	$	—		$	33,737
Convertible securities	—		1,947		1,171		—			3,118
Fixed income securities	—		11,721		900		—			12,621
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	—		3,270		—		—			3,270
Short-term securities	—		145		—		—			145
Asset-backed securities	—		11,333		—		—			11,333
U.S. government agency securities	—		37,903		—		—			37,903
U.S. government securities	195,662		—		—		—			195,662
Derivative contracts	—		599,627		3,594		(597,506		)	5,715
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	229,157	$	666,188	$	5,665	$	(597,506	)	$	303,504

(1) Represents cash collateral and the impact of netting on a counterparty basis. The Company had no securities posted as collateral to its counterparties.

The Company’s Level III assets were $152.3 million and $80.6 million, or 11.7 percent and 9.1 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The value of transfers between levels are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period. There were $1.2 million of transfers of financial liabilities from Level III to Level II during the year ended December 31, 2012 related to convertible securities for which market trades were observed that provided transparency into the valuation of these liabilities. There were no other significant transfers between Level I, Level II or Level III for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The following tables summarize the changes in fair value associated with Level III financial instruments during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Balance at													Realized			Unrealized			Balance at
	December 31,								Transfers		Transfers			gains/			gains/			December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2011		Purchases			Sales			in		out			(losses) (1)			(losses) (1)			2012
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Fixed income securities	2,815		1,995			(4,594		)	—		—			(118		)	(98		)	—
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	3,135		1,550			(2,997		)	266		—			(1,156		)	631			1,429
Short-term securities	175		650			—			—		—			—			(169		)	656
Asset-backed securities	53,088		125,844			(69,623		)	38		—			487			6,337			116,171
Derivative contracts	—		—			—			—		—			—			827			827
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	59,213		130,039			(77,214		)	304		—			(787		)	7,528			119,083
Investments	21,341		15,003			(2,394		)	—		(266		)	1,595			(2,034		)	33,245
Total assets	$	80,554	$	145,042		$	(79,608	)	$	304	$	(266	)	$	808		$	5,494		$	152,328
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Convertible securities	$	1,171	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	(1,171	)	$	—		$	—		$	—
Fixed income securities	900		(897		)	—			—		—			(49		)	46			—
Derivative contracts	3,594		(6,549		)	—			—		—			6,549			1,624			5,218
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	5,665	$	(7,446	)	$	—		$	—	$	(1,171	)	$	6,500		$	1,670		$	5,218

(1) Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to financial instruments, with the exception of foreign currency forward contracts and customer matched-book derivatives, are reported in institutional brokerage on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in other operating expenses. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to customer matched-book derivatives are reported in investment banking. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to investments are reported in investment banking revenues or other income/(loss) on the consolidated statements of operations.

	Balance at													Realized			Unrealized			Balance at
	December 31,								Transfers		Transfers			gains/			gains/			December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2010		Purchases			Sales			in		out			(losses) (1)			(losses) (1)			2011
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	1,340	$	—		$	(1,467	)	$	—	$	—		$	127		$	—		$	—
Convertible securities	2,885		—			—			—		(2,885		)	—			—			—
Fixed income securities	6,268		23,419			(27,195		)	91		—			114			118			2,815
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	6,118		—			(6,210		)	3,870		—			(11		)	(632		)	3,135
Short-term securities	125		50			—			—		—			—			—			175
Asset-backed securities	45,170		85,229			(77,453		)	1,009		—			509			(1,376		)	53,088
Derivative contracts	4,665		2,142			(2,363		)	—		—			221			(4,665		)	—
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	66,571		110,840			(114,688		)	4,970		(2,885		)	960			(6,555		)	59,213
Investments	9,682		14,421			(698		)	190		(4,725		)	697			1,774			21,341
Total assets	$	76,253	$	125,261		$	(115,386	)	$	5,160	$	(7,610	)	$	1,657		$	(4,781	)	$	80,554
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Convertible securities	$	1,777	$	(12,578	)	$	14,167		$	—	$	(1,777	)	$	(394	)	$	(24	)	$	1,171
Fixed income securities	2,323		(641		)	1,105			—		(1,838		)	(22		)	(27		)	900
Asset-backed securities	2,115		(20,733		)	16,825			1,908		—			(112		)	(3		)	—
Derivative contracts	339		(1,482		)	—			—		—			1,482			3,255			3,594
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	6,554	$	(35,434	)	$	32,097		$	1,908	$	(3,615	)	$	954		$	3,201		$	5,665

(1) Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to financial instruments, with the exception of foreign currency forward contracts and customer matched-book derivatives, are reported in institutional brokerage on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in other operating expenses. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to customer matched-book derivatives are reported in investment banking. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to investments are reported in investment banking revenues or other income/(loss) on the consolidated statements of operations.

The carrying values of some of the Company’s financial instruments approximate fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature. Such financial assets and financial liabilities include cash, securities either purchased or sold under agreements to resell, receivables and payables either from or to customers and brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and short-term financings.

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurement

During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $5.5 million within discontinued operations representing the full value of goodwill attributable to the FAMCO reporting unit. The fair value measurement used in the analysis was based on a discounted cash flow model and the anticipated pricing for the sale of FAMCO. The discounted cash flow model was calculated using unobservable inputs, such as operational budgets, strategic plans and other estimates, which are classified as Level III within the fair value hierarchy.

In 2011, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $120.3 million within continuing operations representing the full value of goodwill attributable to the capital markets reporting unit. The fair value measurement used in the analysis was based on the Company’s market capitalization, a discounted cash flow model, and public company comparables. The discounted cash flow model was calculated using unobservable inputs, such as operational budgets, long range strategic plans and other estimates, which are classified as Level III within the fair value hierarchy. See Note 13 for further discussion.

XML

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	$ 1,211,595	$ 797,581
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	357,201	303,504
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and pledged as collateral	826,806	405,887
Equity securities
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	16,478	29,233
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	27,090	33,737
Convertible securities
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	44,978	34,480
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	1,015	3,118
Fixed income securities
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	33,668	14,924
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	19,314	12,621
Taxable securities
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	164,059	231,999
Tax-exempt securities
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	418,189	209,317
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0	3,270
Short-term securities
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	68,328	47,387
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	60	145
Asset-backed securities
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	116,195	61,830
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	0	11,333
U.S. government agency securities
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	304,259	118,387
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	73,724	37,903
U.S. government securities
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	4,966	8,266
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	231,043	195,662
Derivative contracts
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	40,475	41,758
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased	$ 4,955	$ 5,715

XML

Piper Jaffray Companies (Parent Company only) - Condensed Statements of Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Interest	$ 48,844	$ 55,440	$ 51,703
Total revenues	518,242	463,656	514,722
Interest expense	29,290	31,573	34,788
Net revenues	488,952	432,083	479,934
Expenses:
Total expenses	419,941	512,272	426,117
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	69,011	(80,189)	53,817
Income tax expense/(benefit)	19,470	9,120	32,163
Net income/(loss)	43,734	(100,557)	23,930
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations	47,075	(90,772)	22,086
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807)	(11,248)	2,276
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	41,268	(102,020)	24,362
Parent Company
Revenues:
Dividend Income From Subsidiaries	119,000	80,483	201,000
Interest	82	31	194
Total revenues	119,082	80,514	201,194
Interest expense	5,823	5,392	5,451
Net revenues	113,259	75,122	195,743
Expenses:
Total expenses	4,222	13,044	4,710
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	109,037	62,078	191,033
Income tax expense/(benefit)	39,175	(3,128)	112,404
Net income/(loss)	69,862	65,206	78,629
Equity distributed in excess of income of subsidiaries	(49,617)	(167,226)	(54,267)
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations	20,245	(102,020)	24,362
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	21,023	0	0
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$ 41,268	$ (102,020)	$ 24,362

XML

Acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.

Note 5Acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.

On March 1, 2010, the Company completed the purchase of ARI, an asset management firm based in Chicago, Illinois. The fair value as of the acquisition date was $212.1 million, consisting of $180.3 million in cash and 893,105 shares (881,846 of which vest in four installments) of the Company’s common stock valued at $31.8 million. The fair value of the 881,846 shares of common stock with vesting restrictions was determined using the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the acquisition discounted for the liquidity restrictions in accordance with the valuation principles of ASC 820. The vesting provisions of these 881,846 shares (of which 220,461 shares and 324,962 shares vested in 2012 and 2011, respectively) are principally time-based, but also include certain post-termination restrictions. The remaining 11,259 shares had no vesting restrictions and the fair value was determined using the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the acquisition. A portion of the purchase price payable in cash was funded by proceeds from the issuance of variable rate senior notes in the amount of $120 million pursuant to the note purchase agreement dated December 31, 2009 with certain entities advised by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (“PIMCO”) and discussed further in Note 16 to these consolidated financial statements.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” Accordingly, goodwill was measured as the excess of the acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred over the amount of acquisition-date identifiable assets acquired net of assumed liabilities. The Company recorded $152.3 million of goodwill as an asset on the consolidated statements of financial condition, which is deductible for income tax purposes. In management’s opinion, the goodwill represents the reputation and expertise of ARI in the asset management business.

Identifiable intangible assets purchased by the Company consisted of customer relationships and the ARI trade name with acquisition-date fair values of $52.2 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Acquisition costs of $0.3 million were incurred in the year ended December 31, 2010, and are included in outside services within continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations.

ARI’s results of operations have been included in the consolidated Company’s financial statements prospectively beginning on the date of acquisition.

The following unaudited pro forma financial data assumes the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the period presented. Pro forma results have been prepared by adjusting the consolidated Company’s historical results to include ARI’s results of operations adjusted for the following changes: depreciation and amortization expenses were adjusted as a result of acquisition-date fair value adjustments to fixed assets, intangible assets, deferred acquisition costs and lease obligations; interest expense was adjusted for revised debt structures; and the income tax effect of applying the Company’s statutory tax rates to ARI’s results. The consolidated Company’s unaudited pro forma information presented does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have resulted had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the applicable period presented, nor does it indicate the results of operations in future periods.

(Dollars in thousands)	2010
Net revenues	$	538,119
Net income from continuing operations applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	26,109

XML

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Disclosure Financial Instruments And Other Inventory Positions Owned And Financial Instruments And Other Inventory Positions Sold But Not Yet Purchased [Abstract]

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased

Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased were as follows:

	December 31,		December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	16,478	$	29,233
Convertible securities	44,978		34,480
Fixed income securities	33,668		14,924
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	164,059		231,999
Tax-exempt securities	418,189		209,317
Short-term securities	68,328		47,387
Asset-backed securities	116,195		61,830
U.S. government agency securities	304,259		118,387
U.S. government securities	4,966		8,266
Derivative contracts	40,475		41,758
	$	1,211,595	$	797,581
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	27,090	$	33,737
Convertible securities	1,015		3,118
Fixed income securities	19,314		12,621
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	—		3,270
Short-term securities	60		145
Asset-backed securities	—		11,333
U.S. government agency securities	73,724		37,903
U.S. government securities	231,043		195,662
Derivative contracts	4,955		5,715
	$	357,201	$	303,504

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, financial instruments and other inventory positions owned in the amount of $826.8 million and $405.9 million, respectively, had been pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements, short-term financings and to the prime broker of the Company’s municipal bond funds.

Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased represent obligations of the Company to deliver the specified security at the contracted price, thereby creating a liability to purchase the security in the market at prevailing prices. The Company is obligated to acquire the securities sold short at prevailing market prices, which may exceed the amount reflected on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company economically hedges changes in the market value of its financial instruments and other inventory positions owned using inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased, interest rate derivatives, credit default swap index contracts, futures and exchange-traded options.

Derivative Contract Financial Instruments

The Company uses interest rate swaps, interest rate locks, credit default swap index contracts and foreign currency forward contracts to facilitate customer transactions and as a means to manage risk in certain inventory positions and firm investments. The following describes the Company’s derivatives by the type of transaction or security the instruments are economically hedging.

Customer matched-book derivatives: The Company enters into interest rate derivative contracts in a principal capacity as a dealer to satisfy the financial needs of its customers.  The Company simultaneously enters into  an interest rate  derivative  contract with a third party for the same notional amount to hedge the interest rate and credit risk of the initial client interest rate derivative contract. In certain limited instances, the Company has only hedged interest rate risk with a third party, and retains uncollateralized credit risk as described below. The instruments use interest rates based upon either the London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) index or the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) index.

Trading securities derivatives: The Company enters into interest rate derivative contracts to hedge interest rate and market value risks associated with its fixed income securities. The instruments use interest rates based upon either the Municipal Market Data (“MMD”) index, LIBOR or the SIFMA index. The Company also enters into credit default swap index contracts to hedge credit risk associated with its taxable fixed income securities.

Firm investments: The Company has historically entered into foreign currency forward contracts to manage the currency exposure related to its non-U.S. dollar denominated firm investments.

The following table presents the total absolute notional contract amount associated with the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments:

(Dollars in thousands)		December 31,		December 31,
Transaction Type or Hedged Security	Derivative Category	2012		2011
Customer matched-book	Interest rate derivative contract	$	5,569,096	$	5,848,530
Trading securities	Interest rate derivative contract	244,250		99,750
Trading securities	Credit default swap index contract	230,650		188,000
		$	6,043,996	$	6,136,280

The Company’s interest rate derivative contracts, credit default swap index contracts and foreign currency forward contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting, therefore, unrealized gains and losses are recorded on the consolidated statements of operations. The following table presents the Company’s unrealized gains/(losses) on derivative instruments:

(Dollars in thousands)		Year Ended December 31,
Derivative Category	Operations Category	2012			2011			2010
Interest rate derivative contract	Investment banking	$	(2,583	)	$	(4,959	)	$	3,531
Interest rate derivative contract	Institutional brokerage	(798		)	(7,371		)	3,107
Credit default swap index contract	Institutional brokerage	(1,603		)	1,009			(1,665		)
Foreign currency forward contract	Other operating expenses	—			(59		)	115
		$	(4,984	)	$	(11,380	)	$	5,088

The gross fair market value of all derivative instruments and their location on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition prior to counterparty netting are shown below by asset or liability position (1):

		Asset Value at			Liability Value at
(Dollars in thousands)		December 31,			December 31,
Derivative Category	Financial Condition Location	2012		Financial Condition Location	2012
Interest rate derivative contract	Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	$	593,627	Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold,  but not yet purchased	$	571,359
Credit default swap index contract	Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned	2,686		Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold,  but not yet purchased	3,623
		$	596,313		$	574,982

(1) Amounts are disclosed at gross fair value in accordance with the requirements of ASC 815.

Derivatives are reported on a net basis by counterparty when a legal right of offset exists and on a net basis by cross product when applicable provisions are stated in master netting agreements. Cash collateral received or paid is netted on a counterparty basis, provided a legal right of offset exists.

Credit risk associated with the Company’s derivatives is the risk that a derivative counterparty will not perform in accordance with the terms of the applicable derivative contract. Credit exposure associated with the Company’s derivatives is driven by uncollateralized market movements in the fair value of the contracts with counterparties and is monitored regularly by the Company’s financial risk committee. The Company considers counterparty credit risk in determining derivative contract fair value. The majority of the Company’s  derivative contracts are substantially collateralized by its counterparties, who  are major  financial institutions. The Company has a limited number of counterparties who are not required to post collateral. Based on market movements, the uncollateralized amounts representing the fair value of the derivative contract can become material, exposing the Company to the credit risk of these counterparties. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $31.7 million of uncollateralized credit exposure with these counterparties (notional contract amount of $203.0 million), including $17.6 million of uncollateralized credit exposure with one counterparty.

XML

Variable Interest Entities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Variable Interest Entities Disclosure [Abstract]

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities

In the normal course of business, the Company periodically creates or transacts with entities that are investment vehicles organized as partnerships or limited liability companies. These entities were established for the purpose of investing in securities of public or private companies, or municipal debt obligations and were initially financed through the capital commitments of the members. The Company has investments in and/or acts as the managing partner of these entities. In certain instances, the Company provides management and investment advisory services for which it earns fees generally based upon the market value of assets under management and may include incentive fees based upon performance. The Company’s aggregate investments in these investment vehicles totaled $96.9 million and $45.3 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are recorded in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company’s remaining capital commitments to these entities was $44.0 million at December 31, 2012.

Variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are entities in which equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities. The determination as to whether an entity is a VIE is based on the amount and nature of the members’ equity investment in the entity. The Company also considers other characteristics such as the power through voting rights or similar rights to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. For those entities that meet the deferral provisions defined by ASU 2010-10, the Company considers characteristics such as the ability to influence the decision making about the entity’s activities and how the entity is financed. The Company has identified certain of the entities described above as VIEs. These VIEs had net assets approximating $0.8 billion at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company’s exposure to loss from these VIEs is $6.1 million, which is the carrying value of its capital contributions recorded in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition at December 31, 2012. The Company had no liabilities related to these VIEs at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

The Company is required to consolidate all VIEs for which it is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The determination as to whether the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary is based on whether the Company has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For those entities that meet the deferral provisions defined by ASU 2010-10, the determination as to whether the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary differs in that it is based on whether the Company will absorb a majority of the VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, or both. The Company determined it is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and accordingly does not consolidate them. Furthermore, the Company has not provided financial or other support to these VIEs that it was not previously contractually required to provide as of December 31, 2012.

XML

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Uncollateralized credit exposure	$ 31.7
Notional contract amount of derivatives with counterparties not required to post collateral	203.0
Counterparty
Security Owned and Sold, Not yet Purchased, at Fair Value [Line Items]
Uncollateralized credit exposure	$ 17.6

XML

Variable Rate Senior Notes - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009 2009 Variable Rate senior notes	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior Notes class	Dec. 31, 2009 Senior Notes Three-Month LIBOR	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior Notes Class A Variable Rate Senior Notes Due May 2014 Three-Month LIBOR	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior Notes Class A Variable Rate Senior Notes Due May 2014 Three-Month LIBOR	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior Notes Class B Variable Rate Senior Notes Due November 2015 Three-Month LIBOR	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior Notes Class B Variable Rate Senior Notes Due November 2015 Three-Month LIBOR	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior Notes Covenant Requirement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 120	$ 125			$ 50		$ 75
Number of classes of notes			2
Basis spread on variable rate				4.10%	4.00%		4.50%
Note purchase agreement, days to pay interest	5 days
Note purchase agreement, event of default, maximum indebtedness	10
Minimum net capital required									$ 120

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Information about Significant Unobservable Inputs used in Fair Value Measurement (Details) (Level III)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased | Minimum | Discounted cash flow | Interest rate derivative contract
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Unamortized premium over the MMD curve	0.01%	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased | Maximum | Discounted cash flow | Interest rate derivative contract
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Unamortized premium over the MMD curve	0.69%	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased | Weighted Average | Discounted cash flow | Interest rate derivative contract
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Unamortized premium over the MMD curve	0.073%	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Minimum | Discounted cash flow | Tax-exempt securities
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio	5.00%	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Minimum | Discounted cash flow | Short-term securities
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Expected recovery rate (% of par)	77.00%	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Minimum | Discounted cash flow | Collateralized by Residential mortgages
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit default rate	1.00%	[3]
Prepayment rates	1.00%	[4]
Loss severity	50.00%	[3]
Valuation yields	3.00%	[3]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Minimum | Discounted cash flow | Interest rate derivative contract
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Unamortized premium over the MMD curve	0.18%	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Minimum | Discounted cash flow | Equity investment in private company
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Revenue multiple	2	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Minimum | Black-Scholes option pricing model | Warrants in public and private companies
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liquidity discount rates	30.00%	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Minimum | Black-Scholes option pricing model | Warrants in private companies
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Stock volatility factors of comparable companies	36.00%	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Maximum | Discounted cash flow | Tax-exempt securities
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio	69.00%	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Maximum | Discounted cash flow | Short-term securities
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Expected recovery rate (% of par)	80.00%	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Maximum | Discounted cash flow | Collateralized by Residential mortgages
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit default rate	9.00%	[3]
Prepayment rates	27.00%	[4]
Loss severity	100.00%	[3]
Valuation yields	8.00%	[3]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Maximum | Discounted cash flow | Interest rate derivative contract
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Unamortized premium over the MMD curve	0.61%	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Maximum | Discounted cash flow | Equity investment in private company
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Revenue multiple	4	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Maximum | Black-Scholes option pricing model | Warrants in public and private companies
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liquidity discount rates	40.00%	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Maximum | Black-Scholes option pricing model | Warrants in private companies
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Stock volatility factors of comparable companies	135.00%	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Weighted Average | Discounted cash flow | Tax-exempt securities
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio	24.70%	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Weighted Average | Discounted cash flow | Short-term securities
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Expected recovery rate (% of par)	79.60%	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Weighted Average | Discounted cash flow | Collateralized by Residential mortgages
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit default rate	4.60%	[3]
Prepayment rates	9.00%	[4]
Loss severity	68.20%	[3]
Valuation yields	5.70%	[3]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Weighted Average | Discounted cash flow | Interest rate derivative contract
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Unamortized premium over the MMD curve	0.491%	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Weighted Average | Discounted cash flow | Equity investment in private company
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Revenue multiple	2.8	[2]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Weighted Average | Black-Scholes option pricing model | Warrants in public and private companies
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liquidity discount rates	35.80%	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Weighted Average | Black-Scholes option pricing model | Warrants in private companies
Fair Value Inputs Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Stock volatility factors of comparable companies	49.40%	[2]

[1] Significant increase/(decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in a significantly lower/(higher) fair value measurement.

[2] Significant increase/(decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in a significantly higher/(lower) fair value measurement.

[3] Significant changes in any of these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly different fair value. Generally, a change in the assumption used for credit default rates is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally inverse change in the assumption for valuation yields.

[4] The potential impact of changes in prepayment rates on fair value is dependent on other security-specific factors, such as the par value and structure. Changes in the prepayment rates may result in directionally similar or directionally inverse changes in fair value depending on whether the security trades at a premium or discount to the par value.

XML

Segment Reporting - Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Region (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Long-Lived Assets by Geographical Areas [Line Items]
Long Lived Assets	$ 286,813	$ 311,663
United States
Long-Lived Assets by Geographical Areas [Line Items]
Long Lived Assets	285,682	308,321
Asia
Long-Lived Assets by Geographical Areas [Line Items]
Long Lived Assets	0	2,055
Europe
Long-Lived Assets by Geographical Areas [Line Items]
Long Lived Assets	$ 1,131	$ 1,287

XML

Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased - Gross Fair Market Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, gross	$ 596,313	[1]
Fair value of derivative liabilities, gross	574,982	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Interest rate derivative contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, gross	593,627	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned | Credit default swap index contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, gross	2,686	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased | Interest rate derivative contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liabilities, gross	571,359	[1]
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased | Credit default swap index contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liabilities, gross	$ 3,623	[1]

[1] Amounts are disclosed at gross fair value in accordance with the requirements of ASC 815.

XML

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Postretirement Medical Plan	Dec. 31, 2011 Postretirement Medical Plan	Dec. 31, 2010 Postretirement Medical Plan	Dec. 31, 2010 Retirement Plan	Dec. 31, 2009 Retirement Plan	Dec. 31, 2012 Health and Welfare Plans	Dec. 31, 2011 Health and Welfare Plans	Dec. 31, 2010 Health and Welfare Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee benefits expenses	$ 13,000,000	$ 11,600,000	$ 12,300,000						$ 8,000,000	$ 6,900,000	$ 6,600,000
Maximum 401 K plan contribution rates as a percentage of employees earnings	100.00%
Maximum employers 401(k) contribution to employee	6.00%
Lump-sum cash payments to terminate Non-Qualified plan								10,400,000
Net periodic benefit cost				100,000	100,000	100,000	100,000
Compensation and benefits expenses related to settlement of all Non-Qualified Plan liabilities							$ 200,000

XML

Net Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Banking and Thrift [Abstract]

Net Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters

Net Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters

Piper Jaffray is registered as a securities broker dealer with the SEC and is a member of various SROs and securities exchanges. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) serves as Piper Jaffray’s primary SRO. Piper Jaffray is subject to the uniform net capital rule of the SEC and the net capital rule of FINRA. Piper Jaffray has elected to use the alternative method permitted by the SEC rule, which requires that it maintain minimum net capital of the greater of $1.0 million or 2 percent of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions, as such term is defined in the SEC rule. Under its rules, FINRA may prohibit a member firm from expanding its business or paying dividends if resulting net capital would be less than 5 percent of aggregate debit balances. Advances to affiliates, repayment of subordinated debt, dividend payments and other equity withdrawals by Piper Jaffray are subject to certain notification and other provisions of SEC and FINRA rules. In addition, Piper Jaffray is subject to certain notification requirements related to withdrawals of excess net capital.

At December 31, 2012, net capital calculated under the SEC rule was $178.9 million, and exceeded the minimum net capital required under the SEC rule by $177.9 million.

The Company’s short-term committed credit facility of $250 million and its variable rate senior notes include covenants requiring Piper Jaffray to maintain minimum net capital of $120 million.

Piper Jaffray Ltd., which is a registered United Kingdom broker dealer, is subject to the capital requirements of the U.K. Financial Services Authority (“FSA”). As of December 31, 2012, Piper Jaffray Ltd. was in compliance with the capital requirements of the FSA.

Piper Jaffray Asia operates entities licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, which are subject to the liquid capital requirements of the Securities and Futures (Financial Resources) Rules promulgated under the Securities and Futures Ordinance. As of December 31, 2012, Piper Jaffray Asia regulated entities were in compliance with the liquid capital requirements of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance.

XML

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of Earnings per Share

The computation of earnings per share is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	2012			2011				2010
Income/(loss) from continuing operations applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$	47,075		$	(90,772	)		$	22,086
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,807		)	(11,248		)		2,276
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	41,268			(102,020		)		24,362
Earnings allocated to participating securities (1)	(5,933		)	—				(5,433		)
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders(2)	$	35,335		$	(102,020	)		$	18,929
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Average shares used in basic computation	15,615			15,672				15,348
Stock options	1			13				30
Restricted stock	—			2,892				—
Average shares used in diluted computation	15,616			18,577			(3)	15,378
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share:
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	2.58		$	(5.79	)		$	1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	(0.32		)	(0.72		)		0.12
Earnings/(loss) per basic common share	$	2.26		$	(6.51	)		$	1.23
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share:
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	2.58		$	(5.79	)		$	1.12
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	(0.32		)	(0.72		)		0.11
Earnings/(loss) per diluted common share	$	2.26		$	(6.51	)	(3)	$	1.23

(1) Represents the allocation of earnings to participating securities. Losses are not allocated to participating securities. Participating securities include all of the Company’s unvested restricted shares. The weighted average participating shares outstanding were 2,622,438, 3,528,624 and 4,413,956 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(2) Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders for diluted and basic EPS may differ under the two-class method as a result of adding the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options to dilutive shares outstanding, which alters the ratio used to allocate earnings to Piper Jaffray Companies’ common shareholders and participating securities for purposes of calculating diluted and basic EPS.

(3) Earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which a loss is incurred.

XML

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The following table presents the changes in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets from continuing operations for the years ended December 31:

	Capital			Asset
(Dollars in thousands)	Markets			Management			Total
Goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	120,298		$	196,788		$	317,086
FAMCO earn-out payment	—			56			56
Impairment charge	(120,298		)	—			(120,298		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	—			196,844			196,844
Goodwill acquired	—			—			—
Impairment charge	—			—			—
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	196,844		$	196,844
Intangible assets
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	—		$	55,458		$	55,458
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(7,256		)	(7,256		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	—			48,202			48,202
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(6,944		)	(6,944		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	41,258		$	41,258

The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis and on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances exist that could indicate possible impairment. The Company tests for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is generally one level below its operating segments. The Company has identified three reporting units: capital markets, FAMCO and ARI. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if the Company concludes otherwise, then the Company is required to perform the two-step impairment test, which requires management to make judgments in determining what assumptions to use in the calculation. The first step of the process consists of estimating the fair value of our reporting units based on the following factors: the Company’s market capitalization, a discounted cash flow model using revenue and profit forecasts, public market comparables and multiples of recent mergers and acquisitions of similar businesses, if available. The estimated fair values of our reporting units are compared with their carrying values, which includes the allocated goodwill. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying values, a second step is performed to compute the amount of the impairment by determining an “implied fair value” of goodwill. The determination of a reporting unit’s “implied fair value” of goodwill requires us to allocate the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. Any unallocated fair value represents the “implied fair value” of goodwill, which is compared to its corresponding carrying value.

In the first quarter of 2012, the Company reorganized its FAMCO and ARI reporting units, resulting in FAMCO's master limited partnership and energy infrastructure strategies becoming part of ARI. In accordance with ASC 350, $44.6 million of the $50.1 million in goodwill attributable to the Company's 2007 acquisition of FAMCO was reallocated to the ARI reporting unit.

The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment testing as of November 30, 2012, and concluded there was no goodwill impairment from reporting units included in continuing operations. The Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $5.5 million within discontinued operations. This amount represents the full value of goodwill attributable to the FAMCO reporting unit. The fair value of the FAMCO reporting unit was calculated based on a discounted cash flow model and the anticipated sales price for FAMCO, which is classified as held for sale.

In 2011, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $120.3 million within continuing operations. The charge related to the capital markets reporting unit and primarily pertains to goodwill created from the 1998 acquisition of Piper Jaffray Companies Inc. by U.S. Bancorp, which was retained by the Company when the Company spun-off from U.S. Bancorp on December 31, 2003. The fair value of the capital markets reporting unit was calculated based on the following factors: the Company’s market capitalization, a discounted cash flow model using revenue and profits forecasts and public company comparables. The impairment charge resulted from deteriorating economic and market conditions and declining profitability in 2011, which led to reduced valuations from these factors. The annual goodwill impairment testing resulted in no impairment associated with FAMCO or ARI in 2011. The Company also tested its intangible assets (indefinite and definite-lived) and concluded there was no impairment in 2012 or 2011. The Company concluded there was no goodwill or intangible asset impairment in 2010.

Intangible assets with determinable lives consist of asset management contractual relationships that are amortized over their estimated useful lives of up to ten years. The following table presents the future aggregate intangible asset amortization expense for the years ended:

(Dollars in thousands)
2013	$	6,644
2014	6,299
2015	6,039
2016	5,551
Thereafter	13,865
Total	$	38,398

XML

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

Legal Contingencies

The Company has been named as a defendant in various legal actions, including complaints and litigation and arbitration claims, arising from its business activities. Such actions include claims related to securities brokerage and investment banking activities, and certain class actions that primarily allege violations of securities laws and seek unspecified damages, which could be substantial. Also, the Company is involved from time to time in investigations and proceedings by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations ("SROs") which could result in adverse judgments, settlement, penalties, fines or other relief.

The Company has established reserves for potential losses that are probable and reasonably estimable that may result from pending and potential legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings. In many cases, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount or range of any potential loss, particularly where proceedings may be in relatively early stages or where plaintiffs are seeking substantial or indeterminate damages. Matters frequently need to be more developed before a loss or range of loss can reasonably be estimated.

Given uncertainties regarding the timing, scope, volume and outcome of pending and potential legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings and other factors, the amounts of reserves and ranges of reasonably possible losses are difficult to determine and of necessity subject to future revision. Subject to the foregoing and except for the legal proceeding described below, as to which management believes a material loss is reasonably possible, management of the Company believes, based on currently available information, after consultation with outside legal counsel and taking into account its established reserves, that pending legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings will be resolved with no material adverse effect on the consolidated statements of financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. However, if during any period a potential adverse contingency should become probable or resolved for an amount in excess of the established reserves, the results of operations and cash flows in that period and the financial condition as of the end of that period could be materially adversely affected. In addition, there can be no assurance that material losses will not be incurred from claims that have not yet been brought to the Company’s attention or are not yet determined to be reasonably possible.

The Company has a contingency as to which management of the Company believes that a material loss is reasonably possible. The U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, the SEC and various state attorneys general are conducting broad investigations of numerous firms, including the Company, for possible antitrust and securities violations in connection with the bidding or sale of guaranteed investment contracts and derivatives to municipal issuers from the early 1990s to date. These investigations commenced in November 2006. In addition, several class action complaints were brought on behalf of a proposed class of government entities that purchased municipal derivatives. The complaints, which have been consolidated into a single class action, allege antitrust violations and are pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under the multi-district litigation rules. Several California municipalities also brought separate class action complaints in California federal court, and approximately 18 California municipalities and two New York municipalities filed individual lawsuits that are not part of class actions, all of which have been transferred to the Southern District of New York and consolidated for pretrial purposes. No loss contingency has been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as this contingency is neither probable nor reasonably estimable at this time. Management is currently unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss for these matters because alleged damages have not been specified, the proceedings remain in the early stages, there is uncertainty as to the likelihood of a class or classes being certified or the ultimate size of any class if certified, and there are significant factual issues to be resolved.

Litigation-related reserve activity from continuing operations included within other operating expenses resulted in expense of $0.9 million, a benefit of $0.2 million, and expense of $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Operating Lease Commitments

The Company leases office space throughout the United States and in a limited number of foreign countries where the Company’s international operations reside. Aggregate minimum lease commitments under operating leases as of December 31, 2012 are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
2013	$	12,951
2014	10,297
2015	8,884
2016	9,067
2017	7,460
Thereafter	34,733
	$	83,392

Total minimum rentals to be received from 2013 through 2017 under noncancelable subleases were $13.4 million at December 31, 2012.

Rental expense, including operating costs and real estate taxes, from continuing operations was $13.1 million, $14.9 million and $15.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Fund Commitments

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had commitments to invest approximately $44.0 million in limited partnerships that make investments in private equity and venture capital funds. The commitments are estimated to be funded, if called, through the end of the respective investment periods ranging from 2013 to 2016.

Other Guarantees

The Company is a member of numerous exchanges and clearinghouses. Under the membership agreements with these entities, members generally are required to guarantee the performance of other members, and if a member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the clearinghouse, other members would be required to meet shortfalls. To mitigate these performance risks, the exchanges and clearinghouses often require members to post collateral. In addition, the Company identifies and guarantees certain clearing agents against specified potential losses in connection with providing services to the Company or its affiliates. The Company’s maximum potential liability under these arrangements cannot be quantified. However, management believes the likelihood that the Company would be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no liability is recorded in the consolidated financial statements for these arrangements.

As general partner, Piper Jaffray Investment Management LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has guaranteed the debts, liabilities and obligations of a municipal bond fund to the extent of the general partner’s assets. Management believes the likelihood that the Company would be required to make payments under this arrangement is remote. Accordingly, no liability is recorded in the consolidated financial statements for this arrangement.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company provides investment, capital-raising and related services to a diverse group of domestic and foreign customers, including governments, corporations, and institutional and individual investors. The Company’s exposure to credit risk associated with the non-performance of customers in fulfilling their contractual obligations pursuant to securities transactions can be directly impacted by volatile securities markets, credit markets and regulatory changes. This exposure is measured on an individual customer basis and on a group basis for customers that share similar attributes. To alleviate the potential for risk concentrations, counterparty credit limits have been implemented for certain products and are continually monitored in light of changing customer and market conditions.

XML

Compensation Plans - Unvested Restricted Stock Units (Details) (Restricted Stock Units, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock Units
Unvested Restricted Stock or Stock Units
Beginning Balance	0
Granted	214,526
Vested	0
Cancelled	(41,255)
Ending Balance	173,271
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)
Beginning Balance	$ 0.00
Granted	$ 12.12
Vested	$ 0.00
Cancelled	$ 12.12
Ending Balance	$ 12.12

XML

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Aggregate Minimum Lease Commitments under Operating Leases

The Company leases office space throughout the United States and in a limited number of foreign countries where the Company’s international operations reside. Aggregate minimum lease commitments under operating leases as of December 31, 2012 are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
2013	$	12,951
2014	10,297
2015	8,884
2016	9,067
2017	7,460
Thereafter	34,733
	$	83,392

XML

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Federal Income Taxes at Statutory Rates to Effective Tax Rates (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal income tax expense/(benefit) at statutory rates	$ 24,153	$ (28,066)	$ 18,836
Goodwill impairment	0	40,440	0
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2,540	1,327	2,468
Net tax-exempt interest income	(3,353)	(3,308)	(2,065)
Foreign jurisdictions tax rate differential	(164)	413	1,761
Change in valuation allowance	(1,110)	(2,185)	3,373
Restricted stock deferred tax asset write-off	4,577	557	5,799
Loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(863)	(512)	151
Other, net	(6,310)	454	1,840
Total income tax expense from continuing operations	$ 19,470	$ 9,120	$ 32,163

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Information about Significant Unobservable Inputs used in Fair Value Measurement

The following table summarizes quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s Level III financial instruments as of December 31, 2012:

	Valuation			Weighted
	Technique	Unobservable Input	Range	Average
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	Discounted cash flow	Debt service coverage ratio (2)	5 - 69%	24.7%
Short-term securities	Discounted cash flow	Expected recovery rate (% of par) (2)	77 - 80%	79.6%
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized by residential mortgages	Discounted cash flow	Credit default rates (3)	1 - 9%	4.6%
		Prepayment rates (4)	1 - 27%	9.0%
		Loss severity (3)	50 - 100%	68.2%
		Valuation yields (3)	3 - 8%	5.7%
Derivative contracts:
Interest rate locks	Discounted cash flow	Premium over the MMD curve (1)	18 - 61 bps	49.1 bps
Investments:
Warrants in public and private companies	Black-Scholes option pricing model	Liquidity discount rates (1)	30 - 40%	35.8%
Warrants in private companies	Black-Scholes option pricing model	Stock volatility factors of comparable companies (2)	36 - 135%	49.4%
Equity securities in private companies	Discounted cash flow/ Market approach	Revenue multiple (2)	2 - 4 times	2.8 times
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Derivative contracts:
Interest rate locks	Discounted cash flow	Premium over the MMD curve (1)	1 - 69 bps	7.3 bps

Sensitivity of the fair value to changes in unobservable inputs:

(1) Significant increase/(decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in a significantly lower/(higher) fair value measurement.

(2) Significant increase/(decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in a significantly higher/(lower) fair value measurement.

(3) Significant changes in any of these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly different fair value. Generally, a change in the assumption used for credit default rates is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally inverse change in the assumption for valuation yields.

(4) The potential impact of changes in prepayment rates on fair value is dependent on other security-specific factors, such as the par value and structure. Changes in the prepayment rates may result in directionally similar or directionally inverse changes in fair value depending on whether the security trades at a premium or discount to the par value.

Valuation of Financial Instruments by Pricing Observability Levels

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments by pricing observability levels defined in ASC 820 as of December 31, 2012:

							Counterparty
							and Cash
							Collateral
(Dollars in thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Netting (1)			Total
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	3,180	$	13,298	$	—	$	—		$	16,478
Convertible securities	—		44,978		—		—			44,978
Fixed income securities	—		33,668		—		—			33,668
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	—		164,059		—		—			164,059
Tax-exempt securities	—		416,760		1,429		—			418,189
Short-term securities	—		67,672		656		—			68,328
Asset-backed securities	—		24		116,171		—			116,195
U.S. government agency securities	—		304,259		—		—			304,259
U.S. government securities	4,966		—		—		—			4,966
Derivative contracts	—		595,486		827		(555,838		)	40,475
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	8,146		1,640,204		119,083		(555,838		)	1,211,595
Cash equivalents	51,346		—		—		—			51,346
Investments	5,810		—		33,245		—			39,055
Total assets	$	65,302	$	1,640,204	$	152,328	$	(555,838	)	$	1,301,996
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	25,362	$	1,728	$	—	$	—		$	27,090
Convertible securities	—		1,015		—		—			1,015
Fixed income securities	—		19,314		—		—			19,314
Municipal securities:
Short-term securities	—		60		—		—			60
U.S. government agency securities	—		73,724		—		—			73,724
U.S. government securities	231,043		—		—		—			231,043
Derivative contracts	—		569,764		5,218		(570,027		)	4,955
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	256,405	$	665,605	$	5,218	$	(570,027	)	$	357,201

(1) Represents cash collateral and the impact of netting on a counterparty basis. The Company had no securities posted as collateral to its counterparties.

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments by pricing observability levels defined in ASC 820 as of December 31, 2011:

							Counterparty
							and Cash
							Collateral
(Dollars in thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Netting (1)			Total
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	25,039	$	4,194	$	—	$	—		$	29,233
Convertible securities	—		34,480		—		—			34,480
Fixed income securities	—		12,109		2,815		—			14,924
Municipal securities:
Taxable securities	—		231,999		—		—			231,999
Tax-exempt securities	—		206,182		3,135		—			209,317
Short-term securities	—		47,212		175		—			47,387
Asset-backed securities	—		8,742		53,088		—			61,830
U.S. government agency securities	—		118,387		—		—			118,387
U.S. government securities	8,266		—		—		—			8,266
Derivative contracts	—		628,121		—		(586,363		)	41,758
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	33,305		1,291,426		59,213		(586,363		)	797,581
Cash equivalents	65,690		—		—		—			65,690
Investments	5,159		—		21,341		—			26,500
Total assets	$	104,154	$	1,291,426	$	80,554	$	(586,363	)	$	889,771
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	33,495	$	242	$	—	$	—		$	33,737
Convertible securities	—		1,947		1,171		—			3,118
Fixed income securities	—		11,721		900		—			12,621
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	—		3,270		—		—			3,270
Short-term securities	—		145		—		—			145
Asset-backed securities	—		11,333		—		—			11,333
U.S. government agency securities	—		37,903		—		—			37,903
U.S. government securities	195,662		—		—		—			195,662
Derivative contracts	—		599,627		3,594		(597,506		)	5,715
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	229,157	$	666,188	$	5,665	$	(597,506	)	$	303,504

(1) Represents cash collateral and the impact of netting on a counterparty basis. The Company had no securities posted as collateral to its counterparties.

Changes in Fair Value Associated with Level III Financial Instruments

The following tables summarize the changes in fair value associated with Level III financial instruments during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Balance at													Realized			Unrealized			Balance at
	December 31,								Transfers		Transfers			gains/			gains/			December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2011		Purchases			Sales			in		out			(losses) (1)			(losses) (1)			2012
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Fixed income securities	2,815		1,995			(4,594		)	—		—			(118		)	(98		)	—
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	3,135		1,550			(2,997		)	266		—			(1,156		)	631			1,429
Short-term securities	175		650			—			—		—			—			(169		)	656
Asset-backed securities	53,088		125,844			(69,623		)	38		—			487			6,337			116,171
Derivative contracts	—		—			—			—		—			—			827			827
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	59,213		130,039			(77,214		)	304		—			(787		)	7,528			119,083
Investments	21,341		15,003			(2,394		)	—		(266		)	1,595			(2,034		)	33,245
Total assets	$	80,554	$	145,042		$	(79,608	)	$	304	$	(266	)	$	808		$	5,494		$	152,328
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Convertible securities	$	1,171	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	(1,171	)	$	—		$	—		$	—
Fixed income securities	900		(897		)	—			—		—			(49		)	46			—
Derivative contracts	3,594		(6,549		)	—			—		—			6,549			1,624			5,218
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	5,665	$	(7,446	)	$	—		$	—	$	(1,171	)	$	6,500		$	1,670		$	5,218

(1) Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to financial instruments, with the exception of foreign currency forward contracts and customer matched-book derivatives, are reported in institutional brokerage on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in other operating expenses. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to customer matched-book derivatives are reported in investment banking. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to investments are reported in investment banking revenues or other income/(loss) on the consolidated statements of operations.

	Balance at													Realized			Unrealized			Balance at
	December 31,								Transfers		Transfers			gains/			gains/			December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2010		Purchases			Sales			in		out			(losses) (1)			(losses) (1)			2011
Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Corporate securities:
Equity securities	$	1,340	$	—		$	(1,467	)	$	—	$	—		$	127		$	—		$	—
Convertible securities	2,885		—			—			—		(2,885		)	—			—			—
Fixed income securities	6,268		23,419			(27,195		)	91		—			114			118			2,815
Municipal securities:
Tax-exempt securities	6,118		—			(6,210		)	3,870		—			(11		)	(632		)	3,135
Short-term securities	125		50			—			—		—			—			—			175
Asset-backed securities	45,170		85,229			(77,453		)	1,009		—			509			(1,376		)	53,088
Derivative contracts	4,665		2,142			(2,363		)	—		—			221			(4,665		)	—
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:	66,571		110,840			(114,688		)	4,970		(2,885		)	960			(6,555		)	59,213
Investments	9,682		14,421			(698		)	190		(4,725		)	697			1,774			21,341
Total assets	$	76,253	$	125,261		$	(115,386	)	$	5,160	$	(7,610	)	$	1,657		$	(4,781	)	$	80,554
Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:
Corporate securities:
Convertible securities	$	1,777	$	(12,578	)	$	14,167		$	—	$	(1,777	)	$	(394	)	$	(24	)	$	1,171
Fixed income securities	2,323		(641		)	1,105			—		(1,838		)	(22		)	(27		)	900
Asset-backed securities	2,115		(20,733		)	16,825			1,908		—			(112		)	(3		)	—
Derivative contracts	339		(1,482		)	—			—		—			1,482			3,255			3,594
Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased:	$	6,554	$	(35,434	)	$	32,097		$	1,908	$	(3,615	)	$	954		$	3,201		$	5,665

(1) Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to financial instruments, with the exception of foreign currency forward contracts and customer matched-book derivatives, are reported in institutional brokerage on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in other operating expenses. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to customer matched-book derivatives are reported in investment banking. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to investments are reported in investment banking revenues or other income/(loss) on the consolidated statements of operations

XML

Income Taxes - Changes in Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 8,915	$ 9,510	$ 9,600
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	0	0	0
Additions for tax positions of prior years	200	0	0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(8,825)	(595)	(30)
Settlements	0	0	(60)
Ending Balance	$ 290	$ 8,915	$ 9,510

XML

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income/(loss)	$ 43,734	$ (100,557)	$ 23,930
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Adjustment to unrecognized pension cost	0	0	(26)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	62	(122)	(365)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	62	(122)	(391)
Comprehensive income/(loss)	43,796	(100,679)	23,539
Comprehensive income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests	2,466	1,463	(432)
Comprehensive income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies	$ 41,330	$ (102,142)	$ 23,971

XML

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation related reserve activity net	$ 0.9	$ (0.2)	$ 2.1
Rentals received under noncancelable subleases	13.4
Rent expense	13.1	14.9	15.6
Remaining capital commitments to investment vehicles	$ 44.0
California
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of districts	18
New York
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of districts	2

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”).

Voting interest entities are entities in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable each entity to finance itself independently and provides the equity holders with the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right or power to make decisions about or direct the entity’s activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. Voting interest entities, where the Company has a majority interest, are consolidated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, “Consolidations” (“ASC 810”). ASC 810 states that the usual condition for a controlling financial interest in an entity is ownership of a majority voting interest. Accordingly, the Company consolidates voting interest entities in which it has all, or a majority of, the voting interests.

As defined in ASC 810, VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity described above. With the exception of entities eligible for the deferral codified in FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-10, “Consolidation: Amendments for Certain Investment Funds,” (“ASU 2010-10”) (generally asset managers and investment companies), ASC 810 states that a controlling financial interest in an entity is present when an enterprise has a variable interest, or combination of variable interests, that have both the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the rights to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. Accordingly, the Company consolidates VIEs in which the Company has a controlling financial interest.

Entities meeting the deferral provision defined by ASU 2010-10 are evaluated under the historical VIE guidance. Under the historical guidance, a controlling financial interest in an entity is present when an enterprise has a variable interest, or combination of variable interests, that will absorb a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both. The enterprise with a controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE. Accordingly, the Company consolidates VIEs subject to the deferral provisions defined by ASU 2010-10 in which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

When the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity but exerts significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies (generally defined as owning a voting or economic interest of between 20 percent to 50 percent), the Company accounts for its investment in accordance with the equity method of accounting prescribed by FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 323, “Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures.” If the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in, or exert significant influence over, an entity, the Company accounts for its investment at fair value, if the fair value option was elected, or at cost.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with maturities of 90 days or less at the date of origination.

In accordance with Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Piper Jaffray, as a registered broker dealer carrying customer accounts, is subject to requirements related to maintaining cash or qualified securities in a segregated reserve account for the exclusive benefit of its customers.

Customer Transactions

Customer securities transactions are recorded on a settlement date basis, while the related revenues and expenses are recorded on a trade date basis. Customer receivables and payables include amounts related to both cash and margin transactions. Securities owned by customers, including those that collateralize margin or other similar transactions, are not reflected on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Management estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts to reserve for probable losses from unsecured and partially secured customer accounts. Management is continually evaluating its receivables from customers for collectability and possible write-off by examining the facts and circumstances surrounding each customer where a loss is deemed possible.

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations

Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations include receivables arising from unsettled securities transactions, deposits paid for securities borrowed, receivables from clearing organizations, deposits with clearing organizations and amounts receivable for securities not delivered to the purchaser by the settlement date (“securities failed to deliver”). Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations include payables arising from unsettled securities transactions, payables to clearing organizations and amounts payable for securities not received from a seller by the settlement date (“securities failed to receive”). Unsettled securities transactions related to the Company's broker dealer operations are recorded at contract value on a net basis. Unsettled securities transactions related to the Company's consolidated investment company operations are recorded on a gross basis.

Collateralized Securities Transactions

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase are carried at the contractual amounts at which the securities will be subsequently resold or repurchased, including accrued interest. It is the Company’s policy to take possession or control of securities purchased under agreements to resell at the time these agreements are entered into. The counterparties to these agreements typically are primary dealers of U.S. government securities and major financial institutions. Collateral is valued daily, and additional collateral is obtained from or refunded to counterparties when appropriate.

Securities borrowed and loaned result from transactions with other broker dealers or financial institutions and are recorded at the amount of cash collateral advanced or received. These amounts are included in receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Securities borrowed transactions require the Company to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. Securities loaned transactions require the borrower to deposit cash with the Company. The Company monitors the market value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or refunded as necessary.

Interest is accrued on securities borrowed and loaned transactions and is included in (i) other receivables or other liabilities and accrued expenses on the consolidated statements of financial condition and (ii) the respective interest income or interest expense amounts on the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased on our consolidated statements of financial condition consist of financial instruments recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses related to these financial instruments are reflected on the consolidated statements of operations. Securities (both long and short) are recognized on a trade-date basis. Additionally, certain of the Company’s investments recorded in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition are recorded at fair value, either as required by accounting guidance or through the fair value election.

Fair Value Hierarchy — FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” (“ASC 820”) provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC 820 maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect management’s assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the transparency of inputs as follows:

Level I — Quoted prices (unadjusted) are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the report date. A quoted price for an identical asset or liability in an active market provides the most reliable fair value measurement because it is directly observable to the market. The type of financial instruments included in Level I are highly liquid instruments with quoted prices such as equities listed in active markets, U.S. treasury bonds, money market securities and certain exchange traded firm investments.

Level II — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the report date. The nature of these financial instruments include instruments for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently, derivative instruments whose fair value have been derived using a model where inputs to the model are directly observable in the market, or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, and instruments that are fair valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed. Instruments which are generally included in this category are certain types of the following securities: non-exchange traded equities, U.S. government agency securities, corporate bonds, municipal securities, asset-backed securities, convertible securities and derivative instruments.

Level III — Instruments that have little to no pricing observability as of the report date. These financial instruments may not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Instruments included in this category generally include certain types of the following securities: non-exchange traded equities, asset-backed securities, municipal securities, firm investments, convertible securities, corporate bonds and derivative instruments.

Valuation Of Financial Instruments — The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). Based on the nature of the Company’s business and its role as a “dealer” in the securities industry or its role as a manager of alternative asset management funds, the fair values of its financial instruments are determined internally. When available, the Company values financial instruments at observable market prices, observable market parameters, or broker or dealer prices (bid and ask prices). In the case of financial instruments transacted on recognized exchanges, the observable market prices represent quotations for completed transactions from the exchange on which the financial instrument is principally traded.

A substantial percentage of the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased, are based on observable market prices, observable market parameters, or derived from broker or dealer prices. The availability of observable market prices and pricing parameters can vary from product to product. Where available, observable market prices and pricing or market parameters in a product may be used to derive a price without requiring significant judgment. In certain markets, observable market prices or market parameters are not available for all products, and fair value is determined using techniques appropriate for each particular product. These techniques involve some degree of judgment. Results from valuation models and other techniques in one period may not be indicative of future period fair value measurement.

For investments in illiquid or privately held securities that do not have readily determinable fair values, the determination of fair value requires the Company to estimate the value of the securities using the best information available. Among the factors considered by the Company in determining the fair value of such financial instruments are the cost, terms and liquidity of the investment, the financial condition and operating results of the issuer, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar quality and yield, and other factors generally pertinent to the valuation of investments. In instances where a security is subject to transfer restrictions, the value of the security is based primarily on the quoted price of a similar security without restriction but may be reduced by an amount estimated to reflect such restrictions. In addition, even where the Company derives the value of a security based on information from an independent source, certain assumptions may be required to determine the security’s fair value. For instance, the Company assumes that the size of positions in securities that the Company holds would not be large enough to affect the quoted price of the securities if the firm sells them, and that any such sale would happen in an orderly manner. The actual value realized upon disposition could be different from the currently estimated fair value.

The fair values related to derivative contract transactions are reported in financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased on the consolidated statements of financial condition and any unrealized gain or loss resulting from changes in fair values of derivatives is reported on the consolidated statements of operations. Depending upon the product and terms of the transaction, the fair value of the Company’s derivative contracts can be observed or priced using models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. The valuation models used require inputs including contractual terms, yield curves, discount rates and measures of volatility.

The Company does not utilize “hedge accounting” as described within FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). Derivatives are reported on a net basis by counterparty when a legal right of offset exists and on a net basis by cross product when applicable provisions are stated in master netting agreements. Cash collateral received or paid is netted on a counterparty basis, provided a legal right of offset exists.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets include furniture and equipment, software and leasehold improvements. Furniture and equipment and software are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful life or the life of the lease, whichever is shorter. The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with internal use software projects and amortizes the amount over the expected useful life of the asset, generally three to seven years.

Leases

The Company leases its corporate headquarters and other offices under various non-cancelable leases. The leases require payment of real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, in addition to rent. The terms of the Company’s lease agreements generally range up to twelve years. Some of the leases contain renewal options, escalation clauses, rent-free holidays and operating cost adjustments.

For leases that contain escalations or rent-free holidays, the Company recognizes the related rent expense on a straight-line basis from the date the Company takes possession of the property to the end of the initial lease term. The Company records any difference between the straight-line rent amounts and amounts payable under the leases as part of other liabilities and accrued expenses.

Cash or lease incentives received upon entering into certain leases are recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rent expense from the date the Company takes possession of the property or receives the cash to the end of the initial lease term. The Company records the unamortized portion of lease incentives as part of other liabilities and accrued expenses.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the fair value of the consideration transferred in excess of the fair value of identifiable net assets at the acquisition date. The recoverability of goodwill is evaluated annually, at a minimum, or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Further quantitative analysis is required if the Company determines that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The evaluation includes assessing the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units based on the Company’s market capitalization, market prices for similar assets, where available, and the present value of the estimated future cash flows associated with each reporting unit.

Intangible assets with determinable lives consist of asset management contractual relationships that are amortized over their estimated useful lives of up to ten years. Indefinite-life intangible assets consist of the ARI trade name. It is not amortized and is evaluated annually, at a minimum, or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount.

Other Receivables

Other receivables include management fees receivable, accrued interest and loans made to employees, typically in connection with their recruitment. Employee loans are forgiven based on continued employment and are amortized to compensation and benefits expense using the straight-line method over the respective terms of the loans, which generally range from two to five years.

Other Assets

Other assets include net deferred income tax assets, proprietary investments, income tax receivables and prepaid expenses. The Company’s investments include investments in private companies and partnerships, warrants of public and private companies and private company debt. Equity investments in private companies are accounted for at fair value, if the fair value option was elected, or at cost. Investments in partnerships are accounted for under the equity method, which is generally the net asset value. Company-owned warrants with a cashless exercise option are valued at fair value, while warrants without a cashless exercise option are valued at cost. Private company debt investments are recorded at amortized cost, net of any unamortized premium or discount.

Revenue Recognition

Investment Banking — Investment banking revenues, which include underwriting fees, management fees and advisory fees, are recorded when services for the transactions are completed under the terms of each engagement. Expenses associated with such transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded. Investment banking revenues are presented net of related unreimbursed expenses. Expenses related to investment banking deals not completed are recognized as non-interest expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Institutional Brokerage — Institutional brokerage revenues include (i) commissions received from customers for the execution of brokerage transactions in listed and over-the-counter (OTC) equity, fixed income and convertible debt securities, which are recorded on a trade date basis, (ii) trading gains and losses and (iii) fees received by the Company for equity research. The Company permits institutional customers to allocate a portion of their gross commissions to pay for research products and other services provided by third parties. The amounts allocated for those purposes are commonly referred to as soft dollar arrangements. As the Company is not the primary obligor for these arrangements, expenses relating to soft dollars are netted against commission revenues.

Asset Management — Asset management fees include revenues the Company receives in connection with management and investment advisory services performed for separately managed accounts and various funds and partnerships. These fees are recognized in the period in which services are provided. Fees are defined in client contracts as either fixed or based on a percentage of portfolio assets under management and may include performance fees. Performance fees are earned when the investment return on assets under management exceeds certain benchmark targets or other performance targets over a specified measurement period (monthly, quarterly or annually). Performance fees, if earned, are generally recognized at the end of the specified measurement period, typically the fourth quarter of the applicable year, or upon client liquidation. Performance fees are recognized as of each reporting date for certain consolidated entities.

Interest Revenue and Expense — The Company nets interest expense within net revenues to mitigate the effects of fluctuations in interest rates on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company recognizes contractual interest on financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, on an accrual basis as a component of interest revenue and expense. The Company accounts for interest related to its short-term and bank syndicated financings and its variable rate senior notes on an accrual basis with related interest recorded as interest expense. In addition, the Company recognizes interest revenue related to its securities borrowed and securities purchased under agreements to resell activities and interest expense related to its securities loaned and securities sold under agreements to repurchase activities on an accrual basis.

Stock-based Compensation

FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” (“ASC 718”) requires all stock-based compensation to be expensed on the consolidated statements of operations based on the grant date fair value of the award. Compensation expense related to share-based awards that do not require future service are recognized in the year in which the awards were deemed to be earned. Share-based awards that require future service are amortized over the relevant service period net of estimated forfeitures.

Income Taxes

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, which includes all of its qualifying subsidiaries. The Company is also subject to income tax in various states and municipalities and those foreign jurisdictions in which we operate. Income taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between amounts reported for income tax purposes and financial statement purposes, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance is recognized to the extent that it is more likely than not that any portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Tax reserves for uncertain tax positions are recorded in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”).

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Net income/(loss) applicable to common shareholders represents net income/(loss) reduced by the allocation of earnings to participating securities. Losses are not allocated to participating securities. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average outstanding shares to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive stock options.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are included in the earnings allocation in the earnings per share calculation under the two-class method. The Company grants restricted stock and restricted stock units as part of its share-based compensation program. Recipients of restricted stock are entitled to receive nonforfeitable dividends during the vesting period, and therefore meet the definition of a participating security. The Company's unvested restricted stock units are not participating securities as recipients are not eligible to receive nonforfeitable dividends.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company consolidates foreign subsidiaries which have designated their local currency as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated at year-end rates of exchange. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 830, “Foreign Currency Matters,” gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are included in other comprehensive income. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in net income.

Contingencies

The Company is involved in various pending and potential legal proceedings related to its business, including litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings. The Company establishes reserves for potential losses in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450, “Contingencies,” to the extent that claims are probable of loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The determination of the outcome and reserve amounts requires significant judgment on the part of management.

XML

Acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc. - Additional Information(Details) (Advisory Research Inc, USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010 installments
Advisory Research Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, total purchase price both cash paid and value of common stock issued - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.					$ 212.1
Business Acquisition, cash - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.					180.3
Business Acquisition, shares of common stock - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.					893,105
Business Acquisition, shares of common stock with ratable vesting- acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.					881,846
Business Acquisition, number of installments vesting shares - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.					4
Business Acquisition, value of common stock - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.					31.8
Business Acquisition, shares of common stock vested - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.			220,461	324,962
Business Acquisition, shares of common stock with no vesting restrictions - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.					11,259
Proceeds from the issuance of variable rate senior notes to fund purchase price - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.		120
Goodwill					152.3
Intangible assets, customer relationships - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.					52.2
Intangible assets, trade name - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.					2.9
Acquisition costs - acquisition of Advisory Research, Inc.	$ 0.3

XML

Fixed Assets - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets	$ 6.5	$ 6.6	$ 6.7

XML

Income Taxes - Net Deferred Tax Asset Included in Other Assets on Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred compensation	$ 37,702	$ 41,746
Net operating loss carry forwards	7,645	11,703
Liabilities/accruals not currently deductible	2,035	1,989
Pension and retirement costs	388	314
Other	2,667	5,101
Total deferred tax assets	50,437	60,853
Valuation allowance	(5,139)	(9,247)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	45,298	51,606
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill amortization	6,010	3,340
Unrealized gains on firm investments	2,134	1,444
Fixed assets	2,706	1,444
Other	826	298
Total deferred tax liabilities	11,676	6,526
Net deferred tax assets	$ 33,622	$ 45,080

XML

Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Variable Interest Entities Disclosure [Abstract]
Variable interest entities, aggregate investment	$ 96,900,000	$ 45,300,000
Remaining capital commitments to investment vehicles	44,000,000
Variable interest entities, net assets	800,000,000	800,000,000
Variable interest entities, exposure to loss	6,100,000
Variable interest entities, liability	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Restructuring

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring

Restructuring

In the second quarter of 2012, the Company implemented certain expense reduction measures to better align its cost infrastructure with its revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company incurred a pre-tax restructuring-related charge of $3.6 million from continuing operations. The charge resulted from severance benefits of $2.4 million and from the reduction of leased office space of $1.2 million.

The Company incurred pre-tax restructuring-related expenses of $10.7 million from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2010. The majority of these expenses were incurred to restructure the Company’s European operations to focus European resources on (i) the distribution of U.S. and Asian securities to European institutional investors and (ii) merger and acquisition advisory services. As a result of the restructuring, the Company exited the origination and distribution of European securities. As of December 31, 2012, all of these expenses had been paid.

XML

Collateralized Securities Transactions - Summary of Repurchase Liabilities, Fair Market Value of Related Collateral Pledged and Interest Rate Charged (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Repurchase Liabilities	$ 50,000
Fair Market Value	59,215
Overnight maturities | Taxable securities
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Repurchase Liabilities	6,679
Fair Market Value	7,943
Interest Rate	1.90%
Overnight maturities | Tax-exempt securities
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Repurchase Liabilities	27,339
Fair Market Value	32,889
Interest Rate	1.90%
Overnight maturities | Short-term securities
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Repurchase Liabilities	11,409
Fair Market Value	13,740
Interest Rate	1.90%
On demand maturities | U.S. government agency securities
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Repurchase Liabilities	2,981
Fair Market Value	3,019
Interest Rate	1.90%
On demand maturities | U.S. government securities
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Repurchase Liabilities	1,592
Fair Market Value	$ 1,624
Interest Rate	1.90%

XML

Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Hong Kong Capital Markets

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement

The components of discontinued operations for the Hong Kong capital markets business are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Net revenues	$	6,635		$	15,996		$	33,994
Restructuring expenses	11,535			—			—
Operating expenses	16,550			24,983			31,962
Total non-interest expenses	28,085			24,983			31,962
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	(21,450		)	(8,987		)	2,032
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(21,069		)	1,927			648
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(381	)	$	(10,914	)	$	1,384

FAMCO

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement

The components of discontinued operations for FAMCO are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2010
Net revenues	$	5,718		$	6,584		$	10,883
Goodwill impairment	5,508			—			—
Operating expenses	8,362			7,089			9,448
Total non-interest expenses	13,870			7,089			9,448
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	(8,152		)	(505		)	1,435
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(2,726		)	(171		)	543
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(5,426	)	$	(334	)	$	892

XML

Other Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Assets

Other Assets

Other assets include net deferred income tax assets, proprietary investments, income tax receivables and prepaid expenses. The Company’s investments include investments in private companies and partnerships, warrants of public and private companies and private company debt. Other assets at December 31 included:

(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011
Net deferred income tax assets	$	33,622	$	45,080
Investments at fair value	39,055		26,500
Investments at cost	26,364		25,672
Investments accounted for under the equity method	20,353		16,157
Income tax receivables	5,448		—
Prepaid expenses	3,840		5,897
Other	1,015		1,858
Total other assets	$	129,697	$	121,164

Management regularly reviews the Company’s investments in private company debt and has concluded that no valuation allowance is needed as it is probable that all contractual principal and interest will be collected.

At December 31, 2012, investments carried on a cost basis had an estimated fair market value of $40.3 million. The estimated fair value of these investments was measured using discounted cash flow models that utilize market data for comparable companies (e.g., multiples of revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")). Because valuation adjustments, based upon management’s judgment, were made to account for differences between the measured security and comparable securities, investments carried at cost would be categorized as Level III assets in the fair value hierarchy, if they were carried at fair value.

Investments accounted for under the equity method include general and limited partnership interests. The carrying value of these investments is based on the investment vehicle’s net asset value. The net assets of investment partnerships consist of investments in both marketable and non-marketable securities. The underlying investments held by such partnerships are valued based on the estimated fair value ultimately determined by management in our capacity as general partner or investor and, in the case of investments in unaffiliated investment partnerships, are based on financial statements prepared by the unaffiliated general partners.

XML

Segment Reporting - Net Revenues by Geographic Locations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 488,952	$ 432,083	$ 479,934
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	476,718	415,647	458,610
Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 12,234	$ 16,436	$ 21,324