description

We were founded in 2009 by former US Naval Officer Chance Mims, as our nation’s first post 9/11 military veteran and disabled veteran owned and operated investment bank and broker-dealer. Academy Securities specializes in:

Equity & Debt Capital Markets
Public Finance
Institutional Agency Trading: Equity & Fixed Income
Investment Banking
The majority of our firm’s leadership served in the military. We understand a mindset driven by service, duty, loyalty, and teamwork. We know military personnel thrive under pressure, succeed based on preparedness, and perform at their best when they assemble and collaborate as a team to achieve a common goal. Academy Securities’ vision is to bring the time-honored qualities of the military culture to the financial services sector, and in doing so, create a firm comprised of the best Wall Street veterans working alongside the best Military veterans. Our tight-knit corporate culture promotes a mission driven, open-minded, team approach to solve and execute all our client’s needs.

The history of the firm coincides with the contraction of the financial industry in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and the winding down of the post 9/11 conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Academy Securities is the first post 9/11 disabled veteran-owned and operated investment bank. Our firm’s goal is to achieve a minimum of 50% military veterans employed throughout our organization. Today, Academy Securities is proud that 44% of our employees are military veterans and we are dedicated to consistently increasing the ratio. As of 2019, over 63% of our firm’s equity is owned by military veterans.

We believe the financial industry is a service industry requiring frequent contact and lifelong relationships with our clients and partners. Our mission is to serve our clients and protect their interests. When we take on a client, they become part of our team, and we are fundamentally committed to the fact that all short and long-term success in the financial markets is predicated on collaboration, high-frequency interaction, and collective accomplishments.

military culture

OUR PRINCIPLES
At Academy Securities, we understand that the financial industry is first and foremost a service industry. We want to be consistently recognized for exceptional client service and our unwavering adherence to our core values:

TEAMWORK
Teamwork is the hallmark of our firm. Our team relentlessly pursues successful outcomes for our clients. Our military leadership training and combat experience have taught us the imperative value of teamwork, perseverance, and the intrinsic benefit of knowing what it takes to accomplish a goal established by collaborative thinking and ingenuity.

LOYALTY
Relationships are at the core of our business. In our minds, loyalty is the willingness to make an investment or personal sacrifice to strengthen relationships. Trust is measurable and has strict metrics, while loyalty is based on consistent action. As a firm, loyalty is paramount with no compromise.

INTEGRITY
Trust is the mandatory foundation from which strong relationships are built. In the military, just as in finance, cohesion is critical to mission success. Team members must rely upon each other to take responsibility, accountability, and execute to plan, often under the most stressful environments. Our high level of trust and integrity provide an unparalleled bond within our firm, while providing the core foundation for our lifelong relationships with our clients. We value and honor our clients. We have seen first-hand that living by a strong ethical code produces exceptional results, and the financial industry is no exception. We will earn and respect your trust.

orientation training and onboarding

• New Employee Orientation
• New Employee Training
• On-boarding program

civilian credential support

We offer a professional licensure or certificate in lieu of military service,We offer apprenticeships, internships, or other formalized, structured training program/s to assist with the attainment of a civilian credentialAcademy regularly sponsors veterans for financial services licenses. In addition, we hold internships for veterans that would like to learn more about financial services.

senior leadership

Phil McConkey and R. Chance Mims consistent report and interview for publications and news agencies about our efforts in military recruitment and reintegration.