Bio

Jeff has dedicated most of his career to Cole Taylor Bank and Taylor Capital Group, serving the commercial banking needs of owner operated, closely-held businesses generating between $5 and $200 million in sales. Under Jeff’s leadership as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cole Taylor Financial Group and its successor Taylor Capital Group, Cole Taylor Bank grew in size from $1.4 billion in 1990 to $3.6 billion in 2006. The market cap at the end of 2006 was in excess of $400 million. Jeff has led such significant Cole Taylor Financial Group and Taylor Capital Group transactions as taking the company public twice, private through a management buyout, and most recently a private equity investment into a public company. Jeff led total capital transactions of approximately $500 million. Leveraging his 30+ years experience in managing family-owned businesses and leading organizations effectively through change, Jeff launched Jeffrey Taylor Advisory Services. His firm provides strategic advisory services to closely held companies and their strategic partners to maximize company health and personal wealth. With his extensive background as an owner-operator working with investment bankers and as an attorney, Jeff offers his clients a unique total business perspective to navigate through unfamiliar challenges and opportunities with access to a deep and wide pool of creative financial and management solutions. Jeff’s career began as an associate at the law firm of Fohrman, Lurie, Holstein, Sklar and Cottle in 1977. He joined Drovers Bank of Chicago as Associate General Counsel in 1978 serving in that capacity through 1981. Jeff joined Main Bank of Chicago, holding various positions in commercial lending and ultimately becoming President in 1986. In 1990 he became Chairman and CEO of Cole Taylor Bank, overseeing the merger of 5 separately chartered community banks into the first branch bank in the State of Illinois. In 1994 Jeff became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cole Taylor Financial Group and in 1997 assumed those titles in Taylor Capital Group. Jeff is on the board of directors of Taylor Capital Group, Cole Taylor Bank and Chicago Freight Car Leasing where he also serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Active in many professional and civic organizations, Jeff has served as director of World President’s Organization, Loyola Family Business Forum, North Shore Center for Performing Arts Foundation, Young President’s Organization, Evanston Hospital Philanthropy Board, Jewish Federation of Chicago, Young Men’s Jewish Council, and Logan Square Boys and Girls Club. Jeff holds a JD from Northwestern School of Law and a BS from Claremont McKenna College. He is a frequent guest lecturer at Northwestern School of Law.