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Piper Jaffray Companies

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FY2008 Annual Report · Piper Jaffray Companies
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2008

P ip e r J affra y Com panie s A nnual  R e po rt

fellow shareholders,

What began in 2007 as a rapid deterioration of mortgage securities 
developed into a full-blown credit crisis in 2008, impacting economies 
around the world. Liquidity became paramount, crippling those without 
it. Excessive leverage and insufficient risk management converged 
to permanently change the landscape of Wall Street. Once venerable 
investment banks with significant resources – capital, products and talent 
– have collapsed, merged or become bank-holding companies.

While Piper Jaffray posted an operating loss for the year, we weathered the storm comparatively well. 
Importantly, we have a modest leverage ratio of total assets to 1.7 times common equity, consistent with 
running a business focused on serving clients by providing expert guidance and transaction execution. 
Throughout the year, we maintained sufficient liquidity and successfully converted one of our primary 
credit facilities to a committed line. We have no plans to become a bank holding company or seek capital 
from the government.

In managing through the extreme environment, we continue to hold fast to two key priorities:           
(1) adjusting our cost structure to enable the firm to return to profitability at lower revenue levels, 
and (2) making sure we are well-positioned as a global investment firm for when the capital markets 
improve.

cost structure

With respect to our cost structure, we took significant actions across all expense categories in 2008. 
We reduced year-over-year headcount by 13 percent, shifting the composition of our workforce. Senior 
officers in revenue-producing roles now make up a greater proportion of our total employee base – which 
strengthens our competitive position going forward.

We also are addressing incentive compensation across the firm, shifting performance goals from a 
revenue to a profitability basis. Our executive leadership team’s compensation has been tightly aligned 
with the firm’s operating results. As such, I recommended that none of the 11 members of the team 
receive annual incentive compensation for 2008, despite providing strong leadership in this difficult 
market. In total, our company incentives were reduced by 49 percent year-over-year. We are committed 
to continuing this progress in 2009, moving incentive compensation toward profitability-based models 
that are aligned with delivering value to clients and returns to shareholders.

2008 business review

Our business remains primarily an agent and advisory business – a model that relies less on leverage and 
debt financing. Our capital raising capabilities were significantly constrained in 2008, but our trading 
areas, in the main, navigated well. Our limited set of principal investment strategies had mixed results. 
The strategies that generated losses relied too heavily on risk assessment grounded in historical trends 
that were no longer valid in 2008 markets. Those that we could not adjust with confidence we shut down. 

In our investment banking business, worldwide market conditions drove a substantial decline in revenue. 
In the U.S., our largest equity investment banking market, a preponderance of capital raised in 2008 
was for depository financial institutions, which is not a Piper Jaffray focus area. In sectors where we 
have strong expertise – including clean technology, consumer, (non-depository) financial institutions, 

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008



health care, media and technology – the number of initial public offerings in the U.S. dropped 89 percent 
year-over-year. Our covered sectors also represented just 5 percent of follow-on capital raised in the 
U.S. in 2008, down 83 percent from the previous 5-year period. Despite similar inactivity across all our 
geographic markets, we continue to believe these sectors, which are among the primary drivers of growth 
and innovation in the global economy, will be a larger part of the capital markets again going forward.

Our public finance investment banking teams also faced headwinds, with the number of long-term issues 
industrywide declining nearly 15 percent from 2007 to 2008. During this period, our teams maintained 
our strong overall market share position in terms of both par amount and number of issues.

In institutional brokerage, our sales and trading teams managed extreme market volatility in both the 
equity and fixed income markets. In 2008, for example, there were 18 days when the U.S. equity markets 
moved, either up or down, more than 5 percent. There were 17 such days in all of the previous half 
century. This market volatility drove higher equity trading volume, and Piper Jaffray achieved a 9 percent 
increase in equity institutional brokerage revenue year-over-year. On the fixed income side, strong 
performance in both municipal and taxable sales and trading enabled us to post positive net revenues for 
the year despite losses in structured products and the firm’s proprietary tender option bond investment 
program, which we consolidated onto our balance sheet in the third quarter.

Finally, we remain committed to building our asset management business. Fiduciary Asset Management 
(FAMCO), our primary operation, finished 2008 with $5.9 billion in assets under management – down 
from 2007 due to the lower market valuations. During the year, we expanded the firm’s institutional 
marketing effort and aligned our investment resources around the products most attractive to 
institutional clients in terms of performance and style.

building capability for future growth

Despite the near-term challenges, we believe that Piper Jaffray has a tremendous opportunity to 
strengthen our position. A significant number of our larger competitors have been merged and 
significantly downsized. As a result, many issuer and investor clients will see a substantial reduction in 
their firm coverage – and we intend to fill the void by consistently delivering deep industry expertise, 
broad global capabilities and innovative client service.

Importantly, we are continuously reliant on our Guiding Principles of putting clients’ interests first and 
working in partnership. Trust is critical to healthy capital markets, and Piper Jaffray Companies is 
committed to being a leader in rebuilding what the turmoil of 2008 depleted.

While we expect the 2009 business climate to remain challenging, it is in these kinds of environments 
that firms can distinguish themselves. For Piper Jaffray, I believe the current conditions present a once-in-
a-lifetime opportunity to substantially advance our competitive position – as well as our market impact 
and contribution.

Sincerely,

Andrew S. Duff  
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
Piper Jaffray Companies



Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

B. Kristine Johnson
President
Affinity Capital Management

Samuel L. Kaplan
Partner and Founding Member
Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.

Lisa K. Polsky
Jane Street Capital  

Frank L. Sims
Retired
Former Corporate Vice President
Transportation and Product Assurance
Cargill, Inc.

Jean M. Taylor
President and Chief Executive Officer
Taylor Corporation

b oa r d   o f   d i r e c t o rs

Andrew S. Duff
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Piper Jaffray Companies

Addison (Tad) L. Piper
Retired
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Piper Jaffray Companies Inc.

Michael R. Francis
Executive Vice President and 
Chief Marketing Officer
Target Corporation

e x e c u t i v e   l e a d e rs h i p

Andrew S. Duff
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Robert W. Peterson
Head of Equities

Thomas P. Schnettler
President and Chief Operating Officer

Jon W. Salveson
Head of Investment Banking 

James L. Chosy
General Counsel and Secretary

Frank E. Fairman
Head of Public Finance Services

R. Todd Firebaugh
Chief Administrative Officer 

Alex P.M. Ko
Head of Piper Jaffray Asia

Debbra L. Schoneman
Chief Financial Officer

David I. Wilson
Chief Executive Officer, Piper Jaffray Ltd.

M. Brad Winges
Head of Fixed Income Services

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008



Exhibit 13.1
Piper Jaffray Companies

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 conjunc-
tion with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)

Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and
our consolidated financial
statements and notes
thereto.

2008

2007(2)

2006(2)

2005

2004

(Restated)

(Restated)

Revenues:

Investment banking
Institutional brokerage
Interest
Asset management
Other income

Total revenues
Interest expense

Net revenues

Non-interest expenses:

Compensation and benefits
Restructuring-related expenses
Goodwill impairment
Other

Total non-interest expenses

Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income

tax expense/(benefit)
Income tax expense/(benefit)

$ 159,747
117,201
48,496
16,969
2,639

$ 302,428
151,464
60,873
6,446
6,856

$ 298,309
160,502
64,110
222
14,208

$ 251,750
155,990
44,857
227
978

$ 234,925
174,311
35,718
5,093
6,580

345,052
18,655

528,067
23,689

537,351
32,303

453,802
32,494

456,627
22,421

326,397

504,378

505,048

421,308

434,206

249,438
17,865
130,500
152,201
550,004

329,811
–
–
144,138
473,949

(223,607)
(40,133)

30,429
5,790

357,904
–
–
113,796
471,700

33,348
10,210

23,138

243,833
8,595
–
132,849
385,277

36,031
10,863

25,168

251,187
–
–
133,981
385,168

49,038
16,727

32,311

Net income/(loss) from continuing operations

(183,474)

24,639

Discontinued operations:

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

499

(2,696)

172,287

14,915

18,037

Net income/(loss)

$ (182,975)

$

21,943

$ 195,425

$

40,083

$

50,348

Earnings per basic common share

Income/(loss) from continuing operations
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations

Earnings per basic common share

Earnings per diluted common share

Income/(loss) from continuing operations
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations

Earnings per diluted common share
Weighted average number of common shares

Basic
Diluted
Other data

Total assets
Long-term debt
Shareholders’ equity
Total employees

$

$

$

$

(11.59)
0.03
(11.55)

(11.59)
0.03

$

$

$

(11.55)(1) $

1.50
(0.16)
1.33

1.36
(0.15)
1.21

$

$

$

$

1.29
9.57
10.86

1.19
8.88
10.07

$

$

$

$

1.34
0.79
2.13

1.32
0.78
2.10

$

$

$

$

1.67
0.93
2.60

1.67
0.93
2.60

15,837
18,198

16,474
18,117

18,002
19,399

18,813
19,081

19,333
19,399

$1,320,158
$
–
$ 747,979
1,045

$1,759,986
$
–
$ 895,147
1,205

$1,876,652
$
–
$ 904,856
1,082

$2,354,191
$ 180,000
$ 754,827
2,834

$2,828,257
$ 180,000
$ 725,428
3,005

(1) In accordance with SFAS 128, earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding in periods a loss is incurred.

(2) Financial information for 2007 and 2006 was restated as disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

4

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following information should be read in conjunc-
tion with the accompanying 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 state-
ments 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 condi-
tion 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
Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 dis-
cussed below under “External Factors Impacting Our
Business” as well as the factors identified under “Risk
Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K, 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.

Explanatory Note Concerning
Restatement

On February 2, 2009, the Company filed a Form 8-K
reporting that
the Company’s previously issued
(i) interim financial statements included in its Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31,
June 30, and September 30, 2008 and (ii) annual finan-
cial statements for the years ended December 31, 2007
and 2006 included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K
(collectively, the “Affected Financial Statements”), and
the related reports of its independent registered public
accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, should no longer
be relied upon.

As part of the compensation paid to employees, the
Company uses stock-based compensation, consisting
of restricted stock and stock options. Since January 1,
2006, the Company accounts for stock-based compen-
sation in accordance with Statement of Financial

Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Pay-
ment” (SFAS 123(R)). Stock-based compensation was
generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the
vesting period of the award, which was typically three
years. The majority of restricted stock and option
grants provide for continued vesting after termination,
provided that the employee does not violate certain
post-termination restrictions as set forth in the award
agreements or any agreements entered into upon ter-
mination. As previously disclosed in the critical
accounting policies section of our quarterly and annual
SEC filings, we believed that our vesting provisions met
the SFAS 123(R) definition of an in-substance service
condition. Therefore, the Company considered the
required service period to be the greater of the vesting
period or the post-termination restricted period.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, management re-evalu-
ated whether the post-termination restrictions of cer-
tain equity awards would continue to meet the criteria
for an in-substance service condition given the historic
changes to the industry. Following an extensive anal-
ysis, management concluded in January 2009, in con-
sultation with our auditors, that the post-termination
restrictions had never met the criteria for an in-sub-
stance service condition for awards granted since Jan-
uary 1, 2006 based on the manner in which those
complex criteria are interpreted in practice. This deter-
mination necessitated a restatement of the Affected
Financial Statements to recognize expense for all of
those equity awards in the year in which those awards
were deemed to be earned, rather than over the three-
year vesting period.

The total expense impact resulting from the revised
stock-based compensation treatment was $51.7 million
after-tax ($81.5 million pre-tax) for the three year
period ended December 31, 2008, which includes the
unamortized expense for the affected equity awards
that were granted in 2008, 2007 and 2006 and an
accrual for the equity awards earned in 2008 that were
granted in February 2009. The total expense was
largely non-cash. The cumulative impact on sharehold-
ers’ equity as of December 31, 2008 was an increase of
$13.5 million, essentially all driven by the deferred tax
benefit associated with the increase in expense.

See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements
included in our 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders
(which is incorporated by reference and is included in
Exhibit 13.1 to this Form 10-K) for the details of the

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

5

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

mergers of financial institutions, the conservatorship
of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie
Mac) and Federal National Mortgage Association
(Fannie Mae) by the U.S. Federal Government and
the passage of the Emergency Economic Stabilization
Act of 2008. We have two key priorities for our firm as
we manage through this difficult environment: 1) to
appropriately adjust our cost structure to enable us to
operate through the difficult period, and 2) to position
our firm for when the markets eventually turn positive.
In terms of the first priority, we executed a number of
steps during 2008, including headcount reductions,
moving to a more flexible compensation structure
and reducing non-compensation expenses, all of which
will help us work to achieve profitability at lower
revenue levels than historically. In terms of the second
priority, we are mindful that our firm has an opportu-
nity to capitalize on the turmoil in the competitive
landscape. We believe that we have an opportunity
to selectively extend our franchise and enhance our
talent base with experienced individuals or teams dur-
ing these challenging times, particularly in public
finance, equity distribution (including electronic trad-
ing), and equity investment banking. We also expect
that our business will benefit over the long-term from
market share available from competitors who are no
longer in the business or have been diminished.

RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

significant

For the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded a
net loss, including continuing and discontinued oper-
ations, of $183.0 million, or $11.55 per diluted share,
compared with net income of $21.9 million, or $1.21
per diluted share, for the prior year. The net loss for
2008 included several
(1) a
$127.1 million after-tax charge for impairment of
goodwill related to our capital markets business;
(2) $11.0 million of after-tax restructuring charges;
and (3) $4.9 million of after-tax expense for deal
write-offs related to travel and legal expenses. Net
revenues from continuing operations for the year ended
December 31, 2008 were $326.4 million, down
35.3 percent from $504.4 million reported in the prior
year.

items:

financial
restatement.

statement

line items

impacted by the

Executive Overview

Our business principally consists of providing invest-
ment banking, institutional brokerage, asset manage-
ment and related financial services to middle-market
companies, private equity groups, public entities, non-
profit entities and institutional investors in the United
States, Europe and Asia. We generate revenues prima-
rily through the receipt of advisory and financing fees
earned on investment banking activities, commissions
and sales credits earned on equity and fixed income
institutional sales and trading activities, net interest
earned on securities inventories, profits and losses from
trading activities related to these securities inventories
and asset management fees.

The securities business is a human capital business.
Accordingly, compensation and benefits comprise the
largest component of our expenses, and our perfor-
mance 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.

In 2007, we expanded our asset management and cap-
ital markets businesses through acquisition. On Sep-
tember 14, 2007, we acquired Fiduciary Asset
Management, LLC (“FAMCO”), a St. Louis-based
asset management firm. On October 2, 2007, we
acquired Goldbond Capital Holdings Limited (“Gold-
bond”), a Hong Kong-based investment bank. The
acquisitions resulted in incremental revenues and
expenses in the first three quarters of 2008, when
compared with the comparable periods in 2007.

During 2008, the financial services industry faced a
historically challenging operating environment. A
severe downturn in the economy led to declines in asset
valuation, high levels of volatility across various asset
classes and reduced levels of liquidity. During this
period of financial market turmoil, the investment
banking industry experienced a historic reshaping.
The industry witnessed the bankruptcy of Lehman
Brothers Holdings Inc., multiple consolidations and

6

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MARKET DATA

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

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

Dow Jones Industrials Average a
NASDAQ a
NYSE Average Daily Number of Shares Traded (MILLIONS OF SHARES)

NASDAQ Average Daily Number of Shares Traded (MILLIONS OF SHARES)
Mergers and Acquisitions (NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS IN U.S.) b
Public Equity Offerings (NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS IN U.S.) c e
Initial Public Offerings (NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS IN U.S.) c
Managed Municipal Underwritings (NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS IN U.S.) d
Managed Municipal Underwritings (VALUE OF TRANSACTIONS IN BILLIONS IN U.S.) d
10-Year Treasuries Average Rate

3-Month Treasuries Average Rate

(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 fac-
tors, which are beyond our control and mostly unpre-
the financial
dictable. These factors may affect
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 invest-
ment 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 man-
agement services as reflected by the amount of assets
under management.

Factors that differentiate our business within the finan-
cial services industry also may affect our financial
results. For example, our business focuses on a mid-
dle-market clientele in specific industry sectors. In
2008, many of these sectors experienced a downturn
as the recession impacted almost all businesses, which
materially adversely affected our business and results of
operations. If the business environment for our focus
sectors continues to suffer, impacts one or more sectors
disproportionately as compared to the economy as a

2008

2007

2006

2008
v 2007

2007
v 2006

13,265

12,463

(33.8)% 6.4%

8,776

1,577
2,609

2,259

9,653
401

48

2,652
2,111

2,132

11,510
808

196

2,415
1,827

2,002

10,950
794

180

10,635
$ 390.6

12,659
$ 429.9

12,752
$ 388.6

3.67%

1.37%

4.63%

4.35%

4.79% (20.7)

4.73% (68.5)

(40.5)
23.6

6.0

(16.1)
(50.4)

(75.5)

(16.0)
(9.1)

9.8
15.6

6.5

5.1
1.8

8.9

(0.7)
10.6

(3.3)

(8.0)

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 secu-
rities businesses, our earnings may fluctuate signifi-
cantly from period to period, and results for any
individual period should not be considered indicative
of future results.

OUTLOOK FOR 2009

In 2008, global economic and financial market condi-
tions were extraordinarily difficult. We anticipate that
the challenging environment will persist in 2009. Our
financial performance depends heavily on investment
banking activity, and with the equity capital markets
essentially on hold and advisory activity muted, we
anticipate that our results will be negatively impacted.
Lower grade public finance underwriting activity will
likely also be reduced for some time. We anticipate
equity and municipal sales and trading will continue to
perform reasonably well, although there can be no
assurance in this regard.

In response to this outlook, we have executed a number
of steps, including headcount reductions, moving to a
more flexible compensation structure, and reducing
non-compensation expenses, all of which will help us
work to achieve profitability at lower revenue levels
than historically. In 2008, our breakeven revenue level
was in the mid-$400 million range, and we expect our

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

7

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

breakeven revenue level will be in the mid-$300 million
range for 2009. However, there can be no assurance
that we will achieve these goals and performance

objectives, and if we fail to do so, our operating results
could be adversely affected, potentially significantly.

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.

AS A PERCENTAGE OF
NET REVENUES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Amounts in thousands)

2008

2007

2006

2008
v 2007

2007
v 2006

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

(Restated)

(Restated)

Revenues:

Investment banking
Institutional brokerage

Interest

Asset management
Other income

Total revenues

Interest expense

$ 159,747
117,201

$302,428
151,464

$298,309
160,502

(47.2)% 1.4%
(5.6)
(22.6)

48.9%
35.9

59.9%
30.0

48,496

16,969
2,639

60,873

6,446
6,856

64,110

222
14,208

345,052

18,655

528,067

537,351

23,689

32,303

(20.3)

163.2
(61.5)

(34.7)

(21.3)

(5.0)

N/M
(51.7)

(1.7)

(26.7)

14.9

5.2
0.8

105.7

5.7

12.1

1.3
1.4

104.7

4.7

Net revenues

326,397

504,378

505,048

(35.3)

(0.1)

100.0

100.0

59.1%
31.8

12.7

0.0
2.8

106.4

6.4

100.0

65.4

70.9

Non-interest expenses:

Compensation and benefits

249,438

329,811

357,904

(24.4)

(7.8)

Occupancy and equipment

Communications
Floor brokerage and clearance

Marketing and business

development
Outside services

Restructuring-related expense

Goodwill impairment
Other operating expenses

33,034

25,098
12,787

25,249
41,212

17,865

130,500
14,821

32,482

24,772
14,701

26,619
34,594

–

–
10,970

30,660

23,189
13,292

24,664
28,053

–

–
(6,062)

1.7

1.3
(13.0)

(5.1)
19.1

N/M

N/M
35.1

5.9

6.8
10.6

7.9
23.3

N/M

N/M
N/M

76.4

10.1

7.7
3.9

7.8
12.6

5.5

40.0
4.5

6.4

4.9
2.9

5.3
6.9

–

–
2.2

Total non-interest expenses

550,004

473,949

471,700

16.0%

0.5

168.5

94.0

Income/(loss) from continuing
operations before income tax

expense/(benefit)

Income tax expense/(benefit)

(223,607)

(40,133)

30,429

5,790

33,348

10,210

N/M

N/M

(8.8)

(43.3)

(68.5)

(12.3)

6.0

1.1

Net income/(loss) from continuing

operations

(183,474)

24,639

23,138

N/M

6.5

(56.2)

4.9

6.0

4.6
2.6

4.9
5.6

–

–
(1.2)

93.4

6.6

2.0

4.6

Discontinued operations:

Income/(loss) from

discontinued operations, net
of tax

499

(2,696)

172,287

N/M

N/M

0.1

(0.5)

34.1

Net income/(loss)

$(182,975)

$ 21,943

$195,425

N/M

(88.8)%

(56.1)%

4.4%

38.7%

N/M — Not Meaningful

8

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

to $117.2 million in 2008,

For the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded a
net loss, including continuing and discontinued oper-
ations, of $183.0 million. Net revenues from continu-
ing operations were $326.4 million, a 35.3 percent
In
decline compared to $504.4 million in 2007.
2008, investment banking revenues decreased 47.2 per-
cent to $159.7 million compared with revenues of
$302.4 million in 2007. The financial turmoil
in
2008 resulted in reduced revenues in all areas of invest-
ment banking. Equity financing revenues contributed
to the majority of the decline as the equity capital
markets were essentially on hold in the second half
of 2008. Institutional brokerage revenues declined
22.6 percent
from
$151.5 million in 2007. Equity sales and trading rev-
enues increased compared to 2007, but were more than
offset by a decline in fixed income sales and trading
revenues, primarily due to losses on our tender option
bond (“TOB”) program and high yield and structured
income decreased
products.
compared with
19.7 percent
$37.2 million in 2007. The decrease was primarily
driven by increased borrowing levels in 2008. In
2008, asset management fees were $17.0 million,
almost all of which was generated by FAMCO, which
we acquired in September 2007. In 2008, other income
decreased to $2.6 million, compared with $6.9 million
in 2007, primarily due to losses recorded on our prin-
cipal investments. Non-interest expenses increased to
$550.0 million in 2008, from $473.9 million in 2006.
This increase resulted from a $130.5 million pre-tax
charge for impairment of goodwill related to our cap-
ital markets business, $17.9 million of restructuring-
related charges and $8.0 million in incremental
expenses associated with FAMCO and Goldbond,
which we acquired in September and October 2007,
respectively. This increase was offset in part by a
decline in compensation and benefits expenses.

to $29.8 million,

In 2008, net

interest

For the year ended December 31, 2007, net income,
including continuing and discontinued operations,
totaled $21.9 million. Net revenues from continuing
operations were $504.4 million, essentially flat com-
pared with 2006. In 2007, investment banking reve-
nues increased slightly to $302.4 million as increases in
equity financing revenues more than offset the decline
in debt financing and advisory services revenues. Insti-
tutional brokerage revenues declined 5.6 percent to
$151.5 million in 2007,
from $160.5 million in
2006. Equity sales and trading revenues were essen-
tially flat compared to 2006. Fixed income sales and
trading revenues declined, primarily driven by the tur-
moil in the financial markets in the last half of 2007. In
2007, net interest income increased to $37.2 million,
compared with $31.8 million in 2006. The increase was

primarily a result of significantly reduced borrowing
needs following the sale of our PCS branch network in
August 2006. In 2007, asset management fees were
$6.5 million, almost all of which were generated by
FAMCO. In 2007, other income was $6.8 million,
compared with $14.2 million in 2006, primarily due
to a $9.9 million gain in 2006 related to our ownership
of two seats on the New York Stock Exchange, which
were exchanged for cash and restricted shares of com-
mon stock of NYSE Euronext. Non-interest expenses
of $473.9 million in 2007 were essentially flat com-
pared with 2006 as a decline in compensation and
benefit expenses was offset by a change in litigation
reserves. In 2006, we recorded a $21.3 million expense
reduction related to litigation reserves pertaining to
developments in a specific industry wide litigation
matter.

CONSOLIDATED NON-INTEREST EXPENSES

Compensation and Benefits – Compensation and benefits
expenses, which are the largest component of our
expenses, include salaries, bonuses, commissions, ben-
efits, stock-based compensation, employment taxes
and other employee costs. A substantial portion of
compensation expense is comprised of variable incen-
tive arrangements, including discretionary bonuses, 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 bonus payments, which generally occur
in February, have a greater impact on our cash position
and liquidity, than is reflected in our statements of
operations.

In 2008, compensation and benefits expenses decreased
24.4 percent to $249.4 million from $329.8 million in
2007. This decrease was due to lower variable com-
pensation costs resulting from reduced net revenues
and profitability partially offset by guarantees of fixed
incentive compensation. Compensation and benefits
expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 76.4 per-
cent for 2008, compared with 65.4 percent for 2007. At
the end of 2008, a significant portion of our guaranteed
incentive compensation matured, resulting in a com-
pensation structure that is more variable and better
aligned with profitability and revenues for 2009.

Compensation and benefits expenses decreased 7.8 per-
cent to $329.8 million in 2007, from $357.9 million in
2006. This decrease resulted from the adoption of
SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006, which caused us to
recognize in 2006 the unamortized expense for equity
awards granted in 2006 as well as an accrual for the
equity awards earned in 2006 that were granted in

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

9

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

2007. Compensation and benefits expenses as a per-
centage of net revenues were 65.4 percent for 2007,
compared with 70.9 percent for 2006.

Occupancy and Equipment – Occupancy and equipment
expenses were $33.0 million in 2008, compared with
$32.5 million in 2007. The increase was primarily
attributable to additional occupancy expenses from
our acquisitions of FAMCO and Goldbond in late
2007, offset in part by a decline in base rent as we
consolidated existing locations.

In 2007, occupancy and equipment expenses were
$32.5 million, compared with $30.7 million in 2006.
The increase was driven by higher base rent costs dur-
ing 2007 associated with new and existing locations, as
well as $0.7 million of additional occupancy expense
from the acquisitions of FAMCO and Goldbond in
September and October 2007, respectively.

Communications – Communication expenses
include
costs for telecommunication and data communication,
primarily consisting of expenses for obtaining third-
party market data information. In 2008, communica-
tion expenses were $25.1 million, essentially flat com-
pared with 2007.

In 2007, communication expenses were $24.8 million,
an increase of 6.8 percent from 2006. The increase was
primarily attributable to higher market data service
expenses from obtaining expanded services and price
increases.

Floor Brokerage and Clearance – Floor brokerage and
clearance expenses in 2008 decreased 13.0 percent to
$12.8 million, compared with 2007, due to lower
expenses associated with accessing electronic commu-
nications networks.

In 2007,
floor brokerage and clearance expenses
increased 10.6 percent to $14.7 million, compared with
2006, due to higher expenses associated with providing
after-market support of deal-related stocks.

Marketing and Business Development – Marketing and
business development expenses include travel and
entertainment and promotional and advertising costs.
In 2008, marketing and business development expenses
decreased 5.1 percent to $25.2 million, compared with
$26.6 million in the prior year. This decrease was a
result of a decline in travel costs resulting from signif-
icantly lower deal activity in 2008.

In 2007, marketing and business development expenses
increased 7.9 percent to $26.6 million, compared with
$24.7 million in the prior year. This increase was pri-
marily a result of higher travel costs driven by our
international expansion.

10

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Outside Services – Outside services expenses include
securities processing expenses, outsourced technology
functions, outside legal fees and other professional fees.
In 2008, outside services expenses
increased to
$41.2 million, compared with $34.6 million in 2007.
This increase was primarily due to the write-off of legal
expenses for equity financings that were not completed
because of the deterioration in the capital markets,
incremental costs related to the 2007 acquisitions of
FAMCO and Goldbond and fees incurred to secure the
revolving credit facility that we entered into in the first
quarter of 2008. Partially offsetting these increases was
a decline in professional fees incurred in connection
with implementation of a new back office system.

Outside services expenses increased to $34.6 million,
compared with $28.1 million in 2006. This increase
was primarily due to expenses related to a new back-
office system to support our capital markets business,
which was implemented in the third quarter of 2007,
and higher outside legal fees. In addition, we incurred
higher trading system expenses related to increased
volumes in our European business and expanded
services.

Restructuring-Related Expense – During 2008, we imple-
mented certain expense reduction measures as a means
to better align our cost infrastructure with our reve-
nues. This resulted in a pre-tax restructuring charge of
$17.9 million, consisting of $12.5 million in severance
costs resulting from a reduction of approximately
230 employees, $5.0 million related to leased office
space and $0.4 million of other restructuring-related
expenses.

Impairment – During the fourth quarter of
Goodwill
2008, we completed our annual goodwill impairment
testing, which resulted in a non-cash goodwill impair-
ment charge of $130.5 million to our capital markets
reporting unit. The charge primarily relates to the
goodwill resulting 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.

Other Operating Expenses – Other operating expenses
include insurance costs, license and registration fees,
expenses related to our charitable giving program,
amortization of intangible assets and litigation-related
expenses, which consist of the amounts we reserve
and/or pay out related to legal and regulatory matters.
In 2008, other operating expenses
increased to
$14.8 million, compared with $11.0 million in 2007.
This increase was primarily due to incremental costs
associated with FAMCO and Goldbond, which we

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

acquired in late 2007 as well as increased litigation-
related expenses.

Other operating expenses increased to $11.0 million in
2007, compared with a benefit of $6.1 million in 2006.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, we reduced a $21.3 mil-
lion litigation reserve related to developments in a
specific industry-wide litigation matter, which caused
the significant increase in 2007 in other operating
expenses, compared with 2006.

Income Taxes – In 2008, our provision for income taxes
a benefit of
from continuing operations was

$40.1 million, an effective tax rate of 18.0 percent,
compared with $5.8 million, an effective tax rate of
19.0 percent, for 2007, and compared with $10.2 mil-
lion, an effective tax rate of 30.6 percent, for 2006. The
decreased effective tax rate in 2008 was primarily
attributable to the non-taxable portion of the goodwill
impairment charge related to our capital markets busi-
ness. The decreased effective tax rate in 2007 compared
with 2006 was primarily attributable to an increase in
the ratio of net municipal interest income, which is
non-taxable, to total taxable income.

NET REVENUES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (DETAIL)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Net revenues:

Investment banking

Financing

Equities

Debt

Advisory services

Total investment banking

Institutional sales and trading

Equities

Fixed income

PERCENT INC/(DEC)

2008
v 2007

2007
v 2006

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$ 40,845

$141,981

$124,304

(71.2)% 14.2%

63,125
68,523

80,045
89,449

82,880
97,225

(21.1)
(23.4)

(3.4)
(8.0)

172,493

311,475

304,409

(44.6)

2.3

129,867

119,688

120,341

8.5

(0.5)

6,295

61,122

70,115

(89.7)

(12.8)

Total institutional sales and trading

136,162

180,810

190,456

(24.7)

(5.1)

Asset management

Other income

Total net revenues

N/M — Not meaningful

16,969

773

6,446

5,647

222

163.2

N/M

9,961

(86.3)

(43.3)

$326,397

$504,378

$505,048

(35.3)% (0.1)%

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

Industry-wide market conditions eroded during 2008,
significantly reducing activity in equity financings,
mergers and acquisitions and public finance. Given
these challenging market conditions, investment bank-
ing revenues decreased to $172.5 million in 2008,
compared with $311.5 million in 2007. In 2008, equity
underwriting revenues decreased 71.2 percent
to
$40.8 million due to a decrease in the number of
completed transactions. During 2008, we completed

42 equity financings, raising $6.5 billion in capital
(excluding the $19.7 billion of capital raised from
the VISA initial public offering, on which we were a
co-lead manager) compared with 117 equity financ-
ings, raising $17.5 billion in capital, during 2007. We
were the bookrunner on 11 of these transactions in
2008 compared with 28 in 2007. Debt financing rev-
enues in 2008 decreased 21.1 percent to $63.1 million
due to a decline in public finance revenues. During
2008 we completed 347 tax-exempt issues with a total
par value of $7.3 billion compared with 420 tax-
exempt issues with a total par value of $6.8 billion,
during 2007. In 2008, advisory services revenues
decreased 23.4 percent to $68.5 million due to a decline
in revenues from mergers and acquisition activity,
including a decrease in aggregate transaction enterprise

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

11

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

values from $15.7 billion in 2007 to $11.6 billion in
2008. We expect continued market uncertainty to neg-
atively impact our investment banking revenues in
2009.

Institutional sales and trading revenues comprise all the
revenues generated through trading activities, which
consist primarily of facilitating customer trades. To
assess the profitability of institutional sales and trading
activities, we aggregate institutional brokerage reve-
nues 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.

increased 8.5 percent

In 2008,
institutional sales and trading revenues
decreased 24.7 percent to $136.2 million, compared
with $180.8 million in 2007. Equity institutional sales
to
and trading revenues
$129.9 million in 2008, compared with the prior year.
Increased volumes and volatility benefited equity insti-
tutional sales and trading revenues during 2008, but we
anticipate a decline in trading revenues in 2009 due to
reduced commissions from lower asset valuations and
fewer institutional market participants. Fixed income
institutional sales and trading revenues decreased
89.7 percent to $6.3 million in 2008, compared with
$61.1 million in 2007 due to severe market conditions
throughout 2008. Municipal sales and trading, munic-
ipal proprietary trading, and taxable sales and trading
revenues were strong and in aggregate doubled from
the previous year. However, these gains were more than
offset by losses within high yield and structured prod-
ucts and the TOB program. The losses associated with
our TOB program are largely isolated to 2008. We have
substantially reduced our overall position as we exit
this program. For additional information related to our
TOB program, refer to “Off-balance Sheet Arrange-
ments” below.

In 2008, asset management fees increased to $17.0 mil-
lion compared with $6.4 million in 2007 due primarily
to a full year of activity in 2008 by FAMCO, which we
acquired in September 2007. Asset management fees
also include management fees from our private equity
funds.

Other income/loss includes gains and losses from our
investments in private equity and venture capital funds,
other firm investments and income associated with the
forfeiture of stock-based compensation. In addition,
other income/loss included interest expense from our
subordinated debt prior to its repayment in August

2006. In 2008, other income totaled $0.8 million,
compared with $5.6 million in 2007. This decrease
relates primarily to losses associated with our invest-
ments in private equity, venture funds and other firm
investments.

investment banking revenues

Despite challenging market conditions in the last half of
2007,
increased to
$311.5 million, compared with $304.4 million in
2006. Increased equity financing revenues more than
offset lower advisory services revenues and slightly
lower debt financing revenues. In 2007, equity under-
writing revenues increased 14.2 percent to $142.0 mil-
lion due to an increase in the number of completed
transactions. During 2007, we completed 117 equity
financings, raising $17.5 billion in capital for our cli-
ents, compared with 102 equity financings, raising
$13.9 billion in capital, during 2006. Debt financing
revenues in 2007 decreased 3.4 percent to $80.0 mil-
lion. In 2007, advisory services revenues decreased
8.0 percent to $89.4 million due to a decline in domes-
tic mergers and acquisition revenues. Lower average
revenues per transaction in the U.S. more than offset
the increase in merger and acquisitions revenues con-
tributed by our international operations.

institutional sales and trading revenues
In 2007,
decreased 5.1 percent to $180.8 million, compared
with $190.5 million in 2006. Equity institutional sales
and trading revenues were flat at $119.7 million in
2007, compared with the prior year. Increased revenues
from the acquisition of Goldbond and higher propri-
etary trading gains were offset by a decline in convert-
ible revenues. Fixed income institutional sales and
trading revenues decreased 12.8 percent to $61.1 mil-
lion in 2007, compared with $70.1 million in 2006 due
to lower revenues in taxable products and high-yield
and structured products.

In 2007, asset management fees were $6.4 million due
primarily to the business of FAMCO, which we
acquired in September 2007. Asset management fees
also include management fees from our private equity
funds.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Discontinued operations include the operating results
of our PCS business, the gain on the sale of the PCS
branch network in 2006 and related restructuring
costs. The sale of the PCS branch network to UBS
closed on August 11, 2006.

Our PCS retail brokerage business provided financial
advice and a wide range of financial products and
services to individual investors through a network of
approximately 90 branch offices. Revenues were

12

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

generated primarily through the receipt of commissions
earned on equity and fixed income transactions and for
distribution of mutual funds and annuities, fees earned
on fee-based client accounts and net interest from
customers’ margin loan balances.

In 2008, discontinued operations recorded net income
of $0.5 million, which primarily related to a PCS legal
settlement offset by changes in estimates on leased
office space. We may incur discontinued operations
expense or income in future periods related to changes
in litigation reserve estimates for retained PCS litiga-
tion matters and for changes in estimates to occupancy
and severance restructuring charges if the facts that
support our estimates change. See Note 4 and Note 17
to our consolidated financial statements for further
discussion of our discontinued operations and restruc-
turing activities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements are set forth in
Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements
included in our Annual Report to Shareholders, and
are incorporated herein by reference.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our accounting and reporting policies comply with
generally accepted accounting principles (“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 state-
ments. Critical accounting policies are those policies
that we believe to be the most important to the por-
trayal of our financial condition and results of opera-
tions and that require us to make estimates that are
difficult, subjective or complex. Most accounting pol-
icies 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 finan-
cial 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 account-
ing methods may be used under GAAP.

For a full description of our significant accounting
policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial state-
ments included in our Annual Report to Shareholders.

We believe that of our significant accounting policies,
the following are our critical accounting policies.

VALUATION OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Trading securities owned, trading securities owned and
pledged as collateral, and trading securities sold, but
not yet purchased, on our consolidated statements of
instruments
financial condition consist of financial
recorded at fair value. 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. When available, we use
observable market prices, observable market parame-
ters, or broker or dealer prices (bid and ask prices) to
derive the fair value of the instrument. In the case of
financial
transacted on recognized
exchanges, the observable market prices represent quo-
tations for completed transactions from the exchange
on which the financial instrument is principally traded.
Bid prices represent the highest price a buyer is willing
to pay for a financial instrument at a particular time.
Ask prices represent the lowest price a seller is willing
to accept for a financial instrument at a particular time.

instruments

A substantial percentage of the fair value of our trading
securities owned, trading securities owned and pledged
as collateral, and trading securities 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 appro-
priate for each particular product. These techniques
involve some degree of judgment.

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 avail-
able. Among the factors considered by us in determin-
ing the fair value of 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

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

13

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

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.
Even where the value of a security is derived 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.

Fair values for derivative contracts represent amounts
estimated to be received from or paid to a third party in
settlement of these instruments. These derivatives are
valued using quoted market prices when available or
pricing models based on the net present value of esti-
mated future cash flows. Management deemed the net
present value of estimated future cash flows model to
be the best estimate of fair value as most of our deriv-
ative products are interest rate products. The valuation
models used require inputs including contractual terms,
market prices, yield curves, credit curves and measures
of volatility. The valuation models are monitored over
the life of the derivative product. If there are any
changes in the underlying inputs, the model is updated
for those new inputs.

Financial instruments carried at contract amounts have
short-term maturities (one year or less), are repriced
frequently or bear market interest rates and, accord-
ingly, those contracts are carried at amounts approx-
imating fair value. Financial instruments carried at
contract amounts on our consolidated statements of
financial condition include receivables from and pay-
ables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations,
securities purchased under agreements to resell, secu-
rities sold under agreements to repurchase, receivables
from and payables to customers and short-term
financing.

SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prior-
itizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to mea-
sure 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
measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable
inputs 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.

Instruments that trade infrequently and therefore have
little or no price transparency are classified within
Level III based on the results of our price verification
process. The Company’s Level III assets were $46.6 mil-
lion, or 7.6 percent of financial instruments measured
at fair value. This balance primarily consists of auction
rate securities where the market has ceased to function
and asset-back securities, principally collateralized by
aircraft that have experienced low volumes of executed
transactions, such that unobservable inputs had to be
utilized for the fair value measurements of these instru-
ments. Our auction rate securities are valued at par
based upon our expectations of issuer refunding plans.
Asset-backed securities are valued using cash flow
models that utilize unobservable inputs that include
airplane lease rates, maintenance costs and airplane
liquidation proceeds.

During 2008, we recorded net sales of $158.2 million
of Level III assets. This reduction was primarily the
result of auction-rate securities being restructured into
something more market-acceptable increasing the sal-
ability of these securities. Our valuation adjustments
(realized and unrealized) decreased Level III assets by
$32.1 million due to a decline in valuations of asset
backed securities and realized losses on our TOB resid-
ual interests. Additionally, there was $0.2 million of net
transfers out of Level III assets during 2008.

At December 31, 2008 Level III liabilities included
$0.4 million of private equity investments.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

We record all assets and liabilities acquired in purchase
acquisitions, including goodwill and other intangible
assets, at fair value as required by Statement of Finan-
cial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combi-
nations.” Determining the fair value of assets and
liabilities acquired requires certain management esti-
mates. In 2007, we recorded $34.1 million of goodwill
and $18.0 million of identifiable intangible assets
related to the acquisition of FAMCO. We recorded
an additional $6.3 million of goodwill in 2008 related
to FAMCO in accordance with performance conditions
set forth in the purchase agreement. In 2007, we
recorded $19.2 million of goodwill related to the acqui-
sition of Goldbond. At December 31, 2008, we had
goodwill of $160.6 million. Of this goodwill balance,
$105.5 million is a result of the 1998 acquisition of our
predecessor, Piper Jaffray Companies Inc., and its sub-
sidiaries by U.S. Bancorp.

14

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,”
we are required to perform impairment tests of our
goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually
and on an interim basis when certain events or circum-
stances exist. We have elected to test for goodwill
impairment in the fourth quarter of each calendar year.
The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process,
which requires management to make judgments in
determining what assumptions to use in the calcula-
tion. The first step of the process consists of estimating
the fair value of our two principal 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, price-
to-earnings and tangible capital ratios of comparable
public companies and business segments. These multi-
ples may be adjusted to consider competitive differ-
ences including size, operating leverage and other
factors. 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 liabil-
ities 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 judg-
ments 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 con-
sider the business and market cycle and assess the stage
of the cycle in estimating the timing and extent of future
cash flows.

We completed our annual goodwill impairment testing
as of November 30, 2008, which resulted in a non-cash
goodwill impairment charge of $130.5 million. The
charge relates to our capital markets reporting unit and
primarily pertains 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. The factors used by us in estimat-
ing our capital markets reporting unit fair value
included the following factors: our market capitaliza-
tion, a discounted cash flow model, public market
comparables and multiples of recent mergers and
acquisitions. Our market capitalization was measured
based on the average closing price for Piper Jaffray
Companies common stock over the month of Novem-
ber 2008 and was adjusted to include an estimate for a
control premium. Our discounted cash flow model was
based on our five year plan and included an estimated
terminal value based upon historical transaction valu-
ations. Public market industry peers were valued based
on revenues and tangible common equity. Recent merg-
ers and acquisitions were not a significant factor in the
2008 goodwill evaluation. The impairment charge
resulted from deteriorating economic and market con-
ditions in 2008, which led to reduced valuations in the
factors discussed above.

Further deterioration in economic or market conditions
during future periods could result in additional impair-
ment charges, which could materially adversely affect
the results of operations in that period.

Our annual goodwill impairment testing resulted in no
impairment associated with our asset management
reporting unit, principally comprised of FAMCO. In
addition, we tested the definite-lived intangible assets
acquired as part of the FAMCO acquisition and con-
cluded there was no impairment.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

As part of our compensation to employees and direc-
tors, we use stock-based compensation, consisting of
restricted stock and stock options. Prior to January 1,
2006, we elected to account for stock-based employee
compensation on a prospective basis under the fair
value method, as prescribed by Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting and Dis-
closure of Stock-Based Compensation,” and as
amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Stan-
dards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compen-
sation – Transition and Disclosure.” The fair value
method required stock based compensation to be
expensed in the consolidated statement of operations
at their fair value, net of estimated forfeitures.

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

15

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

of
123(R),

Financial Accounting
“Share-Based

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of
Standards
Statement
No.
Payment,”
(“SFAS 123(R)”), using the modified prospective tran-
sition method. SFAS 123(R) requires all stock-based
compensation to be expensed in the consolidated state-
ment of operations at fair value over the service period
of the award.

Compensation paid to employees in the form of
restricted stock or stock options is generally accrued
or amortized on a straight-line basis over the required
service period of the award and is included in our
results of operations as compensation expense. The
majority of these awards have a three-year cliff vesting
schedule. The majority of our restricted stock and
option grants provide for continued vesting after ter-
mination, 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. These post-termination restrictions
do not meet the criteria for an in-substance service
condition as required by SFAS 123(R). Accordingly,
such restricted stock and option grants are expensed in
the period in which those awards are deemed to be
earned, which is generally the calendar year preceding
our annual February equity grant. If any of these
awards are cancelled, the lower of the fair value at
grant date or the fair value at the date of cancellation is
recorded within other income in the consolidated state-
ments of operations.

In 2008, we granted performance-based restricted
stock awards. The restricted shares are amortized on
a straight-line basis over the period we expect the
performance target to be met. The performance con-
dition must be met for the awards to vest and total
compensation cost will be recognized only if the per-
formance 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 compensa-
tion expense accounted for using a cumulative effect
adjustment.

Stock-based compensation granted to our non-
employee directors is in the form of common shares
of Piper Jaffray Companies stock and/or fully vested
stock options. Stock-based compensation paid to direc-
tors is immediately expensed and is included in our
results of operations as outside services expense as of
the date of grant.

In determining the estimated fair value of stock
options, we use the Black-Scholes option-pricing
model. This model requires management to exercise

16

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

judgment with respect to certain assumptions, includ-
ing the expected dividend yield, the expected volatility,
and the expected life of the options. The expected
dividend yield assumption is derived from the assumed
dividend payout over the expected life of the option.
The expected volatility assumption for grants subse-
quent to December 31, 2006 is derived from a combi-
nation of our historical data and industry comparisons,
as we have limited information on which to base our
volatility estimates because we have only been a public
company since the beginning of 2004. The expected
volatility assumption for grants prior to December 31,
2006 were based solely on industry comparisons. The
expected life of options assumption is derived from the
average of the following two factors: industry compar-
isons and the guidance provided by the SEC in Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 110 (“SAB 110”). SAB 110
allows the use of an “acceptable” methodology under
which we can take the midpoint of the vesting date and
the full contractual term. We believe our approach for
calculating an expected life to be an appropriate
method in light of the limited historical data regarding
employee exercise behavior or employee post-termina-
tion behavior. Additional
information regarding
assumptions used in the Black-Scholes pricing model
can be found in Note 21 to our consolidated financial
statements.

CONTINGENCIES

We are involved in various pending and potential legal
proceedings related to our business, including litiga-
tion, arbitration and regulatory proceedings. Some of
these matters involve claims for substantial amounts,
including claims for punitive and other special dam-
ages. We have, after consultation with outside legal
counsel and consideration of facts currently known by
management, recorded estimated losses in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 5, “Accounting for 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 determina-
tions, 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 settle-
ments from such pending and potential litigation and
arbitration proceedings, and fines and penalties or
orders from regulatory agencies.

As part of the asset purchase agreement for the sale of
our PCS branch network to UBS that closed in August

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

2006, we have retained liabilities arising from regula-
tory matters and certain PCS litigation arising prior to
the sale. Adjustments to litigation reserves for matters
pertaining to the PCS business are included within
discontinued operations on the consolidated state-
ments of operations.

Subject to the foregoing, we believe, based on our
current knowledge, after appropriate consultation with
outside legal counsel and after taking into account our
established reserves and the assumption by UBS of
certain liabilities of the PCS business and our indem-
nification obligations to UBS, that pending litigation,
arbitration and regulatory proceedings will be resolved
with no material adverse effect on our financial con-
dition. However, if, during any period, a potential
adverse contingency should become probable or
resolved for an amount in excess of the established
reserves and indemnification available to us, the results
of operations in that period could be materially
adversely affected.

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 pur-
poses and do not necessarily represent amounts cur-
rently payable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for the future tax consequences attributable
to 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 pro-
vided for temporary differences in reporting certain
items, principally, amortization of share-based com-
pensation. 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. We believe
that our future taxable profits will be sufficient to
recognize our U.S. deferred tax assets.

We establish reserves for uncertain income tax posi-
tions in accordance with FIN 48 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 provision in the
period of change.

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 imple-
mented 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 are stated at fair value and are
generally readily marketable in most market condi-
tions. Receivables and payables with customers and
brokers and dealers usually settle within a few days. As
part of our liquidity strategy, we emphasize diversifi-
cation of funding sources to the extent possible and
maximize our lower-cost financing alternatives. Our
assets are financed by our cash flows from operations,
equity capital, proceeds from securities sold under
agreements to repurchase and bank lines of credit.
The fluctuations in cash flows from financing activities
are directly related to daily operating activities from
our various businesses.

Certain market conditions can impact the liquidity of
our inventory positions requiring us to hold larger
inventory positions for longer than expected or requir-
ing us to take other actions that may adversely impact
our results. Turmoil in the credit markets late in the
third quarter of 2008 disrupted traditional sources of
liquidity for variable rate demand notes. This disrup-
tion initially resulted in us purchasing, for our own
account, additional variable rate demand notes that we
remarket thereby increasing our funding needs. Ulti-
mately, we began putting these securities back, and
instructing our clients to put them back, to the financial
institutions that provide liquidity guarantees for these
securities. During the fourth quarter of 2008 credit
markets normalized for variable rate demand notes
and we have experienced trading activity and inventory
levels consistent with historical trends.

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

17

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The credit market turmoil also impacted our tender
option bond program in the third quarter of 2008 and
as a result we decided to discontinue the program as we
believe that the TOB trusts will not have long-term lives
as we originally expected. This decision was based on
the trusts’ liquidity provider deciding to exit this busi-
ness and discontinue providing liquidity and the belief
that the variable rate municipal trust certificates that
support our program will no longer be a consistent
source of funding. A reduction in the variable rate
municipal trust certificates without a corresponding
liquidation of the underlying bonds results in the need
for additional funding that would require financing
through our overnight bank lines or repurchase agree-
ments. For further discussion of our liquidity, market
and credit risk related to variable rate certificates issued
from trusts as part of our tender option bond program,
refer to “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” below. For
further discussion of our liquidity, market and credit
risks related to variable rate demand notes, refer to
“Enterprise Risk Management” below.

A significant component of our employees’ compensa-
tion is paid in an annual discretionary bonus. The
timing of these bonus payments, which generally are
paid in February, has a significant impact on our cash
position and liquidity when paid.

We currently do not pay cash dividends on our common
stock.

On April 16, 2008, we announced that our board of
directors had authorized the repurchase of up to
$100 million in shares of our common stock. The share
repurchase program will help us manage our equity
capital relative to the growth of our business and offset,
in part, the dilutive effect of employee equity-based
compensation. The program expires on June 30, 2010.
In 2008, we repurchased $15 million of our shares of
common stock under this authorization which equaled
444,225 shares at an average price of $33.75.

We may add capital in 2009 to facilitate certain of our
growth initiatives, depending upon availability and
pricing.

CASH FLOWS

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $100.5 million to
$49.8 million at December 31, 2008 from 2007. Oper-
ating activities provided cash of $62.1 million due to
cash received from a reduction in net financial instru-
ments and other inventory positions owned as we
reduced our inventory positions during 2008 to reduce
our market exposure. Partially offsetting this fluctua-
tion was our net operating loss, the majority of which
resulted from a non-cash goodwill impairment charge.

Investing activities used $8.7 million of cash for the
payment to FAMCO in accordance with performance
conditions set forth in the purchase agreement and the
purchase of fixed assets. Cash of $153.5 million was
used in financing activities due in part to a $139.5 mil-
lion decrease in secured financing activities and
$23.8 million utilized to repurchase common stock.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $110.4 million to
$150.3 million at December 31, 2007 from 2006. We
increased our cash position at the end of 2007 to
facilitate liquidity in the event of any credit tightness
in the markets at or near year-end. Operating activities
provided cash of $135.4 million due to cash received
from earnings and a reduction in operating assets.
Investing activities used $95.6 million of cash for the
acquisitions of FAMCO and Goldbond during 2007
and the purchase of fixed assets. Cash of $70.8 million
was provided through financing activities due to a
$153.9 million increase in secured financing activities
offset in part by $87.5 million utilized to repurchase
common stock.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $21.0 million to
$39.9 million at December 31, 2006 from 2005. Oper-
ating activities used cash of $72.4 million, as cash paid
out for operating assets and liabilities exceeded cash
received from earnings. Cash of $707.4 million was
provided by investing activities due to the sale of the
PCS branch network to UBS. Cash of $657.2 million
was used in financing activities. We used the proceeds
from the sale of PCS to repay $180 million in subor-
dinated debt and repurchase approximately 1.6 million
shares of common stock through an accelerated share
repurchase program in the amount of $100 million. In
addition, we paid down other short-term borrowings
used to finance our continuing operations.

FUNDING SOURCES

Short-term funding is obtained through the use of
repurchase agreements and bank loans and are typi-
cally collateralized by the firm’s securities inventory.
Short-term funding is generally obtained at rates based
upon the federal funds rate. We have available both
committed and uncommitted short-term financing with
a diverse group of banks.

Uncommitted Lines – Our uncommitted secured lines
total $285 million with four banks. These secured lines
are dependent on having appropriate collateral, as
to secure an
determined by the bank agreement,
advance under the line. Collateral limitations could
reduce the amount of funding available under these
secured lines. We also have a $100 million uncommit-
ted unsecured facility with one of these banks. We use

18

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

these credit facilities in the ordinary course of business
to fund a portion of our daily operations, and the
amount borrowed under these facilities varies daily
based on our funding needs. These uncommitted lines
are discretionary and are not a commitment by the
bank to provide an advance under the line. For exam-
ple, these lines are subject to approval by the respective
bank each time an advance is requested and advances
may be denied. We continue to manage our relation-
ships with all the banks that provide these uncommit-
ted facilities in order to have appropriate levels of
funding for our business.

Committed Lines – Our committed line is a $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 bor-
rowed under the facility varies daily based on our
funding needs. Advances under this facility are secured
by certain marketable securities. However, of the
$250 million in financing available under this facility,
$125 million may only be drawn with specific munic-
ipal securities as collateral. The facility includes a cov-
enant that requires us to maintain a minimum net
capital of $180 million, and the unpaid principal
amount of all advances under the facility will be due
on September 25, 2009.

Average net repurchase agreements (excluding repur-
chase agreements used to facilitate economic hedges) of
$171 million and $122 million and short-term bank
loans of $68 million and $10 million in 2008 and 2007,
respectively, were primarily used to finance inventory
as well as customer and trade-related receivables. On
December 31, 2008, we had $9 million outstanding in
short-term bank financing.

On December 31, 2007, U.S. Bank N.A. agreed to
provide up to $50 million in temporary subordinated
debt upon approval by the Financial Industry Regula-
tory Authority (“FINRA”). This facility was not used
during 2008, expired on December 26, 2008 and was
not renewed.

On February 19, 2008, we also entered into a $600 mil-
lion revolving credit facility with U.S. Bank N.A. pur-
suant to which we were permitted to request advances
to fund certain short-term municipal securities. Interest
was payable monthly, and the unpaid principal amount
of all advances was due August 19, 2008. All advances
were repaid as of August 19, 2008. We determined we
no longer needed this credit facility and it was not
renewed.

We currently do not have a credit rating, which may
adversely affect our liquidity and increase our borrow-
ing costs by limiting access to sources of liquidity that
require a credit rating as a condition to providing
funds.

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 con-
tractual amounts at December 31, 2008 in total and by
remaining maturity. Excluded from the table are a
number of obligations recorded in the consolidated
statements of financial condition that generally are
short-term in nature, including secured financing trans-
actions, trading liabilities, short-term borrowings and
other payables and accrued liabilities.

(Dollars in millions)

Operating lease obligations

Purchase commitments
Fund commitments(a)
FAMCO contingent consideration(b)

2010
through
2011

2012
through
2013

2014
and
thereafter

28.1

14.8

–
–

21.8

11.8

–
–

10.7

0.1

–
–

Total

78.0

40.1

3.7
–

2009

17.4

13.4

–
–

(a) The fund commitments have no specified call dates. The timing of capital calls is based on market conditions and investment opportunities.

(b) The acquisition of FAMCO included the potential for additional cash consideration to be paid in the form of three annual payments contingent upon revenue exceeding certain revenue

run-rate thresholds. The amount of the three annual payments (assuming the revenue run-rate threshold has been met) will be equal to a percentage of earnings before income taxes,

depreciation and amortization for the previous year. We made a payment of additional cash consideration of $6.3 million in 2008. The percentage in 2009 and 2010 is 110%. We are

unable to make reasonably reliable estimates for the amount of these annual payments, if any.

Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase
goods or services that are enforceable and legally bind-
ing and that specify all significant terms, including
fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, fixed,
minimum or variable price provisions and the approx-
imate timing of the transaction. Purchase obligations

with variable pricing provisions are included in the
table based on the minimum contractual amounts.
Certain purchase obligations 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.

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

19

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

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,
2008, we are unable to make reasonably reliable esti-
mates of the period of cash settlement with the respec-
tive taxing authority. Therefore, $10.2 million of
unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from
the contractual table above. See Note 24 to the con-
solidated 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 cap-
ital 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 trans-
actions, 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, divi-
dend payments and other equity withdrawals are sub-
ject to certain notification and other provisions of the
uniform net capital rule and the net capital rule of
FINRA. 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 cap-
ital from our broker dealer subsidiary. At December 31,
2008, our net capital under the SEC’s Uniform Net
Capital Rule was $210.5 million, and exceeded the
minimum net capital required under the SEC rule by
$209.5 million.

Although we operate with a level of net capital sub-
stantially greater than the minimum thresholds estab-
lished by FINRA and the SEC, a substantial reduction
of our capital would curtail many of our revenue pro-
ducing activities.

Piper Jaffray Ltd., our broker dealer subsidiary regis-
tered in the United Kingdom, is subject to the capital
requirements of the U.K. Financial Services Authority.
Each of our Piper Jaffray Asia entities licensed by the
Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission is sub-
ject to the liquid capital requirements of the Securities
and Futures (Financial 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 including cer-
tain reimbursement guarantees meeting the FIN No. 45,
“Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Require-
ments for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees
of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”), definition of a
guarantee that may require future payments. The fol-
lowing
summarizes our off-balance-sheet
arrangements at December 31, 2008 and 2007 as
follows:

table

20

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

EXPIRATION PER PERIOD AT
DECEMBER 31,
(Dollars in thousands)

2009

2010

2011-
2012

2013-
2014

Later

Total Contractual Amount
December 31,
2008

2007

Matched-book derivative

contracts(1)(2)

Derivative contracts excluding
matched-book derivatives(2)

Loan commitments

Private equity and other principal

investments

$40,295

$

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

$

–

$75,430

$6,860,364

$6,976,089

$6,967,869

15,000
–

32,070
–

213,485
–

260,555
–

562,706
–

–

–

–

3,694

4,900

(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 one major financial

institution, which is mitigated by collateral deposits. In addition, we have a limited number of counterparties (contractual amount of $254.4 million at December 31, 2008) 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 us to the
credit risk of these counterparties. As of December 31, 2008, we had $42.4 million of credit exposure with these counterparties, including $20.9 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, 2008 and 2007, the net fair value of these derivative contracts approximated $21.8 million and $18.4 million, respectively.

DERIVATIVES
Neither derivatives’ notional amounts nor underlying
instrument values are reflected as assets or liabilities in
our consolidated statements of financial condition.
Rather, the market, or fair value, of the derivative
transactions are reported in the consolidated state-
ments of financial condition as assets or liabilities in
trading securities owned and trading securities sold,
but not yet purchased, as applicable. Derivatives are
presented on a net-by-counterparty basis when a legal
right of offset exists, and on a net-by-cross product
basis when applicable provisions are stated in a master
netting agreement.

We enter into derivative contracts in a principal capac-
ity 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 deriva-
tive products, see Note 5, “Financial Instruments and
Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instru-
ments and Other Inventory Positions Sold, but Not Yet
Purchased,” in the notes to our consolidated financial
statements.

SPECIAL PURPOSE ENTITIES

We enter into arrangements with various special-pur-
pose entities (“SPEs”). SPEs may be corporations,
trusts or partnerships that are established for a limited
purpose. There are two types of SPEs – qualified SPEs
(“QSPEs”) and variable interest entities (“VIEs”). A
QSPE generally can be described as an entity whose
permitted activities are limited to passively holding

financial assets and distributing cash flows to investors
based on pre-set terms. Our involvement with QSPEs
relates to securitization transactions related to our
tender option bond program in which highly rated
fixed rate municipal bonds are sold to a SPE that
qualifies as a QSPE under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 140, “Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extin-
guishments of Liabilities a Replacement of FASB State-
ment No. 125,” (“SFAS 140”). In accordance with
SFAS 140 and FIN 46(R), we do not consolidate
QSPEs. We recognize the retained interests we hold
in the QSPEs at fair value. We derecognize financial
assets transferred to QSPEs, provided we have surren-
dered control over the assets.

The sale of municipal bonds into an SPE trust as part of
our TOB program was funded by the sale of variable
rate certificates to institutional customers seeking vari-
able rate tax-free investment products. These variable
rate certificates reprice weekly. We have contracted
with a major third-party financial institution who acts
as the liquidity provider for our tender option bond
trusts and we have agreed to reimburse the liquidity
provider for any losses associated with providing
liquidity to the trusts. This liquidity provider has the
ability to terminate its agreement and in the third
quarter of 2008 the liquidity provider to all of our
trusts notified us they will be exiting this line of busi-
ness in 2009.

In the third quarter of 2008, we made the determina-
tion that 23 securitization vehicles
(“Securitized
Trusts”) formerly meeting the definition of QSPE’s
no longer qualified for off-balance sheet accounting
treatment, because we believed it was probable that we

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

21

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

would have material involvement with the Securitized
Trusts under the terms of our reimbursement obligation
to the liquidity provider for the Securitized Trusts. Our
obligation under the reimbursement agreement became
probable due to severe dislocation in the municipal
securities market in the third quarter of 2008. The
severe turmoil in the broader debt financial markets
created an imbalance in the supply and demand for
municipal securities, which resulted in TOB values
declining to a value that was less than the outstanding
trust certificates, making it probable that we would be
obligated to reimburse the liquidity provider for losses
under the terms of our reimbursement agreement. We
were not able to replace the loss of our liquidity pro-
vider (who is exiting the business) at economically
viable pricing and made the determination that the
variable rate trust certificates will not provide a con-
sistent source of funding for the trusts. We liquidated
19 Securitized Trusts in the fourth quarter of 2008 and
expect to liquidate an additional 7 Securitized Trusts in
early 2009. We have no plans to continue with our TOB
program after the remaining trusts are liquidated.

SPEs that do not meet the QSPE criteria because their
permitted activities are not limited sufficiently or con-
trol remains with one of the owners are referred to as
VIEs. Under FIN 46(R), we consolidate a VIE if we are
the primary beneficiary of the entity. The primary
beneficiary is the party that either (i) absorbs a majority
of the VIEs expected losses; (ii) receives a majority of
the VIEs expected residual returns; or (iii) both. At
December 31, 2008 we are party to a total of seven
TOB securitizations whereby control remained with
one of the owners and we are the primary beneficiary of
the VIE. Accordingly, we have recorded an asset for the
underlying bonds of $84.6 million (par value
$113.6 million) and a liability for the certificates sold
by the trusts for $88.0 million as of December 31,
2008. See Note 7, “Securitizations,” in the notes to
our consolidated financial statements for a complete
discussion of our securitization activities.

In addition, we have investments in various entities,
typically partnerships or limited liability companies,
established for the purpose of investing in private or
public equity securities and various partnership enti-
ties. We commit capital or act as the managing partner
or member of these entities. Some of these entities are
deemed to be VIEs. For a complete discussion of our
activities related to these types of partnerships, see
Note 8, “Variable Interest Entities,” to our consoli-
dated financial statements included in our Annual
Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2008.

22

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

LOAN COMMITMENTS

We may commit to short-term bridge-loan financing
for our clients or make commitments to underwrite
corporate debt. We had no loan commitments out-
standing at December 31, 2008.

PRIVATE EQUITY AND OTHER PRINCIPAL

INVESTMENTS

We have committed capital to certain non-consolidated
private-equity funds. These commitments have no
specified call dates.

OTHER OFF-BALANCE SHEET EXPOSURE

Our other types of off-balance-sheet arrangements
include contractual commitments and guarantees.
For a discussion of our activities related to these off-
balance sheet arrangements, see Note 16, “Contingen-
cies, Commitments and Guarantees,” to our consoli-
dated 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 iden-
tify and effectively manage each of these risks is critical
to our financial condition and profitability.

among

trading

traders,

With respect to market risk and credit risk, the corner-
stone of our risk management process is daily commu-
department
nication
management and senior management concerning our
inventory positions and overall risk profile. Our risk
management functions supplement this communica-
tion process by providing their independent perspec-
tives on our market and credit risk profile on a daily
basis. The broader goals of our risk management func-
tions 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 man-
agement, and to ensure accurate mark-to-market
pricing.

In addition to supporting daily risk management pro-
cesses on the trading desks, our risk management func-
tions support our market and credit risk committee.
This committee oversees risk management practices,

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

including defining acceptable risk tolerances and
approving risk management policies.

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 proprietary activities. Mar-
ket risks 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. Interest
rate risk is managed through the use of appropriate
hedging in U.S. government securities, agency securi-
ties, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt secu-
rities, interest rate swaps, options, futures and forward
contracts. We utilize interest rate swap contracts to
hedge a portion of our fixed income inventory, to hedge
residual cash flows from our tender option bond pro-
gram, and to hedge rate lock agreements and forward
bond purchase agreements we may enter into with our
public finance customers. 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. These interest rate swap contracts
are recorded at fair value with the changes in fair value
recognized in earnings.

Equity Price Risk – Equity price risk represents the poten-
tial 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. and
European markets 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 with 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 rel-
ative 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 to the stockholders’
equity section of our consolidated statements of finan-
cial condition.

VALUE-AT-RISK

Value-at-Risk (“VaR”) is the potential loss in value of
our trading positions 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, exchange traded options,
and all associated economic hedges. These positions
encompass both customer-related activities and propri-
etary investments. 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 correla-
tions among asset classes and individual securities.

system. Historical

simulation assumes

In the first quarter of 2008, we changed the underlying
methodology used to calculate our VaR from a histor-
ical simulation model to a Monte Carlo simulation
model after implementing a new market risk manage-
that
ment
returns in the future will have the same distribution
they had in the past. Monte Carlo simulation, in com-
parison, generates scenarios of random market moves
and revalues the portfolio given each of those market
moves. We believe that a Monte Carlo simulation is an
enhanced VaR methodology. In addition, the Monte
Carlo simulation model can better account for options
and other instruments that contain optionality. The
new system also provides us with better modeling of
the correlations among all of our asset classes. All prior
year data has been restated to reflect the change in
methodology.

Model-based VaR derived from simulation has inher-
ent 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,

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

23

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

different assumptions and approximations could pro-
duce materially different VaR estimates.

There can be no assurance that actual losses occurring
on any given day arising from changes in market con-
ditions will not exceed the VaR amounts shown below
or that such losses will not occur more than once in a
20-day trading period. In addition, different VaR meth-
odologies and distribution assumptions could produce
materially different VaR numbers. Changes in VaR
between reporting periods are generally due to changes
in levels of risk exposure, volatilities and/or correla-
tions among asset classes.

We report an empirical VaR based on net realized trading
revenue volatility. Empirical VaR presents an inclusive mea-
sure of our historical risk exposure, as it incorporates virtu-
ally all trading activities and types of risk including market,
credit, liquidity and operational risk. The table below pre-
sents VaR using the past 250 days of net trading revenue.
Consistent with industry practice, when calculating VaR we
use a 95 percent confidence level and a one-day time horizon
for calculating both empirical and simulated VaR. This
means that, over time, there is a 1 in 20 chance that daily
trading net revenues will fall below the expected daily trad-
ing net revenues by an amount at least as large as the
reported VaR.

The following table quantifies the empirical VaR for each component of market risk at the dates indicated:

At December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Interest Rate Risk
Equity Price Risk
Diversification Effect(1)

Total Value-at-Risk

2008

2007

$2,494
334

$2,085
448

(416)

(736)

$2,412

$1,797

(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.

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, 2008.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

(Dollars in thousands)

Interest Rate Risk
Equity Price Risk
Diversification Effect(1)
Total Value-at-Risk

High

Low

Average

$4,357
1,836

$554
78

3,704

584

$1,956
489

(602)

1,843

(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.

Supplementary measures employed by Piper Jaffray to
monitor and manage market risk exposure include 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.

The aggregate VaR as of December 31, 2008 increased
compared to levels reported as of December 31, 2007
due to increased market volatility and lower correla-
tions, as well as the increase in municipal exposure
related to the TOB program that was brought on-bal-
ance sheet at the end of the third quarter of 2008 and
managed throughout the fourth quarter of 2008. We
continue to manage the TOB program assets as part of
our overall risk management metrics and limits.

In early 2009 our aggregate VaR is relatively lower with
respect to the levels reported as of December 31, 2008.

LIQUIDITY RISK

Market risk can be exacerbated in times of trading
illiquidity when market participants refrain from trans-
acting in normal quantities and/or at normal bid-offer
spreads. Depending on the specific security, the struc-
ture of the financial product, and/or overall market
conditions, we may be forced to hold onto a security for
substantially longer than we had planned. Our inven-
tory positions 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 1.7 as of December 31, 2008 and net capital of
$210.5 million in our U.S. broker dealer as of Decem-
ber 31, 2008. We manage liquidity risk by diversifying
our funding sources across products and among indi-
vidual counterparties within those products. For

24

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

example, our treasury department actively manages the
use of repurchase agreements and secured and unse-
cured bank borrowings each day depending on pricing,
availability of funding, available collateral and lending
parameters from any one of these sources. We also
added a committed bank line to our funding sources
during the third quarter of 2008 to further manage
liquidity risk.

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.

As discussed within “Liquidity, Funding and Capital
Resources” above, the turmoil in the credit markets
during 2008 disrupted traditional sources of liquidity
for variable rate demand notes, auction rate municipal
securities and variable rate municipal trust certificates,
which support our tender option bond program.

We currently act as the remarketing agent for approx-
imately $7.5 billion of variable rate demand notes,
which all have a financial institution providing a liquid-
ity guarantee. As remarketing agent for our clients’
variable rate demand notes, we are the first source of
liquidity for sellers of these instruments. 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 institu-
tion providing the liquidity guarantee. We experienced
this supply and demand imbalance during the third
quarter of 2008 and began tendering these securities
back to the financial institutions that provide liquidity
guarantees for these securities. During the fourth quar-
ter of 2008, credit markets normalized for variable rate
demand notes and we have experienced trading activity
and inventory levels consistent with historical trends.

We currently act as the broker-dealer for approximately
$231 million of auction rate municipal securities, all of
which are insured by monolines. Demand by investors
for auction rate securities backed by certain monoline
insurers declined significantly in the first quarter of
2008 and we increased our inventory positions in early
2008 in an effort to facilitate liquidity. The market for
auction rate securities has ceased to function and as a
result we have been working with the underlying
municipal issuers to restructure their outstanding auc-
tion rate debt into something more market-acceptable.

As of February 20, 2009, our inventory position was
reduced to $18 million in these securities.

As of December 31, 2008, our tender option bond
program had securitized $113.6 million in par value
($84.6 million in market value) of municipal bonds in 7
trusts. Each municipal bond is sold into a trust that is
funded by the sale of variable rate municipal trust
certificates to institutional customers seeking variable
rate tax-free investment products. We act as the remar-
keting agent for all of these trusts. The credit market
turmoil impacted our TOB program in the third quar-
ter of 2008 and as a result we decided to discontinue the
program as we believe that the TOB trusts will not have
long-term lives as we originally expected. This decision
was based on the trusts’ liquidity provider deciding to
discontinue providing liquidity and the belief that the
variable rate municipal trust certificates that support
our program will no longer be a consistent source of
funding. A reduction in the variable rate municipal
trust certificates without a corresponding liquidation
of the underlying bonds, results in additional funding
needs that need to be financed through our overnight
bank lines or repurchase agreements. In certain cases
we anticipate retaining the underlying bonds for a
period of time. Discontinuing the TOB program meets
two key objectives during this time of market turmoil.
First, it removes a potential funding risk to the existing
TOB program, and second it helps manage our overall
municipal exposure prudently relative to the overall
risk framework that we maintain for the firm. See “Off-
Balance Sheet Arrangements – Special Purpose Enti-
ties” above,
for further discussion of our TOB
program.

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 interconnect-
edness of the financial markets has caused market
participants to be impacted by systemic pressure, or
contagion, that results from the failure or expected
failure of large market participants.

We maintain counterparty credit exposure with six
non-publicly rated municipalities totaling $42.4 million
at December 31, 2008. This counterparty credit expo-
sure is part of our matched-book derivative program,
consisting primarily of interest rate swaps. One deriv-
ative counterparty represents 49 percent or $20.9 mil-
lion in credit exposure. Credit exposure associated with
our derivative counterparties is driven by uncollateral-
the
ized market movements in the fair value of

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

25

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

contracts and is monitored regularly by our market and
credit risk committee.

concentration risk is carefully monitored and is man-
aged through the use of policies and limits.

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 execu-
tion, 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. and Hong Kong is monitored daily.
Our risk management functions have created credit risk
policies establishing appropriate credit limits and col-
lateralization thresholds for our customers utilizing
margin lending. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we
elected to exit the Hong Kong retail business, which
will reduce our margin lending exposure in 2009.

Credit exposure associated with our bridge-loan
financings is monitored regularly by our market and
credit risk committee. Bridge-loan financings that have
been funded are recorded in other assets at amortized
cost on the consolidated statement of financial condi-
tion. At December 31, 2008 we had two bridge-loan
financings funded totaling $19.8 million. One bridge
loan totaling $11.9 million is in default as of Decem-
ber 31, 2008; however, we currently believe that the
value of our secured collateral exceeds $11.9 million
and accordingly we have not recorded an impairment
loss on this loan as of December 31, 2008.

Our risk management functions review risk associated
with institutional counterparties with whom we hold
repurchase and resale agreement facilities, stock bor-
row 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. In the third
quarter of 2008 a major investment bank, Lehman
Brothers Holdings Inc. (“Lehman”), filed for bank-
ruptcy protection exposing us to $3.0 million in unse-
cured receivables for which we are fully reserved.

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 indi-
vidual borrowers or make substantial underwriting
commitments. Concentration risk can occur by indus-
try, geographic area or type of client. Potential credit

26

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

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.

OPERATIONAL RISK

Operational risk refers to the risk of direct or indirect
loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal pro-
cesses, people and systems or from external events. We
rely on the ability of our employees, our internal sys-
tems 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, regulatory sanctions and
damage to our reputation. We have business continuity
plans in place that we believe will cover critical pro-
cesses on a company-wide basis, and redundancies are
built into our systems as we have deemed appropriate.
These control mechanisms attempt to ensure that oper-
ations policies and procedures are being followed and
that our various businesses are operating within estab-
lished corporate policies and limits.

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 perfor-
mance obligations will be unenforceable. We are gen-
erally 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-launder-
ing, 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

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

number of factors, including the conduct of our busi-
ness activities and the types of clients and counter-
parties 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
and
counterparties.

reviews of

clients

inflation affects our expenses, such as employee com-
pensation, office space leasing costs and communica-
tions 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.

Effects of Inflation

Because our assets are liquid in nature, they are not
significantly affected by inflation. However, the rate of

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical or current facts,
including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and are subject to significant
risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These forward-looking statements cover, among other things,
statements made about general economic and market conditions, our current deal pipelines, the environment and
prospects for capital markets transactions and activity, management expectations, anticipated financial results
(including expectations regarding revenue and expense levels, the compensation ratio, and break-even perfor-
mance), liquidity and capital resources, expectations regarding inventory positions, changes in our accounting
policy related to stock-based compensation, our financial restatement, or other similar matters. These statements
involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, and important factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from those anticipated or discussed in the forward-looking statements including
(1) market and economic conditions or developments may be unfavorable, including in specific sectors in which
we operate, and these conditions or developments (including market fluctuations or volatility) may adversely
affect the environment for capital markets transactions and activity and our business, revenue levels and
profitability, (2) the volume of anticipated investment banking transactions as reflected in our deal pipelines
(and the net revenues we earn from such transactions) may differ from expected results if any transactions are
delayed or not completed at all or if the terms of any transactions are modified, (3) we may not be able to compete
successfully with other companies in the financial services industry, (4) our ability to manage expenses to attain
break-even performance at reduced revenue levels may be limited by the fixed nature of certain expenses as well as
the impact from unanticipated expenses during the year, (5) 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, (6) an
inability to readily divest or transfer inventory positions may result in future inventory levels that differ from
management’s expectations and potential financial losses from a decline in value of illiquid positions, (7) the use of
estimates and valuations in the application of our accounting policies, particularly our critical accounting policies,
require significant estimation and judgment by management, (8) the results of the audit of our restated financial
information could require adjustments to such information, and (9) the other factors described under “Risk
Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, 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” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and updated in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC
(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 readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them.
We undertake no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

27

INDEX TO AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Piper Jaffray Companies

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Financial Statements:

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 Background
Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 3 Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Note 4 Discontinued Operations
Note 5 Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Financial Instruments and Other Inventory

Positions Sold, but Not Yet Purchased

Note 6 Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Note 7 Securitizations

Note 8 Variable Interest Entities

Note 9 Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations
Note 10 Receivables from and Payables to Customers

Note 11 Collateralized Securities Transactions

Note 12 Other Assets
Note 13 Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Note 14 Fixed Assets

Note 15 Financing
Note 16 Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

Note 17 Restructuring

Note 18 Shareholders’ Equity
Note 19 Earnings Per Share

Note 20 Employee Benefit Plans

Note 21 Stock-Based Compensation and Cash Award Program

Note 22 Geographic Areas
Note 23 Net Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters

Note 24 Income Taxes

Page

29

30

31

32

33

34
35

36

36
37

42

43

44

45
47

48

48
49

49

50
51

52

52
53

54

55
56

57

60

63
64

64

28

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Piper Jaffray Companies

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,
2008. 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, 2008.

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 audited the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. Their report, which expresses an unqualified
opinion on the effectiveness of Piper Jaffray Companies’ internal control over financial reporting as of Decem-
ber 31, 2008, is included herein.

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

29

Piper Jaffray Companies

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, 2008, 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 misstate-
ments. 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, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), the 2008 consolidated financial statements of Piper Jaffray Companies and our report dated
February 27, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 27, 2009

30

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Piper Jaffray Companies

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, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and the related consolidated statements of operations,
changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. 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, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and the consolidated results
of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for the years then ended were
restated as discussed in Note 1.

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, 2008, based
on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organization of the Treadway Commission and our report, dated February 27, 2009, expressed an unqualified
opinion thereon.

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 27, 2009

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

31

Piper Jaffray Companies

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents segregated for regulatory purposes
Receivables:
Customers
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

Deposits with clearing organizations
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Securitized municipal tender option bonds

Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned and pledged as

collateral

Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned
Fixed assets (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $59,485,

$55,508 and $48,603, respectively)

Goodwill
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $8,230, $5,609 and $3,333,

respectively)
Other receivables
Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Short-term bank financing
Payables:

Customers
Checks and drafts
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Tender option bond trust certificates
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased
Accrued compensation
Other liabilities and accrued expenses

Total liabilities

Shareholders’ equity:

Common stock, $0.01 par value:

Shares authorized: 100,000,000 at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006;
Shares issued: 19,498,488 at December 31, 2008; 19,494,488 at
December 31, 2007 and 19,487,319 at December 31, 2006
Shares outstanding: 15,684,433 at December 31, 2008; 15,662,835 at
December 31, 2007 and 16,984,474 at December 31, 2006

Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Less common stock held in treasury, at cost: 3,814,055 shares at December 31,

2008; 3,831,653 shares at December 31, 2007 and 2,502,845 shares at
December 31, 2006

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

Total shareholders’ equity

December 31,
2008

December 31,
2007

December 31,
2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$

49,848
20,005

$ 150,348
–

$

39,903
25,000

39,228
122,120
28,471
65,237
84,586

124,329
87,668
30,649
52,931
49,526

51,441
312,874
30,223
139,927
51,184

380,812

500,809

725,500

112,023

242,214

89,842

492,835

743,023

815,342

20,034
160,582

14,523
36,951
185,738

27,208
284,804

17,144
38,219
154,137

25,289
231,567

1,467
39,347
113,088

$1,320,158

$1,759,986

$1,876,652

$

9,000

$

–

$

–

34,188
4,397
10,049
106,372
87,982
143,213
98,150
78,828

572,179

91,272
7,444
23,675
247,202
48,519
176,191
187,180
83,356

864,839

83,899
13,828
210,955
91,293
50,065
217,584
208,734
95,438

971,796

195
808,358
124,824

195
780,394
307,799

195
744,173
285,856

(183,935)
(1,463)

(194,461)
1,220

(126,026)
658

747,979

895,147

904,856

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$1,320,158

$1,759,986

$1,876,652

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

32

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Revenues:

Investment banking

Institutional brokerage

Interest
Asset management

Other income

Total revenues
Interest expense

Net revenues

Non-interest expenses:

Compensation and benefits

Occupancy and equipment
Communications

Floor brokerage and clearance

Marketing and business development
Outside services

Restructuring-related expenses

Goodwill impairment

Other operating expenses

Total non-interest expenses

Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense/(benefit)

Income tax expense/(benefit)

Net income/(loss) from continuing operations

Discontinued operations:

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

Net income/(loss)

Earnings per basic common share

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations

Earnings per basic common share

Earnings per diluted common share

Income/(loss) from continuing operations
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations

Earnings per diluted common share

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

Basic

Diluted

Piper Jaffray Companies

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$ 159,747

$302,428

$298,309

117,201

151,464

160,502

48,496
16,969

2,639

345,052
18,655

60,873
6,446

6,856

528,067
23,689

64,110
222

14,208

537,351
32,303

326,397

504,378

505,048

249,438

329,811

357,904

33,034
25,098

12,787

25,249
41,212

17,865

130,500

14,821

32,482
24,772

14,701

26,619
34,594

–

–

30,660
23,189

13,292

24,664
28,053

–

–

10,970

(6,062)

550,004

473,949

471,700

(223,607)
(40,133)

30,429
5,790

(183,474)

24,639

33,348
10,210

23,138

499

(2,696)

172,287

$(182,975)

$ 21,943

$195,425

$ (11.59)

0.03

$ (11.55)

$ (11.59)
0.03

$

$

$

1.50

$

(0.16)

1.29

9.57

1.33

$ 10.86

$

1.36
(0.15)

1.19
8.88

$ (11.55)(1) $

1.21

$ 10.07

15,837

18,198

16,474

18,117

18,002

19,399

(1) In accordance with SFAS 128, earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding in periods a loss is incurred.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

33

Piper Jaffray Companies

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

Common
Shares
Outstanding

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Treasury
Stock

Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

Balance at December 31, 2005

18,365,177

$195

$704,005 $ 90,431 $ (35,422)

$(4,382)

$ 754,827

Net income

Amortization/issuance of restricted stock

Amortization/issuance of stock options

Adjustment to unrecognized pension cost,

net of tax

Foreign currency translation adjustment

–

–

–

–

–

Repurchase of common stock

Reissuance of treasury shares

(1,648,527)

267,824

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

195,425

38,138

2,436

–

–

–

(406)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(100,000)

9,396

–

–

–

2,988

2,052

–

–

195,425

38,138

2,436

2,988

2,052

(100,000)

8,990

Balance at December 31, 2006 (Restated)

16,984,474

$195

$744,173 $ 285,856 $(126,026)

$

658

$ 904,856

Net income

Amortization/issuance of restricted stock

Amortization/issuance of stock options

Adjustment to unrecognized pension cost,

net of tax

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Repurchase of common stock

Reissuance of treasury shares

Shares reserved to meet deferred

–

–

–

–

–

(1,590,477)

261,669

compensation obligations

7,169

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

21,943

47,314

2,498

–

–

–

(14,056)

465

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(79,971)

11,536

–

–

–

–

(206)

768

–

–

–

21,943

47,314

2,498

(206)

768

(79,971)

(2,520)

465

Balance at December 31, 2007 (Restated)

15,662,835

$195

$780,394 $ 307,799 $(194,461)

$ 1,220

$ 895,147

Net loss

Amortization/issuance of restricted stock

Amortization/issuance of stock options

Adjustment to unrecognized pension cost,

net of tax

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Repurchase of common stock

Reissuance of treasury shares

Shares reserved to meet deferred

compensation obligations

–

–

–

–

–

(444,225)

461,823

4,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(182,975)

55,702

1,832

–

–

–

(29,833)

263

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(14,990)

25,516

–

–

–

–

(182,975)

55,702

1,832

220

(2,903)

–

–

–

220

(2,903)

(14,990)

(4,317)

263

Balance at December 31, 2008

15,684,433

$195

$808,358 $ 124,824 $(183,935)

$(1,463)

$ 747,979

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

34

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Operating Activities:
Net income/(loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by/(used in)

operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets
Gain on sale of PCS branch network
Deferred income taxes
Loss/(Gain) on disposal of fixed assets
Stock-based compensation
Amortization of intangible assets
Goodwill impairment
Decrease/(increase) in operating assets:

Cash and cash equivalents segregated for regulatory purposes
Receivables:
Customers
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

Deposits with clearing organizations
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Securitized municipal tender option bonds
Net financial instruments and other inventory positions owned
Other receivables
Other assets

Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities:

Payables:

Customers
Checks and drafts
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Tender option bond trust certificates
Accrued compensation
Other liabilities and accrued expenses

Assets held for sale
Liabilities held for sale

Piper Jaffray Companies

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$(182,975)

$ 21,943

195,425

8,952
–
(5,824)
–
21,331
2,621
130,500

9,085
–
(14,728)
292
59,700
2,276
–

12,644
(381,030)
(20,276)
12,392
84,038
1,600
–

(20,005)

25,000

(25,000)

87,231
(34,800)
2,178
(12,306)
(35,060)
216,670
529
(26,895)

(57,171)
(3,047)
(17,396)
(1,372)
39,463
(46,959)
(3,547)
–
–

(42,747)
225,311
(327)
86,996
1,658
31,152
14,439
(21,210)

(17,746)
(6,405)
(187,745)
1,983
(1,546)
(33,155)
(18,849)
–
–

499
(13,679)
34,156
82,917
(6,091)
(221,250)
(14,721)
(25,357)

10,093
(39,476)
189,378
(10,703)
5,130
5,710
2,355
75,021
(26,182)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

62,118

135,377

(72,407)

Investing Activities:

Sale of PCS branch network
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired
Purchases of fixed assets, net

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities

Financing Activities:

Increase/(decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Increase/(decrease) in short-term bank financing
Repayment of subordinated debt
Repurchase of common stock
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
Proceeds from stock option transactions

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

Currency adjustment:

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information —

Cash paid/(received) during the period for:

Interest
Income taxes

Non-cash financing activities —

–
(6,278)
(2,390)

–
(85,889)
(9,669)

715,684
–
(8,314)

(8,668)

(95,558)

707,370

(139,458)
9,000
–
(23,834)
786
36

153,926
–
–
(87,542)
2,070
2,383

(234,676)
(143,790)
(180,000)
(100,000)
–
1,308

(153,470)

70,837

(657,158)

(480)
(100,500)
150,348

(211)
110,445
39,903

1,229
(20,966)
60,869

$ 49,848

$ 150,348

$ 39,903

$ 20,989
$ (4,778)

$ 22,813
553
$

$ 41,475
$ 204,896

Issuance of common stock for retirement plan obligations:
90,140 shares, 15,788 shares and 331,434 shares for the years ended December 31,

2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively

$

3,704

$

1,063

9,013

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

35

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 Background

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 invest-
ment banking services in Europe headquartered in
London, England; Piper Jaffray Asia Holdings Limited,
an entity providing investment banking services in
China headquartered in Hong Kong; Fiduciary Asset
Management, LLC (“FAMCO”), an entity providing
asset management services to clients through separately
managed accounts and closed end funds offering an
array of investment products; Piper Jaffray Financial
Products Inc. and Piper Jaffray Financial Products II
Inc., entities that facilitate customer derivative and
inventory hedging transactions; and other immaterial
subsidiaries. Piper Jaffray Companies and its subsid-
iaries (collectively, the “Company”) operate as one
reporting segment providing investment banking ser-
vices, institutional sales, trading and research services,
and asset management services. As discussed more fully
in Note 4, the Company completed the sale of its
Private Client Services branch network and certain
related assets to UBS Financial Services, Inc., a subsid-
iary of UBS AG (“UBS”), on August 11, 2006, thereby
exiting the Private Client Services (“PCS”) business.

RESTATEMENT OF 2006 AND 2007 ANNUAL AND

2008 INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On February 2, 2009, the Company filed a Form 8-K
reporting that
the Company’s previously issued
(i) interim financial statements included in its Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31,
June 30, and September 30, 2008 and (ii) annual finan-
cial statements for the years ended December 31, 2007
and 2006 included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K
(collectively, the “Affected Financial Statements”) and
the related reports of its independent registered public
accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, should no longer
be relied upon.

As part of the compensation paid to employees, the
Company uses stock-based compensation, consisting
of restricted stock and stock options. Since January 1,
2006, the Company accounts for stock-based compen-
sation in accordance with Statement of Financial

36

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Pay-
ment” (SFAS 123(R)). Stock-based compensation was
generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the
vesting period of the award, which was typically three
years. The majority of restricted stock and option
grants provide for continued vesting after termination,
provided that the employee does not violate certain
post-termination restrictions as set forth in the award
agreements or any agreements entered into upon ter-
mination. Management’s interpretation was that the
post-termination restrictions met the SFAS 123(R) def-
inition of an in-substance service condition. Therefore,
the Company considered the required service period to
be the greater of the vesting period or the post-termi-
nation restricted period.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, management re-evalu-
ated whether the post-termination restrictions of cer-
tain equity awards would continue to meet the criteria
for an in-substance service condition given the historic
changes to the industry. Following an extensive anal-
ysis, management concluded in January 2009, in con-
sultation with the Company’s auditors, that the post-
termination restrictions had never met the criteria for
an in-substance service condition for awards granted
since January 1, 2006 based on the manner in which
those complex criteria are interpreted in practice. This
determination necessitated a restatement of
the
Affected Financial Statements to recognize expense
for all of those equity awards in the year in which
those awards were deemed to be earned, rather than
over the three-year vesting period.

The total expense impact resulting from the revised
stock-based compensation treatment was $51.7 million
after-tax ($81.5 million pre-tax) for the three year
period ended December 31, 2008, which includes the
unamortized expense for the affected equity awards
that were granted in 2008, 2007 and 2006 and an
accrual for the equity awards earned in 2008 that will
be granted in February 2009. The total expense was
largely non-cash. The cumulative impact on sharehold-
ers’ equity as of December 31, 2008 was an increase of
$13.5 million, essentially all driven by the deferred tax
benefit associated with the increase in expense.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The line items impacted by the restatement are as follows:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Statement of operations data:

Other income
Net revenues

Compensation and benefits

Total non-interest expense
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Net income from continuing operations

Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income

Earnings per basic common share data:
Income from continuing operations

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations

Earnings per basic common share

Earnings per diluted common share data:

Income from continuing operations

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations

Earnings per diluted common share

2007

2007

2006

2006

(As Reported)

(Restated)

(As Reported)

(Restated)

$

1,400
498,922

291,870

436,008
62,914

17,887

45,027

(2,811)
42,216

$

6,856
504,378

329,811

473,949
30,429

5,790

24,639

(2,696)
21,943

$

12,094
502,934

291,265

405,061
97,873

34,974

62,899

172,354
235,253

$

14,208
505,048

357,904

471,700
33,348

10,210

23,138

172,287
195,425

$

2.73

$

1.50

$

(0.17)

2.56

(0.16)

1.33

$

3.49

9.57

13.07

$

2.59

$

1.36

$

3.32

$

(0.16)
2.43

(0.15)
1.21

9.09
12.40

1.29

9.57

10.86

1.19

8.88
10.07

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

Diluted

17,355

18,117

18,968

19,399

Statement of financial condition data:

Other assets

Total assets
Accrued compensation

Total liabilities

Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings

Total shareholders’ equity

$ 117,307

$ 154,137

$

88,283

$ 113,088

1,723,156
132,908

1,759,986
187,180

1,851,847
164,346

1,876,652
208,734

810,567

737,735
367,900

912,589

864,839

780,394
307,799

895,147

927,408

723,928
325,684

924,439

971,796

744,173
285,856

904,856

In conjunction with the above changes, the restatement also affects Note 12, Note 19, Note 21 and Note 24.

Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Piper Jaffray Companies, its subsidiaries,
and all other entities in which the Company has a
controlling financial interest. All material intercom-
pany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
The Company determines whether it has a controlling
financial
in an entity by first evaluating
whether the entity is a voting interest entity, a variable
interest entity (“VIE”), a special-purpose entity
(“SPE”), or a qualifying special-purpose
entity
(“QSPE”) under U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.

interest

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 to make
decisions about the entity’s activities. Voting interest
entities, where we have a majority interest, are consol-
idated in accordance with Accounting Research Bulle-
tin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,”
(“ARB 51”), as amended. ARB 51 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 interest.

Voting interest entities are entities in which the total
equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable each

As defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board
Interpretation No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

37

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Interest Entities,” (“FIN 46(R)”), VIEs are entities that
lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting
interest entity described above. FIN 46(R) states that
a controlling financial interest in an entity is present
when an enterprise has a variable interest, or combi-
nation 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 enter-
prise with a controlling financial interest, known as the
primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE. Accordingly,
the Company consolidates VIEs in which the Company
is deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

SPEs are trusts, partnerships or corporations estab-
lished for a particular limited purpose. The Company
follows the accounting guidance in Statement of Finan-
cial Accounting Standards No. 140, “Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extin-
guishment of Liabilities” (“SFAS 140”) to determine
whether or not such SPEs are required to be consoli-
dated. Certain SPEs meet the SFAS 140 definition of a
QSPE. A QSPE can generally be described as an entity
with significantly limited powers that are intended to
limit it to passively holding financial assets and dis-
tributing cash flows based upon predetermined criteria.
Based upon the guidance in SFAS 140, QSPEs are not
consolidated. An entity accounts for its involvement
with QSPEs under a financial components approach.

Certain SPEs do not meet the QSPE criteria because
their permitted activities are not sufficiently limited or
control remains with one of the owners. These SPEs are
typically considered VIEs and are reviewed under
FIN 46(R) to determine the primary beneficiary.

When the Company does not have a controlling finan-
cial interest in an entity but exerts significant influence
over the entity’s operating and financial policies (gen-
erally 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 Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method
of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock.” 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.

USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements and related
disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles 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

38

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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 purchase.

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 exclu-
sive benefit of its customers.

COLLATERALIZED SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
Securities purchased under agreements to resell and
securities sold under agreements to repurchase are car-
ried 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 secu-
rities 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 transac-
tions 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 payable to brokers, dealers and
clearing organizations on the consolidated statements
of financial condition. Securities borrowed transac-
tions require the Company to deposit cash or other
collateral with the lender. Securities loaned transac-
tions 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 and
other liabilities and accrued expenses on the consoli-
dated statements of financial condition and (ii) the
respective interest income and expense balances on
the consolidated statements of operations.

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 collectibility and possible write-off by examining
the facts and circumstances surrounding each customer
where a loss is deemed possible.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Financial instruments and other inventory positions
owned, financial instruments and other inventory posi-
tions sold, but not yet purchased, and securitized
municipal tender option bonds are carried at fair value
on the consolidated statements of financial condition,
with unrealized gains and losses reflected in the con-
solidated statements of operations. The fair value of a
financial
instrument is the amount 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 (i.e. the exit price). Securities
(both long and short) are recognized on a trade-date
basis.

requirements

Fair Value Hierarchy – Effective January 1, 2008, the
Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”
(“SFAS 157”). Prior to January 1, 2008, the Company
followed the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (“AICPA”) Audit and Accounting Guide,
Brokers and Dealers in Securities, when determining
fair value for financial instruments. SFAS 157 defines
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 disclo-
sure
fair value measurements.
SFAS 157 maximizes the use of observable inputs
and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requir-
ing 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. Unob-
servable inputs reflect our 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:

for

Level I — Quoted prices (unadjusted) are available in
active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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,
certain U.S. treasury bonds, money market securities
and certain 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 U.S. treasury bonds
and U.S. government agency securities, certain corpo-
rate bonds, certain municipal bonds, certain asset-
backed securities, certain convertible securities, deriv-
atives, securitized municipal tender option bonds and
tender option bond trust certificates.

Level III — Instruments that have little to no pricing
observability as of the report date. These financial
instruments do 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 esti-
mation. Instruments included in this category generally
include auction rate municipal securities, certain asset-
backed securities, certain firm investments, certain
U.S. government agency securities, certain convertible
securities and certain corporate bonds.

Certain non-financial assets and non-financial liabili-
ties measured at fair value on a recurring basis include
reporting units measured at fair value in the first step of
the goodwill impairment test. Certain non-financial
assets and non-financial liabilities measured at fair-
value on a non-recurring basis include non-financial
assets and non-financial liabilities measured at fair
value in the second step of a goodwill impairment test,
as well as intangible assets measured at fair value for
impairment assessment. SFAS 157 will be applicable to
these fair value measurements beginning January 1,
2009.

Valuation Of Financial Instruments – When available,
the Company values financial instruments at observ-
able market prices, observable market parameters, or

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

39

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

financial

broker or dealer prices (bid and ask prices). In the case
of
instruments transacted on recognized
exchanges, the observable market prices represent quo-
tations for completed transactions from the exchange
on which the financial instrument is principally traded.

A substantial percentage of the fair value of the Com-
pany’s financial instruments and other inventory posi-
tions owned, financial instruments and other inventory
positions owned and pledged as collateral, and finan-
cial 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 mar-
ket prices and pricing or market parameters in a prod-
uct 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.

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 infor-
mation 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 value of a security is derived from an inde-
pendent 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 dispo-
sition could be different from the currently estimated
fair value.

Derivative contracts are financial instruments such as
forwards, futures, swaps or option contracts that derive
their value from underlying assets, reference rates,
indices or a combination of these factors. A derivative
contract generally represents future commitments to

40

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

purchase or sell financial instruments at specified terms
on a specified date or to exchange currency or interest
payment streams based on the contract or notional
amount. Derivative contracts exclude certain cash
instruments, such as mortgage-backed securities, inter-
est-only and principal-only obligations and indexed
debt instruments that derive their values or contractu-
ally required cash flows from the price of some other
security or index.

The fair values related to derivative contract transac-
tions are reported in financial instruments and other
inventory positions owned and financial instruments
and other inventory positions sold, but not yet pur-
chased 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. Fair
value is determined using quoted market prices when
available or pricing models based on the net present
value of estimated future cash flows. Management
deems the net present value of estimated future cash
flows model to provide the best estimate of fair value as
most of our derivative products are interest rate prod-
ucts. The valuation models used require inputs includ-
ing contractual terms, market prices, yield curves,
credit curves and measures of volatility.

The Company does not utilize “hedge accounting” as
described within Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instru-
ments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”). Deriva-
tives are reported on a net-by-counterparty basis when
a legal right of offset exists and on a net-by-cross
product basis when applicable provisions are stated
in a master netting agreement. Cash collateral received
or paid is netted on a counterparty basis, provided legal
right of offset exists.

SECURITIZED MUNICIPAL TENDER OPTION BONDS
The Company securitized highly rated municipal bonds
as part of its tender option bond program. Such trans-
fers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when
the Company has relinquished control over the trans-
ferred assets with the resulting gain included in insti-
tutional brokerage revenue on the consolidated
statements of operations. Transfers that are not
accounted for as sales are accounted for as secured
borrowings by consolidating the assets and liabilities of
the trusts onto the Company’s consolidated statements
of financial condition.

FIXED ASSETS
Fixed assets include furniture and equipment, software
and leasehold improvements. Depreciation of furniture
and equipment and software is provided 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
shorter. Additionally, certain costs
incurred in connection with internal-use software
projects are capitalized and amortized over
the
expected useful life of the asset, generally three to seven
years.

is

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 10 years. Some of the leases contain
renewal options, escalation clauses, rent free holidays
and operating cost adjustments.

For leases that contain escalations and rent-free holi-
days, 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 excess of purchase price over
the fair value of net assets acquired using the purchase
method of accounting. 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 evaluation
includes assessing the estimated fair value of the good-
will based on market prices for similar assets, where
available, the Company’s market capitalization and the
present value of the estimated future cash flows asso-
ciated with the goodwill.

Intangible assets with determinable lives consist of
asset management contractual relationships, non-com-
pete agreements, certain trade names and trademarks,

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

and software technologies that are amortized over their
estimated useful lives ranging from three to ten years.

OTHER RECEIVABLES
Other receivables includes management fees receivable,
accrued interest and loans made to revenue-producing
employees, typically in connection with their recruit-
ment. Employee loans are forgiven based on continued
employment and are amortized to compensation and
benefits using the straight-line method over the respec-
tive terms of the loans, which generally range up to
three years.

OTHER ASSETS
Other assets include net deferred tax assets, income tax
receivables, prepaid expenses and proprietary invest-
ments. The Company’s investments include invest-
ments in partnerships, bridge-loan financings and
investments to fund deferred compensation liabilities.

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

Institutional Brokerage — Institutional brokerage rev-
enues 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.

Asset Management — asset management fees, which
are derived from providing investment advisory ser-
vices, 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.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Stan-
dards No.
Payment,”
(“SFAS 123(R)”), using the modified prospective tran-
sition method. SFAS 123(R) requires all stock-based
compensation to be expensed in the consolidated

“Share-Based

123(R),

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

41

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

statement of operations at fair value. Expense related to
shared-based awards that do not require a future ser-
vice period 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 rel-
evant service period net of estimated forfeitures.

common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted earn-
ings per common share is calculated by adjusting the
weighted average outstanding shares to assume con-
version of all potentially dilutive restricted stock and
stock options.

INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense is recorded 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 state-
ment purposes, using current tax rates. A valuation
allowance is recognized if it is anticipated that some or
all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Tax
reserves for uncertain tax positions are recorded in
accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48,
“Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an
interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (“FIN 48”).

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The Company consolidates foreign subsidiaries, which
have designated their local currency as their functional
currency. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsid-
iaries are translated at year-end rates of exchange, and
statement of operations accounts are translated at an
average rate for the period. In accordance with State-
ment of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52, “For-
eign Currency Translation,” (“SFAS 52”), gains or
losses resulting from translating foreign currency finan-
cial statements are reflected in other comprehensive
income, a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency trans-
actions are included in net income.

EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per common share is computed by divid-
ing net income by the weighted average number of

RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to
conform to the current year presentation.

Note 3 Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Stan-
dards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measure-
ments” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value and
expands disclosures regarding fair value measure-
ments. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value
measurements, but its application may, for some enti-
ties, change current practice. Changes to current prac-
tice stem from the revised definition of fair value and
the application of this definition within the framework
established by SFAS 157. SFAS 157 was effective for the
Company beginning January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 did not
have a material affect on the Company’s consolidated
financial
In accordance with FSP
FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement
No. 157” (“FSP 157-2”), the Company will defer the
application of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and
non-financial
January 1, 2009.
FSP 157-2 is not expected to have a material affect
on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

liabilities until

statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Finan-
cial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value
Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”
(“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to
measure certain financial assets and liabilities and other

42

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

eligible items at fair value, which are not otherwise
currently allowed to be measured at fair value. Under
SFAS 159, the decision to measure items at fair value is
made at specified election dates on an irrevocable
instrument-by-instrument basis. Entities electing the
fair value option would be required to recognize
changes in fair value in earnings and to expense upfront
costs and fees associated with the item for which the
fair value option is elected. Entities electing the fair
value option are required to distinguish on the face of
the statement of financial position, the fair value of
assets and liabilities for which the fair value option has
been elected and similar assets and liabilities measured
using another measurement attribute. SFAS 159 was
effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2008.
SFAS 159 did not have a material affect on the Com-
pany’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2007, the FASB issued FSP No. FIN 39-1,
“Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39” (“FSP
FIN 39-1”). FSP FIN 39-1 modifies FIN No. 39, “Off-
setting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts,” and
permits companies to offset cash collateral receivables
or payables with net derivative positions under certain
circumstances. FSP FIN 39-1 was effective for the
Company beginning January 1, 2008. FSP FIN 39-1

did not have a material affect on the Company’s con-
solidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised
2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”).
SFAS 141(R) expands the definition of transactions
and events that qualify as business combinations;
requires that acquired assets and liabilities, including
contingencies, be recorded at the fair value determined
on the acquisition date and changes thereafter reflected
in revenue, not goodwill; changes the recognition tim-
ing for restructuring costs; and requires acquisition
incurred. Adoption of
costs
SFAS 141(R) is required for combinations after Decem-
ber 15, 2008. Early adoption and retroactive applica-
tion of SFAS 141(R) to fiscal years preceding the
effective date are not permitted. The Company will
apply the standard to any business combinations within
the scope of SFAS 141(R) occurring after December 31,
2008.

to be expensed as

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, “Noncon-
trolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements”
(SFAS 160). SFAS 160 re-characterizes minority inter-
ests in consolidated subsidiaries as non-controlling
interests and requires the classification of minority
interests as a component of equity. Under SFAS 160,
a change in control will be measured at fair value, with
any gain or loss recognized in earnings. SFAS 160 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2008, with early adoption prohibited. The provisions
of SFAS 160 are to be applied prospectively, except for
the presentation and disclosure requirements which are
to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented.
SFAS 160 is not expected to have a material effect on
the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161 “Dis-
closures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement
No. 133” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 intends to improve
financial reporting about derivative instruments and

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures
about their impact on an entity’s financial position,
financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161
requires disclosures regarding the objectives for using
derivative instruments, the fair value of derivative
instruments and their related gains and losses, and
the accounting for derivatives and related hedged
items. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim
periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early
adoption permitted. Because SFAS 161 impacts the
Company’s disclosure and not its accounting treatment
for derivative instruments and any hedge items, the
Company’s adoption of SFAS 161 will not impact its
consolidated results of operations and financial
condition.

for That Asset

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3,
“Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When
the Market
Is Not Active”
(“FSP 157-3”), which was effective upon issuance,
including prior periods for which financial statements
have not been issued. FSP 157-3 clarifies the applica-
tion of SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”
(“SFAS 157”) in a market that is not active and pro-
vides an example of key considerations to determine
the fair value of financial assets when the market for
those assets is not active. The adoption of FSP 157-3
did not have a material effect on the Company’s con-
solidated results of operations and financial condition.

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 140-4 and
FIN 46(R)-8 “Disclosures by Public Entities (Enter-
prises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests
in Variable Interest Entities” (“FSP 140-4”), which is
effective for the first reporting period ending after
December 15, 2008. FSP 140-4 requires additional
disclosure related to transfers of financial assets and
variable interest entities. Since FSP 140-4 impacts the
Company’s disclosures and not its accounting treat-
ment for transfers of financial assets and variable inter-
est entities, the Company’s adoption of FSP 140-4 did
not impact its consolidated results of operations and
financial condition.

Note 4 Discontinued Operations

On August 11, 2006, the Company and UBS completed
the sale of the Company’s PCS branch network under a
previously announced asset purchase agreement. The
purchase price under the asset purchase agreement was
approximately $750 million, which included $500 mil-
lion for the branch network and approximately
$250 million for the net assets of the branch network,
consisting principally of customer margin receivables.

In accordance with the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting
for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”
(“SFAS 144”), the results of PCS operations have been
classified as discontinued operations for all periods
presented. The Company recorded income from dis-
continued operations, net of tax, of $0.5 million for the
year ended December 31, 2008. The Company may

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

43

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

incur discontinued operations expense or income
related to changes in litigation reserve estimates for
retained PCS litigation matters and for changes in
estimates to PCS related unrecognized tax benefits,
and occupancy and severance restructuring charges if
the facts that support the Company’s estimates change.

2006 to significantly restructure the Company’s sup-
port infrastructure. All restructuring costs related to the
sale of the PCS branch network are included within
discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS 144.
See Note 17 for additional information regarding the
Company’s restructuring activities.

In connection with the sale of the Company’s PCS
branch network, the Company initiated a plan in

Note 5 Financial Instruments and Other Inventory Positions Owned and Finan-
cial 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:

(Dollars in thousands)
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned(1):
Corporate securities:
Equity securities
Convertible securities
Fixed income securities

Municipal Securities:

Auction rate municipal securities
Variable rate demand notes
Other municipal securities

Asset-backed securities
U.S. government agency securities
U.S. government securities
Derivative contracts
Other

Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not yet

purchased:

Corporate securities:
Equity securities
Convertible securities
Fixed income securities

Municipal securities
U.S. government agency securities
U.S. government securities
Derivative contracts
Other

December 31,
2008

December 31,
2007

December 31,
2006

$ 4,148
7,088
72,571

$ 14,977
102,938
64,367

$ 14,163
59,118
216,339

17,650
18,675
136,844
52,385
59,341
67,631
56,502
–
$492,835

202,500
32,542
158,624
44,006
48,074
25,113
35,961
13,921
$743,023

76,000
63,675
165,067
18,882
158,108
10,715
25,142
8,133
$815,342

$ 6,335
–
9,283
23,250
10,298
58,377
35,670
–
$143,213

$ 66,856
4,764
26,310
11
25,752
33,972
18,388
138
$176,191

$ 31,452
2,543
16,378
5
51,001
109,719
6,486
–
$217,584

(1) Excludes $84.6 million, $49.5 million and $51.2 million in securitized municipal tender option bonds held in securitized trusts at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These

financial instruments are included in securitized municipal tender option bonds on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

44

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

At December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, financial
instruments and other inventory positions owned in
the amount of $112.0 million, $242.2 million and
$89.8 million, respectively, had been pledged as col-
lateral for the Company’s repurchase agreements and
secured borrowings.

Inventory positions sold, but not yet purchased repre-
sent 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 pre-
vailing 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 eco-
nomically hedges changes in market value of its finan-
cial instruments and other inventory positions owned
utilizing inventory positions sold, but not yet pur-
chased,
interest rate swaps, futures and exchange-
traded options.

DERIVATIVE CONTRACT FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company uses interest rate swaps, interest rate
locks, and forward contracts to facilitate customer

transactions and as a means to manage risk in certain
inventory positions. Interest rate swaps are also used to
manage interest rate exposure associated with the
Company’s tender option bond program. As of Decem-
ber 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company was
counterparty to notional/contract amounts of $7.2 bil-
lion, $7.5 billion and $5.8 billion, respectively, of
derivative instruments.

The Company’s derivative contracts are recorded at fair
value. Fair values for derivative contracts represent
amounts estimated to be received from or paid to a
counterparty in settlement of these instruments. These
derivatives are valued using quoted market prices when
available or pricing models based on the net present
value of estimated future cash flows. The valuation
models used require inputs including contractual terms,
market prices, yield curves, credit curves and measures
of volatility. Derivatives are reported on a net-by-coun-
terparty basis when legal right of offset exists, and on a
net-by-cross product basis 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.

Note 6 Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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

The degree of judgment used in measuring the fair value
of financial instruments generally correlates to the level
of pricing observability. Pricing observability is
impacted by a number of factors, including the type
of financial instrument, whether the financial

instrument is new to the market and not yet established
and the characteristics specific to the transaction.
Financial instruments with readily available active
quoted prices for which fair value can be measured
from actively quoted prices generally will have a higher
degree of pricing observability and a lesser degree of
judgment used in measuring fair value. Conversely,
financial instruments rarely traded or not quoted will
generally have less, or no, pricing observability and a
higher degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

45

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes the valuation of our financial instruments by SFAS 157 pricing observability
levels as of December 31, 2008:

(Dollars in thousands)

Level I(1)

Level II(1)

Level III(1)

Counterparty
Collateral
Netting(2)

Total

Assets:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:

Non-derivative instruments
Derivative instruments

$65,372
–

$324,836
84,502

$46,125
–

$

–
(28,000)

$436,333
56,502

Total financial instruments and other inventory positions owned:
Securitized municipal tender option bonds
Cash equivalents
Investments

65,372
–
31,595
1,741

409,338
84,586
–
–

46,125
–
–
433

(28,000)
–
–
–

492,835
84,586
31,595
2,174

Total assets

$98,708

$493,924

$46,558

$(28,000)

$611,190

Liabilities:
Financial instruments and other inventory positions sold, but not

yet purchased:
Non-derivative instruments
Derivative instruments

Total financial instruments and other inventory positions sold,

but not yet purchased:

Tender option bond trust certificates
Investments

Total liabilities

$20,759
–

$ 86,784
63,670

$

–
–

$

–
(28,000)

$107,543
35,670

20,759
–
–

150,454
87,982
–

$20,759

$238,436

$

–
–
366

366

(28,000)
–
–

143,213
87,982
366

$(28,000)

$231,561

(1) Level I financial instruments include highly liquid instruments with quoted prices such as certain U.S. treasury bonds, money market securities, equities listed in active markets and

certain firm investments. Level II financial instruments generally include certain U.S. treasury bonds and U.S. government agency securities, certain corporate bonds, certain municipal

bonds, certain asset-backed securities, certain convertible securities, derivatives, securitized municipal tender option bonds and tender option bond trust certificates. Level III financial

instruments generally include auction rate municipal securities, certain asset-backed securities, certain firm investments, certain convertible securities and certain corporate bonds.

(2) Represents cash collateral and the impact of netting on a counterparty basis.

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value carrying values associated with Level III financial
instruments during the year ended December 31, 2008:

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2007

Purchases/(sales), net
Net transfers in/(out)
Realized gains/(losses)(3)
Unrealized gains/(losses)(3)

Balance at December 31, 2008

Non-Derivative
Assets

Non-Derivative
Liabilities

Investment
Assets

Investment
Liabilities

$ 230,703
(155,568)
2,759
(13,760)
(18,009)

$ 46,125

$

–
2,984
(2,807)
(48)
(129)

$

–

$ 6,015
(2,681)
(2,543)
1,662
(2,020)

$ 1,260
(1,163)
–
913
(644)

$

433

$

366

(3) Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to non-derivative assets are reported in institutional brokerage on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized and unrealized

gains/(losses) related to investments are reported in other income/(loss) on the consolidated statements of operations.

Instruments that trade infrequently and therefore have
little or no price transparency are classified within
Level III based on the results of our price verification
process. The Company’s Level III assets were $46.6 mil-
lion, or 7.6 percent of financial instruments measured
at fair value. This balance primarily consists of auction
rate securities where the market has ceased to function
and asset-back securities, principally collateralized by
aircraft that have experienced low volumes of executed

transactions, such that unobservable inputs had to be
utilized for the fair value measurements of these instru-
ments. Our auction rate securities are valued at par
based upon our expectations of issuer refunding plans.
Asset-back securities are valued using cash flow models
that utilize unobservable inputs that include airplane
lease rates, maintenance costs and airplane liquidation
proceeds.

46

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Note 7

Securitizations

Through its tender option bond program, the Company
sold highly rated municipal bonds into securitization
vehicles (“Securitized Trusts”) that are funded by the
sale of variable rate certificates to institutional custom-
ers seeking variable rate tax-free investment products.
These variable rate certificates reprice weekly and the
Company receives a fee to remarket the variable rate
certificates. Securitization transactions meeting certain
SFAS 140 criteria are treated as sales, with the resulting
gain included in institutional brokerage revenue on the
consolidated statements of operations. If a securitiza-
tion does not meet the asset sale requirements of
SFAS 140, the transaction is recorded as a borrowing.
There were 7, 24, and 20 Securitized Trusts outstand-
ing as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.

At December 31, 2008, the Company had a total of
seven Securitized Trusts that did not meet the asset sale
requirements of SFAS 140, causing the Company to
account for these transactions as borrowings by con-
solidating the assets and liabilities of the trusts onto the
Company’s consolidated statements of financial con-
dition. Accordingly, the Company recorded an asset for
the underlying bonds of $84.6 million (par value
$113.6 million) as of December 31, 2008, in securitized
municipal tender option bonds and a liability for the
certificates sold by the trusts for $88.0 million as of
December 31, 2008, in tender option bond trust cer-
tificates on the consolidated statement of financial
condition. At December 31, 2007, the Company had
three Securitized Trusts that did not meet the asset sale
requirements of SFAS 140, causing the Company to
consolidate these trusts. Accordingly, the Company
recorded an asset for the underlying bonds of $49.5 mil-
lion (par value $49.1 million) as of December 31, 2007,
in securitized municipal tender option bonds and a
liability for the certificates sold by the trusts for
$48.5 million as of December 31, 2007, in tender
option bond trust certificates on the consolidated state-
ment of financial condition. At December 31, 2006 the
Company had a total of three Securitized Trusts that
did not meet the asset sale requirements of SFAS 140,
causing the Company to account for these transactions
as borrowings by consolidating the assets and liabilities
of the trusts. Accordingly, the Company recorded an
asset for the underlying bonds of $51.2 million (par
value $50.6 million) as of December 31, 2006, in
securitized municipal tender option bonds and a lia-
bility for the certificates sold by the trusts for $50.1 mil-
lion as of December 31, 2006, in tender option bond
trust certificates on the consolidated statement of
financial condition.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company has contracted with a major third-party
financial institution who acts as the liquidity provider
for the Company’s tender option bond Securitized
Trusts. The Company has agreed to reimburse this
party for any losses associated with providing liquidity
to the trusts. The maximum exposure to loss at Decem-
ber 31, 2008 was $88.0 million representing the out-
standing amount of all trust certificates. This exposure
to loss is mitigated, however, by the underlying bonds
in the trusts. These bonds had a market value of
approximately $84.6 million at December 31, 2008.
The Company believes that the likelihood it will be
required to fund the reimbursement agreement obliga-
tion under provisions of the arrangement is probable as
the value of tender option bond trust certificates out-
standing exceeds the value of securitized municipal
tender option bonds by $3.4 million as of December 31,
2008.

During 2008, the Company made the determination
that 23 Securitized Trusts formerly meeting the defini-
tion of qualified special purpose entities no longer
qualified for off-balance sheet accounting treatment,
because the Company believed it would have material
involvement with the Securitized Trusts under the
Company’s reimbursement obligation to the liquidity
provider for the Securitized Trusts. Consequently, the
Company consolidated the 23 Securitized Trusts that
no longer qualified for off-balance sheet accounting
treatment, adding to the three Securitized Trusts
already on the Company’s consolidated statement of
financial condition. As of December 31, 2008, four of
the 23 Securitized Trusts remain on the Company’s
consolidated statement of financial condition and 19
of the Securitized Trusts have been dissolved.

The Company accounted for its involvement with secu-
ritization transactions meeting the SFAS 140 criteria
for sales under a financial components approach in
which the Company recognized only its residual inter-
est in each structure and accounted for the residual
interest as a financial instrument owned, which was
recorded at fair value on the consolidated statements of
financial condition. The Company had no residual
interests at December 31, 2008. The fair value of
retained interests was $13.9 million and $8.1 million
at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, with a
weighted average life of 8.0 years and 8.4 years. The
fair value of retained interests at December 31, 2007
and 2006 was estimated based on the present value of
future cash flows using management’s best estimates of
the key assumptions — expected yield, credit losses of
0 percent and a 12 percent discount rate.

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

47

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Certain cash flow activity for the municipal bond securitizations described above includes:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Proceeds from new securitizations
Remarketing fees received
Cash flows received on retained interests

2008

2007

2006

$77,134
133
6,240

$58,913
125
5,039

$7,578
132
6,019

The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements
to manage interest rate exposure associated with its
Securitized Trusts, which have been recorded at fair

value and resulted in a liability of approximately
$6.9 million, $11.1 million and $5.7 million at Decem-
ber 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Note 8 Variable Interest Entities

In the normal course of business, the Company regu-
larly creates or transacts with entities that may be VIEs.
These entities are either securitization vehicles or
investment vehicles. See Note 7 for a discussion of
the Company’s securitization vehicles.

The Company has investments in and/or acts as the
managing partner or member to approximately 22
partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”).
These entities were established for the purpose of
investing in equity and debt securities of public and
private investments and were initially financed through
the capital commitments of the members. At Decem-
ber 31, 2008, the Company’s aggregate net investment
in these partnerships and LLCs totaled $10.7 million.
The Company’s remaining commitment to these part-
nerships and LLCs was $3.7 million at December 31,
2008.

The Company has identified one partnership and three
LLCs described above as VIEs. The Company is

determined to be the primary beneficiary when it has
a variable interest, or combination of variable interests,
that will absorb a majority of the VIE’s expected losses,
receives a majority of the VIE’s expected residual
returns, or both. It was determined that the Company
is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. However,
the Company owns a significant variable interest in
these VIEs. These VIEs had assets approximating
$195.9 million at December 31, 2008. The Company’s
exposure to loss from these entities is $5.1 million,
which is the value of its capital contributions recorded
in other assets in the consolidated statement of finan-
cial condition at December 31, 2008. The Company
had no liabilities related to these entities at Decem-
ber 31, 2008.

The Company has not provided financial or other
support to the VIEs that it was not previously contrac-
tually required to provide as of December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006.

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

Organizations

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

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Receivable arising from unsettled securities transactions, net

Deposits paid for securities borrowed
Receivable from clearing organizations

Securities failed to deliver

Other

48

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

2008

2007

2006

$ 79,370

$

591

18,475
17,661

2,282

55,257
7,077

7,647

18,233

271,028
6,811

1,674

4,332
$122,120

17,096
$87,668

15,128
$312,874

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

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Deposits received for securities loaned

Payable to clearing organizations
Securities failed to receive

Other

$

2008

–
8,482
1,565

2

2007

2006

$

–

$189,214

12,648
11,021

6

17,140
4,531

70

$10,049

$23,675

$210,955

Deposits paid for securities borrowed and deposits
received for securities loaned declined from Decem-
ber 31, 2006, as the Company discontinued its stock
loan conduit business in the first quarter of 2007.

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.

Deposits paid for securities borrowed and deposits
received for securities loaned approximate the market

Note 10 Receivables from and Payables to Customers

Amounts receivable from customers at December 31 included:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Cash accounts

Margin accounts

Total receivables

2008

2007

2006

$25,787

$ 80,099

$27,407

13,441

44,230

24,034

$39,228

$124,329

$51,441

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 at December 31 included:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Cash accounts
Margin accounts

Total payables

2008

2007

2006

$25,559
8,629

$64,205
27,067

$43,714
40,185

$34,188

$91,272

$83,899

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 11 Collateralized Securities Transactions

The Company’s financing and customer securities
activities involve the Company using securities as col-
lateral. In the event that the counterparty does not meet
its contractual obligation to return securities used as
collateral, or customers do not deposit additional secu-
rities 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 adjust-
ments in the event of excess market exposure.

In the normal course of business, the Company obtains
securities purchased under agreements to resell, secu-
rities borrowed and margin agreements on terms that
permit it to repledge or resell the securities to others.

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

49

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company obtained securities with a fair value of
approximately $97.9 million, $152.1 million, and
$434.2 million at December 31, 2008, 2007 and
2006, respectively, of which $62.3 million, $51.6 mil-
lion, and $314.3 million, respectively, has been either

pledged or otherwise transferred to others in connec-
tion with the Company’s financing activities or to sat-
isfy its commitments under trading securities sold, but
not yet purchased.

Note 12 Other Assets

Other assets includes investments in public companies,
investments in private equity partnerships that are val-
ued using the equity method of accounting, investments

in private companies and bridge-loans valued at cost,
net deferred tax assets, income tax receivables and
prepaid expenses.

Other assets at December 31 included:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Investments at fair value
Investments at cost

Investments valued using equity method

Deferred income tax assets
Income tax receivables

Prepaid expenses

Other

Total other assets

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$ 2,174
33,988

$ 9,320
22,949

$ 5,326
6,884

19,817

87,420
35,268

5,779

25,010

81,596
3,465

7,596

17,178

66,868
8,492

6,284

1,292
$185,738

4,201
$154,137

2,056
$113,088

50

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Note 13 Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The following table presents the changes in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets for the year ended
December 31, 2008:

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Goodwill

Balance at December 31, 2005

Goodwill acquired
Goodwill disposed in PCS sale

Impairment losses

Balance at December 31, 2006
Goodwill acquired

Impairment losses

Balance at December 31, 2007
Goodwill acquired

Impairment losses

Balance at December 31, 2008

(Dollars in thousands)

Intangible assets

Balance at December 31, 2005
Intangible assets acquired

Amortization of intangible assets

Impairment losses
Balance at December 31, 2006

Intangible assets acquired

Amortization of intangible assets
Impairment losses

Balance at December 31, 2007

Intangible assets acquired
Amortization of intangible assets

Impairment losses

Balance at December 31, 2008

Continuing
Operations

Discontinued
Operations

Consolidated
Company

$ 231,567

$ 85,600

$ 317,167

–
–

–
(85,600)

–
231,567

53,237

–
284,804

6,278

(130,500)
$ 160,582

$

$

3,067

$

–

(1,600)

–
1,467

17,953

(2,276)
–
17,144

–
(2,621)

–
$ 14,523

$

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–
(85,600)

–
231,567

53,237

–
284,804

6,278

(130,500)
$ 160,582

$

3,067

–

(1,600)

–
1,467

17,953

(2,276)
–
17,144

–
(2,621)

–
$ 14,523

The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an
annual basis and on an interim basis when certain
events or circumstances exist. The Company tests for
impairment at the reporting unit level, which are gen-
erally one level below its operating segments. The
Company has identified two principal reporting units:
capital markets and asset management. The goodwill
impairment test is a two-step process, 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
two principal 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. 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 report-
ing unit. Any unallocated fair value represents the
“implied fair value” of goodwill, which is compared
to its corresponding carrying value.

impairment

The Company completed its annual goodwill impair-
ment testing as of November 30, 2008, which resulted
charge of
in a non-cash goodwill
$130.5 million. The charge relates to the capital mar-
kets reporting unit and primarily pertains to goodwill
created from the 1998 acquisition of Piper Jaffray 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 mar-
kets reporting unit was calculated based on the follow-
ing factors: market capitalization, a discounted cash

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

51

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

flow model using revenue and profits forecasts and
public company comparables. The impairment charge
resulted from deteriorating economic and market con-
ditions in 2008, which led to reduced valuations from
these factors. A continued downturn in market condi-
tions could result in additional impairment charges in
future periods.

Intangible assets with determinable lives consist of
asset management contractual relationships, non-com-
pete agreements, certain trade names and trademarks,
and software technologies that are amortized over their
estimated useful lives ranging from three to ten years.
The following table presents the aggregate intangible
asset amortization expense for the years ended:

The addition of goodwill during 2008 was the result of
FAMCO meeting certain performance conditions set
forth in the 2007 purchase agreement with the Com-
pany. The purchase agreement included the potential
for additional cash consideration to be paid in the form
of three annual payments contingent upon revenue
exceeding certain revenue run-rate thresholds. The
Company expects 100 percent of goodwill acquired
in 2008 to be deductible for tax purposes.

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

2010
2011

2012

2013
Thereafter

Note 14 Fixed Assets

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

(Dollars in thousands)

Furniture and equipment
Leasehold improvements

Software

Projects in process

Total

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

$ 2,456

2,312
2,177

1,804

1,687
4,087

$14,523

2008

2007

2006

$ 40,287
19,990

$ 41,730
22,155

$ 38,514
18,518

17,949

18,807

15,601

1,293

24

1,259

79,519

82,716

73,892

(59,485)

(55,508)

(48,603)

$ 20,034

$ 27,208

$ 25,289

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and
2006, depreciation and amortization of furniture and
equipment, software and leasehold improvements for
continuing operations totaled $9.0 million, $9.1 million

and $9.5 million, respectively, and are included in
occupancy and equipment on the consolidated state-
ments of operations.

Note 15 Financing

The Company has committed short-term financing
available on a secured basis and uncommitted short-
term financing available on both a secured and unse-
cured basis. The availability of the Company’s uncom-
mitted lines are subject to approval by individual banks
each time an advance is requested and may be denied.
In addition, the Company has established arrange-
ments to obtain financing by another broker dealer
at the end of each business day related specifically to its
convertible inventory. Repurchase agreements are also
used as a source of funding.

During 2008, the Company entered into a $250 million
committed revolving credit facility with U.S. Bank,
N.A.
in replacement of an existing $100 million
uncommitted revolving credit facility. The Company

52

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

uses this credit facility in the ordinary course of busi-
ness to fund a portion of its daily operations, and the
amount borrowed under the facility varies daily based
on the Company’s funding needs. Advances under this
facility are secured by certain marketable securities.
However, of the $250 million in financing available
under this facility, $125 million may only be drawn
with specific municipal securities as collateral. The
facility includes a covenant that requires the Company
to maintain a minimum net capital of $180 million, and
the unpaid principal amount of all advances under this
facility will be due on September 25, 2009. The Com-
pany will also pay a nonrefundable commitment fee on
the unused portion of the facility on a quarterly basis.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

At December 31, 2008, the Company had no advances
against this line of credit.

The Company’s short-term financing bears interest at
rates based on the federal funds rate. For the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
the
weighted average interest rate on borrowings was

2.72 percent, 5.41 percent and 5.72 percent, respec-
tively. At December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, no
formal compensating balance agreements existed,
and the Company was in compliance with all debt
covenants related to its financing facilities.

Note 16 Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

LEGAL CONTINGENCIES
The Company has been named as a defendant in var-
ious legal proceedings arising primarily from securities
brokerage and investment banking activities, including
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
self-regulatory
organizations.

agencies

and

The Company has established reserves for potential
losses that are probable and reasonably estimable that
may result from pending and potential complaints,
legal actions,
investigations and proceedings. The
Company’s reserves totaled $17.0 million, $8.4 million,
and $13.1 million at December 31, 2008, 2007 and
2006, respectively, which is included within other lia-
bilities and accrued expenses on the consolidated state-
ments of financial condition. A significant portion of
the Company’s reserves at December 31, 2008 will be
funded by an insurance receivable, which is recorded
within other receivables on the consolidated statement
of financial condition.

As part of the asset purchase agreement between UBS
and the Company for the sale of the PCS branch net-
work, the Company retained liabilities arising from
regulatory matters and certain litigation relating to
the PCS business prior to the sale. Adjustments to
litigation reserves for matters pertaining to the PCS
business are included within discontinued operations
on the consolidated statements of operations.

Given uncertainties regarding the timing, scope, vol-
ume and outcome of pending and potential litigation,
arbitration and regulatory proceedings and other fac-
tors, the amounts of reserves are difficult to determine
and of necessity subject to future revision. Subject to
the foregoing, management of the Company believes,
based on its current knowledge, after consultation with
outside legal counsel and after taking into account its
established reserves, that pending legal actions, inves-
tigations and proceedings will be resolved with no
material adverse effect on the consolidated financial

condition 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 in that
period could be materially adversely affected.

Litigation-related reserve activity for continuing oper-
ations
included within other operating expenses
resulted in an expense of $2.0 million, a benefit of
$4.4 million, and a benefit of $21.4 million for the
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.

OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
The Company leases office space throughout the
United States and in a limited number of foreign coun-
tries where the Company’s international operations
reside. The Company’s only material lease is for its
corporate headquarters located in Minneapolis, Min-
nesota. Aggregate minimum lease commitments under
operating leases as of December 31, 2008 are as
follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

2009
2010

2011

2012
2013

Thereafter

$17,402
15,891

12,256

11,084
10,701

10,708

$78,042

Total minimum rentals to be received from 2009
through 2016 under noncancelable subleases were
$14.9 million at December 31, 2008.

Rental expense,
including operating costs and real
estate taxes, charged to continuing operations was
$16.1 million, $15.4 million and $13.7 million for
the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.

FUND COMMITMENTS
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had commit-
ments to invest approximately $3.7 million in limited
partnerships that make investments in private equity

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

53

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

and venture capital funds. The commitments are esti-
mated to be funded, if called, through the end of the
respective investment periods ranging from 2009 to
2011.

OTHER COMMITMENTS
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 mem-
bers to post collateral. The Company’s maximum
potential
liability under these arrangements cannot
be quantified. However, management believes the like-
lihood that the Company would be required to make
payments under these arrangements is remote. Accord-
ingly, no liability is recorded in the consolidated finan-
cial statements for these arrangements.

REIMBURSEMENT GUARANTEE
The Company has contracted with a major third-party
financial institution to act as the liquidity provider for
the Company’s tender option bond securitized trusts.
The Company has agreed to reimburse this party for
any losses associated with providing liquidity to the
trusts. The maximum exposure to loss at December 31,
2008 was $88.0 million representing the outstanding
amount of all trust certificates. This exposure to loss is
mitigated by the underlying bonds in the trusts. These
bonds had a market value of approximately $84.6 mil-
lion at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2008,
$74.9 million of these bonds were insured against
default of principal or interest by triple-A rated mono-
line bond insurance companies. One trust representing
$9.7 million in bonds was insured against default of

principal or interest by a double-A rated monoline
bond insurance company. The municipalities that
issued bonds we have securitized all are rated “A” or
higher. The Company believes the likelihood it will be
required to fund the reimbursement agreement obliga-
tion under any provision of the arrangement is prob-
able as the value of the tender option bond trust
certificates outstanding exceeds the value of securitized
municipal tender option bonds by $3.4 million at
December 31, 2008.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
The Company provides investment, capital-raising and
related services to a diverse group of domestic and
foreign customers, including governments, corpora-
tions, and institutional and individual investors. The
Company’s exposure to credit risk associated with the
non-performance of customers in fulfilling their con-
tractual 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, coun-
terparty credit limits have been implemented for certain
products and are continually monitored in light of
changing customer and market conditions.

The Company maintains counterparty credit exposure
with six counterparties totaling $42.4 million at
December 31, 2008. This counterparty credit exposure
is part of our matched-book derivative program, con-
sisting primarily of interest rate swaps. One counter-
party represents $20.9 million in credit exposure.
Credit exposure associated with our derivative counter-
parties is driven by uncollateralized market movements
in the fair value of the contracts and is monitored
regularly by our market and credit risk committee.

Note 17 Restructuring

The Company incurred a pre-tax restructuring-related
expense of $17.9 million in 2008. The expense was
incurred to restructure the Company’s operations as a
means to better align its cost infrastructure with its
revenues. The Company determined restructuring
charges and related accruals based on a specific for-
mulated plan.

Severance and employee-related charges included the
cost of severance, other benefits and outplacement
costs associated with the termination of employees.
The severance amounts were determined based on
the Company’s severance pay program in place at the
time of termination. Approximately 230 employees
received severance.

The components of this charge are shown below:

(Dollars in thousands)

Severance and employee-related
Lease terminations and asset write-downs

Total

$12,473
5,392

$17,865

Lease terminations and asset write-downs represented
costs associated with redundant office space and equip-
ment disposed of as part of the restructuring plan.
Payments related to terminated lease contracts con-
tinue through the original terms of the leases, which

54

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

run for various periods, with the longest lease term
running through 2016.

The Company incurred pre-tax restructuring costs of
$60.7 million in 2006 in connection with the sale of the
Company’s PCS branch network to UBS. The expense
was incurred upon implementation of a specific
restructuring plan to reorganize the Company’s sup-
port infrastructure as a result of the sale.

The components of this charge are shown below:

(Dollars in thousands)

Severance and employee-related

Lease terminations and asset write-downs
Contract termination costs

Total

$23,063

26,484
11,177

$60,724

The restructuring charges included the cost of sever-
ance, benefits, outplacement costs and equity award
accelerated vesting costs associated with the termina-
tion of employees. The severance amounts were deter-
severance benefit
mined based on a one-time
enhancement to the Company’s existing severance
pay program in place at the time of termination noti-
fication and were paid out over a benefit period of up to
one year from the time of termination. Approximately
295 employees received a severance package. In addi-
tion, the Company incurred restructuring charges for
contract termination costs related to the reduction of
office space and the modification of technology con-
tracts. Contract termination fees were determined
based on the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 146, “Accounting for Costs
Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” which
requires the recognition of a liability for contract ter-
mination under a cease-use date concept. Payments

Note 18 Shareholders’ Equity

for

provides

The certificate of incorporation of Piper Jaffray Com-
panies
to
the
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.

issuance

up

of

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 div-
idends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by
the Piper Jaffray Companies board of directors out of

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

related to terminated lease contracts continue through
the original terms of the leases, which run for various
periods, with the longest lease term running through
2016. The Company also incurred restructuring
charges for the impairment or disposal of long-lived
assets determined in accordance with SFAS 144. All
restructuring costs related to the sale of the PCS branch
network are included within discontinued operations in
accordance with SFAS 144.

The following table presents a summary of activity with
respect to the restructuring-related liabilities included
within other liabilities and accrued expense on the
statements of financial condition.

(Dollars in thousands)

2008
Restructure

PCS
Restructure

Balance at December 31, 2005

$

Provision charged to discontinued

operations

Cash outlays
Non-cash write-downs
Balance at December 31, 2006

Recovery of provision charged to

discontinued operations

Cash outlays

Non-cash write-downs
Balance at December 31, 2007

Recovery of provision charged to

discontinued operations

Provision charged to continuing

operations

Cash outlays

Non-cash write-downs
Balance at December 31, 2008

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

$

–

60,724

(28,903)
(3,238)
28,583

(118)

(13,501)

(398)
14,566

(176)

17,865

(5,846)

(3,490)
$ 8,529

–

(4,220)

(242)
$ 9,928

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 liabil-
ities, subject to any prior distribution rights of Piper
Jaffray Companies preferred stock, if any, then out-
standing. The holders of the common stock have no
preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription
rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund pro-
visions 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

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

55

this authorization repurchasing
repurchase under
1.6 million shares of the Company’s stock at an average
price of $60.66 per share for an aggregate purchase
price of $100 million during 2006. During the year
ended December 31, 2007, the Company repurchased
an additional 1.6 million shares of the Company’s
common stock at an average price of $50.28 per share
for an aggregate purchase price of $80.0 million. This
repurchase activity completed the $180.0 million share
repurchase authorization.

PREFERRED STOCK
The Piper Jaffray Companies board of directors has the
authority, without action by its shareholders, to desig-
nate 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 asso-
ciated with the common stock. It is not possible to state
the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of pre-
ferred stock upon the rights of holders of common
stock until the Piper Jaffray Companies board of direc-
tors determines the specific rights of the holders of
preferred stock. However, the effects might include,
among other things, the following: restricting divi-
dends 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 agree-
ment. The issuance of a share of Piper Jaffray Compa-
nies 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.

conversion of all potentially dilutive restricted stock
and stock options. The computation of earnings per
share is as follows:

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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 23, there are dividend restrictions on
Piper Jaffray.

During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Com-
pany issued 90,140 common shares out of treasury in
fulfillment of $3.7 million in obligations under the
Piper Jaffray Companies Retirement Plan (“Retirement
Plan”) and issued 372,384 common shares out of trea-
sury as a result of vesting and exercise transactions
under the Piper Jaffray Companies Amended and
Restated 2003 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan
(the “Incentive Plan”). During the year ended Decem-
ber 31, 2007, the Company issued 8,619 common
shares out of treasury in fulfillment of $0.6 million
in obligations under the Retirement Plan. The Com-
pany also issued 253,050 common shares out of trea-
sury as a result of vesting and exercise transactions
under the Incentive Plan. During the year ended
December 31, 2006, the Company reissued 190,966
common shares out of
treasury in fulfillment of
$9.0 million in obligations under the Retirement Plan.
The Company also reissued 76,858 common shares out
of treasury as a result of vesting and exercise transac-
tions under the Incentive Plan.

In the second quarter of 2008, the Company’s board of
directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100 mil-
lion in common shares through June 30, 2010. During
the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company
repurchased 444,225 shares of the Company’s common
stock at an average price of $33.75 per share for an
aggregate purchase price of $15.0 million. The Com-
pany has $85.0 million remaining under
this
authorization.

In the third quarter of 2006, the Company’s board of
directors authorized the repurchase of up to $180.0 mil-
lion in common shares through December 31, 2007.
stock
The Company

an accelerated

executed

Note 19 Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by divid-
ing net income by the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted
earnings per common share is calculated by adjusting
the weighted average outstanding shares to assume

56

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Net income/(loss)
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:

Average shares used in basic computation

Stock options
Restricted stock

Average shares used in diluted computation

Earnings per share:

Basic

Diluted

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$(182,975)

$21,943

$195,425

15,837

16,474

27
2,334

104
1,539

18,198

18,117

18,002

89
1,308

19,399

$ (11.55)
$ 1.33
$ (11.55)(1) $ 1.21

$ 10.86

$ 10.07

(1) In accordance with SFAS 128, earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding in periods a loss is incurred.

The anti-dilutive effects from stock options or restricted stock was immaterial for the periods ended December 31,
2008, 2007 and 2006.

Note 20 Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has various employee benefit plans, and
substantially all employees are covered by at least one
plan. The plans include a tax-qualified retirement plan,
a frozen non-qualified retirement plan, a post-retire-
ment benefit plan, and health and welfare plans.

RETIREMENT PLAN
The Retirement Plan previously had two components: a
defined contribution retirement savings plan and a tax-
qualified, non-contributory profit-sharing plan. Effec-
tive January 1, 2007, the profit sharing component of
the retirement plan was terminated. There were no
profit sharing contributions made in 2007 or 2006.

The defined contribution retirement savings plan
allows qualified employees, at their option, to make
contributions through salary deductions under Sec-
tion 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employee
contributions are 100 percent matched by the Com-
pany to a maximum of 6 percent of recognized com-
pensation 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 contribu-
tion. The matching contribution can be made in cash or
Piper Jaffray Companies common stock, in the Com-
pany’s discretion.

PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT MEDICAL PLANS
Certain employees participate in the Piper Jaffray Com-
panies Non-Qualified Retirement Plan, an unfunded,
non-qualified cash balance pension plan. The Com-
pany froze the plan effective January 1, 2004, thereby
eliminating future benefits related to pay increases and
excluding new participants from the plan.

During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007
and 2006, the Company incurred employee benefit
expenses from continuing operations of $11.8 million,
$10.7 million and $9.4 million, respectively.

In 2006, the Company adopted the recognition and
disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard No. 158, “Employers’ Account-
ing for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretire-
ment Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements
No. 87, 88, 106 and 123(R)” (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158
requires the Company to recognize the funded status of
its pension and post-retirement medical plans in the
consolidated statements of financial condition with a
corresponding adjustment to accumulated other com-
prehensive income, net of tax. The adjustment to accu-
mulated other comprehensive income at adoption
represented the net unrecognized actuarial losses and
unrecognized prior service costs which were previously
netted against each plan’s funded status in the Compa-
ny’s consolidated statement of financial condition pur-
suant to the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting
for Pensions” (“SFAS 87”). These amounts are amor-
tized as a component of net periodic benefit cost. Fur-
ther, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent
periods 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 accu-
mulated other comprehensive income in accordance
with SFAS 158. The adoption of SFAS 158 had no

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

57

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

impact on the Company’s pension benefit liabilities and
an immaterial impact on the Company’s post-retire-
ment medical benefit liabilities in 2006.

which resulted in recognition of pre-tax settlement
losses of $0.1 million and $2.1 million in 2008 and
2006, respectively.

In 2008, the Company adopted the measurement date
provisions of SFAS 158. SFAS 158 requires the mea-
surement date for plan assets and liabilities to coincide
with the sponsor’s year end. Prior to adoption, the
Company used a September 30 measurement date for
the pension and post-retirement benefit plans. The
adoption of SFAS 158’s measurement date provisions
in 2008 did not have a material impact on the consol-
idated financial statements of the Company.

In 2008 and 2006, the Company paid out amounts
under the pension plan that exceeded its service and
triggered settlement
interest cost. These payouts
accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settle-
ments and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension
Plans and for Termination Benefits” (“SFAS 88”),

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.
In connection with the sale of the Company’s PCS
branch network in 2006, the Company recognized a
$1.9 million curtailment gain within discontinued
operations related to the reduction of post-retirement
health plan participants.

Financial information on changes in benefit obligation,
fair value of plan assets and the funded status of the
pension and post-retirement benefit plans as of Decem-
ber 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Change in benefit obligation:

Pension Benefits

Post-Retirement
Medical Benefits

2008

2007

2006

2008

2007

2006

Benefit obligation, at October 1 of prior year
Service cost

$ 12,239
–

$ 11,817
–

$ 27,550
–

$ 523
83

$ 431
69

$ 2,012
295

Interest cost

Plan participants’ contributions
Net actuarial loss/(gain)

Curtailment gain

Settlement gain
Benefits paid

932

–
77

–

707

–
127

–

1,383

–
(172)

–

(133)
(1,473)

–
(412)

(2,170)
(14,774)

38

190
(66)

–

–
(212)

26

96
19

–

–
(118)

102

64
(155)

(1,750)

–
(137)

Benefit obligation at measurement date(1)

$ 11,642

$ 12,239

$ 11,817

$ 556

$ 523

$

431

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at October 1 of prior year

$

–

$

–

$

–

$

Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions

Plan participants’ contributions

Benefits paid

Fair value of plan assets at measurement date(1)

Funded status at measurement date(1)
Employer fourth quarter contributions

Benefits paid in fourth quarter

Amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of

–
1,473

–

–
412

–

–
14,774

–

190

–

–
22

$

$

–

–
22

96

–

–
74

63

(1,473)
–

$

$

(412)
–

(14,774)
–

$

$(11,642)
–

$(12,239)
(174)

$(11,817)
(226)

(212)
–

$

$(556)
–

(118)
–

$

$(523)
(45)

(137)
–

$

$ (431)
(27)

–

19

809

–

40

54

financial condition

$(11,642)

$(12,394)

$(11,234)

$(556)

$(528)

$ (404)

Components of accumulated other comprehensive

(income)/loss, net of tax:

Net actuarial loss

Prior service credits
Total at December 31

$

$

949

–
949

$ 1,148

–
$ 1,148

$

$

980

–
980

$ 14

$ 57

(30)
$ (16)

(46)
$ 11

$

$

41

(58)
(17)

(1) Beginning in 2008, the measurement date is the last day of the year. In 2007 and 2006, the measurement date was September 30.

58

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

The components of the net periodic benefits costs for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, are as
follows:

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Pension Benefits

2007

2006

Post-Retirement
Medical Benefits

(Dollars in thousands)

Service cost
Interest cost

Amortization of prior service credit

Amortization of net loss
Net periodic benefit cost

SFAS 88 event loss/(gain)

Total expense/(benefit) for the year

2008

$ –
745

–

65
$810

178

$988

$

–
707

–

42
$ 749

(328)

$ 421

$

–
1,383

376
$1,759

2,086

$3,845

–

(20)

(20)

2008

$ 66
31

2007

$ 69
26

3
$ 80

–

2
$ 77

–

2006

295
102

(58)

2
341

$

$

(1,947)

$ 80

$ 77

$(1,606)

Amortization expense of net actuarial losses expected
to be recognized during 2009 is approximately $39,000
for the pension plan. In addition, the post-retirement

medical plan expects to recognize a credit of $20,000 in
2009 for the amortization of prior service credits.

The assumptions used in the measurement of our benefit obligations are as follows:

Pension Benefits

Post-Retirement
Benefits

2008

2007

2006

2008

2007

2006

Discount rate used to determine year-end obligation
Discount rate used to determine fiscal year expense

Expected long-term rate of return on participant balances

Rate of compensation increase

6.50% 6.50% 6.25% 6.50% 6.50% 6.25%
6.50% 6.25% 5.87% 6.50% 6.25% 5.87%
6.50% 6.50% 6.50% N/A
N/A
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year (pre-medicare/post-medicare)
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

(pre-medicare/post-medicare)

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate (pre-medicare/post-medicare)

2008

2007

2006

7.0%/8.0% 7.5%/9.0% 8.0%/10.0%

5.0%/5.0% 5.0%/5.0%
2012/2013
2012/2013

5.0%/5.0%

2012/2013

A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health
care cost trend rates would not have a material effect on
the Company’s post-retirement benefit obligations or
net periodic post-retirement benefit cost. The pension
plan and post-retirement medical plan do not have
assets and are not funded. Pension and post-retirement
benefit payments, which reflect expected future service,
are expected to be paid as follows:

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.

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

2010
2011

2012

2013
2014 to 2018

Pension
Benefits

$1,002

934
893

925

884
4,331

$8,969

Post-Retirement
Benefits

$102

64
46

50

57
422

$741

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

59

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 21 Stock-Based Compensation and Cash Award Program

The Company maintains one stock-based compensa-
tion plan, the Incentive Plan. The plan permits the grant
of equity awards, including restricted stock and non-
qualified stock options, to the Company’s employees
and directors for up to 5.5 million shares of common
stock. The Company periodically grants shares of
restricted stock and options to purchase Piper Jaffray
Companies common stock to employees and grants
options to purchase Piper Jaffray Companies common
stock and shares of Piper Jaffray Companies common
stock to its non-employee directors. 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 awards
granted to employees have the following vesting peri-
ods: approximately 78 percent of the awards have
three-year cliff vesting periods, approximately 14 per-
cent of the awards vest ratably from 2010 through
2013 on the annual grant date anniversary, and
approximately 8 percent of the awards cliff vest upon
meeting a specific performance-based metric prior to
May 2013. The director awards are fully vested upon
grant. The maximum term of the stock options granted
to employees and directors is ten years. The plan pro-
vides for accelerated vesting of option and restricted
stock awards if there is a change in control of the
Company (as defined in the plan), in the event of a
participant’s death, and at the discretion of the com-
pensation committee of
the Company’s board of
directors.

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for
stock-based compensation under the fair value method
of accounting as prescribed by SFAS 123, as amended
by SFAS 148. As such, the Company recorded stock-
based compensation expense in the consolidated state-
ments of operations at fair value, net of estimated
forfeitures.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the
provisions of SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospec-
tive transition method. SFAS 123(R) requires all share-
based payments to employees,
including grants of
employee stock options, to be recognized in the state-
ments of operations at fair value over the service period
of the award, net of estimated forfeitures.

Employee and director stock options granted prior to
January 1, 2006, were expensed by the Company on a
straight-line basis over the option vesting period, based
on the estimated fair value of the award on the date of
grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
Employee and director stock options granted after
January 1, 2006, are 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. At the time it adopted SFAS 123(R), the Com-
pany changed the expensing period from the vesting
period to the required service period, which shortened
the period over which options are expensed for employ-
ees who are retiree-eligible on the date of grant or
become retiree-eligible during the vesting period. The
number of employees that fell within this category at
January 1, 2006, was not material. In accordance with
SEC guidelines, the Company did not alter the expense
recorded in connection with prior option grants for the
change in the expensing period.

Employee restricted stock granted are valued at the
market price of the Company’s common stock on the
date of grant. Employee restricted stock granted prior
to January 1, 2006, are amortized on a straight-line
basis over the vesting period. Restricted stock granted
after January 1, 2006, are amortized over the service
period. The majority of the Company’s restricted stock
grants provide for continued vesting after termination,
so long as the employee does not violate certain post-
termination
post-termination
restrictions do not meet the criteria for an in-substance
service condition as defined by SFAS 123(R). Accord-
ingly, such restricted stock grants are expensed in the
period in which those awards are deemed to be earned,
which is generally the calendar year preceding the
February grant date each year.

restrictions. These

Performance-based restricted stock awards granted in
2008 were valued at the market price of the Company’s
common stock on the date of grant. The restricted
shares 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 satis-
fied. The probability that the performance conditions
will be achieved and that the awards will vest is reeval-
uated each reporting period with changes in actual or
estimated outcomes accounted for using a cumulative
effect adjustment.

The Company recorded compensation expense within
continuing operations of $26.6 million, $64.6 million
and $86.5 million for the years ended December 31,
2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to employee
restricted stock and stock option grants and $0.3 mil-
lion in outside services expense related to director stock
option grants for 2006. The tax benefit related to the
total compensation cost for stock-based compensation

60

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

arrangements totaled $10.2 million, $24.8 million and
$33.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006, respectively.

In accordance with SFAS 123(R), if any equity award is
cancelled 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
cancellation is recorded within the consolidated state-
ments of operations as other income. The Company
recorded $6.1 million, $5.5 million and $2.1 million of
cancellations for the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006, respectively.

In connection with the sale of the Company’s PCS
branch network, the Company undertook a plan to
significantly restructure the Company’s support infra-
structure. The Company accelerated the equity award
vesting for employees terminated as part of this restruc-
turing. The acceleration of equity awards was deemed
to be a modification of the awards as defined by
SFAS 123(R). For the year ended December 31,
2006, the Company recorded $2.7 million of expense
in discontinued operations related to the modification
of equity awards to accelerate service vesting. Unvested
equity awards related to employees transferring to UBS
as part of the PCS sale were canceled. See Notes 4 and
17 for further discussion of the Company’s discontin-
ued operations and restructuring activities.

Weighted average assumptions in option valuation:

Risk-free interest rates

Dividend yield

Stock volatility factor
Expected life of options (in years)

Weighted average fair value of options granted

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the
date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing
model, which is based on assumptions such as the risk-
free interest rate, the dividend yield, the expected vol-
atility and the expected life of the option. The risk-free
interest rate assumption is derived from the U.S. trea-
sury bill rate with a maturity equal to the expected life
of the option. The dividend yield assumption is derived
from the assumed dividend payout over the expected
life of the option. The expected volatility assumption
for 2008 grants is derived from a combination of
Company historical data and industry comparisons.
The Company has only been a publicly traded company
since the beginning of 2004; therefore, it does not have
sufficient historical data to determine an appropriate
expected volatility solely from the Company’s own
historical data. The expected life assumption is based
on an average of the following two factors: 1) industry
comparisons; and 2) the guidance provided by the SEC
in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110, (“SAB 110”).
SAB 110 allows the use of an “acceptable” methodol-
ogy under which the Company can take the midpoint of
the vesting date and the full contractual term. The
following table provides a summary of the valuation
assumptions used by the Company to determine the
estimated value of stock option grants in Piper Jaffray
Companies common stock for the twelve months ended
December 31:

2008

2007

2006(1)

3.03% 4.68% 4.64%
0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
33.61% 32.20% 39.35%
6.00
6.00

5.53

$15.73

$28.57

$22.92

(1) 2006 weighted average assumptions exclude the assumptions utilized in equity award modifications related to the sale of the Company’s PCS branch network to aid comparability

between years.

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

61

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s outstanding stock options for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:

December 31, 2005

Granted

Exercised

Canceled

December 31, 2006

Granted

Exercised
Canceled

December 31, 2007

Granted
Exercised

Canceled

December 31, 2008

Options exercisable at December 31, 2006

Options exercisable at December 31, 2007
Options exercisable at December 31, 2008

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

$42.29

53.16

41.64

42.82

$43.25

70.13

46.92
41.09

$44.99

41.09
39.62

42.04

$44.27

$44.16

$46.32
$42.66

8.7

$

–

7.8

$11,172,964

7.1

$ 1,988,641

6.7

7.9

6.5
5.8

$

322,749

$ 1,251,487

$
$

474,294
322,749

Options
Outstanding

643,032

50,560

(31,562)

(151,849)

510,181

35,641

(51,170)
(23,937)

470,715

128,887
(899)

(29,324)

569,379

59,623

182,120
377,999

Additional information regarding Piper Jaffray Companies options outstanding as of December 31, 2008 is as
follows:

Range of Exercise Prices

$28.01

$33.40
$39.62

$41.09

$47.30 – $51.05
$70.13 – $70.65

Options Outstanding

Exercisable Options

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)

6.3

6.6
6.0

9.1

5.4
7.9

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$28.01

$33.40
$39.62

$41.09

$47.69
$70.26

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$28.01

$33.40
$39.62

–

$47.66
$70.65

Shares

22,852

4,001
205,655

–

133,719
11,772

Shares

22,852

4,001
205,655

128,887

160,571
47,413

As of December 31, 2008, there was approximately
$25,000 of
total unrecognized compensation cost
related to stock options expected to be recognized over
a weighted average period of 0.14 years.

Cash received from option exercises for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $0.04 mil-
lion, $2.4 million and $1.3, respectively. The fair value

of options exercised during the years ended Decem-
ber 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $0.02 million,
$1.1 million and $0.5 million. The tax benefit realized
for the tax deduction from option exercises totaled
$0.01 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 for the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.

62

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s non-vested restricted stock for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2005

Granted

Vested

Canceled

December 31, 2006

Granted

Vested
Canceled

December 31, 2007

Granted
Vested

Canceled

December 31, 2008

Nonvested
Restricted
Stock

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

1,417,444

$41.37

847,669

(68,940)

(639,372)

48.35

45.03

44.28

1,556,801

$43.81

793,948

(314,905)
(207,875)

1,827,969

2,151,449
(585,419)

(216,054)

66.08

48.70
50.05

$51.93

40.23
37.46

49.03

3,177,945

$46.87

The fair value of restricted stock vested during the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were
$21.9 million, $15.3 million and $3.1 million.

stock vesting. For accounting purposes, withholding
shares to cover employees’ tax obligations is deemed to
be a repurchase of shares by the Company.

As of December 31, 2008, there was $30.7 million of
total unrecognized compensation cost
related to
restricted stock expected to be recognized over a
weighted average period of 3.49 years.

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 0.1 million shares
from employee equity awards vesting in 2009, related
to the payment of individual income tax on restricted

Note 22 Geographic Areas

from
In connection with the Company’s spin-off
U.S. Bancorp on December 31, 2003, the Company
established a cash award program pursuant to which it
granted cash awards to a broad-based group of employ-
ees to aid in retention of employees and to compensate
employees for the value of U.S. Bancorp stock options
and restricted stock lost by employees. The cash awards
were expensed over a four-year period ending Decem-
ber 31, 2007.

The following table presents net revenues and long-lived assets by geographic region:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Net revenues:

United States
Europe

Asia

Consolidated

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$283,093
26,554

$436,620
37,429

$468,263
31,343

16,750

30,329

5,442

$326,397

$504,378

$505,048

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

63

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Long-lived assets:

United States

Europe
Asia

Consolidated

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$269,862

$384,084

321,514

1,290
11,408

3,541
20,080

3,441
236

$282,560

$407,705

$325,191

Note 23 Net Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters

Piper Jaffray is registered as a securities broker dealer
and an investment advisor with the SEC and is a mem-
ber of various self regulatory organizations (“SROs”)
and securities exchanges. In July of 2007, the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”) and
the member regulation, enforcement and arbitration
functions of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
consolidated to form the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (“FINRA”), which now serves as Piper Jaf-
fray’ primary SRO. Piper Jaffray is subject to the uni-
form net capital rule of the SEC and the net capital rule
of FINRA. Piper Jaffray has elected to use the alterna-
tive 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 the FINRA rule, FINRA
may prohibit a member firm from expanding its busi-
ness 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 the SEC and FINRA rules. In

addition, Piper Jaffray is subject to certain notification
requirements related to withdrawals of excess net
capital.

At December 31, 2008, net capital calculated under the
SEC rule was $210.5 million, and exceeded the mini-
mum net capital required under the SEC rule by
$209.5 million.

Piper Jaffray Ltd., which is a registered United King-
dom broker dealer, is subject to the capital require-
ments of
the U.K. Financial Services Authority
(“FSA”). As of December 31, 2008, Piper Jaffray
Ltd. was in compliance with the capital requirements
of the FSA.

Piper Jaffray Asia Holdings Limited operates four enti-
ties 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, 2008, Piper
Jaffray Asia regulated entities were in compliance with
the liquid capital requirements of the Hong Kong Secu-
rities and Futures Ordinance.

Note 24 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 state-
ment purposes, using current tax rates.

64

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

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

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Current:

Federal

State
Foreign

Deferred:

Federal

State

Foreign

Total income tax/(benefit) expense

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$(33,467)

$ 13,309

$ 25,270

–
–

2,594
1,668

4,560
615

(33,467)

17,571

30,445

(374)

(4,152)

(2,140)

(9,806)

(1,536)

(439)

(17,839)

(2,776)

380

(6,666)

(11,781)

(20,235)

$(40,133)

$ 5,790

$ 10,210

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rates to the Company’s effective tax rates for the fiscal years
ended December 31, is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Federal income tax at statutory rates

Increase/(reduction) in taxes resulting from:

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

Net tax-exempt interest income

Goodwill impairment
Other, net

Total income tax/(benefit) expense

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$(78,262)

$10,650

$11,672

(2,699)

(7,958)

42,580
6,206

589

1,160

(5,033)

(3,947)

–
(416)

–
1,325

$(40,133)

$ 5,790

$10,210

Income taxes from discontinued operations were
$0.3 million expense, $2.4 million benefit and
$160.7 million expense for the years ended Decem-
ber 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

for

In accordance with Accounting Principles Bulletin 23,
“Accounting
Income Taxes-Special Areas,”
U.S. income taxes are not provided on undistributed
earnings of international subsidiaries that are perma-
nently reinvested. As of December 31, 2008,

undistributed earnings permanently reinvested in the
Company’s foreign subsidiaries was 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 state-
ments of financial condition consisted of the following
items at December 31:

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

65

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands)

Deferred tax assets:

Liabilities/accruals not currently deductible
Pension and retirement costs

Deferred compensation

Other

Total deferred tax assets

Valuation allowance

2008

2007

2006

(Restated)

(Restated)

$10,697
4,721

60,790

16,218

92,426

(2,630)

$10,444
4,959

61,945

6,492

$17,351
5,201

47,379

3,335

83,840

73,266

–

–

Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance

89,796

83,840

73,266

Deferred tax liabilities:

Firm investments
Fixed assets

Other

Total deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax asset

104
316

1,956

2,376

795
1,314

135

2,244

1,228
4,672

498

6,398

$87,420

$81,596

$66,868

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. The Company has recorded
a deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $2.6 million
related to foreign subsidiary net operating loss
carryforwards.

The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on
January 1, 2007. Implementation of FIN 48 resulted in
no adjustment to the Company’s liability for unrecog-
nized tax benefits. As of the date of adoption the total
amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $1.1 million.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of
unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

Approximately $7.4 million of the Company’s unrec-
ognized tax benefits would impact the annual effective
tax rate if recognized. Included in the total liability for
unrecognized tax benefits is $1.0 million of interest and
penalties, both of which the Company recognizes as a
component of income tax expense. The Company or
one of its subsidiaries file income tax returns with the
U.S. federal jurisdiction, all states, and various foreign
jurisdictions. The Company is not subject to U.S. fed-
eral, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examina-
tion by tax authorities for taxable years before 2005.
The Company does not currently anticipate a change in
the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits balance
within the next twelve months for the expiration of
various statutes of limitation or for resolution of
U.S. federal and state examinations.

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance at January 1, 2007
Additions based on tax positions related to the

current year

Additions for tax positions of prior years
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
Settlements

Balance at December 31, 2007
Additions based on tax positions related to the

current year

Additions for tax positions of prior years
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
Settlements

$ 1,100

–
9,400
–
–

10,500

–
–
(300)
–

Balance at December 31, 2008

$10,200

66

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

Piper Jaffray Companies

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Quarterly Information (unaudited)

2008 FISCAL QUARTER

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

First

First

First

Second

Second

Second

Total revenues
Interest expense
Net revenues
Non-interest expenses
Loss from continuing operations before

income tax benefit

Income tax benefit
Net loss from continuing operations
Income/(loss) from discontinued

operations, net of tax

Net loss

Earnings per basic common share
Loss from continuing operations
Income/(loss) from discontinued

operations

Earnings per basic common share

Earnings per diluted common share
Loss from continuing operations
Income/(loss) from discontinued

operations

Earnings per diluted common

share(1)

Weighted average number of common

shares
Basic
Diluted

(As Reported)

(Adjustments)

(As Reported)

(Adjustments)

$102,609
6,878
95,731
100,141

(4,410)
(973)
(3,437)

$

16
–
16
(3,305)

3,321
1,278
2,043

(Restated)(2)
$102,625
6,878
95,747
96,836

$100,731
5,826
94,905
109,201

(1,089)
305
(1,394)

(14,296)
(9,223)
(5,073)

$ 2,816
–
2,816
(4,191)

7,007
3,447
3,560

–
$ (3,437)

–
$ 2,043

–
$ (1,394)

1,439
$ (3,634)

–
$ 3,560

$

(0.22)

$

(0.09)

$

(0.32)

–

$

$

(0.22)

(0.22)

–

–

$

$

(0.09)

(0.09)

$

$

–

0.09

(0.23)

(0.32)

0.09

(Restated)(2)
$103,547
5,826
97,721
105,010

(7,289)
(5,776)
(1,513)

1,439
(74)

(0.09)

0.09

(0.00)

(0.09)

0.09

$

$

$

$

$

(0.22)

$

(0.09)

$

(0.23)

$

(0.00)

15,829
16,634

15,829
17,997

16,072
16,709

16,072
18,570

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Third

Third

Third

Fourth

Total revenues
Interest expense
Net revenues
Non-interest expenses
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit
Income tax benefit
Net loss from continuing operations
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net loss

Earnings per basic common share
Loss from continuing operations
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations

Earnings per basic common share

Earnings per diluted common share
Loss from continuing operations
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations

Earnings per diluted common share(1)

Weighted average number of common shares

Basic
Diluted

(As Reported)

(Adjustments)

$

810
–
810
2,398
(1,588)
(563)
(1,025)
–
$(1,025)

$ 75,857
3,148
72,709
117,823
(45,114)
(18,603)
(26,511)
(653)
$ (27,164)

$

$

$

(1.68)
(0.04)

(1.72)

(1.68)
(0.04)

(Restated)(2)
$ 76,667
3,148
73,519
120,221
(46,702)
(19,166)
(27,536)
(653)
$ (28,189)

$ 62,213
2,803
59,410
227,937
(168,527)
(15,496)
(153,031)
(287)
$(153,318)

$

$

$

(1.75)
(0.04)

(1.79)

(1.75)
(0.04)

$

$

$

(9.76)
(0.02)

(9.78)

(9.76)
(0.02)

$

(1.72)

$

(1.79)

$

(9.78)

15,772
16,628

15,772
18,157

15,676
18,072

(1) In accordance with SFAS 128, earnings per diluted common shares is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding in periods a loss is incurred.

(2) Financial information for the first three quarters of 2008 was restated as disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

67

Piper Jaffray Companies

2007 FISCAL QUARTER

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

First

First

First

Second

Second

Second

Total revenues
Interest expense
Net revenues
Non-interest expenses
Income from continuing operations

before income tax expense/(benefit)

Income tax expense/(benefit)
Net income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations,

net of tax
Net income

Earnings per basic common share

Income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations

Earnings per basic common share

Earnings per diluted common share

Income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations

Earnings per diluted common share

Weighted average number of common

shares
Basic
Diluted

(As Reported)

(Adjustments)

$143,652
6,702
136,950
114,366

22,584
7,862
14,722

(Restated)(1)
$143,879
6,702
137,177
127,048

$

227
–
227
12,682

(12,455)
(4,780)
(7,675)

10,129
3,082
7,047

(As Reported)

(Adjustments)

$126,993
4,417
122,576
107,425

15,151
4,774
10,377

$ 3,190
–
3,190
7,556

(4,366)
(1,520)
(2,846)

(Restated)(1)
$130,183
4,417
125,766
114,981

10,785
3,254
7,531

(1,304)
$ 13,418

94
$ (7,581)

(1,210)
$ 5,837

(1,051)
$ 9,326

21
$(2,825)

(1,030)
$ 6,501

$

$

$

$

0.86
(0.08)

0.79

0.82
(0.07)

0.74

17,071
18,018

$

$

$

$

0.41
(0.07)

0.34

0.38
(0.07)

0.31

$

$

$

$

0.61
(0.06)

0.55

0.58
(0.06)

0.52

17,071
18,592

17,073
17,919

$

$

$

$

0.44
(0.06)

0.38

0.40
(0.05)

0.35

17,073
18,752

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Third

Third

Third

Fourth

Fourth

Fourth

Total revenues
Interest expense
Net revenues
Non-interest expenses
Income from continuing operations

before income tax expense/(benefit)

Income tax expense/(benefit)
Net income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations,

net of tax
Net income

(As Reported)

(Adjustments)

$98,541
5,647
92,894
86,860

6,034
1,222
4,812

$

664
–
664
2,583

(1,919)
(674)
(1,245)

(Restated)(1)
$99,205
5,647
93,558
89,443

4,115
548
3,567

(As Reported)

(Adjustments)

$153,425
6,923
146,502
127,357

19,145
4,029
15,116

$ 1,375
–
1,375
15,120

(13,745)
(5,123)
(8,622)

(Restated)(1)
$154,800
6,923
147,877
142,477

5,400
(1,094)
6,494

(456)
$ 4,356

–
$(1,245)

(456)
$ 3,111

–
$ 15,116

–
$ (8,622)

–
$ 6,494

Earnings per basic common share

Income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations

$ 0.30
(0.03)

Earnings per basic common share

$ 0.27

Earnings per diluted common share

Income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations

$ 0.28
(0.03)

Earnings per diluted common share

$ 0.26

Weighted average number of common

$ 0.22
(0.03)

$ 0.19

$ 0.20
(0.03)

$ 0.18

$

$

$

$

0.97
–

0.97

0.91
–

0.91

shares
Basic
Diluted

16,096
16,904

16,096
17,751

15,663
16,587

(1) Financial information for 2007 was restated as disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

$

$

$

$

0.41
–

0.41

0.37
–

0.37

15,663
17,381

68

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

2006 FISCAL QUARTER

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

First

First

First

Second

Second

Second

Piper Jaffray Companies

(As Reported)
$143,112
8,153
134,959
106,274

$

(Adjustments)
–
–
–
37,673

(Restated)(4)
$143,112
8,153
134,959
143,947

(As Reported)
$114,393
9,143
105,250
93,091

(Adjustments)
635
$
–
635
5,687

(Restated)(4)
$115,028
9,143
105,885
98,778

28,685
9,979

18,706

(37,673)
(14,459)

(8,988)
(4,480)

(23,214)

(4,508)

12,159
4,230

7,929

(5,052)
(1,939)

(3,113)

7,107
2,291

4,816

5,151
$ 23,857

(6,977)
$(30,191)

(1,826)
$ (6,334)

(3,792)
$ 4,137

724
$(2,389)

(3,068)
$ 1,748

Total revenues
Interest expense
Net revenues
Non-interest expenses
Income/(loss) from continuing operations
before income tax expense/(benefit)

Income tax expense/(benefit)
Net income/(loss) from continuing

operations

Income/(loss) from discontinued

operations, net of tax

Net income/(loss)

Earnings per basic common share
Income/(loss) from continuing

operations

Income/(loss) from discontinued

operations

$

1.01

0.28

$

(0.24)

$

0.43

(0.10)

(0.20)

Earnings per basic common share

$

1.29

$

(0.34)

$

0.22

Earnings per diluted common share
Income/(loss) from continuing

operations

Income/(loss) from discontinued

operations

$

0.98

0.27

Earnings per diluted common share

$

1.25

Weighted average number of common

$

(0.24)

$

0.40

(0.10)

(0.19)

$

(0.34)(1)

$

0.21

shares
Basic
Diluted

18,462
19,146

18,462
19,490

18,556
19,669

(Amounts in thousands except per share data)

Third

Third

Third

Fourth

Fourth

Fourth

(As Reported)
$124,597
8,490
116,107
101,058

(Adjustments)
699
$
–
699
8,583

(Restated)(4)
$125,296
8,490
116,806
109,641

(As Reported)
$153,135
6,517
146,618
104,638

$

(Adjustments)
780
–
780
14,696

(Restated)(4)
$153,915
6,517
147,398
119,334(3)

15,049
5,521

9,528

(7,884)
(3,026)

(4,858)

7,165
2,495

4,670

41,980
15,244

26,736

(13,916)
(5,340)

28,064
9,904

(8,576)

18,160(3)

177,085
$186,613

6,011
$ 1,153

183,096(2)
$187,766

(6,090)
$ 20,646

175
$ (8,401)

(5,915)
$ 12,245

Total revenues
Interest expense
Net revenues
Non-interest expenses
Income/(loss) from continuing operations
before income tax expense/(benefit)

Income tax expense/(benefit)
Net income/(loss) from continuing

operations

Income/(loss) from discontinued

operations, net of tax

Net income/(loss)

Earnings per basic common share
Income/(loss) from continuing

operations

Income/(loss) from discontinued

operations

$

0.53

9.82

$

0.26

$

1.58

10.15(2)

(0.36)

Earnings per basic common share

$ 10.35

$ 10.41

$

1.22

Earnings per diluted common share
Income/(loss) from continuing

operations

Income/(loss) from discontinued

operations

$

0.50

9.29

$

0.24

$

1.49

9.36(2)

(0.34)

Earnings per diluted common share

$

9.79

$

9.60

$

1.15

Weighted average number of common

shares
Basic
Diluted

16,973
18,322
(1) In accordance with SFAS 128, earnings per diluted common shares is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding in periods a loss is incurred.
(2) The third quarter of 2006 included the gain on the sale of the Company’s PCS branch network.
(3) The fourth quarter of 2006 included an after tax reduction of litigation reserves of $13,100 or $0.73 per diluted share.
(4) Financial information for 2006 was restated as disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

18,031
19,569

16,973
18,004

18,031
19,071

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

69

$

0.26

(0.17)

$

0.09

$

0.24

(0.15)

$

0.09

18,556
20,230

$

1.07(3)

(0.35)

$

0.72

$

0.99(3)

(0.32)

$

0.67

Piper Jaffray Companies

Market for Piper Jaffray Companies Common Stock and Related Shareholder Matters

SHAREHOLDERS
We had 19,488 shareholders of record and approxi-
mately 54,000 beneficial owners of our common stock
as of February 20, 2009.

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 broker dealer subsidiary’s ability
to pay dividends are described in Note 23 to the con-
solidated financial statements.

STOCK PRICE INFORMATION
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, 2008, 2007 and 2006. On
February 20, 2009, the last reported sale price of our
common stock was $26.86.

2008 FISCAL YEAR

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

2007 FISCAL YEAR

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

2006 FISCAL YEAR

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

High

Low

$49.00
41.50
43.50
42.92

$32.71
29.33
25.94
25.06

High

Low

$74.30
68.12
59.46
58.76

$58.53
55.26
44.24
41.44

High

Low

$55.40
74.65
66.80
71.61

$38.74
53.18
46.60
58.80

Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the performance of an investment in our common stock from January 2, 2004, the
date our common stock began regular-way trading on the New York Stock Exchange following our spin-off from
U.S. Bancorp, with the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Diversified Financials Index. The graph assumes $100
was invested on January 2, 2004, 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. Based on these assumptions,
the cumulative total return for 2008 would have been $92.47 for our common stock, $89.80 for the S&P 500
Index and $49.75 for the S&P 500 Diversified Financials Index. For 2007, the cumulative total return would have
been $107.72 for our common stock, $142.54 for the S&P 500 Index and $120.24 for the S&P 500 Diversified
Financials Index. For 2006, the cumulative total return would have been $151.51 for our common stock, $135.12
for the S&P 500 Index and $147.74 for the S&P 500 Diversified Financials Index. For 2005, the cumulative total
return would have been $93.95 for our common stock, $116.69 for the S&P 500 Index and $119.24 for the S&P
500 Diversified Financials Index. For 2004, the cumulative total return would have been $111.51 for our common
stock, $111.23 for the S&P 500 Index and $108.59 for the S&P 500 Diversified Financials Index. The
performance shown in the graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of
future performance.

70

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN FOR PIPER JAFFRAY COMMON STOCK, THE S&P 500 INDEX

AND THE S&P DIVERSIFIED FINANCIALS INDEX

Piper Jaffray Companies

$160

$140

$120

$100

$80

$60

$40

1/02/04

12/31/04

12/31/05

12/31/06

12/31/07

12/31/08

PJC

S&P 500  

S&P 500 Diversified Financials

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

71

Corporate Headquarters
Piper Jaffray Companies
Mail Stop J09N05
800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612 303-6000

Company Web Site
www.piperjaffray.com

Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services acts as transfer agent 
and registrar for Piper Jaffray Companies and maintains 
all shareholder records for the company. For questions 
regarding owned Piper Jaffray Companies stock, stock 
transfers, address corrections or changes, lost stock 
certificates or duplicate mailings, please contact BNY 
Mellon Shareowner Services by writing or calling: 

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 358010
Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8010
800 872-4409

Street Address for Overnight Deliveries
480 Washington Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ 07310-1900 

Web Site Access to Registrar
Shareholders may access their investor statements 
online 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 
www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd.

Independent Accountants
Ernst & Young LLP

Common Stock Listing
New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PJC)

Investor Inquiries
Shareholders, securities analysts and investors seeking 
more information about the company should contact 
Jennifer A. Olson-Goude, director of Investor Relations, 
at jennifer.a.olson-goude@pjc.com, 612 303-6277, or 
the corporate headquarters address.

Web Site Access to SEC Reports and Corporate 
Governance Information
Piper Jaffray Companies makes available free of charge 
on its Web site, www.piperjaffray.com, its annual reports 
on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current 
reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports 
filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) 
of the Exchange Act, as well as all other reports filed 
by Piper Jaffray Companies with the SEC, as soon 
as reasonably practicable after it electronically files 
them with, or furnishes them to, the SEC. Piper Jaffray 
Companies also makes available free of charge on its 
Web site the company’s codes of ethics and business 
conduct, its corporate governance principles and the 
charters of the audit, compensation, and nominating 
and governance committees of the board of directors. 
Printed copies of these materials will be mailed upon 
request. 

Dividends
Piper Jaffray Companies does not currently pay cash 
dividends on its common stock.

Certifications
In accordance with the rules of the New York Stock 
Exchange (NYSE) the chief executive officer of 
Piper Jaffray Companies submitted the required 
annual certification to the NYSE regarding the NYSE’s 
corporate governance listing standards on June 5, 
2008. The Form 10-K of Piper Jaffray Companies for 
the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the 
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 
2009, includes the certifications of the chief executive 
officer and the chief financial officer required by Section 
302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

72

Piper Jaffray Annual Report 2008

BV-COC-940655