Expert Witness Services

Hopkins & Howard provides expert witness testimony for those involved in litigation concerning banking.

Our bank-only focus gives our clients an substantial advantage in litigation when contrasted with using a general business valuation firm. Expert testimony in banking litigation involves a very specific knowledge base and requires significant experience in banking. Using an expert other than one involved in banking over a long period of time is only asking for trouble in litigation.

AT HOPKINS AND HOWARD, WE FOCUS ON EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY IN TWO AREAS:

Bank Stock Valuation

Our significant experience in valuing banks over the past 20+ years allows us to provide our clients and their attorneys with a depth of knowledge and history that is nearly unique in the United States. Our experience has been that when general business appraisers are used, they tend to apply general valuation principles to the bank involved in the valuation. Given the substantial difference between a bank and a general commercial company, the resulting valuation can vary somewhere between hilarious and significantly damaging to a client’s case.

Joe Hopkins is an ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation) accredited by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) passing the ABV test on the first attempt.

The AICPA established the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV®) credential program in 1998 for members who specialize in valuation. The ABV credential is granted exclusively by the AICPA to CPAs and qualified valuation professionals who demonstrate considerable expertise in valuation through their knowledge, skill, experience and adherence to professional standards.

Before you engage an expert for bank valuation related litigation, please ask them how many bank valuations they performed in the previous year. Then ask us, we’re certain there will be a significant difference.

Bank Operations and Bank Fraud

Areas of expertise include:

• Fraud and related issues (Click: AICPC Quick Reference Guide to Misapporpriation Schemes);
• Lending, underwriting and administration, including these areas; FSA Lending , SBA, aviation, agriculture, commercial real estate, commercial & industrial, residential, and consumer lending;
• Directors responsibility and D&O insurance;
• Regulatory issues, compliance, enforcement agreements and civil money penalties consulting;
• Shareholder dissent and fiduciary responsibilities;
• Classified asset resolution;
• Mergers & acquisitions.

Joe Hopkins is a CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics) accredited by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) passing the ABV test on the first attempt.

The AICPA established the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF®) credential program in 2008 for CPAs who specialize in forensic accounting. The CFF credential is granted exclusively to CPAs who demonstrate considerable expertise in forensic accounting through their knowledge, skills and experience.