The future of the KBW was uncertain in the aftermath of 9/11. Back then, the bank was about to be sold to BNP Paribas, but the attacks changed everything. The firm lost nearly half of its New York staff, including the 23-year-old son of CEO John Duffy. But the boutique that specializes in the financial services industry never gave up. After five years of rebuilding, KBW is back. And how! Under Duffy, along with Andrew Senchak and Thomas Michaud, the bank has more than doubled the number of its employees, and it has grown in business and influence. It also went public in one of the strongest IPOs of 2006. It doesn't hurt that it specializes in an industry that is on fire, as they say. This is a feel good story to say the least.

For more:
- here's an article from Investment Dealers' Digest (For FierceFinance readers)