# Neal Wilson

> Neal Wilson is the co-founder and co-CEO of Arlington-based EJF Capital LP, where he also serves as co-CIO of private-markets products and CFO. A former SEC enforcement branch chief and Dechert securities attorney, he moved into investment management at FBR before founding EJF with Emanuel Friedman in 2005. His public writing addresses bank capital, financial technology and the investment implications of regulation.

- **Role:** Co-Chief Executive Officer, Co-Chief Investment Officer of private markets products and Chief Financial Officer at EJF Capital LP
- **Organizations:** EJF Capital LP, EJF Investments Manager LLC, Friedman, Billings, Ramsey, Dechert LLP, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Milken Institute Executive Council on Inclusive Capitalism, Hood College (former trustee), Sidwell Friends School (former trustee), Montgomery County Public Schools Employee Pension (former trustee)
- **Education:** BA, Columbia University, JD, University of Pennsylvania
- **Known for:** Co-founded EJF Capital in 2005., Appointed EJF co-CEO in September 2019., Received Montgomery County’s Distinguished Service Award in 2014 for pension board contributions.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2005** — Served as an SEC Division of Enforcement branch chief, a senior securities attorney at Dechert, and a senior managing director in FBR’s Alternative Asset Investments and Private Wealth Management groups.
- **2005** — Co-founded EJF Capital with Emanuel Friedman; served as chief operating officer.
- **2013** — Completed nine years as a trustee of the Montgomery County Public Schools Employee Pension.
- **2014** — Received a Distinguished Service Award from Montgomery County.
- **2019** — Named co-CEO alongside Emanuel Friedman when EJF announced a strategic minority investment from Kudu.
- **2022** — Published an essay on financial technology, regulation and capital for underserved communities.
- **2024** — Authored The Bad, the Good and the Ugly, examining bank credit risk transfer.
- **2026** — Published The “Hamilton Blessing” of the 2025 GENIUS Act.

## Achievements

- Co-founded EJF Capital in 2005.
- Appointed EJF co-CEO in September 2019.
- Received Montgomery County’s Distinguished Service Award in 2014 for pension board contributions.
- Chaired Hood College’s endowment investment committee throughout his nine-year trusteeship.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — EJF posted a CNBC discussion with Wilson on inflation, interest rates, political pressures on Fed decisions and data-center lending at smaller banks.
- **2026-04** — EJF posted a CNBC interview discussing the FOMC meeting, interest rates and the nomination of Kevin Warsh.
- **2026-02** — EJF listed Wilson’s essay The “Hamilton Blessing” of the 2025 GENIUS Act.
- **2025-12** — Joined SCI’s Simon Boughey to discuss credit risk transfer and significant risk transfer markets.

## Links

- Website: https://www.ejfcap.com/people/neal-wilson/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-wilson-64a5528

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/neal-wilson
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09