Robert S. Smith

ROBERT S. SMITH is the Chief Operating Officer of Friedman, Billings,
Ramsey Group, Inc. Since joining FBR in late 1996, Mr. Smith has
participated in a number of initiatives, including the company’s
December 1997 initial public offering. He was also involved with the
launch of FBR’s online investment bank and electronic brokerage service,
fbr.com. Mr. Smith helped execute FBR’s strategic alliance with Fidelity
Investments and the acquisition (pending) of Money Management
Associates/Rushmore Trust & Savings, a Bethesda, Maryland-based
investment adviser and thrift. Mr. Smith became General Counsel of FBR
in 1996, and Executive Vice President in 1997. He assumed the role of
Chief Operating Officer in 1999. Mr. Smith has been associated with FBR
since its inception in 1989, serving as the company’s outside Counsel.
He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and he
practiced law there for three years before moving to the United States
in 1985. Mr. Smith received a graduate Law degree from the University of
Virginia in 1986 and was a Partner with the law firm of McGuire, Woods,
Battle & Boothe, LLP, until he joined FBR.