Keefe Resigns Posts

Harry V. Keefe Jr. said he has resigned as chairman and chief executive of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a securities firm specializing in bank stocks, in a dispute over strategy. The company said Gene Bruyette, vice chairman, will become chairman and will share chief executive duties with Charles H. Lott, who will remain president.

Keefe said he decided to leave the firm after his partners’ recent decision to sell its business that advises investors on bank debt and certificates of deposit to International Thompson of Britain for an undisclosed price. Keefe said the business offered “outstanding profits.”

He will form a new firm, Keefe Consultants, to advise investors on bank and thrift stocks and assist managements of institutions in developing marketing and corporate identity plans.