Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Who are our customers?
  2. Where are your institutional traders located?  
  3. What types of skills do you need to be successful in institutional trading?  
  4. What gives Baird a competitive advantage?
  5. What is the environment like on the trading floor?  
  6. What types of training programs does Baird offer?  
1. Who are our customers?
Our customers are the largest equity investors in North America and Europe. Unlike our Investment Banking counterparts, we do not have a middle-market focus. Our customers include mutual fund families, large pension funds and insurance companies. We interact daily with both portfolio managers and analysts from these firms.

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2. Where are Baird’s Institutional Salespeople located?
We have a centralized sales staff, primarily located in Milwaukee.

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3. What types of skills do you need to be successful in Institutional Trading?
Higher performing traders possess a high energy level, strong interpersonal skills, tenacity, a tremendous work ethic, the ability to make quick decisions and the ability to work in a team. Additionally, individuals who are successful in these jobs tend to have terrific relationship-building abilities.

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4. What gives Baird a competitive advantage?
At Baird, we tend to dominate market share for the stocks in which we make a market. Additionally, we are viewed as a firm with a high level of integrity and service that customers can trust. Finally, our teamwork-oriented culture is different from that of many competitors. This helps us execute customer orders quickly and effectively.

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5. What is the environment like on the trading floor? 
The environment is fast-paced, high energy and high volume.

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6. What types of training programs does Baird offer?
After the initial Series 7 licensing process, new members of the group participate in basic training with their colleagues from Investment Banking and Equity Research. After this, team members can expect about 18 months to two years of on-the-job training, during which new associates work alongside assigned senior people to enhance their knowledge of the job.

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©2008 Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated.
This site has been published in the United States for residents of the United States. The foregoing has been prepared solely for informational purposes and is not an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any particular trading strategy. Securities, products and services are offered through Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated. Member FINRA and SIPC.