M. Griffith Investment Services to Join Baird

Baird Continues Expansion in Northeast

MILWAUKEE, June 4, 2018 – Baird and M. Griffith Investment Services, Inc. announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement for M. Griffith to join Baird, an international, employee-owned wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm with more than $200 billion in client assets. M. Griffith, an independent and employee-owned investment firm headquartered in Central New York, offers financial planning, investment management and other services.Terms of the deal, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals, were not disclosed.

M. Griffith has more than 40 employees, including 12 financial advisors who manage and oversee more than $2 billion in assets. Baird, which was established in 1919, has more than 3,450 associates, including over 860 financial advisors working from 94 locations in 30 states. Currently Baird has equity and fixed income capital markets, and wealth management operations in more than a dozen offices across the Northeast.

"M. Griffith is a highly respected and well-established firm with a business model and client-focused culture that are very consistent with Baird's, making them an excellent business partner," said Steve Booth, President & Chief Executive Officer of Baird. "Taking this important step enables M. Griffith to enhance the services and capabilities it offers its clients and positions Baird to expand our current footprint in the Northeast," said Baird Chairman Paul Purcell.  "We couldn't be more pleased to welcome M. Griffith to the Baird family."

"I'd been thinking about the right way to help write M. Griffith's next chapter for some time – how we best continue to serve our clients as they have grown to expect, how we maintain our culture and our tradition as an employee-owned firm, and how we continue to attract top financial talent all while keeping pace with an increasingly complex business," said David Griffith, President of M. Griffith. "I found the answer in Baird, which embodies the same culture and values that have long defined M. Griffith, and is nationally recognized as a best place to work. It's a great fit for our clients and the M. Griffith team."

M. Griffith was founded in Central New York in 1947. The firm, which has a long history of being employee owned, is led by David Griffith who followed in the footsteps of his parents, Richard and Margaret, in leading the company and has served as its President since 1972.

"M. Griffith and its well-respected advisors are known for providing high-quality financial advice and service to clients in Central New York and beyond," said Mike Schroeder, President of Baird Private Wealth Management. "We are very excited to build on the firm's legacy of service, while expanding our presence in the Northeast in a way that makes great sense both strategically and culturally."

David Griffith will serve as Vice Chairman – Private Wealth Management when the transaction is completed and will continue to be actively involved with clients while also representing Baird in the community.

M. Griffith and Baird share a long-standing tradition of giving back to the communities in which their associates live and work. M. Griffith supports a variety of local causes including the arts, education and community development, and its employees are active members in the philanthropic community. In 2017, Baird Foundation provided more than $3.1 million in support to charitable organizations.

M. Griffith Investment Services, Inc.
In 1947, the financial services firm known today as M. Griffith Investment Services, Inc. was founded in Central New York. The employee-owned firm is led by David Griffith who followed in the footsteps of his parents, Richard and Margaret, in leading the firm and has served as its President since 1972.

About Baird
Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Established in 1919, Baird has approximately 3,500 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird has $203 billion in client assets as of Dec. 31, 2017. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird ranked No. 12 on FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2018 – its 15th consecutive year on the list. Baird is the marketing name of Baird Financial Group. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s investment banking and private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s Web site at www.rwbaird.com.

For additional information, contact:
Baird Public Relations
(414) 765-7250