Blog Post

Hilliard and Baird execs talk merger transaction

Terry McWilliams • January 17, 2019

LOUISVILLE (Jan. 17, 2019) -- In the wake of the Hilliard-Baird transaction announcement, FEI Louisville and ACG Kentucky featured Hilliard Lyons CEO James Allen and Baird Vice Chair John Taft. Jim and John discussed Hilliard's heritage and provided additional color about Baird and the future of the company in Louisville.


The sale of Hilliard Lyons came together quickly after a conversation last summer between officials of the Louisville-based financial firm and its largest shareholder, Houchens Industries Inc. ( Click here to read more from David Mann at Business First)

In November, HL Financial Services, LLC signed a definitive agreement allowing Hilliard Lyons and Hilliard Lyons Trust Company to join Baird. Baird, headquartered in Milwaukee, is an international, employee-owned wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm with more than $200 billion in client assets. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019.

Established in 1854, Hilliard Lyons is one of the nation’s oldest investment firms and has nearly 1,000 employees, including more than 380 financial advisors, operating in more than 70 offices in 11 states. Along with its sister company Hilliard Lyons Trust Company, the firm offers wealth management, trust, and estate planning services, as well as investment banking, municipal finance, and asset management services. It has over $50 billion in client assets and had more than $280 million in revenue for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

Baird, established in 1919, has more than 3,450 associates, including 890 financial advisors, working from 97 locations in 30 states.

About FEI:


The Louisville chapter connects about 100 senior-level financial executives -- CFOs, Finance VPs, Controllers and Treasurers -- from private and public companies, associations, foundations and academia. We’ve engaged Kentucky and Southern Indiana execs for more than 75 years, highlighting issues that impact CFOs and their companies, building foundations for trusted relationships with peers, and providing opportunities to learn and share wisdom and resources.

About ACG:

ACGKentucky is focused on fostering corporate growth in Kentucky and Southern Indiana through an ecosystem that engages corporate executives, bankers, attorneys, accountants, risk management, private equity and M&A professionals. As part of the global ACG network, ACG Kentucky offers programs that provide insight on capital formation trends and important local and national issues. ACGKentucky connects members through its monthly speaker series, the Mid-South ACG Capital Connection, and other educational and business events.

Contact for FEI and ACG:

Terry McWilliams, President, Mozaic Investor Relations, Inc. Phone: 502-410-2113. Emails: feilouisville@gmail.com, acgkentucky@gmail.com, terrym@mozaicir.com

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