In Their Own Words: Curtis Hamilton

Click on the questions to read the responses in their own words.

• Why were you looking to leave your old firm?

  My previous firm repeatedly found itself in the headlines for some of their banking practices. Sometimes my clients would joke about it, asking “So what did you do this time?” But over time, that firm’s reputational damage was starting to creep into my client relationships – the advisor/client relationship is built on a foundation of trust, and those headlines were beginning to erode the years of trust I had built up with my clients.

  I never thought I would ever switch firms, but then it occurred to me: “How do I know if there's anything better out there if I don't check on it myself?”

• What about Baird was appealing to you?

  Owensboro is a small town, and I knew many of the advisors who worked at Baird (though at that time it was Hilliard Lyons). In talking with them about their experiences there, it just reminded me of the smaller companies I worked with early in my career, where the people you worked with every day were friends as much as colleagues. It was a stark contrast to the firm I was with at the time, where if you needed something, you dialed an 800 number and hoped that someone would eventually get back to you. Also, the fact they were employee-owned and having the opportunity to invest in the company myself was really appealing to me. When you have your own dollars invested in the company, you want it to be a success, which just puts a greater emphasis on putting the client first and doing what’s right.

• What was the deciding factor that led you to join Baird?

  What clinched it for me was my desire to have my son join the business. That was something I was very interested in pursuing – it would not only be good for the two of us, but it would allow us to expand our business and capabilities and provide my clients with continuity when I decide to retire.

  Many financial services firms – including my previous one – aren’t especially receptive to that idea. But Baird was not that way at all – when I broached the idea, they said they actually encouraged advisors to bring on the next generation to take over the business someday.

• What were some of the things that made your transition to Baird so smooth?

  I had heard war stories about transitioning to new firms, so I was already apprehensive – especially at the time, which was early on in the pandemic. But we had three transition specialists on the ground, and they made it easy for me – as clients chose Baird, I simply provided their information to the transition team and they took care of the rest. We met every Friday, and we reviewed who was on the list, who signed on, who is in process.

  All told, I’d say I brought along 95% of my clients. What’s funny is that after the switch, I’ve had several of them tell me how happy they were that I moved. It was a real shot in the arm to see just how many of them appreciated the relationship and the work I did for them.

• What makes Baird truly different in the industry?

  So everyone says that they put clients and employees first, but Baird really takes it to heart. After I started, I was sent a Baird shirt and flowers, and people emailed me from across the country to make me feel welcome. It really felt like coming home.

• After being at Baird for a little while, have your expectations been met?

  So it’s been two years since I moved my business to Baird, and not once have I thought about where I came from. I never looked back – frankly, I never felt the need to. Working at Baird and serving my clients alongside my son – I just couldn’t be happier.