Siebert Brandford Shank Looks to Future

Suzanne Shank, co-founder of Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., discusses the investment banker’s future growth plans following a new ownership realignment.

SHANK: Well with Bill Thompson and Sean Duffy, who were existing managers of departments within the firm, it really formalized their relationships and the trust and responsibility that I have entrusted in them since they've been working at the firm several years. Bill as chief administrative officer and Sean Duffy, head of the desk. But with Henry Cisneros, former San Antonio mayor and former HUD secretary and Victor Miramontes, who formerly was president of the North American Development Bank, we're adding a real depth of knowledge of urban economies. They've been invested in every major urban center across the country. I'm just looking for growth in the firm and I think they will help drive that growth.

Well, we're a performance-based firm. Our goal is to outperform the competition and we think that served us very well. Now, if there are clients that appreciate our diversity and embrace it, we're thrilled about that, but at the end of the day, we want to say that are we structured and priced and distributed a deal as well as our competitors.

Many have read about the recent additions to the firm. We've definitely been showing up beginning with hiring Gary Hall as head of public finance. That hire allowed me to really free up to determine some strategic initiatives for the firm including this new ownership structure as well as forming a quantitative solutions group and expanding to the capital markets business. We're looking for even greater growth in the future.

One thing I'd like to note is with the ongoing 20th anniversary soon, we're just thrilled we're not just existing, we're thriving. With the demise of several smaller firms that we've seen in recent years, we want our clients to know that we're doing quite well and primed for great growth in the future.