Baird launches a Clean Technology Focus; Fiserv expands lockbox network with new site in Atlanta; Northwestern Mutual makes donation to Red Cross
Baird launches a Clean Technology Focus
Today, Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated launched a Clean Technology Focus. The addition makes Baird one of only a few financial services firms that provide equity research, policy research and investment banking capabilities in the sector, and marks the latest investment in enhanced expertise at the employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm.
“Clean technology is an area of tremendous growth and, in many ways, a natural extension of several of Baird’s existing areas of focus,” said chairman, president and CEO Paul Purcell. “Adding this talented and experienced team gives us immediate credibility and a unique competitive advantage in this very dynamic sector. It establishes Baird as a premier clean technology equity capital markets franchise.”
Anchoring the clean technology research effort are Michael Horwitz, senior research analyst and Christine Tezak, senior energy and environmental policy analyst. Horwitz will be based at the firm’s San Francisco office and Tezak works from Baird’s office in McLean, Va.
“Michael and Christi are very well-respected for their insights, and we’re pleased that they’ve chosen to join Baird,” said Robert Venable, director of research. “The clean technology sector is rapidly developing and expanding, and adding the team’s expertise further complements the high quality research Baird already provides.”
Gary Vollen, managing director, Melody Jones McDowell, director; and Joshua Fiedler, vice president were also added to the team in San Francisco.
Fiserv expands lockbox network with new site in Atlanta
Fiserv, Inc., of Brookfield, announced today the opening of a new remittance processing site in Atlanta. The new facility expands Fiserv’s national multi-site lockbox network from locations already in Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami.
“By opening the Atlanta site, we are expanding our lockbox network and responding to our clients needs for an additional strategic lockbox location,” said Anna Quinlan, president of Remittance and Check Solutions at Fiserv. “The site will help financial institutions’ remittance processing customers to reduce mail float and aid in posting their accounts receivable more quickly. This offering is yet another way that Fiserv is helping financial institutions differentiate themselves and retain clients.”
The Atlanta facility is located near a U.S. post office and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, that allows Fiserv to expedite remittance processing in the region. This site will enable Fiserv financial institution remittance processing clients with operations in the Atlanta area to extend their market reach through an expanded lockbox network and to potentially grow their fee-based revenues and deposits without capital expenditures.
By using a processing site in Atlanta, financial institution remittance processing customers can now maintain a local Atlanta mailing address. Atlanta consistently ranks among the best mail processing sites in the U.S., according to Phoenix Hecht’s Bi-Annual Postal Survey, which measures and reports total collection float.
Northwestern Mutual makes donation to Red Cross
Northwestern Mutual foundation today announced it would make a $500,000 donation to the American Red Cross to assist in enhancing its recovery and relief efforts in areas affected by natural disasters.
“This commitment to the American Red Cross is one more way that we can help communities and policy owners protect what matters most,” said Edward Zore, Northwest Mutual chairman and CEO. “True security and stability means being prepared to respond to risks. As a financial security provider, our company is committed to helping people prepare for and recover from disasters.”
Northwestern Mutual is also promoting American Red Cross’s Facebook fan page to its representatives, employees, and policy owners, to make it easier for them to enroll in an American Red Cross Disaster Services Training course, or pledge personal donations to the organization.
“Northwestern Mutual Foundation’s generous donation will enable the Red Cross to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters,” said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer at American Red Cross. “Donations that are made in advance of major disasters are essential to the organization’s ability to provide services like sheltering and feeding immediately after a disaster strikes.”
