In the media

John regularly contributes his perspective and insight to the media, particularly regarding developments with implications for the financial services industry and its clients.

March 31, 2023

Taft Shares Perspective on SVB Aftermath, FA Obligations with Barron’s

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, recently penned an article for Barron’s Advisor. He weighs in about the obligation financial advisors have to their clients in the wake of the SVB collapse.

December 1, 2022

Taft Reinforces Value of Financial Advice in InvestmentNews Article

Baird Vice Chair John Taft sat down recently with InvestmentNews Senior Reporter Mark Schoeff to offer his perspective on remarks SEC Chairman Gary Gensler delivered at SIFMA’s Annual Meeting.

June 27, 2022

John Taft Questions Pace of SEC Regulatory Agenda in Barron’s Article

In a recent article he wrote for Barron's, John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, questions the pace and scope of financial regulatory proposals from the SEC and the implications they could have on the stability and strength of our financial markets.

March 2, 2022

Video: John Taft Answers 3 Questions With InvestmentNews

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, recently sat down with Mark Schoeff, Senior Reporter at InvestmentNews, to discuss how Regulation Best Interest has shifted the way wealth managers advise clients. He also shares his perspective on SEC Chairman Gary Gensler’s regulatory agenda.

January 25, 2022

John Taft Quoted in Time Article on the SEC’s Proposed Transparency Regulations

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, commented on the SEC’s proposed transparency regulations for private companies and what the potential changes mean for investors in a January 14 Time article.

December 22, 2021

John Taft Offers Perspective on SEC Regulatory Agenda in Barron’s Article

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, recently wrote an article for Barron’s where he examines the implications of the SEC’s regulatory agenda on the wealth management industry’s growth and innovation.

September 10, 2021

Video: John Taft Offers Advice on Maneuvering Uncertainties with ‘MarketBrief’

In a “MarketBrief” segment hosted by Barron’s and MarketWatch, Baird Vice Chairman John Taft offers advice on how to maneuver ongoing uncertainties given the expectation of an eventful and unpredictable political environment this fall. He also shares insight on the impact the Fed’s future actions could have on stocks.

July 13, 2021

Podcast: John Taft Discusses Stewardship with Scholars of Finance

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, recently sat down with Ross Overline, co-founder and CEO of Scholars of Finance, an organization dedicated to inspiring character and integrity in the finance leaders of tomorrow. Taft serves on the Advisory Board for SOF and discussed using finance as a force for good on the organization’s new podcast, “Investing in Integrity.”

July 1, 2021

Bloomberg TV Interview: Taft Discusses Impact of Free Trade, Order Flow

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, shares his perspective on the stewardship of free trade and order flow with “Bloomberg Surveillance.”

May 26, 2021

Video: John Taft Moderates Impact Investing Webinar with CFA Society Minnesota

Watch John Taft discuss impact investing and new opportunities and challenges in addressing economic equality with Frank Altman, founder and CEO of Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF).

May 7, 2021

John Taft Reflects on Legacy of David Swensen in Bloomberg Article

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft reflects on the legacy of David Swensen, the chief investment officer at Yale University, in this Bloomberg article.

April 15, 2021

John Taft Discusses Gensler Confirmation with InvestmentNews

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft provided thoughts on Gary Gensler’s agenda as the new chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission with InvestmentNews.

April 2, 2021

John Taft Discusses Career Path and Wealth Management Industry with Barron’s

Barron’s recently interviewed Baird Vice Chairman John Taft about his career path and role at Baird, as well as his views on current market events, the importance of financial literacy and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation Best Interest.

March 2, 2021

John Taft Offers Perspective on GameStop Phenomenon in WealthManagement.com Article

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft recently wrote an article for WealthManagement.com in which he laments that the GameStop short squeeze represents one of the worst reputational moments for finance. He also notes that it comes at a time when we should be enabling our financial services sector to do more, not less, to help the global economy recover from the COVID lockdown.

February 16, 2021

John Taft Makes a Case for Preserving Reg BI in InvestmentNews Article

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft recently penned an article for InvestmentNews, in which he shares his perspective on why the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest Rule should be preserved as written and is the best approach for individual investors.

December 10, 2020

John Taft Shares Perspective on What to Watch in 2021 with Financial Planning

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft recently wrote an article for Financial Planning, in which he reflects on 2020 and outlines potential changes the financial industry may face in 2021.

October 7, 2020

John Taft, Katie Schoen Weigh in on Expanded Definition of 'Accredited Investor' in InvestmentNews

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft and Baird Capital Vice President Katie Schoen penned a recent column for InvestmentNews, where they examine the implications of the SEC expanded definition of an 'accredited investor' for private equity investors and the advisers who serve them.

September 8, 2020

Bloomberg TV Interview: Taft Discusses the SEC’s Expansion of “Accredited Investor” Definition

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, discusses with Bloomberg Surveillance how the SEC’s decision to expand the definition of “accredited investor” has new implications for individual investors looking to invest in the private market.

July 15, 2020

John Taft and Ryan Burwell Discuss Accelerating Digital Success in InvestmentNews Column

John Taft, Vice Chairman at Baird, and Ryan Burwell, Director of Technology Strategy for Baird’s Private Wealth Management business, recently reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated years of digital transformation in the wealth management industry. In their column in InvestmentNews, they share what has worked for Baird and how firms can maximize the opportunities created during this transformative time.

April 17, 2020

John Taft Pens On Wall Street Column About the Resiliency of the Financial Markets

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft penned a recent column for On Wall Street in which he discusses the resiliency of the financial markets in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

April 13, 2020

Bloomberg TV Interview: Taft Discusses COVID-19’s Impact on the Financial Markets

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, shares his perspective on how the financial markets are weathering the Coronavirus pandemic with "Bloomberg Surveillance."

April 8, 2020

VIDEO: John Taft Hosts Putting Investors First Month Webinar with CFA Society Minnesota

On April 7, John Taft joined CFA Society Minnesota to host a webinar in honor of Putting Investors First Month. See the recording of the discussion.

March 24, 2020

"Ethics, Finance and Family Legacy" - Q&A with the University of St. Thomas

In honor of National Ethics Awareness Month, John Taft sat down with the University of St. Thomas Newsroom to discuss the financial services industry, the importance of stewardship values and how growing up in an influential family shaped his purpose in his career and life.

June 12, 2019

John Taft Pens InvestmentNews Opinion Piece on Regulation Best Interest Ruling

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft penned a recent opinion piece for InvestmentNews focusing on Regulation Best Interest and the new industry-sweeping standards that are emerging from the decision.

May 10, 2019

John Taft Speaks to Minnesota, Milwaukee CFAs About Putting Investors First

In April, John Taft spoke to the CFA Societies of Minnesota and Milwaukee about “Principled Leadership” and the importance of putting investors first.

May 1, 2019

John Taft Discusses "Finance for the Greater Good" at Wake Forest University

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft spoke at the Wake Forest University School of Business on April 2 about the role that finance should play in advancing the goals of society. Taft noted how ethics, stewardship, and inclusion and diversity are essential ingredients in order for finance to advance society.

March 4, 2019

John Taft Appears on Bloomberg Surveillance

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft appeared on “Bloomberg Surveillance” while in New York on March 4 to join Baird’s leadership team in ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange in celebration of the firm’s 100th anniversary. He discussed Baird’s unique business model and the future of global Wall Street.

January 15, 2019

John Taft Pens Barron’s Opinion Piece, Reflecting on the Fall of Bernie Madoff

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft penned a recent opinion piece for Barron’s reflecting on the 10-year anniversary of Bernie Madoff’s arrest and the lasting ethical implications and lessons for the industry that followed.

November 12, 2018

John Taft Pens "On Wall Street" Column

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft penned a recent column for On Wall Street reflecting on the 10-year anniversary of Bernie Madoff’s arrest for securities fraud and the lasting impact that followed as thousands of investors learned they were victims of one of the largest investment frauds and Ponzi schemes in U.S. history.

November 9, 2018

John Taft Discusses “An Industry in Transition” at Recent Events

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft spoke at two recent industry conferences on current and developing trends in the wealth Management industry. Taft noted significant challenges – fee compression, digital disrupters, passive investing, ETFs, aging client and advisor demographics – but suggested they are outshone by opportunities to provide clients with value-added holistic life advice, helping them navigate increased longevity and improving their chances of achieving long term goals.

November 1, 2018

Podcast Interview: Taft Discusses the State of the Financial System with American Banker

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, discusses ethics and restoring consumer trust 10 years post the financial crisis with American Banker.

October 29, 2018

InvestmentNews: Baird’s Taft on the Importance of Diversity and Inclusion

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft shares his views on why the financial services industry needs to make investing in diversity a priority.

September 25, 2018

John Taft Discusses Navigating a Career Transition With Investor’s Business Daily

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft reflects on lessons learned during his own career journey with Investor's Business Daily in the article, "How to Navigate a Seamless Career Transition."

September 5, 2018

Radio Interview: Taft Discusses America 10 Years after the Financial Crisis with Bloomberg Radio

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, discusses America 10 years after the financial crisis and reflects on lessons learned with Bloomberg Radio hosts Tom Keene and Jon Ferro.

August 23, 2018

John Taft Discusses Lessons Learned From the Financial Crisis With Oregon Business

Baird Vice Chairman John Taft discusses lessons learned from the financial collapse of 2008 with Oregon Business in the article, "The legacy of the financial crisis 10 years on."

August 1, 2018

Baird Vice Chair Discusses “Service as Purpose” at AT&T Event

John Taft presents to the AT&T Future Now Conference Partnership Academy on the topic of enhancing client engagement.

July 16, 2018

Baird Vice Chair Calls For 'Realignment' Of Financial Industry To Restore Trust

John Taft reflects on the 10th anniversary of the Great Recession and discusses next steps with Financial Advisor in the article, “Baird Vice Chair Calls For 'Realignment' Of Financial Industry To Restore Trust.”

June 8, 2018

TV Interview: Taft Offers Commentary as Guest on "Bloomberg Surveillance"

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, shares insights on a wide range of topics including his family legacy, general market and sector commentary, and the future of Wall Street.

June 7, 2018

Radio Interview: Taft Shares Perspective on Financial Deregulation with Bloomberg

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, shares his perspective on financial deregulation with “Bloomberg Surveillance.”

April 19, 2018

Why the SEC Proposal Is a Victory for Clients (As Seen in On Wall Street)

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, explains why he believes the SEC’s proposed advice rules represent a constructive step forward.

April 9, 2018

Video: Baird's John Taft Shares Insights on Fox Business

John Taft, Baird Vice Chairman, shares his perspective on the state of the markets, financial industry deregulation and investor sentiment on Fox Business’s “Varney & Co.”

March 2, 2018

John Taft Receives Leadership Honor

The Center for Ethical Organizations recently honored John Taft with a Principled Leadership Spotlight Award.

April 4, 2017

A Fiduciary Rule Wealth Managers Can Get Behind

John Taft comments on the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule and what the industry might actually support in On Wall Street.

January 24, 2017

It’s Time for a Reset on the Fiduciary Rule

John Taft says shares his perspective on the limitations of the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule in this On Wall Street article.

January 20, 2017

Will Trump’s Ayn Rand Capitalism Work?

In this Barron’s article, John Taft shares his perspective on President Trump’s Economic Policy.

September 22, 2016

Want to Change Banking Culture? Stop Talking About Cross-Selling

John Taft shares his perspective on the practice and its impact on the industry in this New York Times article.