Spotlight: Harry Smith
Posted: February 3, 2021
Harry G. Smith, Director of Fixed Income at Bancroft Capital, has more than 34 years of fixed income trading experience. Harry started his trading career at Kidder, Peabody and Co. in January 1987. In February of 1990, a then start up Agency Trading opportunity became available at Deutsche Bank, where he spent 22 years building out the desk and trading Agency products. In March of 2012 Harry joined Drexel Hamilton, a service disabled Veteran owned and operated broker dealer, with the task of building out their fixed income trading and sales desks.
HOMETOWN
Dix Hills, New York
EDUCATION
BBA, major in Accounting, Dowling College, Oakdale, New York
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN BANCROFT CAPITAL?
I joined Bancroft Capital because I believe strongly in the mission. I have worked with most of the group prior and have a tremendous amount of respect for the team.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR DUTIES/DAY TO DAY EXPERIENCE AT BANCROFT CAPITAL.
I am responsible for the U.S. Government Agency debt and short U.S. Treasury products. I also work in a Capital Markets role, introducing the firm to corporate America. During the day to day activity, we include our Veteran Training Program (VTP) Candidates in the correspondence with clients, issuers and other dealers. In our “Vet with a Vet” model, we pair the Service-Disabled Veterans with Wall Street Veterans as we introduce them to the business.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE?
I am proud to work at Bancroft because the mission is real: “Putting a Veteran in a position to develop a skill set that will follow them for the life of their career.” I am humbled to have a role in introducing and advancing men and women who have served our country to the Investment Banking industry.
WHAT ASSETS/SKILLS DO YOU BRING TO THE TEAM?
The assets and skills I bring to the team include 34 years of active trading at three firms, including Deutsche Bank, where I helped create the U.S. Government Agency trading desk en route to Primary Dealer Status for the Bank.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON BANCROFT’S MISSION TO HIRE VETERANS?
Bancroft’s mission to hire Veterans is why I’m here. A truly noble cause that will allow all of us to do well while doing good.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIES TO THE VETERAN COMMUNITY?
Ties to the Veteran Community, away from the men and women I have worked with both here and at our legacy firm, go back to my grandfather. Harry H. Smith, Electricians Mate 3rd Class, U.S.S. Chicago, Pacific Theater, WWII.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT BANCROFT CAPITAL?
My favorite part of working here has to be seeing the successes our Veteran Training Program Candidates are achieving.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FIELD OF FINANCE?
I got into finance with my first job out of college in the accounting department of an investment bank called Kidder, Peabody and Company. I was tasked with accounting for their Government Trading and Sales areas.
FAVORITE QUOTE?
“If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.” -Mario Andretti
While Mario, on the surface, was talking about hustling a race car around a circuit, a deeper meaning exists. Move out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to reach further.
WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS/HOBBIES?
My hobbies and interests include all facets of automotive racing, design and construction. I crew on a nostalgia class Fuel Altered drag race car.