FORBES Best-In-State Award (North Carolina) for 2026
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Forbes Award published 1/7/2026. Based on review as of 3/31/25.
Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Data as of 3/31/25. Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and team, and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.
H.B. appointed a Member of the “Expert Faculty Network”for the Investments & Wealth Institute®
In 2022 H.B. was appointed to be a member of the “Expert Faculty Network” of his professional association, the Investments & Wealth Institute® (IWI).
As a member of the “Expert Faculty Network” H.B. reviews and approves course materials offered by IWI for technical accuracy, clarity and completeness.
This select group of the “Expert Faculty Network” members for IWI are chosen based upon their deep and long-tenured technical expertise in the areas of Investment Management, including but not limited to a Post-Graduate knowledge level of:
- Applied Finance & Economics
- Portfolio Construction, Evaluation & Management
- Risk Measurement and Attribution Analysis
- Client Assessment & Guidance
ABOUT THE INVESTMENTS & WEALTH INSTITUTE®
Investments and Wealth Institute®, IWI (formerly Investment Management Consultants Association, "IMCA") was established in 1985 to deliver premier investment consulting and wealth management credentials and world-class educational offerings through membership, conferences, research, and publications. IWI sets the standard and practices for the investment management consulting profession and provides investment consultants and wealth managers with the credentials and tools required to best serve their clients. For more information download a copy of our comprehensive brochure.
Certified Investment Management Analyst®
The cornerstone of IWI is the Certified Investment Management Analyst® certification. The CIMA® Certification reflects experience, education, examination, and ethical standards. Those who have earned the CIMA® certification have at least three years of experience in financial services, have passed an extensive background check, have completed a demanding two-step, graduate-level program of study, and have passed a comprehensive examination.
IWI’s credentials are offered in conjunction with two of the top business schools in the country:
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
- The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Each member must subscribe to and each designee must adhere to IWI’s Code of Professional Responsibility. In addition, IWI’s Standards of Practice and Performance Reporting Standards provide practical guidance to investment management consultants in the course of conducting their practices and providing services to clients.
2024 Five Star Wealth Manager award was issued on 08/01/2024. Rankings based on data for time period 10/10/2023 through 05/05/2024.
FIVE STAR AWARD WINNER - 2024
H.B. Smith - Managing Director/Investment Officer
2209920
Robert W Baird & Co
Charlotte, NC
704-287-2585
hbsmith@rwbaird.com
Years Won: 13 Year Winner
This award was issued on 8/1/24 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/10/23 through 4/30/24. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 1690 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 99 (6% of candidates) were named 2024 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2023: 1,677, 105, 6.2%, 8/1/23, 10/10/22 - 5/5/23; 2022: 1519, 101, 7%, 8/1/22, 10/11/21 - 4/22/22; 2021: 1514, 106, 7%, 8/1/21, 10/5/20 - 4/30/21; 2020: 1488, 103, 7%, 8/1/20, 10/28/19 - 5/8/20; 2019: 1346, 129, 10%, 8/1/19, 10/22/18 - 5/24/19; 2018: 1342, 104, 8%, 8/1/18, 11/22/17 - 5/25/18; 2017: 949, 132, 14%, 8/1/17, 11/23/16 - 6/7/17; 2016: 873, 227, 26%, 7/1/16, 1/21/16 - 6/15/16; 2015: 1822, 277, 15%, 8/1/15, 1/21/15 - 6/15/15; 2014: 6776, 409, 6%, 8/1/14, 1/21/14 - 6/15/14; 2013: 1694, 280, 17%, 8/1/13, 1/21/13 - 6/15/13; 2012: 1083, 267, 25%, 8/1/12, 1/21/12 - 6/15/12. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers.