"Frank's leadership as a chief financial officer and his experience in corporate management will provide our organization with the ballast necessary to remain a leading trade association," said Tim Ryan, president & CEO of SIFMA. "His years in corporate finance bring an important dimension to our team and we are lucky to have him."

Most recently, Baier worked as a consultant at Meridian Capital Group advising the company on a number of capital market ideas including acquisitions, public and/or private offerings and principal investment structures. He joined Meridian from Independence Community Bank, where he served from 2001-2006, in positions including chief financial officer. He held the same title at ContiFinancial Corporation, where he worked from 1996-2001. Baier also served in corporate finance for RJR Nabisco from 1987-1996.

Baier is a CPA. He received his undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University and his M.B.A. from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University.

He replaces Don Kittell, who is retiring June 30, after 15 years with SIFMA and its predecessor organization, SIA.