Frederick Frank

Frederick Frank (May 31, 1932 – September 11, 2021) was an American banker, with more than 50 years of experience on Wall Street. He is considered the first investment banker to have specialized in the areas of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and health care services.

Early life and education Frederick Frank was born on May 31, 1932, to Simon Frank and Suzanne (Seller) Frank of Salt Lake City, Utah. Simon Frank ran a men's wear business established by his father, Arthur Frank. He completed high school at Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut in 1950.

Career In 1958, Frank joined Smith, Barney and Company. He chose to accept their offer because they had a highly ranked research department. After completing the required formal training program, Frank joined the research department to work with Bill Grant on the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. He soon proposed splitting the two areas, and became Wall Street’s first industry analyst dedicated to pharmaceuticals. In 1962, he shifted focus to the life sciences industries, dealing with medical devices, diagnostics companies, and healthcare services. Frank saw rDNA technology as a "game-changing opportunity".

After Barclays Capital bought Lehman's U.S. capital markets unit in September 2008, Frank became a vice chair at Barclays Capital. Frank became a vice chairman at Peter J. Solomon, while Tanner became a managing director.

As of January 15, 2013, Frederick Frank and Mary Tanner joined Burrill & Company. Frank became chair of Burrill Securities (2013–) and vice chair of Burrill and Company (January 15, 2013–). Tanner became the Senior Managing Director of Burrill Securities and of Burrill & Company. Frank has served on the board of advisors of the School of Management (SOM) at Yale University, and has given generously to SOM. Gifts include the establishment of a language study fellowship and a visiting professorship in 1998. In 2007, he established a professorship, which was first filled in 2009 when Gary Gorton became Yale's first Frederick Frank Class of 1954 Professor of Management and Finance. On April 9, 2012 Olav Sorenson became the inaugural holder of the Frank and Tanner Professor of Management.

Frank died on September 11, 2021, at the age of 89.

Awards and honors 2019, Richard J. Bolte Sr. Award for supporting industries 2006, Gilda's Club of New York City Visionary Award