Founded in 1999, BondDesk was the first alternative trading system (ATS) to focus on odd-lot bond execution and today operates the industry's leading retail fixed-income trading platform.

In partnership with its broker-dealer clients – bulge-bracket firms, regional firms, online broker-dealers, and correspondent networks – BondDesk developed a highly comprehensive trading platform for financial advisors and fixed-income traders. Providing unmatched liquidity as well as superior pre-trade analytical tools, the ATS is geared toward making bond trading simpler and more efficient, while making bond prices more transparent.

Through its proprietary BondDesk ATS, clients access over 30,000 live taxable and tax-exempt security offerings and execute over 30,000 trades per day. More than 40% of financial advisors in the U.S. have access to the BondDesk ATS, representing over 120,000 brokers and investment advisors. Together, BondDesk’s technology and penetration of a large and growing client base have resulted in compound annual revenue growth of more than 25% from 2004 to 2008.

Growth is expected to continue due to the growing demand from baby boomers retiring and the subsequent movement of assets into the more stable fixed-income arena. Furthermore, demand for electronic fixed-income trading will be driven by improving price transparency and increasing acceptance of fixed-income by retail financial advisors.

Advent’s financial services team is working closely with BondDesk’s management to solidify the company’s leading domestic market position, with the majority of the top 20 retail broker-dealers as customers. In addition, Advent’s network of global contacts and deep local market presence have been important as BondDesk pursues international growth opportunities and strategic acquisitions.