The Definitive Guide to Private Wealth Groups, Wirehouse & Aggregator Teams

In a constantly evolving financial landscape that can be complex and overwhelming, private wealth groups are crucial in helping clients investment strategies and take advantage of financial opportunities. These teams, housed within larger financial institutions, specialize in catering to the needs of their clientele, offering not just financial advice, but an entire spectrum of services designed to safeguard and enhance wealth. In this blog, we define private wealth management, explore the different types of groups & network structures and analyze data derived from the FINTRX Private Wealth Intelligence Platform. Whether you are a seasoned industry professional or new to the world of private wealth, this guide will provide valuable insight into the inner workings of these unique investment advisory groups.

As previously noted, private wealth groups provide a myriad of services pertaining to both wealth & estate planning, all for the purpose of making asset preservation and growth more simple, efficient and effective for their clients. While the bulk of these groups’ responsibility usually falls within the realm of wealth and asset management, many groups specialize in anything from legal services to philanthropic giving.

Private wealth groups generally offer some combination of the following services to their clients:

Breakdown of Most Common Services Offered by Private Wealth Groups

Private Wealth Groups vs. Family Offices

When it comes to the task of managing private wealth, family offices and private wealth groups both emerge as key players, operating as small, boutique firms, cultivating an environment of exclusivity and individualized attention to their clients’ needs. Additionally, many private wealth groups offer family office services and may even consider themselves family offices, as both types of entities offer a comprehensive suite of services in order to cater to the distinct demands of each client. This broad spectrum of offerings underscores their commitment to covering the multifaceted needs of their clients under one roof.

While family offices and private wealth groups share many similarities, private wealth groups are governed by larger financial institutions, acting as subsidiaries or specialized units within the parent company. This connection can potentially limit their flexibility and autonomy in decision-making, however, the backing of larger institutions grants these groups increased financial stability and access to abundant resources. This, in turn, can enhance the range and quality of services they provide. Additionally, these groups’ relationships to large SEC-registered firms guarantees their adherence to strict regulatory standards. So, while family offices are a great option for those needing more flexibility in their wealth management ventures, private wealth groups have the potential to be a more secure, cost-effective, or robust option, backed by the immense resources and billions of assets of a well-established firm.

Classifying Private Wealth Groups

The organization of private wealth groups and their structures and relationships to their parents firms can take many different forms. Two classifications–wirehouse groups and independent aggregator groups–are a couple of the more common structures observed with these groups, and while both types refer to wealth management teams operating under larger financial institutions, there are some key differences in their relationships to their parent firms and the products and services they tend to offer.

Wirehouse Groups

Groups that fall under the ‘Wirehouse’ category are those that sit directly within a firm that is either classified as a wirehouse or that operates similarly to these mega financial institutions. These private wealth groups have a very linear relationship to their parent firm and are often limited to the financial products and services offered by them. However, an association with a wirehouse has its advantages, as these groups have the direct financial backing and resources of some of the world’s largest institutions, such as Merrill Lynch or UBS. They also have direct ties to the products and additional services of the wirehouse, accessing things like top tier fixed income or mutual funds seamlessly and with minimal fees or at a discounted rate. In short, wirehouse advisors provide significant value to their clients by utilizing the resources and extensive range of products offered by their firm.

Examples of wirehouses managing numerous private wealth groups:

Merrill Lynch, UBS,  Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, Raymond James, Ameriprise

Linear structure of wirehouses to their private wealth groups

Independent Aggregator Groups

Independent Aggregator groups, or groups that are part of an aggregator network, tend to have less of a linear relationship with their parent firm, often acquired as previously-established independent wealth advisory firms. The entities that oversee these firms may or may not manage assets themselves, handling the business operations and compliance, and allowing their acquired private wealth groups to operate the wealth management and asset allocation themselves. While this type of structure allows for more flexibility in the products or services these groups can offer their clients, it can make the process of providing certain services more difficult or expensive, accumulating fees as they pull from a variety of providers. This reliance on outside providers can be a weakness, but advisors that fall within this type of network can also benefit from the parent firm's ability to provide access to TAMPs, service providers, custodians and more, typically at a better price than the group would be able to negotiate on its own. Many ultra-high-net-worth clients may opt for these more independent groups, as they often are able to offer a more bespoke wealth management approach for their clients. This is also a useful structure for new wealth advisors or groups that wish to leave a wirehouse, as it allows both for more autonomy and flexibility in addition to the backing of a larger firm.

Examples of firms operating independent private wealth aggregator networks:

Hightower, Mariner Wealth Advisors, Commonwealth, Focus Financial Partners 

Independent, non-linear structure of private wealth group aggregator networks

Conclusion

In summary, private wealth groups are vital players in the financial services industry, providing tailored financial solutions and guidance to their clientele. Their impact extends beyond individual clients, influencing market dynamics and contributing to economic growth. Through their comprehensive and customized services, private wealth groups help clients navigate complex financial landscapes and work towards achieving their long-term financial objectives.

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