Charlotte’s wealth management landscape includes a diverse group of registered investment advisors (RIAs) supporting financial advisors, institutional clients, and high-net-worth investors. While the city is often associated with large banking institutions, a growing base of RIAs operates alongside these platforms, spanning advisor networks, portfolio strategists, and institutionally oriented investment managers. Leveraging FINTRX data, we highlight five RIAs headquartered in Charlotte, offering a closer look at firms differentiated by scale, investment approach, and client focus.
Founded in 2013, Independent Advisor Alliance—now operating as Visionary Square—functions as a hybrid RIA platform, combining centralized investment capabilities with a national network of independent advisors. The firm manages approximately $14 billion in fully discretionary assets across more than 34,000 client relationships and over 50,000 underlying accounts, reflecting a broad, advisor-distributed model. Its investment approach spans equities, ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, and alternative strategies, with asset allocation frameworks aligned to client objectives and risk profiles. With a footprint spanning hundreds of offices nationwide, Visionary Square blends institutional infrastructure with advisor-led client engagement, positioning it as one of the larger platform RIAs in the Charlotte market.
- Total AUM: ~$14.1B
- Employees & Registered Reps: 283 Emp | 295 Reps
Founded in 2007, Adhesion Wealth Advisor Solutions operates as a platform-driven investment provider, supporting financial advisors, enterprises, and institutional clients through centralized portfolio construction and technology-enabled implementation. The firm manages approximately $10.4 billion in discretionary assets, working across a relatively small set of institutional relationships while supporting more than 30,000 underlying accounts through advisor and enterprise channels. Portfolios are primarily constructed using equities, ETFs, and mutual funds, complemented by allocations to alternative strategies such as private equity and commodities, enabling diversified exposure and consistent portfolio delivery at scale.
- Total AUM: ~$10.4B
- Employees & Registered Reps: 60 Emp | 13 Reps
Established in 1987, Wedge Capital Management provides portfolio management services to institutions, family offices, and high-net-worth investors, with a strong emphasis on active equity investing. The firm oversees approximately $7.7 billion in fully discretionary assets, primarily through separate managed accounts, with more than $7 billion allocated to SMA structures. Serving a concentrated client base of just over 200 relationships with average client sizes exceeding $30 million, Wedge reflects an institutionally oriented approach to portfolio construction. Strategies are driven by fundamental research and disciplined equity selection, with selective allocations to alternative investments through private placements and external managers.
- Total AUM: ~$7.7B
- Employees & Registered Reps: 25 Emp | 23 Reps
Founded in 1995, Horizon Investments focuses on portfolio strategy and model-driven investment solutions for financial advisors, institutions, and individual investors. The firm manages more than $5 billion in assets, the vast majority on a discretionary basis, across approximately 1,400 client relationships with an average client size of roughly $3.6 million. Its investment approach combines quantitative modeling, macroeconomic analysis, and active portfolio construction, with strategies typically implemented through ETFs, mutual funds, and select alternative allocations. Positioned as a portfolio strategist within the RIA ecosystem, Horizon supports advisors with scalable, outsourced investment solutions designed for consistent portfolio delivery across client accounts.
- Total AUM: ~$5.4B
- Employees & Registered Reps: 74 Emp | 29 Reps
Founded in 1999, Bragg Financial Advisors focuses on delivering integrated wealth management solutions to individuals, families, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $3.9 billion in fully discretionary assets across more than 1,500 client relationships, with an average client size of roughly $2.5 million, reflecting a high-net-worth client base. Its approach combines portfolio management with comprehensive financial planning across retirement, estate, and long-term wealth strategies. Portfolios are constructed using a diversified mix of equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs, and real estate exposures, with an emphasis on aligning asset allocation to client-specific objectives and long-term planning needs.
- Total AUM: ~$3.9B
- Employees & Registered Reps: 33 Emp | 17 Reps