Category Archives: Selecting an Investment Advisor

Alternative Investments, Family Office, Fiduciary Advisor, Private Equity, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Wealth Management

Family Offices: Ditch the Talent Hunt and Hire an Expert Contractor

Posted on by Jennifer Lambert
09
Aug

 

For ultra-high-net-worth families, your private wealth management firm—the family office—is at the heart of your financial strategy. As direct investing and complex portfolio oversight become the norm, the demand for top-tier investment talent has never been greater. Yet, many family offices are finding that the hunt for a world-class, in-house investment analyst is a struggle.

It’s not just about competing with Wall Street salaries. The challenges are often structural, cultural, and economic. But what if the solution isn’t to compete for talent you can’t get, but to hire the experts you need?

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Alternative Investments, Endowments, Family Office, Foundations, Private Equity, Private Wealth, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Unlocking the Private Market: A Deep Dive into Private Equity and Venture Capital

Posted on by Jennifer Lambert
03
Aug

 

Private equity (PE) has long been a domain for institutional investors and the ultra-high-net worth promising access to exclusive opportunities and the potential for outsized returns. But what exactly is private equity, and how does it differ from traditional public market investments? More importantly, is it the right fit for your investment strategy?

In this post, we’ll explore the main reasons to consider—and to be cautious about—investing in private equity, delve into its various styles and strategies, including the dynamic world of venture capital, and help you understand if this alternative asset class aligns with your financial goals.

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Alternative Investments, Fiduciary Advisor, Private Equity, Private Wealth, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Wealth Management

How Small RIAs and Bank Trust Departments Are Elevating Their Investment Game Through Outsourced CIO Solutions

Posted on by Jennifer Lambert
02
Aug

 

In today’s fast-changing financial services landscape, small Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firms and Bank Trust Departments face a critical challenge: delivering sophisticated investment strategies and exceptional client experiences with far fewer resources than their larger competitors. To stay competitive and drive sustainable growth, many forward-thinking firms are adopting a strategic solution—partnering with an outsourced Chief Investment Officer. This approach provides institutional-quality investment management at a fraction of the cost—typically $180,000 to $230,000 annually, according to Cornerstone Research—compared to hiring a similarly skilled in-house CIO and support team. For these agile firms, the shift isn’t simply about keeping pace; it’s about positioning themselves to excel and compete far above their weight class.

 

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401(k) Plan Litigation, 401(k) Plans, 403(b) Plans, Active Versus Passive Management, Defined Contribution Plans, ERISA, Fiduciary Advisor, Managed Accounts, Roth vs. Traditional Contributions, Selecting a 401(k) Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting a 403(B) Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

The Case for Managed Accounts in Defined Contribution Plans

Posted on by Jennifer Lambert
01
Aug

The potential value that managed account providers bring—including personalized guidance, holistic planning, dynamic rebalancing, and tax-aware portfolio management—has rarely been in question. The primary critique has always been about their added expenses relative to target-date funds, which have offered a reasonable, if highly imperfect, solution at a much lower cost.

However, a combination of intense competition, technological advancements that improve the efficiency of delivery, and other market factors has driven these expenses down meaningfully over time, particularly for the very large plans. As the cost difference between managed accounts and target-date funds has become much more negligible, especially for mega plans, the value proposition for managed accounts has grown meaningfully.

This shift allows mega defined contribution plan sponsors with substantial assets to deliver institutional-quality investment management and financial advice to participants at significantly reduced costs. These large-scale plans—spanning 401(k), 403(b), and 457 platforms—leverage their substantial bargaining power to negotiate managed account fees that reframe the traditional cost-benefit equation for their participants.

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Alternative Investments, Covered Call Strategies, Family Office, Financial Planning, Private Wealth, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Selling a Business, Tax-Loss Harvesting, Wealth Management

A Strategic Guide to Hedging Your Concentrated Stock Position

Posted on by Jennifer Lambert
01
Aug

 

For investors holding a significant portion of their wealth in a single stock, the feeling is a mix of excitement and unease. On one hand, a concentrated position can deliver life-changing returns. On the other, it exposes you to idiosyncratic risk—the unique, unpredictable dangers of a single company that can devastate your portfolio regardless of how the broader market is doing.

This guide explores strategic approaches to managing this risk, allowing you to protect your wealth while keeping your potential for upside gains.

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Alternative Investments, Endowments, Endowments and Foundations, ESG, Fiduciary Advisor, Foundations, Nonprofits, Selecting an Endowment or Foundation Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Choosing the Right Investment Advisor for Your Foundation or Endowment

Posted on by Jennifer Lambert
01
Aug

Choosing an investment advisor for your foundation or endowment is a pivotal decision that shapes both your organization’s mission and its enduring legacy. The strength of your investment portfolio fuels your ability to deliver on that mission, making it essential to have a partner who can steer through an increasingly complex and often unpredictable market. While many institutions default to large, national firms, an increasing number of foundations and endowments are recognizing the advantages of working with boutique investment advisors. These specialized firms often provide direct access to their most senior professionals, nimble decision-making, and a deeper alignment of interests—benefits that can be difficult to replicate within larger organizations.

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Endowments, Fiduciary Advisor, Foundations, Nonprofits, Private Equity, Selecting an Endowment or Foundation Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Securing Tomorrow, Today: The Indispensable Role of Private Equity in Endowment & Foundation Portfolios

Posted on by Jennifer Lambert
29
Jul

 

Endowments and foundations are entrusted with a monumental responsibility: to steward capital in a way that not only preserves but robustly grows purchasing power for generations, supporting vital missions in perpetuity. In a landscape marked by market volatility, persistent inflationary pressures, and evolving return expectations, the asset allocation decisions made today are foundational—they will echo for decades. Increasingly, private equity (PE) has emerged as an indispensable cornerstone strategy for institutions seeking to meet these challenges head-on and secure their future. Here’s why investment committees should unequivocally give private equity a prominent place at the table.

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Alternative Investments, Family Office, Investment Strategy, Private Equity, Private Wealth, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Wealth Management

Preserving and Amplifying Dynastic Wealth: The Strategic Imperative of Private Equity for Ultra-High-Net-Worth Investors and Family Offices

Posted on by Jennifer Lambert
28
Jul

 

For ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) investors and family offices, the mandate extends beyond mere capital growth; it encompasses the sophisticated preservation and intergenerational amplification of dynastic wealth. In an investment landscape characterized by unprecedented market dynamics, persistent inflationary pressures, and a demand for superior, uncorrelated returns, the strategic allocation of capital today will define legacies for decades to come. Increasingly, private equity (PE) has transitioned from an alternative allocation to an indispensable core strategy for discerning investors seeking to navigate these complexities and secure their financial future. Here’s why private equity warrants a preeminent position within your diversified portfolio.

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Alternative Investments, Endowments, Endowments and Foundations, Fiduciary Advisor, Foundations, Nonprofits, Selecting an Endowment or Foundation Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

The Big Beautiful Bill: Why This New Tax Law Is Reshaping Endowment and Foundation Investing

Posted on by Jennifer Lambert
14
Jul

 

The financial world for endowments and foundations just got a wake-up call. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” or OBBB, signed into law on July 4, 2025, isn’t just another piece of legislation—it’s a fundamental change to the economics of large-scale charitable investing. Starting in 2026, a new excise tax regime will profoundly impact how major institutions manage their portfolios, a change that will have an immediate and compounding effect.

Important clarification: The OBBB Act specifically targets private foundations and university endowments. Donor-advised funds (DAFs), community foundations, and operating charities are NOT affected by these new excise tax rules. These charitable vehicles continue to operate under the previous tax framework and remain exempt from the progressive rate structure described below.

For any private foundation or university endowment with assets over $50 million, this isn’t a minor adjustment; it’s a call to action. The drag on returns will snowball, impacting future grants and mission-driven spending. Here’s a deep dive into what changed, why it matters, and the advanced strategies you can use to respond.

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