Wealth Management
Questions we often get asked
Q1: How is Wealth Management different from Investment Management?
Investment Management focuses specifically on portfolio construction, asset allocation, and ongoing investment oversight. Wealth Management is broader; it encompasses comprehensive financial planning, tax coordination, estate strategy, family governance, philanthropic structuring, and banking integration alongside investment management. Many clients engage both divisions in close coordination.
Q2: What is the minimum asset level for Wealth Management services?
We typically serve individuals and families with $3M+ in investable assets. However, we evaluate each prospective relationship on its merits. If you are approaching a significant liquidity event or have complex planning needs, we are happy to have a preliminary conversation.
Q3: Do you replace my existing CPA and estate attorney?
No. We collaborate with your existing professional team. We identify planning opportunities, coordinate implementation, and ensure your investment strategy aligns with your tax and estate plan. You maintain direct relationships with your trusted professionals, and we ensure everyone is working from the same playbook.
Q4: What is your fee structure for Wealth Management?
Wealth Management fees are typically based on a percentage of assets under advisement, with fee rates that decline at higher asset levels. Comprehensive financial planning, family meetings, and coordination with your other advisors are included within this fee. There is no separate hourly or retainer charge for planning services.
Q5: How often will I meet with my Wealth Advisor?
At a minimum, we conduct formal quarterly reviews. In practice, many clients speak with their advisor more frequently, especially around significant financial decisions, market events, or life transitions. Your advisor is accessible when you need them.
Q6: Can you help structure a family foundation or donor-advised fund?
Absolutely. We guide you through the selection, structuring, and funding of philanthropic vehicles aligned with your values. We also coordinate with your tax advisor to optimize the tax treatment of charitable contributions.
Investment Management
Questions we often get asked
Q1: How do you think about risk?
We map downside exposure before evaluating upside potential. Every position in your portfolio is stress-tested against historical drawdown scenarios, liquidity shocks, and correlation breakdowns. Our goal is not to avoid all volatility; it is to ensure that the portfolio can survive and compound through the full range of market environments.
Q2: Do you provide access to private equity and alternative investments?
Yes. For qualified clients, we provide access to institutional-grade private equity funds, direct co-investment opportunities, private credit, real assets, and select hedge fund strategies. Our internal Alternatives Committee vets all alternative allocations before inclusion in client portfolios.
Q3: Do your principals really invest alongside clients?
Yes. Our senior investment professionals commit significant personal capital to the same strategies we recommend to clients. Alignment of interest is not a marketing claim; it is a structural feature of how we operate.
Q4: Do you invest in individual securities, funds, or both?
Both. Where we can add value and manage tax efficiency through direct indexing or concentrated positions, we invest in individual securities. For asset classes and strategies where specialist external managers offer a demonstrable edge, such as private equity, certain credit strategies, and specialized hedge funds, we allocate to rigorously vetted third-party managers.
Q5: How often will I receive performance reporting?
You receive comprehensive quarterly performance reports, including asset allocation, attribution analysis, and benchmark comparison. Our digital portal also provides on-demand access to current valuations and performance data.
Private Capital & Direct Lending
Questions we often get asked
Q1: Where does your lending capital come from?
We deploy proprietary capital from our own balance sheet. We are not dependent on third-party limited partners, fund investor approvals, or external credit committees. This gives us speed, discretion, and structural flexibility that many capital providers cannot match.
Q2: What is your typical hold size?
We typically write commitments between $1M and $50M per transaction. For larger opportunities, we can syndicate through our network of co-investment partners while remaining the lead and primary point of contact for the borrower.
Q3: How quickly can you close?
For straightforward transactions with complete information, we can move from term sheet to close in as little as three to four weeks. Speed is one of the primary reasons borrowers choose private capital over traditional bank financing. We will always provide a realistic timeline upfront.
Q4: Do you only lend to private equity-backed companies?
No. While private equity sponsors represent a significant portion of our activity, we are equally interested in founder-owned, family-held, and independent businesses with compelling capital needs and strong fundamentals.
Q5: What happens after closing, do you remain involved?
Yes. We view ourselves as capital partners, not transactional lenders. Post-close, we maintain regular dialogue with management, receive periodic financial reporting, and remain available as a strategic sounding board. We are invested in your success beyond the closing date.
Advisory & Strategic Consulting
Questions we often get asked
Q1: What types of companies do you advise?
We focus on middle-market companies with enterprise values typically between $30M and $500M. Our clients include founder-owned and family-run businesses, private equity portfolio companies, and corporate boards seeking independent advisory support.
Q2: Who will lead my engagement?
Every advisory engagement is led by a senior partner with decades of transaction experience. You will not be handed down to a junior team. The partner you meet is the partner who will be in the room for every material negotiation and decision.
Q3: How is your advisory fee structured?
Most engagements include a modest retainer or monthly advisory fee paired with a success fee payable upon transaction close. We discuss and agree upon the fee structure transparently before any work begins. There are no surprises.
Q4: How long does a typical sell-side process take?
From preparation to close, a standard sell-side process typically spans 6–9 months. This includes preparation and positioning (4–6 weeks), market outreach and buyer engagement (8–12 weeks), and negotiation to close (8–12 weeks). We will provide a tailored timeline estimate for your specific situation.