You may not have heard the term “asset management company,” but you should know what it is. As the name suggests, these companies, like Charles Schwab, JP Morgan Chase, and Fidelity, manage assets on behalf of their clients, but what exactly does that mean? Depending on how much money a client is investing, how these companies manage the assets may differ greatly. Here’s what you need to know.
What Are the Different Types of Asset Management Companies?
Asset management companies come in many forms, from those that cater to the wealthiest 1 percent to those that allow almost anyone to invest. As you’d expect, the level of service, the types of services, and the cost to invest can vary.
High-End Companies
On the wealthy end of the scale, asset management companies might require clients to have a net worth in the millions to open an account.
These high-end asset management companies often offer a wide variety of services to help those with substantial wealth invest in a way that helps with specific investment objectives, as well as with tax issues. These can include hedge fund management, trust protection, and more. Moreover, their bottom line is seeking out new ways to increase their client’s wealth.
When you have more money to invest, certain types of investments that aren’t available to the average person become available to you.
“An advisor who truly advocates for their client is one who consistently is searching for methods of reducing risk and increasing returns,” says financial advisor Tom Burkhalter, CEO of wealth management firm Drive Planning.
“The result is the constant search for assets, like real estate, contractually guaranteed private investment deals, and advanced business and tax strategies,” Burkhalter adds.
More Traditional Companies
On the other end of the scale, traditional asset management companies allow clients to invest in standard types of investments such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stocks, bonds, and other common securities.
Mutual funds and ETFs allow clients to invest in a wide range of companies at once, something clients wouldn’t be able to do on their own without enough money to purchase stock in each individual company.
This gives clients access to diversification at a much lower cost. For instance, you could buy an S&P 500 index fund instead of buying shares of each of the roughly 500 stocks that make up the S&P 500.
How Asset Management Companies Make Money
Asset management companies can make money in a number of ways, depending on their business model. One popular way they make money is by charging a fee equal to a percentage of the value of the assets they manage.
For example, if you hold $400,000 in the account and the asset management company charges a 1 percent management fee per year, you’d pay $4,000 per year for the company’s services.
The particular percentage charged can be relatively low if you’re using a robo-advisor, but it could be much higher if you’re using a specialty firm that caters to high-end investments.
Other Common Methods
Asset management companies can make money in other ways, too. One popular method financial advisors use to make money is to recommend investments from asset management companies. Those companies then pay the financial advisor a commission.
You might have to pay sales load fees, such as 5.75 percent, when you purchase an investment. You might also have to pay another fee when you sell an investment.
These fees can add up quickly and be very profitable for the financial advisors that recommend a particular company’s investment products.
It’s likely that your asset management company will employ a combination of methods to keep their lights on — as such, it may help to discuss how, and to what degree, the firm makes a profit off your portfolio. Such discussions, when paired with good asset performance, can help to build a healthy trust between you and the people who manage your money.
“Many asset management companies charge a membership or flat engagement fee,” Burkhalter says. “However, it is almost incumbent for this type of advisor to utilize commissions to make it possible to serve their clients in the long term. Therefore, a trust must be established with their client, which is won by continually demonstrating and proving their increasing net worth.”
How to Pick the Right Asset Management Company for You
Finding the right asset management company for you may seem overwhelming. Thankfully, there’s plenty of great information out there, as well as quality reviews about some of the most popular asset management companies. These reviews, combined with investigating the companies yourself, should help you figure out the best company for you.
When you’re evaluating companies, here are a few things you’ll want to look out for.
Do You Qualify?
First, you’ll want to make sure you qualify to invest with the company. Look at the company’s marketing materials to see if it has a minimum net worth or minimum investment requirement to open an account.
For instance, if you wanted to open an account with Vanguard and invest in its VFIFX mutual fund, you’d have to have a minimum initial investment of $1,000.
How Does the Company Charge You?
Next, you’ll want to understand how the company charges for its services. This is usually covered in its fee schedule. However, you should always ask how a company or individual is compensated for their advice and investment expertise. Understand whether the company charges a flat fee, such as 1 percent of assets under management.
Also make sure that you know what that fee includes. Do you have to pay the expense ratios of individual investments, as well? If the company charges based on commissions or other fees, make sure you understand those charges and how they can impact the way the company invests your money.
You’ll also want to understand what services are included for the fees you pay. Will the company be directly managing a complex investment? Or is it simply offering a platform for you to invest in mutual funds? You should expect different levels of service depending on the amount you pay in fees.
Who’s Managing Your Assets?
Finally, it’s important to understand if your assets are being managed by a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) or similar professional with a fiduciary duty. A fiduciary is bound by law to act in your best interest, whereas other financial professionals are not subject to the same level of scrutiny and can sell you products for their own financial gain. Working with a RIA can help ensure your asset manager is managing your money in a responsible fashion.
Pick an Asset Management Company and Start Investing
Ultimately, you need to pick the asset management company that meets your needs at a reasonable price. Figure out what services the company offers and what fees it charges. Focus on your end goal and how the asset management companies you’re looking at can help you get there.
