The Leading RIAs in Boston | dakota marketplace

RIAs are one of the most dynamic and fast growing channels for investment firms to call on when fundraising. The challenge has always been: “what RIAs invest in outside managers and are not investment managers themselves?”

Through our dakota marketplace database of RIAs, we have aimed to solve that problem by curating and vetting each RIA by hand and only showing those RIAs that are true prospects for an investment firm. This saves both the investment sales team member time, but also saves the “other” RIAs that don’t allocate to other managers from getting unnecessary emails and phone calls.

Below are a few RIAs in Boston that we thought you might like to know. For a more detailed list of RIAs in Boston, click here to see for free.

1. Fidelity Strategic Advisors

AUM: $1.07T

Fidelity Strategic Advisors is an RIA specializing in Multi Family Office services. The firm is headquartered at 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA, and operates within the Boston metro area. Fidelity Strategic Advisors boasts a robust research team of 20 analysts and a diverse range of mutual funds, sub-advisers, SMAs, and ETFs covering US and International Equity, Fixed Income, and Alternative investments.

The firm's platform emphasizes managing 401K rollover funds, offering sub-advisory opportunities for Fidelity mutual funds. Fidelity Strategic Advisors provides access to alternative investments, focusing on enhancing investor education, due diligence, and portfolio construction. With a strategic focus on sub-advised platforms and a minimum AUM requirement for hedge funds through CAIS and iCapital, the firm aims to provide comprehensive access to over 5,000 investment opportunities, technology tools, and portfolio construction services.

2. Pathstone

AUM: $100.44B

Pathstone operates as a RIA with a focus on Multi Family Office services. The firm is headquartered at 24 Federal Street, 8th Floor, Boston, MA, and is associated with the Boston metro area. Pathstone has evolved into a substantial entity with approximately $100 billion in assets under management, a result of multiple mergers over the last decade, including notable firms such as Pathstone Family Office and Federal Street Partners.

Pathstone manages an AUM of $100.44B. The firm emphasizes a centralized research effort in manager selection across various asset classes, including private equity, hedge funds, and fixed income. The investment strategy includes allocations to both traditional hedge fund strategies and liquid alternatives, with specific requirements for model delivery in domestic equity managers. The firm continues to expand its operations organically and through acquisitions, enhancing its service offerings for a diverse client base.

3. Focus Partners Wealth 

AUM: $95.89B

Focus Partners Wealth (The Colony Group) is an RIA specializing in Multi Family Office services. The firm is headquartered at One Boston Place, 201 Washington Street 11th Floor, Boston, MA, operating within the Boston metro area. With a history of mergers and acquisitions, Focus Partners Wealth has expanded its offerings in investment management, financial planning, and family office services.

Managing a substantial AUM of $95.89B, Focus Partners Wealth has strategically rebranded to enhance its wealth management structure under Focus Financial Partners. The firm emphasizes alternative investments, recent acquisitions, and a focus on the United States for future fund commitments. Through mergers like GW & Wade, InterOcean Capital Group, Buckingham Strategic Wealth, and GYL Financial Synergies, the firm has broadened its expertise, market presence, and service capabilities.

4. SCS Financial Services

AUM: $43.13B

SCS Financial Services is an RIA specializing in Multi Family Office services. The firm is headquartered at 888 Boylston Street Suite 1010, Boston, MA, and operates within the Boston metro area. With over $43.13B in assets under management, SCS Financial Services focuses on tailored investment strategies for high net worth families and institutions.

SCS Financial Services emphasizes a shift towards concentrated, high active share equity strategies, complementing its historical approach of low-cost, tax-efficient passive strategies. The firm maintains a stringent selection of recommended managers and strategies across various asset classes, including public and private equity, fixed income, credit, private real assets, and hedge funds. Additionally, SCS offers customized solutions in hedge funds and private investments, catering to a diverse client base seeking tailored investment approaches.

5. Partners Capital Group

AUM: $41.48B

Partners Capital Group is an RIA specializing in Multi Family Office services. The firm is headquartered at 600 Atlantic Avenue 30th Floor, Boston, MA, operating globally with offices in London, New York, San Francisco, Paris, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Established in 2001, Partners Capital manages approximately $60 billion in assets for endowments, foundations, family offices, and private clients.

The firm's AUM of $41.48B underscores its significant market presence. Partners Capital adopts a Risk Management Endowment Approach (PRMEA) to achieve sustained investment outperformance. With a focus on excellence and innovation, the firm offers diverse investment opportunities across private debt, real assets, private equity, and alternative alternatives. Their strategic investment approach encompasses fixed income securities, public equities, and bespoke multi-asset programs tailored to meet client needs.

6. The Baldwin Group Wealth Advisors LLC

AUM: $21.04B

The Baldwin Group Wealth Advisors, LLC operates as a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) based in Boston, MA. The firm is dedicated to delivering personalized wealth management services that reflect each client's unique circumstances, goals, and values. The Baldwin Group emphasizes a fiduciary approach, providing end-to-end guidance in areas such as strategic investment planning, tax optimization, and navigating complex life events.

The firm manages an AUM of approximately $21.04B and integrates a comprehensive suite of services within its wealth platform. This includes asset management, financial and estate planning, retirement strategy, insurance risk mitigation, and business succession planning. The advisors work closely with clients and external professionals to develop and implement tailored strategies that are responsive to tax implications and market dynamics.

7. RWA Wealth Partners

AUM: $17.26B

The RWA Wealth Partners (formerly Adviser Investments) is an RIA specializing in Multi Family Office services. Situated at 85 Wells Avenue Suite 109, Newton, MA, with operations in the Boston metro area, the firm approximately manages assets totaling $17.26B. RWA Wealth Partners predominantly allocates investments to mutual funds, with exposure to Vanguard and Fidelity, complemented by boutique managers in select cases, following a model-based approach. The firm has explored liquid alternative strategies in the past to diversify its portfolio. With a preference for liquid structures over LP structures, RWA Wealth Partners maintains a strategic investment focus on mutual funds. This approach aligns with the firm's commitment to delivering tailored investment solutions to its clientele, reflecting its expertise in managing a substantial AUM of $15B.

8. Modera Wealth Management

AUM: $15.51B

Modera Wealth Management is an RIA specializing in Multi Family Office services. Situated at 535 Boylston Street Suite 300, Boston, MA, the firm caters to clients with investable assets ranging from $1MM to $5MM. Its investment programs encompass equities, fixed income, and alternatives, with a strategic emphasis on static equity allocation through passive and DFA/Vanguard approaches.

The firm's total AUM of $15.51B underscores its robust presence in the market. Modera prioritizes fixed income alternatives within its portfolio structure, focusing on bond-type diversifiers in the liquid alternatives space. While predominantly engaging in liquid alternatives, the firm selectively incorporates active managers for fixed income and alternative investments, with limited exposure to LPs/private equity allocations.

9. Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge

AUM: $12.91B

Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge is an RIA specializing in Multi Family Office services. Situated at 230 Congress Street, Boston, MA, the firm oversees assets totaling $12.91B and focuses on comprehensive financial management encompassing estate and tax planning, philanthropy, and equity-based investment strategies managed in-house. The organization's offerings include family office services, estate planning, financial advice, tax planning, and philanthropic strategies.

The firm's investment portfolios predominantly consist of internally managed equity holdings, with occasional use of mutual funds and other investments as needed to meet client requirements. Operating within the Boston metro area, Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge emphasizes personalized financial solutions tailored to the unique needs of multi-generational families seeking holistic wealth management.

10. Ballentine Partners

AUM: $12.01B

The organization Ballentine Partners functions as a RIA with a focus on Multi Family Office services. Situated at 230 3rd Avenue Suite 6, Waltham, MA, the firm also operates from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with key personnel including Bruce Simon and Chris Chandler. Led by CIO Will Braman, Ballentine emphasizes a passive and index-oriented approach in domestic equities, complemented by active management in international markets and niche sectors. The firm is notably active in private fund investments, particularly in social impact initiatives, and has onboarded Elisa Gruber to oversee its private investment activities. Managing an AUM of $12.01B, Ballentine Partners distinguishes itself by fostering relationships with emerging managers to cater to specific client preferences, known as the aspirational growth manager lineup.

Furthermore, the firm is part of the 2020 I Investment Group, a collaborative platform for RIAs nationwide. With a strategic focus on concentrated boutique investments and a commitment to social impact initiatives, Ballentine Partners navigates the financial landscape with a blend of passive and active investment strategies, tailored to meet diverse client needs and interests.

To see a full list of RIAs in Los Angeles or other metros, book a demo of dakota marketplace.