NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two leading global financial advisors - Elizabeth (Lisa) van Walleghem and Thomas J. (Jim) Butler III - with previous responsibility for managing $550 million in client assets, announced today that they have left Merrill Lynch and are partnering with Dynasty Financial Partners to launch a new firm, MAXIMAI Investment Partners.
Based in Coral Gables, Florida, MAXIMAI Investment Partners is an independent boutique investment advisory firm focused on working with ultra-high-net worth entrepreneurs and families from around the world.
In addition to Mr. Butler and Ms. van Walleghem, Alejandro Behrens, Daniella Viete, and Ana Bueso are joining MAXIMAI – all from the Merrill Lynch Miami Latam Complex.
The MAXIMAI team is multigenerational, multilingual and global - as are their clients. MAXIMAI provides concierge services to those entrepreneurs and families with international financial interests, and also provides a keen understanding of the entrepreneurial perspective and the Latin American experience.
“One of the main reasons that we have decided to launch MAXIMAI is our desire to build stronger relationships with our clients, their families and communities by offering objective and transparent advice unconstrained by the structure of a one-firm model,” said Ms. van Walleghem.
According to Mr. Butler, “Given the pace of change within global markets, we must maintain the agility to identify new developments, tap attractive opportunities around the world and deliver advanced solutions while safeguarding client assets. Independence equips us to do all this and more.”
“Lisa, Jim and their team have a strong track record working with institutions and families in Latin America, Europe and around the world on a broad array of complex financial issues. Now, as an independent financial advisory firm, they are well positioned for success in the future as they build out their business. At Dynasty, we are delighted to be partnering with MAXIMAI in expanding our Latin American and international business,” said Shirl Penney, President and CEO of Dynasty.
“One feature that distinguishes the independent wealth management segment is the ability to choose platforms and providers that uniquely meet the client’s needs, which is especially relevant for global clients,” said Javier Rivero, Senior Vice President, International Division at Dynasty. “MAXIMAI recognizes that the independent model is the future for advisors working with global clients that require a truly open platform and we congratulate them on their decision.”
MAXIMAI offers clients and their families comprehensive wealth management services designed to help clients ensure they achieve their most important goals. Their capabilities include international planning, Family Office Services, investment management and, through an extensive network, access to domestic and international estate and trust services, investment bankers, attorneys, tax and other professionals who can ably guide clients through the intricacies of working globally.
MAXIMAI develops customized portfolios that address each client’s specific preferences using a well-developed set of investment models and carefully vetted outside managers. Their strategy team executes market analysis, manager selection and performance monitoring, and employs tactical investment models dependent on clients’ specific objectives as well as market outlook. For more information, please visit http://maximaipartners.com/.
By selecting Dynasty Financial Partners’ integrated platform and Core Value Pillars, MAXIMAI will utilize portions of Dynasty’s investment platform and integrated marketing solutions as well as Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services to custody their advisory assets, Addepar for their client performance reporting and Dynasty’s customized version of Salesforce as their CRM.
Dynasty has entered into an agreement with Global Investor Services, L.C. (“GIS”) in Miami, Florida to provide broker-dealer services for its partner firms, which include custody (through its clearing agreement with Pershing, LLC, a Bank of New York subsidiary), back office and trading solutions.
Ms. van Walleghem, Mr. Butler, Mr. Behrens and Ms. Viete are all registered representatives of GIS.
Dynasty Financial Partners has an existing international business: the firm announced that Florida-based Premia Global Advisors joined the Dynasty Network in early 2016 and, since 2013, Dynasty has also had a very successful partnership with Richardson GMP, one of Canada’s largest independent advisory firms.
MAXIMAI Investment Partners, LLC (“MAXIMAI”) is an investment advisor in Coral Gables, Florida. MAXIMAI is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration of an investment advisor with the SEC does not constitute an endorsement of the firm or indicate that the advisor has attained a particular level of skill or ability. A copy of MAXIMAI’s current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC which discusses among other things, MAXIMAI’s business practices, our services and fees is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, or by contacting us. MAXIMAI’s services are not available in all states or jurisdictions. MAXIMAI only conducts business in states or jurisdictions where it is properly registered, or excluded or exempted from registration requirements. MAXIMAI’s advisors are also registered representatives of Global Investment Services (GIS), a registered broker-dealer and FINRA/SIPC member located at 777 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida. When acting as registered representatives, securities products and services are offered through GIS. Investment advisory and brokerage services involve different types of services, fees, compensation arrangements, rights and responsibilities. Please contact us for additional information. MAXIMAI, GIS, Dynasty Financial Partners, Fidelity Investments, Pershing-Bank of New York Mellon Addepar and Salesforce are not affiliated companies.
Biographies
Elizabeth (Lisa) van Walleghem
Chief Executive Officer and
Founder
Ms. van Walleghem is CEO and Founder of MAXIMAI Investment Partners. She leads a team of professionals committed to providing tailored solutions to global clients, as well as, to business development. Ms. van Walleghem has been providing wealth management advice to ultra-high-net worth clients for the last 30 years. In 1992, she joined Merrill Lynch, where she spearheaded the founding of the MaximAI Wealth Management Group.
Thomas J. (Jim) Butler, III
Co-Founder
Mr. Butler has worked for more than 40 years in international financial services; he is highly experienced and well equipped to help MAXIMAI’s clients and their families build financial security. As a Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch International, he gained significant expertise in wealth management and international markets; he worked at Merrill for 28 years in both New York City and Miami.
Daniella Viete, CFA
Chief Operating Officer and Associate
Partner
Ms. Viete is a certified Chartered Financial Analyst, member of the CFA Institute. She provides ongoing analysis and monitoring of client portfolios and assists with manager selection, analysis and risk management. As Chief Operating Officer of MAXIMAI Investment Partners, she also handles operational logistics and strategic client situations. Ms. Viete was previously a Senior Financial Analyst at Merrill Lynch where she was part of the team's Investment Committee providing customized solutions for clients.
Alejandro Behrens
Managing Director and Associate Partner
Mr. Behrens focuses his expertise on fulfilling the needs of the firm’s ultra-high-net-worth clients. As Managing Director of MAXIMAI, he leads business development. He works closely with clients and their families to tailor strategies and meet their financial goals. With six years of experience at Merrill Lynch, his last role was team Financial Advisor.
Vivian Velazquez
Chief Compliance Officer
Ms. Velazquez has more than 25 years of experience in the securities industry, in both the private and regulatory sectors. She previously held senior compliance positions at global and national financial institutions with assets under management in the multi-billion-dollar range and offices throughout the U.S. and Latin America.
She is a former SEC Branch Chief and senior NASD (now FINRA) examiner. She previously held a key compliance role at a large insurance company in New York. She began her career as a registered representative. Ms. Velazquez is a Wharton School of Business Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP) and holds a B.B.A. in International Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
Ana Bueso
Manager of Client Services
Ms. Bueso is an integral member of the MAXIMAI team. Ms. Bueso comes to MAXIMAI from Merrill Lynch, where she also worked as a Client Associate. She started her career at the Spanish Bank Novacaixagalicia.
About Dynasty Financial Partners
Dynasty Financial Partners develops, sources and integrates management capabilities for some of the industry’s leading independent investment advisor firms and offers registered investment advisory services. Dynasty’s integrated platform services delivery chassis offers a customized, open-architecture wealth management solutions and technology platform supporting advisors as they protect and grow their clients’ wealth. Dynasty’s core principle is “objectivity without compromise,” and the firm is committed to crafting solutions that allow investment advisors to act as true fiduciaries to their clients.
Dynasty Financial Partners has corporate offices in New York City,
Chicago, Coral Gables, Florida and San Francisco. Visit our website for
more information: www.dynastyfinancialpartners.com.
Also
visit Dynasty on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynasty-financial-partners
Twitter:
@DynastyFP
Youtube: http://bit.ly/1MKXhC8
