SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Edelman Financial Engines, a leading independent financial planning and investment advisor, has topped the InvestmentNews interactive RIA rankings once again in 2019 (by total assets under management)1. The firm’s AUM ($180 billion as of December 31, 2018) is nearly twice that of its closest competitor.
“We are thrilled to again claim the top spot in the InvestmentNews RIA rankings,” said Larry Raffone, President and CEO of Edelman Financial Engines. “Our growth over the years has been driven by the deep relationships we have with our clients and our commitment to always put their best interest first.”
InvestmentNews, a leading print and online publication in the wealth management industry, maintains an “RIA Data Center,” which ranks fee-based registered investment advisors based on data reported on Form ADV to the Securities and Exchange Commission as of May 1, 2019. Of the top 20 firms on the list, Edelman Financial Engines has the smallest average account size, reflecting the firm’s commitment to providing personalized financial advice to all hard-working individuals – not just the wealthy.
Ric Edelman, co-founder of Edelman Financial Engines, added: “While we measure success by client outcomes and not our size, we are proud that so many people trust us to help them navigate their financial journeys.”
Edelman Financial Engines delivers high-tech and high-touch financial planning and investment advice to over a million household of all asset levels.
In 2018, Barron’s also named Edelman Financial Engines the top independent advisory firm in the U.S., based on qualitative and quantitative factors including: assets managed, the size and experience of teams, and the regulatory records of the advisers and firms2. More information about the Barron’s ranking and its methodology can be viewed here.
Methodology
InvestmentNews qualified 2,206 firms headquartered in the United States based on data reported on Form ADV to the Securities and Exchange Commission as of May 1, 2019. To qualify, firms must have met the following criteria: (1) latest ADV filing date is either on or after January 1, 2018, (2) total AUM is at least $100M, (3) does not have employees who are registered representatives of a broker-dealer, (4) provided investment advisory services to clients during its most recently completed fiscal year, (5) no more than 50% of amount of regulatory assets under management is attributable to pooled investment vehicles (other than investment companies), (6) no more than 25% of amount of regulatory assets under management is attributable to pension and profit-sharing plans (but not the plan participants), (7) no more than 25% of amount of regulatory assets under management is attributable to corporations or other businesses, (8) does not receive commissions, (9) provides financial planning services, (10) is not actively engaged in business as a broker-dealer (registered or unregistered), (11) is not actively engaged in business as a registered representative of a broker-dealer, (12) has neither a related person who is a broker-dealer/municipal securities dealer/government securities broker or dealer (registered or unregistered) not one who is an insurance company or agency.
About Edelman Financial Engines
Since 1986, Edelman Financial Engines has been committed to always acting in the best interest of our clients. We were founded on the belief that all American investors – not just the wealthy – deserve access to personalized, comprehensive financial planning and investment advice. Today, we are America’s top independent financial planning and investment advisor, recognized by both InvestmentNews[1] and Barron’s[2] with 180+ planner offices across the country and entrusted by more than 1.1 million clients to manage more than $200 billion in assets. Our unique approach to serving clients combines our advanced methodology and proprietary technology with the attention of a dedicated personal financial planner. Every client’s situation and goals are unique, and the powerful fusion of high-tech and high-touch allows Edelman Financial Engines to deliver the personal plan and financial confidence that everyone deserves.
For more information, visit www.edelmanfinancialengines.com and www.financialengines.com.
1 Ranking and status for 2018. For independence methodology and ranking, see InvestmentNews Center (http://data.investmentnews.com/ria/);
2 The Top 40 Independent Advisory Firm Ranking issued by Barron’s is qualitative and quantitative, including assets managed, the size and experience of teams, and the regulatory records of the advisers and firms. Firms elect to participate, but do not pay to be included in the ranking. Investor returns/experience are not considered. 2018 ranking refers to Edelman Financial Services (EFS), which combined its advisory business in its entirety with Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. (FEA) in November 2018. For the same survey, FEA received a precombination ranking of twelfth.