Ballentine Partners is a financial advisory firm that distinguishes itself by specializing in privately-owned wealth and helping high-net-worth families achieve their financial goals. It currently holds billions in assets under management, with a large team of on-staff advisors. The firm also ranks on SmartAsset's lists of the top financial advisors in Waltham and top financial advisors in Massachusetts.
As a fee-only firm, Ballentine Partners only receives client-paid fees as its compensation. This differs from the structure of a fee-based firm, which is one that earns income from both client fees and third-party commissions.
Ballentine Partners Background
Ballentine Partners can trace its history back to 1984 when it was originally created by Roy Ballentine. However, the firm has existed in its current form since only 2010. In 2016, Drew McMorrow became CEO after having worked for the firm since 2002. The owners of Ballentine Partners are senior employees of the firm and Perspecta Investments, LLC.
Ballentine Partners Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
According to its SEC-filed Form ADV, Ballentine Partners currently advises only high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as their trusts, estates and retirement plans.
Ballentine Partners generally serves families with at least $3.5 million in investable assets. The firm states that most of its clients are wealthy families with complex financial situations and needs. The account could be terminated if it doesn't meet the firm's minimum fee requirement.
Services Offered by Ballentine Partners
Ballentine Partners focuses on managing privately owned wealth. It aims to provide a holistic suite of financial planning and investment management services. Depending on your needs, your financial plan may cover:
- Cash flow analysis
- Budgeting
- Retirement savings
- Trust fund management
- Estate planning
- Debt management
- Income tax planning
- Insurance coverage
In addition, the firm can manage portfolios with both private and non-private investments. The firm can also manage accounts that are on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis. The latter means that clients must authorize transactions first.
Ballentine Partners Investment Philosophy
The firm utilizes statistical and mathematical tools along with scenario analysis when devising portfolios. Scenario analysis allows Ballentine Partners to project how the client’s portfolio may perform under different situations. Ballentine Partners wealth managers can draw from this data along with other research to make better investment decisions.
When designing your portfolio, the firm will consider several factors such as your tax situation, current assets and risk tolerance to devise an appropriate asset allocation. The firm does not limit itself to certain security types and may invest in a variety, as it deems appropriate to your situation.
Your portfolio may invest in some or all of the following:
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Cash
- Real estate funds
- Energy funds
- Commodity funds
- Hedge funds
- Private equity
- Venture capital funds
- Managed futures funds
- Timber funds
Ballentine Partners Fees
For investment advisory services, Ballentine Partners typically charges a fee as a percentage of your AUM. But for financial planning and consulting services, it usually charge fees on a flat-fee basis. Fees may be negotiable, but they ultimately depend on the scope of the services provided.
That said, you should know that advisory fees don’t apply to other fees such as custodial fees and underlying fund expenses. Ballentine Partners doesn’t charge these fees but they can affect your account. This type of arrangement is universal in the financial services space. You can find additional details in documents like the prospectus sheets of the funds you’re invested in as well as your investment advisory agreement with Ballentine Partners.
What to Watch Out For
Ballentine Partners has no legal or regulatory disclosures listed on its SEC record.
Opening an Account With Ballentine Partners
To contact Ballentine Partners, call (781) 314-1300 or send an email to info@ballentinepartners.com.
All information was accurate as of the writing of this article.
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