Mesirow Financial Investment Management (MFIM) has distinguished itself as a competitive independent firm since the early 1900s. MFIM is one of Chicago-based Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc.'s businesses. MFIM also goes by Mesirow Asset Management Inc. In 2016, the corporation acquired Fiduciary Management Associates, Inc. and joined its insurance business with Alliant Insurance.
MFIM manages assets for individuals, as well as institutional and corporate clients. The firm appears on SmartAsset's lists for top financial advisor firms in Illinois and Chicago.
Mesirow Financial Investment Management Background
Mesirow was founded in 1986, though the parent company goes back to 1937. It has offices in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Puerto Rico, Tennessee and Texas. It also has offices in London and Hong Kong.
As a fee-based firm, some advisors may have dual or multiple roles, which may present potential conflicts of interest that they are obligated to disclose.
Mesirow Financial Investment Management Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Most individual clients at MFIM do not have a high net worth. The firm also serves banking or thrift institutions, other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, state and municipal government entities, insurance companies, wealth funds, corporations and endowments.
The firm does not specify a minimum for portfolio management services, though it does have a minimum annual fee of $4,000, which it may choose to waive.
Services Offered by Mesirow Financial Investment Management
Through its Wealth Advisors unit, MFIM provides customized investment management and financial planning to individuals. This unit also manages a discretionary micro cap strategy and a socially conscious strategy that it calls Impact Management. Additionally, it serves as an investment manager to affiliated private funds.
Mesirow Financial Investment Management Investing Philosophy
The firm uses quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate securities and the performance of portfolios. Generally, it implements asset allocations using mutual funds, equities, fixed income products and alternative investments.
Mesirow Financial Investment Management Fees
Management fees are typically an annual 1% of assets under management or advisement, though the percentage may vary, depending on account size, complexity of financial planning services and other factors. Alternately, fees can be a negotiated flat amount. As noted earlier, the minimum annual fee is $4,000. Private fund fees and other fees will be in offering and other relevant documents.
What to Watch Out For
In its most recent SEC filings, MFIM had no disclosures of legal or disciplinary actions to report.
Through its parent corporation, MFIM is affiliated with companies that sell financial products, including mutual funds and insurance products. These relationships can present potential conflicts of interest. As a fiduciary registered with the SEC, the firm is obligated to act in your best interest.
Opening an Account With Mesirow Financial Investment Management
You'll have multiple options for setting up an account with Mesirow Financial. You can either visit the firm's corporate headquarters in Chicago, set up an appointment with an advisor by calling the Chicago office or visit or contact any of the firm's other offices. You can reach Mesirow Financial at (312) 595-6000.
All information was accurate as of the writing of this article.
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