Top Financial Advisors in Portland, OR

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Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc. landed the top spot on our list because it has by far the most assets under management (AUM) of these 10 Portland firms. Ferguson Wellman manages $4.56 billion in assets, which is more than $1 billion more than the second-ranking firm in terms of AUM, Becker Capital Management, Inc.

Ferguson Wellman’s AUM is far from its only distinction. The fee-only firm is also the oldest on this list and the biggest, with 22 advisors on staff. Of those advisors, there are four certified financial planners (CFPs), nine chartered financial analysts (CFAs), one investment advisor certified compliance professional (IACCP), one certified trust and financial advisor (CTFA) and one chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA). 

To be a client, you’ll need at least $3 million, which is the highest account minimum on this list. However, the firm has another division, West Bearing Investments, that has a much lower account minimum of $750,000.

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc. Background

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc. is the oldest firm on this list, it was founded in 1975. The employee-owned firm offers investment account management services and wealth management services, which include financial forecasting, budget management, estate planning, tax guidance and charitable giving planning services. 

At Ferguson Wellman, each client is served by a team, not by an individual advisor. A relationship associate and portfolio manager tend to planning, long-term strategies and day-to-day needs, while a team of analysts weighs in with expertise and experience. The firm's in-house team of analysts creates most of the firm’s investment strategies, which primarily use individual securities. 

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc. Investing Strategies

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management's investment principles prioritize a focus on the long term, an analysis of the global economic landscape and the management of risk. The firm offers several investment strategies, which it customizes according to each client's risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs and other factors. 

Its strategies, which primarily use individual securities, include large-cap tax-efficient equity, large-cap core equity, large-cap dividend value, international equity, fixed income and alternatives, such as hedge funds, private equity, private real estate or other nontraditional assets.

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To be a client of Becker Capital Management, Inc., you’ll need at least $1 million. The fee-only firm is the second-oldest and the second-biggest on this list, after top-ranking firm Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc.

Of Becker Capital Management’s 15 advisors on staff, there are two certified financial planners (CFPs), three chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and one certified private wealth advisor (CPWA). 

Becker Capital Management, Inc. Background

Founded in 1976, Becker Capital Management, Inc. is just a year younger than the oldest firm on this list, Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc. Becker Capital Management is completely employee-owned. Four employees - CEO Janeen McAninch, President Patrick Becker, Jr., Director of Research Blake Howells and partner John Becker - own more than 5% of the firm. 

Becker Capital Management serves high-net-worth individuals, families, institutional investors and nonprofit organizations. For its individual clients, the firm offers customized investment advisory services, and it says that it offers financial planning services "as needed." Its financial planning services are focused on helping clients achieve financial security. 

Becker Capital Management, Inc. Investing

Becker Capital Management, Inc. creates customized portfolios for each client, based on his or her current income, risk tolerance, restrictions and long-term growth needs. The firm works with each of its clients to determine the appropriate asset allocation for both their taxable portfolios and their retirement funds, with a focus on tax efficiency.  

Becker Capital Management uses both active and passive strategies for client portfolios. Its investment strategies include all cap value equity, all cap value equity with ETFs, focused all cap value equity, large cap value equity, balanced, balanced with ETFs and fixed income. Typically Becker Capital Management invests its clients' assets in individual value-oriented stocks, municipal and taxable bonds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

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Vista Capital Partners, Inc., a fee-only firm that specializes in investment and wealth management, requires its clients to have at least $2 million. The firm has six certified financial planners (CFPs) and three chartered financial analysts (CFAs) on staff. 

Vista Capital Partners, which manages $1.1 billion in assets,  is the final firm on this list that has more than $1 billion in assets under management (AUM).

Vista Capital Partners, Inc. Background

Vista Capital Partners, Inc. was founded in 2001. The firm is principally owned by the its director of business, Michael O'Reilly, and its CEO, Doug Johanson. Other employees own a lesser percentage of the firm. 

In addition to its investment and wealth advisory services, Vista Capital Partners advises its clients on retirement planning, concentrated positions, college savings plans and charitable giving. The firm collaborates with clients' other advisors in the areas of insurance, estate planning and taxes to create a fully comprehensive wealth management plan. 

Vista Capital Partners, Inc. Investing Strategy

At the start of each client relationship, Vista develops a custom investment policy statement, detailing a client's financial situation and objectives. Clients are able to impose restrictions on certain securities or types of securities. Each client's investment policy statement informs his or her investment plan.

Vista investment plans focus on asset allocation, which Vista says has been shown to be "the most important determinant of investment return and risk." To increase exposure to asset classes, Vista primarily invests its clients in index funds, which it believes can "maximize long-term returns by minimizing costs and taxes."

The firm employs a disciplined rebalancing strategy to ensure that portfolios remain within allocation targets.

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Confluence Wealth Management LLC requires an account minimum of $1 million. The fee-only firm's clients include executives, business owners, retirees and their families. 

On its senior team alone, Confluence Wealth Management has six certified financial planners (CFPs), which ties it with Vista Capital Partners, Inc. for the most CFPs of any firm on this list. Confluence also has one chartered financial analyst (CFA) on its senior team.

Confluence Wealth Management LLC Background

Confluence Wealth Management LLC was founded in 2011. It's owned by Kathleen Kee, who is the firm's CEO. 

The firm's name, Confluence, reflects its belief that collaboration and integration are key to achieving financial well-being. As such, the firm will work alongside any other professionals who their clients are working with, and it focuses on ensuring that all aspects of a client's wealth management strategy and life plans work well together.

Confluence Wealth Management offers three distinct services: consulting services, investment management services and employer retirement plan management. Those services include financial planning, investment management, tax planning, risk management, estate planning and charitable gifting.

Confluence Wealth Management LLC Wealth Lifecycle Planning

Confluence Wealth Management's financial planning process is based on what it calls the Wealth Lifecycle. The Wealth Lifecycle has three different stages:

1. Acquiring wealth
2. Growing wealth
3. Securing wealth

The stage that a client is in shapes the advice the Confluence gives. If a client is looking to build their investments, the firm focuses on guiding that client toward financial success. For clients looking to grow their wealth, Confluence helps them to capitalize on new opportunities and minimize risk. Clients looking to secure their wealth will be advised on how to plan for retirement and their estate. 

Portfolios are built according to clients' risk tolerance, tax sensitivity, growth, income or capital preservation objectives and socially responsible preferences. The firm's investment strategy emphasizes global diversification, broad asset allocation and a long-term approach. Portfolios may include both active and passive management styles. Typically, Confluence uses no-load, institutional class mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, individual equities and municipal U.S. government and corporate bonds. 

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Founded in 2014, Cable Hill Partners, LLC is the newest firm on this list. Though it hasn’t been in business for more than a few years, the firm’s staff boasts an impressive array of expertise: There are five certified financial planners (CFPs), two certified investment management analysts (CIMAs), one chartered retirement plans specialist (CRPS) and one certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA).

The firm works with senior executives, multi-generational families, entrepreneurs and business owners. For its retirement plan advisory services, you'll need at least $1 million. The firm doesn't have clearly stated account minimums for its investment management and financial planning services.

Cable Hill Partners, LLC Background

Formed in 2014, Cable Hill Partners, LLC is owned and operated by David Christian, founding partner and managing director; Jeffrey Krum, founding partner and chief investment officer and founding partner Brian Hefele. 

The firm sees financial planning as the starting point for an advisory relationship. Its financial planning services, available to individuals and families, include investment planning, retirement planning, personal savings, education savings, trust and estate planning, insurance planning, charitable giving and small business planning. The firm's investment management services are customized to meet clients' individual objectives, risk tolerance and financial situation. 

Cable Hill Partners, LLC Portfolios

Upon working with a client to identify his or her financial needs and goals, Cable Hill Partners, LLC then constructs a customized portfolio. The firm’s portfolios typically use low-cost, diversified mutual funds or exchange-traded funds, though Cable Hill may also use individual stocks, individual bonds and other types of investments as appropriate. 

The firm primarily relies on fundamental analysis, which uses economic and business indicators, to select investments. Like many other firms on this list, Cable Hill's investment strategy is focused on the long term.

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Vision Capital Management, Inc.'s account minimum is on the low side compared to most firms on this list: To be a client of Vision Capital Management, you'll need $250,000. However, the firm primarily serves high-net-worth individuals. 

Vision Capital Management’s staff has a decent variety of certifications. It’s the only firm with a certified divorce financial planner (CDFA) on staff, and it also has three certified financial planners (CFPs), three chartered financial analysts (CFAs), one certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) and one chartered mutual fund counselor (CMFC).

This is a fee-only firm. 

Vision Capital Management, Inc. Background

Vision Capital Management, Inc. was founded in 1999. The firm is entirely owned by its employees and, notably, it's majority female-owned.  It was founded by a mother-daughter duo who wanted to make a firm where clients' needs came first. 

Vision Capital Management tailors its advisory services to meet clients' needs and goals. Its advisory services encompass both portfolio management and wealth planning, which includes equity and fixed-income investing, financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, divorce settlement planning, intergenerational wealth transfers, college savings and insurance planning. 

For investors who don't want financial planning or unlimited access to a financial advisor, Vision Capital offers Vision Vaxa Dynamic Portfolios. This online investment management platform helps clients build their savings with the help of a human advisor. 

Vision Capital Management, Inc. Investment Strategy

Vision Capital Management Inc. strives to create globally diversified portfolios that suit clients' individual risk tolerance and growth goals. On a quarterly basis, the firm forecasts returns for the group of global asset classes it uses. It then produces asset allocation options that it believes will maximize returns for clients while minimizing risks. 

The firm offers proprietary equity strategies and fixed-income strategies to clients with more investable assets. Vision Capital Management typically uses individual equity securities for its U.S. large cap growth strategy and individual fixed-income securities like corporate, government and municipal bonds, for its fixed-income strategy. For clients with less to invest, the firm uses low-cost exchange traded funds. 

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Sigma Investment Management Company is a fee-only firm that provides institutional-style wealth management. The firm, which requires a $500,000 account  minimum, serves individuals, families, trusts, charitable endowments, corporations and retirement plans.

Sigma’s small team of seven advisors boasts two certified planners (CFPs), three chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and one certified public accountant (CPA). 

Sigma Investment Management Company Background

Sigma Investment Management Company was founded in Portland in 1992. The firm, like many on this list, is employee-owned. Founder and President William Berg and Managing Directors of Client Services Harmon P.W. Laurin and Timothy Wylder are shareholders. 

Sigma does offer advice to clients as part of its investment advisory services, but it does not accept clients for financial planning only. The firm provides particular guidance on retirement planning. It advises its clients on how much they need to save to meet their retirement goals, which depends partially on how much they'll receive in Social Security benefits, and what their withdrawal rate should be in retirement.

Sigma Investment Management Company Investing Approach

Sigma Investment Management Company describes its investment approach as "strategic, tactical and objective." The firm tailors its investment advisory services according to conversations with its clients about their financial situations and objectives. Portfolios are built to manage risk while addressing both short-term needs and long-term goals.

Sigma says that it primarily invests its clients' assets in no-load mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, typically through discount brokers. Each portfolio is built around a core of long-term holdings, which can be active or passive index investments, that the firm typically holds onto throughout market cycles. Sigma builds out from this core based on its analysis of market cycles and conditions.

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A fee-based firm, McGee Wealth Management is the only firm on this list that charges commissions or third-party advisor fees. These fees are collected in addition to the fees that most of the other firms on this list charge, such as a percentage of assets under management or fixed fees. 

Additionally, because certain employees of the firm are representatives of the broker-dealer Raymond James  Financial Services, Inc., they may receive commissions for the sale of securities, in addition to the amount they earn for theier advisory services. However, the firm’s fiduciary duty requires it to always act first and foremost in its clients’ best interests. 

McGee’s account minimum varies by service. There's no minimum for its financial planning or hourly consulting services. However, there is a $25,000 minimum for its Passport and IMPAC accounts.  The firm’s clients include multigenerational families, entrepreneurs and business owners, sports industry professionals, tech and engineering professionals, individuals in transition, values-based investors, nonprofit board members and independent trustees.

McGee’s staff includes three certified financial planners (CFPs), one chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and one chartered life underwriter (CLU). 

McGee Wealth Management, Inc. Background

McGee Wealth Management, Inc. began business in 1983. The firm is owned by its CEO and chair, Judith McGee, and its president and COO, D. Linette Dobbins, both of whom are Oregon natives. Judith McGee is one of the nation's first women CFP professionals, and she's been  recognized by Forbes and Barron's as one of the nation's top financial advisors.

The firm's services include investment advisory consulting and financial planning, which can address tax and cash flow, insurance, retirement, death and disability and estate. McGee manages its clients as a team and will collaborate with clients' other professional advisors to create a fully integrated, cohesive plan. 

The firm’s financial plans hinge on what it calls life stages. McGee defines these stages as education, accumulation, preservation and distribution, and it customizes clients' financial plans to guide them through these stages of wealth management, which it believes each present distinct needs and priorities. 

McGee Wealth Management, Inc. Investing

Unlike many firms on this list, McGee Wealth Management's investment strategy doesn't focus solely on the long term. Though the firm's strategy does include long-term purchases, which it defines as securities held for a year or longer, it may also make short-term purchases of securities. McGee says that sometimes it buys securities with the plan of selling them quickly - within 30 days or less - to "take advantage of our predictions of brief price swings." In addition, McGee uses margin transactions and option writing.

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Peregrine Asset Advisers, Inc. has the lowest account minimum of any firm on this list. To be a client, you’ll need just $100,000. The firm serves 330 families, and its clients come from varied backgrounds and levels of wealth.

Notably, Peregrine is the only firm on this list whose advisors do not have any additional certifications, such as a certified financial planner (CFP) or a chartered financial analyst (CFA). Peregrine Asset Advisers is a fee-only firm. 

Peregrine Asset Advisers, Inc. Background

Peregrine Asset Advisers, Inc. was founded in 2001 by Dan Botti, the firm's principal, portfolio manager and chief compliance officer. Botti is part of a small team of just four advisors who serve the firm's clients. 

Peregrine Asset Advisers provides investment management for individuals, business, organizations, retirement plans and trusts. It also offers investment supervisory services, which entails the hiring of other investment advisory services or hedge funds to manage clients' investments. 

Peregrine Asset Advisers, Inc. Investment Strategies

Peregrine Asset Advisers, Inc. says that is team is "anything but passive market players." The firm actively seeks out investments to buy and sell. The firm says that it buys "the same stocks for every single client regardless of the size of the account." 

In addition to stocks, the firm also uses bonds, mutual funds, certificate of deposits and cash-like instruments. Its other investment strategies include appreciation, achieved by holding onto various investments, and through short-term trading. The firm sometimes invests its clients in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), which some of the other firms on this list do not do. In addition, Peregrine Asset Advisers may use short selling, margin, options, hedge funds and alternate advisors. 

When building a portfolio, Peregrine considers broad economic conditions, stock market conditions and what's driving company stock valuation. By offering short-term investment options alongside long-term investments, Peregrine says that it allows its customers to take advantage of daily and weekly market movements.

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Rain Capital Management, the final firm on our list,  has the least assets under management (AUM): The fee-only firm manages $277.5 million. Rain Capital Management is also the smallest firm on this list, with just three advisors on staff. The firm primarily serves high-net-worth individuals and it requires a $1 million account minimum. 

Like Peregrine Asset Advisers, Inc., Rain Capital Management does not have any certified financial planners (CFPs) on staff, a distinction most other firms on this list bear. However, Rain Capital Management does have one chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC). 

Rain Capital Management Background

Rain Capital Management has been in business since 2011, making it one of the newer firms on this list. The firm's principal owners are its three managing directors, David Reichle, Christopher Abbruzzese and Ellen Kim.

Rain Capital Management's services include investment advisory and portfolio management. 

Its advice and services are customized according to clients' investment policy statements, which outlines risk tolerance, time horizon, projected future liquidity needs, current holdings, tax considerations and personal market views. Clients have the ability to impose restrictions on investments in certain securities or types of securities. 

Rain Capital Management Investing Strategy

Rain Capital Management says that it's dedicated to "growing our clients' wealth with less risk." The firm believes that mitigating risk is just as important as generating a return. As such, the firm's portfolios are broadly diversified and the firm emphasizes its fiduciary duty to clients. 

Rain Capital Management says that its "highest investment priority" is creating a mix of assets that suits each client's goals, objectives and risk tolerance. The firm, which uses an institutional style of investing, primarily invests its clients' assets in mutual funds, individual bonds and exchange-listed equity securities. It may also recommend alternative investments, including private equity funds, to certain clients. It recommends a long time horizon.