Rockefeller Capital Management's history goes all the way back to the 19th century when it was made to help John. D. Rockefeller and his family manage their assets. Today, the firm continues to provide an array of investing and wealth management services.
Rockefeller Capital Management currently has tens of billions in client assets and a substantially large team of advisors serving its clients. When it comes to advisory services, the fee-based firm charges asset-based fees and commissions. The firm’s team includes a number of chartered financial analysts (CFAs).
Rockefeller Capital Management holds a spot on SmartAsset's ranking of the top financial advisors in New York, New York and New York State.
Rockefeller Capital Management Background
Rockefeller Capital Management traces its roots back to 1882 when the Rockefeller family built the firm to protect their finances. The firm officially became Rockefeller Capital Management after its registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1980.
This firm is owned by investment funds affiliated with Viking Global Investors, L.P. and a trust that represents the Rockefeller family. Rockefeller Capital Management’s subsidiaries include Rockefeller Financial, Rockefeller & Co. LLC, Rockefeller Trust Company, N.A. and The Rockefeller Trust Company.
Rockefeller Capital Management Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Rockefeller Capital Management serves individuals with and without a high net worth, charitable organizations, family offices, trusts, estates, endowments, foundations, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, municipal government entities, corporations and business entities, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds and banks.
The firm’s account minimums vary based on account type.
Services Offered by Rockefeller Capital Management
Through its three main divisions (Rockefeller Global Family Office, Rockefeller Strategic Advisory and Rockefeller Asset Management), Rockefeller Capital Management offers the following advisory services:
- Financial planning
- Trust and estate planning
- Tax planning
- Private banking and lending
- Investment planning
- Portfolio management
- Active equity and fixed-income investing
- Long-term investment research
- Selection of other advisors
Rockefeller Capital Management Investment Philosophy
Rockefeller says it determines investments and allocations based on each client’s objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance, financial horizon, financial information, liquidity needs and various other factors.
The firm also strongly believes in sustainable investing. In fact, Rockefeller abides by four sustainable investing pillars. These include socially responsible investing, mission-driven impact, thematic investment strategies and environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration.
Rockefeller Capital Management Fees
In its capacity as an investment advisor, Rockefeller generally charges a fee calculated as a percentage of assets, depending on the account. For Long-Only Separately Managed accounts, fees typically range from 0.50% to 1.25% annually for equity strategies and from 0.10% to 0.35% annually for fixed-income strategies. For Long/Short Equity Strategy accounts, the standard fee is a 1.5% annual investment management fee and a 20% performance fee (subject to a traditional high-water mark, or an all-time high).
For Affiliated Private Funds, investment advisory fees usually range from 0.65% to 1.50% annually. Model Program fees range between 0.35% and 0.50% of assets under management per year.
There may be other fees, including but not limited to brokerage and trading costs and expenses and commissions, third-party custody fees, processing fees and more. Learn more about advisors' typical costs here.
What to Watch Out For
Rockefeller doesn’t have any disclosures on its Form ADV. However, the firm is registered as both an investment advisor and a broker-dealer. When advisors act as broker-dealer representatives, they can receive commissions. However, the firm abides by fiduciary duty.
Opening an Account with Rockefeller Capital Management
You can set up an account with Rockefeller Capital Management by visiting any of the firm’s offices or by contacting the firm at (212) 549-5100.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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