Ropes Wealth Advisors says it prides itself on the core values of integrated perspective, uncompromising integrity, effective stewardship, generational continuity, sustainable investment results, communication and education. Another distinguishing feature about the financial advisor is that it has a relatively small number of advisors managing billions in assets.
Ropes Wealth Advisors is a fee-only firm serving both retail and institutional clients. The firm charges asset-based fees, hourly fees and fixed fees for its advisory services.
Ropes Wealth Advisors’ team includes two certified financial planners (CFPs) and a chartered financial analyst (CFA). The firm also appears on our ranking of the top financial advisors in Boston.
Ropes Wealth Advisors Background
Ropes Wealth Advisors began its operations in 2013 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ropes & Gray, LLP. The firm became a registered investment advisor (RIA) in 2014.
Michelle A. Knight is the firm’s chief executive officer (CEO) and chief economist.
Ropes Wealth Advisors Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
This firm manages portfolios for high-net-worth individuals, individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations business entities.
Ropes Wealth Advisors doesn’t have a minimum account size requirement.
Services Offered by Ropes Wealth Advisors
Ropes Wealth Advisors offers the following services:
- Financial planning
- Portfolio management
- Custom fixed income and cash management
- Custody services
- Consulting services
- Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)
Ropes Wealth Advisors Investment Philosophy
Ropes Wealth Advisors’ investment approach incorporates customization, transparency, institutional quality, risk management and tax sensitivity, according to its website. The firm says it controls risk through asset allocation, offering seven different allocation strategies: fixed income only, conservative, moderately conservative, balanced, growth, aggressive growth and equity only.
The firm mainly invests in exchange-traded equity securities, U.S. government agency bonds, U.S. state and local bonds, investment-grade corporate bonds, securities issued by registered investment companies, securities issued by pooled investment vehicles, cash and cash equivalents.
Ropes Wealth Advisors Fees
Ropes Wealth Advisors offers the following standard fee schedule for its investment advisory services:
| Ropes Wealth Advisors Investment Advisory Fees | |
| Amount of assets | Annual fee |
| On the first $1,000,000 | 1.25% |
| On the next $4,000,000 | 0.95% |
| On the next $5,000,000 | 0.60% |
| Over $10,000,000 | 0.40% |
| *Estimated investment management fees do not include brokerage, custodial, third-party manager or other fees, which can vary in amount. | |
| Estimated Investment Management Fees at Ropes Wealth Advisors* | |
| Your Assets | Ropes Wealth Advisors Fee Amount |
| $500K | $6,250 |
| $1MM | $12,500 |
| $5MM | $50,500 |
| $10MM | $80,500 |
Learn more about advisors' typical costs here.
What to Watch Out For
There isn’t much to be wary of when it comes to this firm. Ropes Wealth Advisors doesn’t have any disclosures reported on its Form ADV. The firm also doesn’t require a minimum account size and it doesn’t charge any hidden fees for its investment services.
Opening an Account with Ropes Wealth Advisors
You can set up an account with Ropes Wealth Advisors by visiting the firm’s Boston office or you can call an advisor at (617) 235-4260.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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