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June 18.2025
3 Minutes Read

Liquidity Issues Block Greater Adoption of Alternatives by Advisors

Hand and digital graphs symbolizing liquidity concerns alternatives adoption.

Understanding the Roadblocks to Alternative Investment Adoption

The latest insights from the iCapital Global Advisor Survey reveal a notable yet complicated landscape when it comes to the adoption of alternative investments among financial advisors. Despite a strong inclination to engage clients in evergreen funds—an increasingly popular choice among wealth managers—significant hurdles remain, particularly concerning liquidity and the overall impacts on portfolio management.

The Rising Interest in Alternative Investments

According to the survey of 603 financial professionals across nine countries, more than half expressed interest in integrating alternative investment options such as private equity (66%) and private credit (54%). Hedge funds and real estate made the cut for 54% and 44% of advisors, respectively. However, as enthusiasm rises for alternatives, a dichotomy between interest and actual investment persists, with venture capital (26%) and other real assets (21%) seeing considerably less attraction. This trend begs the question of what exactly is holding advisors back from fully embracing alternatives.

Liquidity Concerns: A Fundamental Barrier

Liquidity remains the most frequently cited challenge, affecting 55% of surveyed advisors. In fast-moving markets, the need for readily available cash often seems at odds with the illiquid nature of many alternative investments. This caution has implications; advisors must weigh the benefits of potential higher returns against the practicalities of client cash flow needs, emphasizing the necessity for more comprehensive understanding and evaluation of liquidity profiles before advising clients.

Assessing Portfolio Impact and Education Gaps

Another significant barrier (53%) is the challenge of understanding how alternative allocations will impact overall portfolio construction. Wealth management is a complex balancing act and without a clear understanding of alternative investments, advisors may hesitate to make shifts. Furthermore, almost half of the advisors surveyed (48%) indicated a lack of sufficient education on these products, hinting at the urgent need for better informative resources and training aimed at financial professionals.

The Limited Access Dilemma

Significantly, about half of advisors (51%) lamented the limited number of institutional-grade alternatives available to them as well as the insufficiency of model portfolios that incorporate these investments effectively. The barriers of compliance concerns (48%) and investor qualification standards (13%) further complicate the scenario. These systemic issues reflect a need not only for product development but also for the regulatory framework that can support a more robust alternative investment landscape.

The Path Forward: Potential Solutions

The prospect of evergreen funds—expected to make up 11% to 15% of client allocations in the next two years—signals a shift towards more sustainable investment strategies. However, for a true revolution in alternatives adoption to take hold, the industry must prioritize overcoming identified barriers. Improved educational initiatives, clearer liquidity assessments, and an expanded array of accessible options are imperative to empower advisors to confidently guide their clients towards these investments.

Conclusion: The Future of Alternative Investing

As the landscape for alternative investments continues to evolve amidst increasing interest, the challenges highlighted in the iCapital survey warrant thoughtful consideration. For financial planners and wealth advisers, embracing the potential of alternatives necessitates addressing fundamental concerns around liquidity, education, and accessibility. As future trends indicate a stronger inclination toward evergreen funds and a greater acceptance of alternative assets, it’s crucial for advisors to remain proactive, equipped with knowledge and strategic insight. Doing so will not only benefit their clients but it will also position them competitively within the marketplace. Engage with these emerging opportunities now to secure your clients' financial futures effectively.

Financial Planning

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08.02.2025

Investing in Executives: Inside Tempo Wealth's $650M RIA Launch

Update Tempo Wealth: A New Era for Executive Financial Management In an ever-evolving financial landscape, RIA Tempo Wealth has stepped into the spotlight with an impressive launch reflecting a commitment to a niche market—business executives. With approximately $650 million in client assets, the firm is grounded in the expertise of founders Corbin Blackburn, Tim Farley, and Bernie Garrah, who previously collaborated at MassMutual Life before venturing to establish their own registered investment advisor (RIA) in Independence, Ohio. Finding Fertile Ground in Independence, Ohio After years of gaining essential experience, the leadership team realized the importance of creating a firm that not only operated independently but also aligned deeply with fiduciary ideals. After initially moving to Cleveland Wealth, a local RIA managing around $1 billion in assets, the team’s vision began to diverge. “We wanted to implement changes that were not congruent with what they had in place,” Blackburn noted, signaling a strong need for customization in serving executive clients. The Case for Executive Focus in Financial Advisory The decision to focus on business executives is not merely strategic; it’s informed by the complex financial needs typical for this demographic, ranging from alternative investments to sophisticated financial strategies. Blackburn highlights the intricate relationships these professionals have with private equity, stating such clients possess a nuanced understanding of investment landscapes, thereby necessitating a heightened level of advisory skill and personalized service. It’s a realization that places Tempo Wealth strategically to cater to a segment that often feels underserved but has the potential for significant growth. Building a Tech-Forward Practice: The Importance of Tools in Financial Advice The transition to Tempo Wealth also marks an evolution in technological adoption. The firm has chosen to embrace Advyzon for its integrated financial management capabilities, moving away from various disjointed tools that failed to communicate effectively. Such an infrastructure allows for reshaped client interactions, enabling clients to access their financial information in real-time, rather than through cumbersome periodic reports. This forward-thinking approach not only enhances client satisfaction but also streamlines internal processes, essential for scaling their operations. Offering Alternative Investments: A Step Towards Diversification One of the promising prospects Tempo Wealth is exploring is the incorporation of private market offerings. This approach aligns with the growing demand from their clients, particularly those in the $3 million to $5 million asset range, who seek robust investment opportunities beyond traditional markets. Blackburn anticipates a suite of proprietary investment options aimed at high-net-worth individuals, highlighting the shift towards a more diversified portfolio strategy that includes alternative investments—an increasingly attractive landscape in wealth management. Why This Matters: The Shift Toward Personalized Financial Services As Tempo Wealth navigates the responsibilities of independence and agency, their model serves as a case study for the potential within the RIA space. Clients today demand a more tailored approach, one that adapts to their specific financial situations and aligns with their broader goals. As wealth management evolves, firms like Tempo Wealth exemplify the necessary shift toward fiduciary responsibility, technological integration, and client-centric services, illuminating an informed path forward for financial planning professionals. For financial planners and wealth advisors, engaging with this model could help them identify opportunities to enhance their service offerings and meet the nuanced needs of their clients. The evolution of fiduciary standards and tailored financial strategies signal a new era dedicated to accountability and personalized solutions in financial advisory. **Ready to reshape your advisory practice? Explore the insights and opportunities Tempo Wealth presents to enhance your client engagement and service offerings today.**

08.01.2025

Unlocking New Wealth Management Strategies with SMArtX's Semi-Liquid Fund Functionality

Update SMArtX Enhances UMA Offerings: A Game-Changer for Advisors As the wealth management industry continues its pivot toward integrating alternative investments, SMArtX Advisory Solutions has pulled back the curtain on its latest innovation: the integration of semi-liquid alternatives into its Unified Managed Account (UMA) platform. This forward-thinking move not only signifies a notable trend in investment strategies but also presents new avenues for financial planners and wealth advisers eager to expand their client service offerings. Unpacking Semi-Liquid Alternatives The newly available semi-liquid options, including interval funds and tender offer funds, allow for strategies that cover a broad spectrum of private markets, such as real estate, private equity, and private credit. These offerings are designed to work in conjunction with traditional investment vehicles including ETFs, mutual funds, SMAs, and direct indexing within a single, tax-managed custodial account. This holistic approach enables wealth advisers to construct more adaptive and resilient portfolios suited to varying client needs. Why This Matters for Financial Planners By providing access to these semi-liquid vehicles, SMArtX aims to eliminate the historical barriers that have kept private market investment out of reach for many individual investors. This capability enables advisors to build diversified portfolios that include a mix of asset classes typically reserved for institutional investors. Alex Thompson, SMArtX’s Chief Product Officer, emphasized this point, stating, “We’ve removed the historical barriers that made this difficult and made alternatives manageable at scale.” This accessibility is crucial for modern financial strategies, particularly in turbulent market conditions. The Rise of Private Market Vehicles The wealth management sector is increasingly recognizing the value of semi-liquid funds as they offer advantages such as greater flexibility and the potential for higher returns compared to traditional investments. This trend follows a broader shift observed across the industry, with major firms like Fidelity also partnering with technology providers to enhance their offerings. In a noteworthy alignment, Fidelity's recent strategic partnerships are designed to offer model portfolios that incorporate alternative investments, a clear indication that the push toward private market assets is not merely a passing innovation but a substantial transformation in financial planning. Practical Insights for Wealth Advisers For financial planners, understanding the operational improvements provided by SMArtX’s automated systems—such as trade controls, redemption scheduling, and compliance support—can streamline their workload immensely, allowing them to focus more on client interaction rather than administrative bottlenecks. This integration not only simplifies the management of semi-liquid funds but also aligns these with tax-loss harvesting and tax-aware rebalancing strategies, enhancing overall portfolio management. A Strategic Shift in Wealth Management The innovation from SMArtX also highlights a critical question for financial planners: how are you adapting your strategies to encompass these evolving market solutions? The growing availability of semi-liquid alternatives invites advisers to reconsider their traditional approaches. As more platforms embrace innovative functionalities, incorporating these assets into client portfolios may soon become not just an advantage but a necessity. Your Next Steps as an Advisor In light of these developments, it is crucial for financial planners and wealth advisers to remain informed about the burgeoning landscape of alternative investments. By leveraging tools like SMArtX’s UMA, advisors can better serve clients by offering diverse strategies that cater to evolving investment needs. Additionally, staying updated on regulatory changes and market trends can enhance competitive positioning within the industry.

08.01.2025

LPL's Acquisition of Commonwealth: Navigating the Future of Financial Planning

Update The Future of Wealth Management: LPL's Strategic Acquisition LPL Financial is poised to finalize its acquisition of Commonwealth Financial Network, a significant move that could reshape the landscape for independent broker/dealers. With a purchase price of approximately $2.7 billion, this deal reflects LPL's strategic intent to consolidate its position within the wealth management industry, particularly targeting the expanding needs of financial planners and wealth advisors. Retention of Advisors: A Core Focus Amid Uncertainty During a recent earnings call, LPL CEO Rich Steinmeier expressed confidence in retaining 90% of Commonwealth's 3,000 advisors. This strong retention target is pivotal as advisor loyalty could greatly influence the success of this acquisition. Steinmeier emphasized that the firm has engaged deeply with Commonwealth’s leadership and advisors. Such engagement aims to reassure Commonwealth advisors that their brand and culture will not only remain intact but will also be enhanced by LPL's advanced operational capabilities. Challenges in a Competitive Market Despite this confidence, the acquisition has not been without its challenges. Steinmeier acknowledged reported concerns within the advisor community regarding advisor migration to competitors or the decision to establish their own Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). Industry analysts speculate that some advisors may view the transition to LPL as detrimental to their established practices, leading them to explore alternatives that allow for greater independence. Rich Steinmeier’s Insight: The RIA Dilemma Advisors like Adam Spiegelman, who oversee substantial assets, illustrate this trend. Spiegelman’s choice to accelerate setting up his RIA rather than transition to LPL embodies the tough choices financial professionals face amid industry consolidation. Steinmeier noted that many advisors underestimate the operational and regulatory complexities tied to establishing an RIA, which is a critical consideration for those contemplating departing from Commonwealth. The Broader Implications for the Wealth Management Sector This acquisition isn’t merely about LPL expanding its asset base; it signals a broader trend of consolidation in the wealth management industry. As markets evolve and client expectations shift, the future may bring a more integrated approach between independent firms and larger corporate structures. Financial planners and wealth advisors need to be keenly aware of these trends as they develop their business strategies moving forward. Final Thoughts: What This Means for Advisors As the industry braces for LPL to close on this significant acquisition, the spotlight remains on advisor retention strategies and how they will shape individual practices. For advisors, understanding the operational benefits, as well as the challenges of transitioning into a larger platform, will be critical in ensuring their long-term success in an increasingly competitive landscape. This moment represents a call to action for planners to critically evaluate their own paths in light of such industry shifts. It’s essential for financial professionals to stay informed and responsive to emerging trends to navigate the complexities of this evolving market.

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