Pinnacle Private Wealth goes indie with Commonwealth

Pinnacle Private Wealth goes indie with Commonwealth
The Wisconsin-based firm with $220 million in client assets had been with Associated Investment Services; it will join Commonwealth via an affiliated firm, Integrated Equity Management.
MAY 08, 2023

Commonwealth Financial Network, a Waltham, Massachusetts-based independent broker-dealer, said Pinnacle Private Wealth, a firm that managed $220 million in assets at Associated Investment Services, is joining Commonwealth via an affiliated firm, Integrated Equity Management.

Kimberly, Wisconsin-based Pinnacle Private Wealth is led by senior partners Todd Funk and Kelly Watzka.

Funk has 30 years of experience, according to his BrokerCheck report, and had been affiliated with Associated Investment Services since 2006. Watzka has 26 years of experience, according to BrokerCheck, and had been affiliated with Associated since 2010.

Commonwealth said in a statement that Pinnacle, which has experience in creating goals-based financial plans for retired and preretired individuals and families, aims to do more around retirement plans for small businesses.

“Going independent and taking ownership of our books of business were our main goals,” Funk said in the statement. “At Commonwealth, we found that aligning with another independent firm would allow us to choose our own path forward while also receiving the freedom and support we need to expand our retirement plan offering.”

Integrated Equity Management is a wealth management firm affiliated with Commonwealth that has $830 million in assets. Pinnacle is joining IEM Partners, a division of Integrated Equity that works with advisors looking to go independent.

Latest News

NY Appeals court tosses $500M civil fraud penalty against Trump; upholds injunctive relief
NY Appeals court tosses $500M civil fraud penalty against Trump; upholds injunctive relief

“While harm certainly occurred, it was not the cataclysmic harm that can justify a nearly half billion-dollar award to the State,” Justice Peter Moulton wrote, while Trump will face limits in his ability to do business in New York.

Andy Sieg faces internal HR investigation into conduct at Citigroup: Report
Andy Sieg faces internal HR investigation into conduct at Citigroup: Report

Sieg, 58, was head of Merrill Wealth Management, left in 2023 and returned that September to Citigroup, where he worked before being hired by Merrill Lynch in 2009.

Understanding people is key to how financial advice has to evolve
Understanding people is key to how financial advice has to evolve

Technology can do a lot of things, but advisors still have undeniable value

Ric Edelman, ex-Orion CEO Eric Clarke join board for TaxStatus
Ric Edelman, ex-Orion CEO Eric Clarke join board for TaxStatus

Two longtime RIA industry figures have joined the board of directors at TaxStatus, a fintech company that garners thousands of IRS data points on clients to share with advisors for improved financial planning oversight and time savings.

'WISH Act' could dramatically improve retirement adequacy for long-term services and supports: Morningstar report
'WISH Act' could dramatically improve retirement adequacy for long-term services and supports: Morningstar report

Morningstar's analysis found that the WISH Act would have a positive impact on reducing the shortfall of funds retirees will experience, with the largest impact on single men and women.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.