Americana Partners takes aim at LatAm wealth opportunity

Americana Partners, a Texas RIA managing over $7 billion in assets, is breaking into the Latin American market with the creation of a new dedicated division.

The newly launched unit, Americana Partners International, will offer family office services to ultra-high net worth individuals in the region, according to a statement from the Dynasty Network partner firm.

Jorge Suárez-Vélez has been appointed CEO and founding partner of Americana Partners International. Suárez-Vélez, who previously served as a managing director at Allen & Company Investment Advisors, brings over 20 years of experience and expertise in Mexican political and economic issues. He is also a frequent commentator on CNN en Español and a contributor to several prominent Mexican newspapers.

In a statement, Jason Fertitta, CEO and Partner of Americana Partners, emphasized the strategic importance of the expansion.

“While many of the wealthiest LatAm families have ties and business dealings in both Latin America and the United States, especially as they grow into 3rd and 4th generations,” Fertitta said. “At Americana, we see an opportunity to lend our services, expertise, and relationships to these families, and we are excited to have Jorge at the helm of this tremendous effort."

 The Latin American wealth segment has seen some hot competition in recent years. In 2022, Sanctuary fired a shot at the space with a Miami-based firm catering to the needs of UHNW clients in that demographic. JPMorgan has also seen significant growth in the category, with a roughly 10 percent increase in wealth under management in Miami from Mexico clients last year.

Americana Partners’ bid for Latin American business is starting strong, Fertetta indicated, as it’s backed by partnerships with “some of the most sophisticated family offices in Mexico.”

Ron Thacker, president of Americana Partners, sees the involvement of Suárez-Vélez and Mexico-domiciled family offices as “a testament to the strength of our platform.

“We could not be more proud of how far Americana Partners has come, and we are excited and optimistic for our future,” he said.

Americana Partners, which celebrated its five-year anniversary in April 2024, has seen significant growth since its inception in 2019 as it more than tripled in size across several key metrics, according to Thacker.

In February 2023, Americana Partners expanded by bringing on a $715 million team from Morgan Stanley, which is based in Texas's Permian Basin. With the addition of its new international clientele, the firm will incorporate Pershing Advisor Services as a custodian, alongside its existing relationships with Schwab and Fidelity.