$26B RIA EP Wealth strikes private market alliance with Opto Investments

$26B RIA EP Wealth strikes private market alliance with Opto Investments
The tech-driven alts platform will provide support to advisors seeking customized portfolio access for their high-net-worth clients.
OCT 10, 2024

EP Wealth Advisors is putting a whole new menu of alternative investment options in the hands of its advisors through a new platform partnership.

The $26 billion RIA's collaboration with Opto Investments, a private markets platform designed to help financial advisors access institutional-grade investments, is aimed at enhancing its ability to offer customized private market portfolios to high-net-worth clients.

Earlier in June, Mercer Advisors announced its own partnership with Opto to bring private market investing opportunities to its advisors.

Opto's latest collaboration with EP Wealth with technology-driven solutions, helping the firm address long-standing challenges in private markets investing, such as high fees and operational complexities. Opto’s platform will enable EP Wealth’s advisors to offer clients a more scalable and streamlined approach to portfolio construction.

Adam Phillips, managing director of investments at EP Wealth Advisors, emphasized “Opto’s fiduciary-first approach [to] build personalized portfolios" for clients using "institutional-grade investments from a vast array of managers.”

“When introducing private market strategies to client portfolios, a one-size-fits-all approach simply does not work," Philips said in a statement.

Opto’s platform is designed to reduce the administrative burden associated with alternative investments, including managing capital calls and handling tax documentation, which will help EP Wealth advisors to focus on client relationships.

By utilizing Opto’s tools, the firm aims to deliver bespoke strategies that align closely with each client’s goals and risk preferences, including a curated selection of private markets opportunities and custom fund options that reduce excess liquidity and diversify investments across managers.

“We remain hyper-focused on positioning advisors to confidently navigate the intricacies of private markets in a more scalable way,” said Ryan VanGorder, chief executive officer at Opto. “Our team’s deep expertise in due diligence and sourcing, coupled with our powerful technology engine, alleviates the operational burden associated with private markets investing.”

At last count, Opto's platform has grown to inlude more than 200 RIA firms, including nearly 40 that are building or launching their own custom funds. But that footprint is set to grow larger following its August partnership with Conway Investment Solutions, another TAMP provider with a reported $1 billion in AUM.

Latest News

Investors' risk-on appetite reaches 15-year high
Investors' risk-on appetite reaches 15-year high

BofA survey reveals bullish sentiment.

World's first catastrophe bond launched by ex-Pimco exec
World's first catastrophe bond launched by ex-Pimco exec

Rick Pagnini wants to demystify cat bond investments.

Goldman upgrades year-end gold target to $3,100
Goldman upgrades year-end gold target to $3,100

Central bank demand expected to fuel metal's rise.

'Bogged down' advisors just want to have fun (again)
'Bogged down' advisors just want to have fun (again)

Jim Cahn, of Wealth Enhancement Group, lifts the lid on his firm's partnership model, his views on RIA M&A, and the widely slept-on reason why advisors are merging into larger organizations.

Vestwell unveils new emergency savings account offering
Vestwell unveils new emergency savings account offering

The fintech firm is cementing its status in the workplace savings space with its latest ESA offering, which employers can integrate into their existing benefits package.

SPONSORED Record growth: Interval funds emerge as key players in alternative investments

Blue Vault Alts Summit highlights the role of liquidity-focused funds in reshaping advisor strategies

SPONSORED Taylor Matthews on what's behind Farther's rapid growth

From 'no clients' to reshaping wealth management, Farther blends tech and trust to deliver family-office experience at scale.