The largest hub for business, money and economic growth in the entire Pacific Northwest, Seattle has an endless amount of options if you’re looking for a financial advisor. To navigate the vast landscape of choices, Benzinga’s done some groundwork for you. Compare and contrast our list of prices, credentials and reputable financial advisors to find the best financial advisors in Seattle, Washington that’s right for you.
Quick Look at the Best Financial Advisors in Seattle, Washington:
- Best Full-Service Wealth Consultancy: Vinoble Group
- Best Robo-Advisor: M1 Finance
- Best for Portfolio Diversification: Lesa Sroufe & Co.
- Best for Fee-Only Services: Soundview Advisors
- Best Portfolio Analysis: Personal Capital
- Best for High Net Worth Individuals: Badgley & Phelps Wealth Managers
- Best for Finding Custom Financial Advisors: SmartAsset
- Best for High-Touch Client Service: Hohimer Wealth Management
Best Full-Service Wealth Consultancy: Vinoble Group
Vinoble is a group of wealth management and financial planning experts extending its services beyond the standard high net-worth clientele of competing firms. There is no minimum asset balance needed to get started with Vinoble, and it even offers customized business asset management plans to small business owners.
Vinoble offers a complete range of financial advising and management services, including estate planning, retirement advising, professional relationship management, cash-flow analysis and much more. Though its individual services don’t go beyond what most other financial advisors in Seattle offer, Vinoble can be a powerful asset for business owners of all sizes.
Vinoble is a group of wealth management and financial planning experts extending its services beyond the standard high net-worth clientele of competing firms. There is no minimum asset balance needed to get started with Vinoble, and it even offers customized business asset management plans to small business owners. Vinoble offers a complete range of financial advising and management services, including estate planning, retirement advising, professional relationship management, cash-flow analysis and much more. Though its individual services don’t go beyond what most other financial advisors in Seattle offer, Vinoble can be a powerful asset for business owners of all sizes.
- A percentage of assets under your management
- Hourly charges
- Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
- Financial planning services
- Pension consulting services
Address
1215 4TH AVE SUITE 935SEATTLE WA, 98161
Phone number
(206) 317-6822
- Customizable Auto Investing
Best Robo-Advisor: M1 Finance
M1 Finance combines powerful digital technology with financial planning tools to make managing your money a seamless experience, all available through a mobile app. After creating a pie-based portfolio, M1 uses its proprietary trading system to automate all your trades — all of which are executed during 1 trade window.
The platform charges $0 transaction and management fees, but you’ll need a $100 minimum investment balance — for a taxable account. A $500 minimum account balance is needed for a retirement account. M1 also offers comprehensive educational offerings with its articles, which cover topics about IRA and retirement accounts, investing and general finance.
You can own ETFs and stocks — regardless of the price — with fractional shares that allow you to buy up to 1/10,000 of 1 share. You can open up to 5 accounts, which can be a combination of retirement accounts, individual taxable accounts and trust accounts.
Best for Portfolio Diversification: Lesa Sroufe & Co.
Lesa Sroufe is one of the top financial advisors for high net-worth individuals and corporations in Seattle. Lesa Sroufe offers investment advising services with a focus on growth and risk. Its primary investment philosophy involves analyzing assets and buying them when they’re most undervalued. While this is a riskier strategy, Lesa Sroufe also offers opportunistic value equity investment strategies to better manage risk.
Lesa Sroufe is best for higher net-worth individuals who want to push their wealth to the next level. To open a directly-managed account with Lesa Sroufe, you must have at least $500,000 in assets under management.
Lesa Sroufe is one of the top financial advisors for high net-worth individuals and corporations in Seattle. Lesa Sroufe offers investment advising services with a focus on growth and risk. Its primary investment philosophy involves analyzing assets and buying them when they’re most undervalued. While this is a riskier strategy, Lesa Sroufe also offers opportunistic value equity investment strategies to better manage risk. Lesa Sroufe is best for higher net-worth individuals who want to push their wealth to the next level. To open a directly-managed account with Lesa Sroufe, you must have at least $500,000 in assets under management.
- A percentage of assets under your management
- Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
- Financial planning services
- Publication of periodicals or newsletters
Address
1200 5TH AVE., SUITE 1200 SEATTLE WA, 98101
Phone number
206-838-8383
Best for Fee-Only Services: Soundview Advisors
Soundview Advisors is a financial planning and asset management company working with individuals only. It offers retirement planning, estate planning, asset management and tax minimization services. Though there’s no minimum dollar amount of assets you need to have to get started with Soundview, the company states that its fee structure is most beneficial to high net-worth individuals.
Soundview’s investment strategy focuses on small, steady gains and minimized risk over time. Its investment advisors don’t try to time the market or overreact to short-term events. Instead, the company focuses on investing in a diverse range of markets that are set to grow long-term. This makes it a particularly viable choice for older investors or those with lower risk tolerance.
Soundview Advisors is a financial planning and asset management company working with individuals only. It offers retirement planning, estate planning, asset management and tax minimization services. Though there’s no minimum dollar amount of assets you need to have to get started with Soundview, the company states that its fee structure is most beneficial to high net-worth individuals. Soundview’s investment strategy focuses on small, steady gains and minimized risk over time. Its investment advisors don’t try to time the market or overact to short term events. Instead, the company focuses on investing in a diverse range of markets that are set to grow long-term. This makes it a particularly viable choice for older investors or those with lower risk tolerance.
- A percentage of assets under your management
- Hourly charges
- Financial planning services
- Selection of other advisers (including private fund managers)
Address
1000 SECOND AVENUE SUITE 3550SEATTLE WA, 98104
Phone number
206-682-7713
- High Net Worth Individuals
Best Portfolio Analysis: Personal Capital
Personal Capital combines a comprehensive tracking tool, award-winning technology and fiduciary advisors to transform your financial future. It boasts a Personal Capital Cash™ program, which lets you earn a higher interest rate on your cash than you would with a savings account.
Its annual fees range from 0.49%–0.89% depending on the value of the assets managed — trade costs, wealth management and custody are inclusive. You don’t pay trade commissions and 401(k) allocations are done at no charge.
You can access a managed portfolio with a $100,000 minimum account balance. There’s no minimum daily balance requirement or limit to the number of deposits or withdrawals.
Best for High Net Worth Individuals: Badgley + Phelps Wealth Managers
Badgley + Phelps is one of the best financial advisors in Seattle for individuals and corporations with a large number of assets under management who are looking for a financial planner with a focus on diversity within their portfolios.
Badgley + Phelps provides 3 investment strategies: equity only, fixed-income only and balanced portfolio management. Each investment strategy comes with its own level of risk, and a Badgley + Phelps financial expert can help you decide which risk level is right for your unique situation. Badgley + Phelps only offers wealth planning services and you must have at least $1 million worth of assets to invest to get started.
Badgley + Phelps is one of the best financial advisors in Seattle for individuals and corporations with a large number of assets under management who are looking for a financial planner with a focus on diversity within their portfolio. Badgley + Phelps provides 3 investment strategies: equity only, fixed-income only and balanced portfolio management. Each investment strategy comes with its own level of risk, and a Badgley + Phelps financial expert can help you decide which risk level is right for your unique situation. Badgley + Phelps only offers wealth planning services and you must have at least $1 million worth of assets to invest to get started.
- A percentage of assets under your management
- Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
- Financial planning services
Address
1420 FIFTH AVENUE SUITE 3200SEATTLE WA, 98101-2349
Phone number
206-623-6172
- Comparing Advisors
Best for Finding Custom Financial Advisors: SmartAsset
Find the right financial advisor to prepare for your future. SmartAsset's platform connects investors, soon-to-be-retirees and retirees with financial advisors from across the country.
As the first comprehensive solution for easily and securely pairing investors with financial advisors, SmartAsset provides you with free and secure access to the financial advisor marketplace and sources advisors that are right specifically for you based on your location, assets and personal preferences.
Answer a brief survey regarding your preparedness for retirement, investment style and contact information, so SmartAsset’s algorithm can match you with the best financial advisor for you.
Best for High-Touch Client Service: Hohimer Wealth Management
If you’re an individual with a high net-worth looking for a more personalized way to manage your wealth, Hohimer Wealth Management might be right for you. Though you’ll need at least $1 million worth of assets to get started, you may combine portfolios with your family members to meet the company’s minimum portfolio requirement.
Hohimer’s process begins with a one-on-one consultation between you and one of its top financial planners to determine your investing goals and retirement risk tolerance. Your planner will then create a customized plan for you, set you up to reach your goals and continuously monitor your portfolio to make sure that you’re on track.
If you’re an individual with a high net-worth looking for a more personalized way to manage your wealth, Hohimer Wealth Management might be right for you. Though you’ll need at least $1 million worth of assets to get started, you may combine portfolios with your family members to meet the company’s minimum portfolio requirement. Hohimer’s process begins with a one-on-one consultation between you and one of its top financial planners to determine your investing goals and retirement risk tolerance. Your planner will then create a customized plan for you, set you up to reach your goals and continuously monitor your portfolio to make sure that you’re on track.
- A percentage of assets under your management
- Hourly charges
- Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
- Financial planning services
- Pension consulting services
Address
ONE UNION SQUARE 600 UNIVERSITY STREET, SUITE 2401SEATTLE WA, 98101
Phone number
206-709-5955
Find the Best Financial Advisors in Seattle, Washington
A good advisor should pay attention to your financial goals and help you achieve each of them, whether big or small. Of course, research and comparison shopping are the first steps toward meeting the right financial advisor. Ask as many questions, check their credentials and ensure you can trust them. You want to work with an advisor you feel comfortable disclosing all your financial needs and goals with. We hope this helps your find the best financial advisors in Seattle, Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you evaluate a financial advisor?
Family members, friends and colleagues are probably the best place to start when choosing a financial advisor. Their referrals may help narrow down your options. Once you identify a few who fit your needs, check their portfolio to see what services they offer and their charges. You’ll also want to ascertain that your potential financial advisor is a fiduciary, otherwise keep searching. Don’t forget to compare your prospective financial advisor with others in The Evergreen State.
Do financial advisors check your credit?
Usually, a financial advisor won’t check your credit unless there’s a compelling reason to do so or it’s part of your financial strategy.
What’s the difference between financial planning and retirement planning?
Retirement planning is a subset of financial planning, but there’s a clear distinction between the two. Financial planning isn’t entirely for the long-term. It could also involve short-term objectives like a home renovation, an upcoming vacation or your child’s education.
Retirement planning prepares you for your golden years and focuses on expenses after your paycheck stops. You’ll need to know how your assets can generate a stream of income to cover those costs, how well you’ve kept up with your 401(k) savings and more. This could also involve nonfinancial aspects like when to quit employment, where to live and how to spend time after retirement.
Methodology
To determine the top financial advisors in Seattle we pored through all SEC registered advisory firms who have an office in Seattle. To winnow down the list we only included advisors who were registered fiduciaries, had no past disclosures and have minimal personal conflicts of interest. To further break down the list to the top advisors in the area, we gave weight to advisors that offered both investment management and planning, have no conflicts of interest, have offices in multiple states, a wrap fee program and over $50 million in assets under management.
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