Wealth management firms have experienced significant growth over the years, aligning with the increasing number of millionaires. This cause-and-effect relationship is supported by the perception of wealth management as a high-end service, with certain firms requiring a specific minimum investment level.
Key metrics, including Assets Under Management (AUM), the number of customers, regulatory oversight, the prominence of clientele, and others, are crucial for evaluating wealth management firms’ performance, security, and reputation.
AUM, in particular, stands out as a key indicator of a firm’s performance, representing the aggregate market value of assets under the firm’s management on behalf of its clients. The significance of AUM extends to its direct influence on the firm’s revenue generation. Many wealth management firms charge fees based on a percentage of AUM, making the size of AUM a critical factor in sustaining the firm’s financial health.
Here’s the list of the largest wealth management firms in the world by Assets Under Management (AUM):
Wealth Management Firm | AUM | Date Reported (AUM) |
UBS Global Wealth Management | $6.2 trillion | September 30th, 2024 |
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management | $6 trillion | September 30th, 2024 |
J.P. Morgan Private Bank | $3.9 trillion | September 30th, 2024 |
Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management | $2.9 trillion | September 30th, 2024 |
Edward Jones | $2.2 trillion | September 30th, 2024 |
Bank of America GWIM | $1.9 trillion | September 30th, 2024 |
FNZ Group | Over $1.5 trillion | November 18th, 2024 |
CitiBank | $1 trillion | September 30th, 2024 |
Julius Baer | $535 billion | June 30th, 2024 |
CI Financial | $518 billion | September 30th, 2024 |
Charles Schwab Wealth Management | $466 billion | September 30th, 2024 |
BNP Paribas Wealth Management | $456 billion | September 30th, 2024 |
Insignia Financial | $319 billion | September 30th, 2024 |
Edelman Financial Services* | $270 billion | January 7th, 2024 |
Some companies mentioned above are widely recognised for services beyond wealth management, including Charles Schwab and J.P. Morgan, which provide brokerage services. Renowned banks like Citi Bank and Bank of America are also on the list. What ties these examples and others in the table together? They all offer wealth management services through specialised service lines.
UBS Global Wealth Management, headquartered in Switzerland, stands out as the largest wealth management provider globally, with substantial total Assets Under Management (AUM) of $6.2 trillion. Please note that in June 2023, UBS acquired Credit Suisse, so the sum of both AUMs has put UBS in 1st place on our list.
Following closely behind UBS is the US-based Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley has a total AUM of $6 trillion. While the exact number of clients remains undisclosed, it is reasonable to assume a substantial figure given the magnitude of Morgan Stanley’s presence in the financial landscape.
List of the Largest Wealth Management Firms
UBS Global Wealth Management
- AUM: 6.2T USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: +11,000
- AUM reporting date: September 30th, 2024
UBS offers high net worth and affluent individuals around the world a complete range of tailored advice and investment services. Our spectrum ranges from investment management to estate planning, corporate finance advice, and specific wealth management products and services.
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
- AUM: 6T USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: ~16,000
- AUM reporting date: September 30th, 2024
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the wealth and asset management division of the U.S based Morgan Stanley. It stands out as the largest wealth management firm in the world, with a total AUM of $4.8 trillion, offering a wide range of services and products that fit everyone, from institutional clients to families.
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
- AUM: 3.9T USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: +5,500
- AUM reporting date: September 30th, 2024
J.P. Morgan Private Bank not only provides clients with standard banking services but also offers a comprehensive Wealth Management Service. This service encompasses Trust & Estate Planning, Philanthropy Services, Family Governance, Private Business Advisory, Executive Compensation Advisory, Wealth Structuring and Strategy, as well as Family Office Services.
Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management
- AUM: 2.9T USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: +2,800
- AUM reporting date: September 30th, 2024
Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management is part of the investment management division of Goldman Sachs Bank. With over 2,400 financial advisors, Goldman Sachs provides access and guidance to high-net-worth clients, aiming to influence and enhance their wealth growth.
Edward Jones
- AUM: 2.2T USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: ~20000
- AUM reporting date: September 30th, 2024
Edward Jones is a financial services firm catering to the U.S. and Canada. Edward Jones is renowned for its web and mobile apps, enabling clients to track retirement goals in real-time and collaborate with their financial advisors. Edward Jones provides two options for wealth management: Edward Jones Advisory Solutions and Edward Jones Guided Solutions.
Bank of America GWIM
- AUM: 1.9T USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: +20’000
- AUM reporting date: September 30th, 2024
Bank of America provides wealth management services through Merrill Lynch, its private bank, and the consumer investments segment. The majority of assets under management at Bank of America originate from its subsidiary Merrill Lynch, which boasts a total of $1.24 trillion as of May 2022 and was acquired by Bank of America in 2009.
FNZ Group
- AUM: Over 1.5T USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: +13,000
- AUM reporting date: November 18th, 2024
FNZ Group is a global wealth management firm tousher wealth management into the digital era. As the company states, its objective is to unlock wealth by dismantling barriers that cause friction, thereby creating a more transparent and personalised experience for every investor with a modern, digital-first approach.
CitiBank
- AUM: 1T USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: +3,000
- AUM reporting date: September 30th, 2024
Citibank offers a service known as Citi Personal Wealth Management, wherein one of its over 3,000 Financial Advisors provides high-net-worth clients with personalised planning and investment guidance.
Julius Baer
- AUM: 535B USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: +8,000
- AUM reporting date: June 30th, 2024
Julius Baer is an international reference in wealth management, based in Switzerland. Julius Baer offers wealth planning for a wide range of situations, from securing children’s financial future to gaining clarity on tax situations and guidance on succession, retirement, or relocation. The company’s wealth planners possess both local expertise and a global network to provide the necessary support for its high-net-worth clients.
Charles Schwab Wealth Management
- AUM: 466B USD
- Number of clients: n/a
- Number of Financial Advisors: +14,000
- AUM reporting date: September 30th, 2024
Charles Schwab is renowned for its brokerage services, and it also provides Wealth Management through its Schwab Wealth Advisory™ service. This service offers high-net-worth clients a comprehensive and personalised wealth management strategy. The minimum investment for this service is $500,000.
BNP Paribas Wealth Management
- AUM: 456B USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: +7,000
- AUM reporting date: September 30th, 2024
BNP Paribas is the leading private bank in Euro Zone, offering wealth management services across 18 countries. BNP Paribas’ wealth management service enables high-net-worth clients to have a portfolio that aligns best with a long-term perspective. It also facilitates planning for the future of both wealth and values.
Insignia Financial
- AUM: 319B USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: +1,500
- AUM reporting date: September 30th, 2024
Insignia Financial is a British wealth management firm that assists clients in achieving their financial goals. The company provides extensive wealth management products and services, with a high degree of individual tailoring. In addition to traditional wealth management services, Insignia Financial truly focuses on enhancing the financial literacy of its clients.
Edelman Financial Services
- AUM: 27B USD
- Number of Financial Advisors: Over 340
- AUM reporting date: January 7th, 2024
Edelman Financial Services is a US-based wealth management firm that provides a comprehensive range of services, including financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, insurance guidance, tax planning, and estate planning. It is important to note that Edelman Financial Services has recently acquired PRW Wealth Management, which has a total AUM of $500 million and a client base of over 600 individuals.
What is a Wealth Management Firm?
A wealth management firm is a financial institution that provides extensive services tailored to assist individuals and families in effective wealth management. These encompass investment management, financial planning, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, and bespoke financial services. Wealth management is designed for individuals with substantial net worth, typically considered a high-end service, aiming to elevate their financial well-being and achieve specific financial objectives.
Bottom Line
AUM is a crucial indicator for wealth management firms, given its direct impact on revenue generation. These firms typically charge fees based on a percentage of AUM, making the size of AUM a critical factor in sustaining financial health.
In this article, we highlighted the world’s largest wealth management firms based on AUM. As high-end services, the specifications can vary from customer to customer. If you’re interested in the services of any company mentioned above, we recommend reaching out to the respective firm.
We hope this article has clarified your doubts and sparked curiosity about these companies, helping you make an informed decision if you’re searching for such services.