BlackRock to ramp up custom models business with GeoWealth partnership

BlackRock to ramp up custom models business with GeoWealth partnership
The TAMP will help expand advisors’ access to BlackRock’s private markets, direct indexing, and fixed income SMAs.
JUN 26, 2024

BlackRock has entered into a strategic partnership with financial technology firm GeoWealth, expanding its offerings in the $37 trillion US wealth market.

The collaboration, unveiled Wednesday morning, will enable advisors to access private markets, direct indexing, and fixed income SMAs through GeoWealth’s platform, alongside traditional ETFs and mutual funds, in a single account.

“By combining BlackRock’s portfolio design expertise with GeoWealth’s implementation platform, we will make it easier for advisors to build a models-based practice and enable broader access to private markets – one of today’s most sought-after asset classes,” Eve Cout, head of portfolio design and solutions within BlackRock’s US wealth advisory business, said in a statement Wednesday.

Cout emphasized the goal of meeting evolving client needs for diversified, personalized, and tax-efficient strategies.

GeoWealth, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Chicago, is a turnkey asset management platform designed for modern RIAs.

“We are excited to collaborate with BlackRock to unlock the next phase of our growth and deliver on key initiatives as we continue building on our proprietary technology,” said Colin Falls, CEO of GeoWealth, underscoring the partnership as a testament to his firm’s “dedication to innovation and streamlining the advisor experience.”

The partnership aims to bolster BlackRock’s custom models business, which has attracted $31 billion in new assets over the past four years.

Those models, including private market strategies, will soon be available on GeoWealth’s platform, providing advisors with a streamlined and scalable solution that integrates both public and private market investments, which have been historically challenging to access for investors outside of the high-net-worth and institutional crowd.

The partnership builds on GeoWealth’s pre-existing partnership with BlackRock. Since 2021, its platform has offered products from the world’s largest asset manager; more recently this year, it launched fixed income SMAs and SMAs from Aperio, which BlackRock snapped up in a landmark acquisition unveiled in late 2020.

As of December 31, 2023, GeoWealth’s platform managed over $28 billion across more than 180,000 accounts and nearly 200 RIAs. In 2023, GeoWealth expanded its third-party model marketplace to feature over 700 models from more than 70 asset managers.

With a focus on growth in the US wealth market, BlackRock is positioning itself as a comprehensive portfolio partner for advisors in an increasingly complex environment. The US wealth advisory business remains a key growth driver for BlackRock, contributing approximately a quarter of the firm’s revenues in 2023.

Latest News

Indie $8B RIA adds further leadership talent amid growth drive
Indie $8B RIA adds further leadership talent amid growth drive

Executives from LPL Financial, Cresset Partners hired for key roles.

Stock volatility remained low despite risk events
Stock volatility remained low despite risk events

Geopolitical tension has been managed well by the markets.

Fed minutes to provide signals on rate cuts
Fed minutes to provide signals on rate cuts

December cut is still a possiblity.

Trump's tariff talk roils markets, political leaders
Trump's tariff talk roils markets, political leaders

Canada, China among nations to react to president-elect's comments.

Ken Leech formally charged by SEC, US Attorney's Office
Ken Leech formally charged by SEC, US Attorney's Office

For several years, Leech allegedly favored some clients in trade allocations, at the cost of others, amounting to $600 million, according to the Department of Justice.

SPONSORED The future of prospecting: Say goodbye to cold calls and hello to smart connections

Streamline your outreach with Aidentified's AI-driven solutions

SPONSORED A bumpy start to autumn but more positives ahead

This season’s market volatility: Positioning for rate relief, income growth and the AI rebound