
At Hightower Advisors, comprehensive financial planning is at the heart of everything they do. They offer a range of services that help individuals and families achieve their long-term financial goals.
Their financial planning solutions are tailored to each client's unique needs and circumstances, taking into account their values, risk tolerance, and financial objectives. This personalized approach ensures that clients receive the most effective guidance and support for their financial well-being.
With expertise in investment management, retirement planning, and estate planning, Hightower Advisors provides a one-stop-shop for all financial planning needs. Their team of experienced professionals works closely with clients to create a customized plan that addresses their specific goals and challenges.
By focusing on the big picture, Hightower Advisors helps clients make informed decisions about their financial future, giving them the confidence to achieve their dreams and aspirations.
Company Information
Hightower Advisors is a registered investment advisor based in the United States. They were founded in 1993 by Sandy Weill.
Hightower Advisors has a large team of financial advisors, with over 500 professionals working across the country.
The company offers a wide range of financial services, including wealth management, investment management, and retirement planning.
Services and Offerings
Hightower Advisors offers a range of services to help clients achieve their financial goals. Their representatives provide investment advisory services on a discretionary basis, giving them the authority to make decisions based on your Individual Investment Policy Statement (IPS).
Advisors can also provide stand-alone financial planning services upon request, which may include estate planning, college savings plans, retirement planning, insurance management, asset allocation review, cash management, and certain Treasury services.
Some of the specific services offered by Hightower Advisors include:
- Estate planning
- College savings plans
- Retirement planning
- Insurance management
- Asset allocation review
- Cash management and certain Treasury services
The firm also offers access to unaffiliated third-party money managers who can provide specialized asset management services.
Services Offered
At Hightower Advisors, you can expect a range of services to help you achieve your financial goals. They offer investment advisory services on a discretionary basis, allowing advisors to make decisions on your behalf based on your Individual Investment Policy Statement (IPS).
Advisors can also provide stand-alone financial planning services, which may include estate planning, college savings plans, retirement planning, insurance management, asset allocation review, and cash management.
Some of the specific financial planning services they offer include:
- Estate planning
- College savings plans
- Retirement planning
- Insurance management
- Asset allocation review
- Cash management and certain Treasury services
In addition to these services, Hightower Advisors may offer access to unaffiliated third-party money managers who can provide specialized asset management expertise.
Investment Philosophy
At Hightower Advisors, the investment process begins with a thorough assessment of each client, gathering key information such as risk tolerance, investment goals, and preferences. This information is used to develop an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) and an appropriate asset allocation for the investment portfolio.
The firm doesn't limit itself to specific securities, instead allocating client assets across the securities universe as needed to meet the client's goals. They consider a range of factors when evaluating investments.
Hightower Advisors employs various methods to evaluate investments, including charting, fundamental analysis, technical analysis, and quantitative analysis. These methods help them make informed decisions about where to invest client assets.
Here are the methods Hightower Advisors uses to evaluate investments:
- Charting: predicting performance based on past price movements and other available information
- Fundamental analysis: conducting in-depth analysis of a company's financials to determine future performance
- Technical analysis: making economic projections based on patterns and trends of a particular security or sector
- Quantitative analysis: creating mathematical models to predict price movements and other factors of a particular security or sector
Fees and Considerations
Hightower Advisors' representatives who are brokers or insurance agents collect commissions and other transaction-based fees, which can lead to potential conflicts of interest.
The firm is legally bound by its fiduciary duty to disclose all conflicts of interest and to act in clients' best interests at all times.
As of its most recent SEC filings, Hightower Advisors reported two disclosures of legal or regulatory actions, indicating a history of dealing with regulatory matters.
Fees Under
Fees Under Hightower Advisors are typically charged as a percentage of the client's AUM, determined by the advisor at different asset levels. For example, a 1.00% annual advisory fee on the first $1 million.
These fees are usually charged quarterly, using the fair market value of the account as of the last business day of each quarter, which translates to a fourth of the annual fee.
Clients can choose either a wrap-fee or unbundled fee schedule for investment advisory services. The wrap program covers the firm’s advisory fee along with custodial and transaction fees paid to other entities involved with the account management.
Investment advisory fees paid to the firm are separate from expenses charged by the underlying funds that the client’s portfolio invests in, such as mutual fund and ETF expenses levied by the applicable fund managers.
Fees for financial planning services can be on an hourly or fixed basis, depending on the scope of the services rendered.
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Watch Out For
Hightower Advisors has reported two disclosures of legal or regulatory actions in its most recent SEC filings.
The firm's many affiliations in the financial services industry may pose conflicts of interest. This can be a red flag for clients.
As a broker or insurance agent, Hightower Advisors' representatives collect commissions and other transaction-based fees, which can create potential conflicts of interest.
Despite these potential conflicts, the firm is legally bound by its fiduciary duty to disclose all conflicts of interest and to act in clients' best interests at all times.
Worth a look: What Is a Wealth Management Firm
Account Management
At Hightower Advisors, account management is a top priority. The firm's team of experienced professionals works closely with clients to understand their unique financial needs and goals.
They offer a range of account types, including individual and joint accounts, as well as custodial accounts for minors.
By taking a personalized approach, Hightower Advisors aims to provide clients with tailored investment solutions that meet their specific objectives.
Client Types and Account Sizes

Hightower Advisors serves a diverse range of clients. This includes non-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
The firm also caters to corporate retirement plans governed by ERISA, certain pension and Taft-Hartley plans, trusts and estates, charitable organizations, business entities, institutional organizations such as universities, and state and municipal entities.
Notably, the firm doesn't require a minimum investment to start a relationship. However, they do note that their services may not be beneficial for clients with small asset levels due to higher fees.
These expenses can significantly impact account sizes below $500,000, making it less viable for clients with smaller portfolios.
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Opening an Account
To open an account with Hightower Advisors, you can start by calling their main office at (312) 962-3800.
You can also find advisors close to you by visiting their website at https://www.hightoweradvisors.com/find-advisor, which can be a great way to get personalized advice and guidance.
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Partnerships and Recognition
Hightower Advisors has partnered with Altium, a company that offers a direct indexing platform and tax managed portfolio solutions. This partnership brings together two industry leaders to provide clients with innovative investment strategies.
Altium's automated system closely manages client portfolios by identifying tax-loss harvesting and rebalancing opportunities every day. This approach ensures that clients' assets are optimized for their specific needs.
Jim Dowling, a partner at Altium, emphasizes the importance of personalized trading strategies in working with clients. Altium's advisors work closely with clients to design a tailored approach that suits their financial goals.
The partnership between Hightower Advisors and Altium is a testament to the growing demand for tax-efficient investment solutions. By combining their expertise, they aim to provide clients with more effective portfolio management.
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About Bellevue
At Hightower Bellevue, financial planning is a team effort. They think like a team and act like a team, always putting the client's interests first.
Their mission is to provide foundational wealth services that help clients build, manage, and preserve their wealth. They strive for clients to have confidence in their plan and a future to live their passions.
They welcome clients to join them in navigating the complex world of planning their future. They provide independent financial advice that adheres to the highest fiduciary standard, earning their clients' trust.
Securities offered through Hightower Securities, LLC, a Member FINRA/SIPC.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hightower Advisors lawsuit?
Hightower Advisors is involved in a lawsuit with a former employee, with both parties accusing each other of violating non-compete agreements and business practices. The dispute centers on allegations of advisor poaching and unfair business tactics.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hightower_Advisors
- https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/high-tower-advisors-review
- https://twickenhamadvisors.com/twickenham-blog-template.html
- https://altiumwealth.com/blogs/news/altium-recognized-amidst-new-partnership-with-hightower-advisors
- https://hightowerbellevue.com/index.html
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