2018 Large Firm Forum Sponsors

Baron is an asset management firm focused on delivering growth equity investment solutions. Founded in 1982, we have become known for our long-term, fundamental, active approach to growth investing. We were founded as an equity research firm, and research has remained at the core of our business.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is a leading global investment firm that has been translating academic research into practical investment solutions since 1981. We strive to build deep, enduring relationships with advisors who share our desire to create better financial outcomes for clients. Dimensional and its global affiliates manage $460 billion for clients worldwide (as of December 31, 2016).

Fidelity Clearing & Custody SolutionsSM provides a comprehensive clearing and custody platform, brokerage services, trading capabilities, and practice management consulting to broker-dealer firms, banks, insurance companies, registered investment advisors—including, strategic acquirers and professional asset managers—and retirement recordkeepers. FCCS’ goal is to help institutional clients be future-ready by offering access to our exceptional people, knowledgeable consultations, and transformative technology.

At Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions, we understand that the future of financial advice is upon us. Our goal is to help you evolve and transform — positioning you for success in the changing landscape of wealth management and advice. In addition to providing comprehensive custody services and products we take a unique approach to help firms be future-ready. We do this by offering actionable insights to help you manage and grow your business, committed teams to support you, and smart technology to help you enhance productivity and deepen client relationships.

At Focus we believe that to build a great business, you have to solve a big problem. And that’s exactly what we set out to do when we launched Focus Financial Partners in 2006. The problem, as we see it, is two-fold: Although more and more clients are seeking independent financial advice from what’s become a $2.3 trillion growth industry, advisors don’t always know how to accelerate growth and ensure continuity.

To address the pressing needs of both clients and advisors, we created Focus Financial Partners. Two years later, we introduced our Independence program, designed to help elite brokerage teams transition from wirehouses to independence. Today we are a leading partnership of independent fiduciary wealth management firms with firms across North America and the UK and an equity investment in Australia.

At Franklin Templeton Investments, we're dedicated to one goal: delivering exceptional asset management for our clients. By bringing together multiple, world-class investment teams in a single firm, we're able to offer specialized expertise across styles and asset classes, all supported by the strength and resources of one of the world's largest asset managers.

Focus on Investment Excellence: At the core of our firm you'll find multiple independent investment teams – each with a focused area of expertise – from traditional to alternative strategies and multi-asset solutions. Across the firm, our portfolio teams share a commitment to excellence grounded in rigorous, fundamental research and robust, disciplined risk management.

Global Perspective Shaped by Local Expertise: In today' s complex and interconnected world, smart investing demands a global perspective. Having pioneered global investing more than 60 years ago, our perspective is built on decades of experience and shaped by the local expertise of over 650 investment professionals who are on the ground across the globe, working to spot smart investment ideas and potential risks firsthand.

Strength and Experience: Today, Franklin Templeton is a global leader with $720.0 billion in assets under management on behalf of individuals and institutions in over 1 70 countries. Since our founding in 194 7, we've stayed focused on putting clients first and delivering relevant investment solutions, strong long-term results and reliable, personal service that have helped us to become a trusted partner to millions of investors around the globe.

iCapital Network is a financial technology platform that provides modular alternative investments solutions for registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, private banks, family offices and other sophisticated investors. The company’s state-of-the-art online portal offers a curated menu of institutional-quality private equity, private credit, venture capital, real estate and hedge funds at lower minimums, along with extensive due diligence support, an automated subscription process and integration with a wide range of custodians and reporting packages. The firm’s configurable technology and specialized suite of services can also be leveraged to support custom access vehicles for single- or multi-manager offerings and direct investments. As of December 31, 2017, iCapital’s platform serviced more than $5 billion in invested assets across a range of onshore and offshore vehicles.

Nuveen, the investment manager of TIAA, brings a legacy of service to our responsibility of managing $970 billion in assets as of December 31, 2017.Nuveen operates in 34 countries across the globe, and 3,300+ professionals serve institutional and individual investors through award-winning capabilities spanning public and private asset classes.

Payden & Rygel is a $116 billion independent investment manager founded in 1983, owned and managed only by principals 100% active in the business. We are a global leader in the active management of fixed-income and equities. Advising the world’s leading institutions and investors, we seek strong risk-adjusted performance, high-quality relationships, and no surprises.

BNY Mellon’s Pershing and its affiliates provide a comprehensive network of global financial business solutions to advisors, broker-dealers, family offices, hedge fund and ’40 Act fund managers, registered investment advisor firms and wealth managers. Many of the world’s most sophisticated and successful financial services firms rely on Pershing for clearing and custody; investment, wealth and retirement solutions; technology and enterprise data management; trading services; prime brokerage and business consulting. Pershing helps clients improve profitability and drive growth, create capacity and efficiency, attract and retain talent, and manage risk and regulation. With a network of 23 offices worldwide, Pershing provides business-to-business solutions to clients representing more than 7 million investor accounts globally. Pershing LLC (member FINRA, NYSE, SIPC) is a BNY Mellon company.

We know your business:

Ryan Insurance Strategy Consultants has had an intimate relationship with NAPFA and its members since its inception in 1983. We are one of the longest standing providers in Life, Disability and Long Term Care insurance advice to fee-only advisors. Over 75% of our business originates from repeat client referrals. We understand the impact an insurance advisor referral has on your relationship with your client.

Expertise: Fee-Only advisors utilize our expertise and advice in all levels of insurance planning. Our team, in conjunction with a network of insurance industry experts, ensures the right solution is found for each client.

Service: We feel an equal responsibility to both you and your clients.

We offer a simple and convenient online quote request for advisors and their clients, including a comprehensive explanation of insurance options so you and your clients are fully informed. We are a CFP® CE accredited sponsor and provide ongoing education for advisors through webinar conferences.

About Schwab Advisor Services

As the industry’s leading custodian for independent registered investment advisors (RIAs), Schwab Advisor Services is dedicated to helping advisors achieve their business goals. For 30 years we have supported firms of all types and sizes and earned the trust of over 7,500 advisors. Visit advisorservices.schwab.com. Schwab Advisor Services serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Schwab.

TD Ameritrade Institutional is a leading provider of comprehensive brokerage and custody services to more than 5,000 fee-based, independent Registered Investment Advisors and their clients. Our advanced technology platform, coupled with personal support from our dedicated service teams, allows investment advisors to grow their businesses more efficiently and effectively, while optimizing time spent with clients. We provide a robust offering of products, programs, and services designed to help advisors build their businesses and help their clients reach their financial goals. Learn more at tdainstitutional.com or call us at 800-934-6124.

TD Ameritrade Institutional, Division of TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.