Advisors Increasingly Embracing Illiquid Investment Solutions
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
BlackRock (NYSE: BLK), a global leader in investment management, risk
management, and advisory services, has partnered with financial
technology firm Artivest to provide broader distribution and efficient
access to its alternative investment strategies to an expanded segment
of qualified investors through their advisors. Artivest’s
technology-driven investment platform connects a wider audience of
investors with alternative investment opportunities that have
traditionally been available only to institutional investors.
BlackRock, which has been managing alternatives for more than three
decades, has approximately $120 billion in assets under management
across alternative investment strategies. Advisors will now be able to
access BlackRock’s private infrastructure investment opportunities with
the ease, efficiency and high-touch service that they have come to
associate with the firm.
The BlackRock / Artivest partnership will provide the advisor community
with:
-
A custom site for convenient, secure review of select BlackRock
offerings
-
Specialized access funds for lower-minimum investing
-
Streamlined online processes for client onboarding and reporting
-
Educational content and full-service support to make complex
strategies more accessible
“This relationship is a first-of-its kind for BlackRock and highlights
our continued focus on providing leading portfolio solutions to our
advisors and their clients,” said Hollie Fagan, Head of BlackRock’s RIA
business. “RIAs in particular are placing a greater emphasis on illiquid
alternatives to insulate their clients from market volatility while
seeking to deliver competitive market returns.”
“We are honored that BlackRock has chosen Artivest to help expand and
improve advisors’ access to alternatives for their qualified clients,”
said James Waldinger, founder and CEO of Artivest. “BlackRock is not
only the largest asset manager, but is also among the industry’s leading
innovators. We’re thrilled to be working together with their world-class
team to bring next-generation alternative investment solutions to
BlackRock’s vast network of advisory clients at scale.”
“Over the past several years we’ve seen a growth in interest in
infrastructure from advisors and their qualified investors looking for
opportunities that potentially provide differentiated sources of return
over the long term,” said Jim Barry, global head of BlackRock Real
Assets. “Through this partnership, we will be able to offer a larger
segment of investors streamlined and more cost-effective access to
illiquid infrastructure opportunities.”
About Artivest
Artivest is a technology-driven alternatives investment platform that
connects the wider audience of financial advisors and suitable investors
with premier private equity, hedge fund, and other alternative strategy
providers at lower minimums. Artivest's technological, financial, legal,
and operational expertise powers a seamless experience for investors and
a scalable point of access for managers of alternative products. With
brokerage services provided by Artivest Brokerage, LLC, the firm’s
affiliated FINRA-registered broker-dealer, Artivest provides a complete
end-to-end solution.
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a global leader in investment management, risk management
and advisory services for institutional and retail clients. At June 30,
2016, BlackRock's AUM was $4.890 trillion. BlackRock helps clients
around the world meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range
of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares®
(exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock
also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system
services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock
Solutions®. As of June 30, 2016, the firm had
approximately 12,700 employees in more than 30 countries and a major
presence in global markets, including North and South America, Europe,
Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa.
GMC-0194
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160929005688/en/
Artivest Media:
Maria Jose Gonzalez, Prosek Partners
(212)
279-3115 x260
MJGonzalez@Prosek.com
or
BlackRock
Media:
Farrell Denby, BlackRock
(212) 810-8034
Farrell.Denby@BlackRock.com
Source: BlackRock