Hightower Takes Stake in HNW-Focused Firm in Washington

What You Need to Know

RIA Hightower’s strategic investment in Bellevue, Washington-based Highland Private Wealth Management is its fifth deal so far in 2022.

RIA Hightower said Wednesday that it made a strategic investment in Highland Private Wealth Management, a $1.2 billion wealth management firm in Bellevue, Washington that was founded in 1999.

The transaction marked Hightower’s fifth deal of 2022 and followed its announcement two weeks ago that it facilitated a sub-acquisition for Fairport Wealth, an advisory business in Cleveland, Ohio that manages $3.3 billion in client assets.

Among the other deals this year, Hightower said in February it made an investment in Grant Tani Barash & Altman, a business management firm based in Beverly Hills, California, that provides high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients with bill payment, tax preparation and other concierge-style financial management capabilities.

As of June 30, Hightower’s assets under management were $108.4 billion, while assets under administration were about $132.6 billion, it said, noting it now has 131 advisory businesses in 34 states and the District of Columbia.

Hightower didn’t specify how much of a stake it took in Highland or provide financial terms of the transaction. Hightower didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

For the deal, Highland was advised by Raymond James’ Asset & Wealth Management investment banking team and received legal counsel from Peterson Russell Kelly Livengood, Hightower said.

Highland, which has 18 employees, including five advisors, offers wealth counseling, investment management and financial planning services to executives, professionals, business owners, wealth beneficiaries and other HNW households, Hightower said.