Pathwise

CRD#174215
Investment Advisor Firm

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Learn more about Pathwise

  • Overview
  • By the Numbers
  • Products and Services
  • Fee Structure
  • Types of Clients
  • Disclosures
  • State Registrations
  • Office Locations
  • Firm Advisors

    • Overview

    Pathwise operates as a financial advisory company that has its headquarters in Pleasant Hill, California. It handles $125.3 million in assets under management over 520 client accounts, making it a mid-tier firm in the United States by assets under management (AUM). It has a small group, including 2 financial advisors. Pathwise is not a registered broker-dealer, signifying that the advisor is not able to buy and sell securities for its own accounts as well as its clients' and instead is required to go through a broker-dealer firm to do so. Securities are tradable fiscal investments like bonds, equities and options.

    Pathwise oversees the majority of the firm's client assets on a discretionary basis. Discretionary management means that an investment advisor has the discretion to make transaction decisions for the client's account without requiring the client's approval. Pathwise also administers 69 non-discretionary accounts totaling $7.0 million in AUM. The firm manages roughly $240,979 for each customer account. The average financial advisor at Pathwise oversees around 260 client accounts.

    The company's central office is located at 2255 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill, California 94523. It is legally registered to serve clients throughout a few states, including California and Texas.

    Assets Under Management

    $125.3 million

    Number of Advisors

    2

    Disclosures

    No

    Office Location

    2255 Contra Costa Blvd.
    Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

    Pathwise by the Numbers

    Total Assets Under Management

    $125.3 million

    National Average: $8.6 billion
    Total Number of Employees

    3

    National Average: 64
    Total Number of Accounts

    520

    National Average: 375,227
    Average Account Size

    $241.0 thousand

    National Average: $23.0 thousand
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    Products and Services

    Pathwise offers a number of services, which can include financial planning services, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses and pension consulting services. In the prior financial year, the company provided 26-50 of its customers with financial planning services. The company is not involved in selling products or offering services apart from investment advice to its investment advisory clients. It is also affiliated with a number of other companies in the financial services industry, including with an accountant or accounting firm.

    Core Advisor Services

    • Offered by 31% of firms

      Financial Planning Services

      This is the process of planning for your financial future, including for events such as retirement, your child's college education or estate succession.

    • Offered by 46% of firms

      Portfolio Management

      This is the selection and management of an investment mix and portfolio strategy for individuals and small businesses.

    • Find a firm that offers this service

      Market Timing Services

      This is the practice of attempting to make short-term profits on investments by buying low and selling high.

    Other Services

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    Fee Structure

    Financial advisory fees largely are based on which services the firm provides the client. However, fee types charged by the company may include the following fee types: asset-based or fixed. Pathwise does not participate in a wrap fee program, in which the company offers a service bundle for a single fee.

    Available

    • Offered by 69% of firms

      Percentage of Assets

      Show Explanation

      This fee, which is the most common fee type charged by advisors for portfolio management, is based on the amount of assets you have under management. Also referred to as an asset-based fee, this fee typically ranges from 0.50%-2.00% of AUM annually. You'll typically pay a lower rate the more assets you have under management.

    • Offered by 32% of firms

      Fixed

      Show Explanation

      Fixed fees are a one-time, lump sum charged for a specific service, like the creation of a financial plan without subsequent implementation. This can be useful if you only need advice for one specific purpose, rather than a long-term advisor. Fixed fees usually range from $1,000 to $3,000.

    Unavailable

    • Find one of the 21% of firms that offer this fee type

      Hourly

      Show Explanation

      Like a lawyer, a financial advisor may charge you by the hour. This can be helpful if you are only looking for short-term or one-time advice. Rates typically range from $100-$300 per hour, depending on the complexity and level of services needed.

    • Find one of the 1% of firms that offer this fee type

      Commissions

      Show Explanation

      Occasionally, advisors earn commissions from selling financial products, such as securities or insurance policies, or making certain referrals or transactions. Advisors who earn commissions may be incentivized to make certain recommendations to clients in order to make a commission. Fee-only advisors do not earn commissions, while fee-based advisors may.

    • Find one of the 26% of firms that offer this fee type

      Performance-based

      Show Explanation

      Advisors only earn performance-based fees if a portfolio outperforms a defined benchmark. This fee may be calculated in a number of ways but most commonly is charged as a percentage of investment profits. Performance-based fees may incentivize advisors to make riskier decisions in order to generate higher returns.

    • Find one of the 0% of firms that offer this fee type

      Subscription

      Show Explanation

      Firms generally charge this fee for educational materials provided, such as a monthly magazine. This can be useful if you want to learn about investing or financial management on your own.

    • Find one of the 10% of firms that offer this fee type

      Other

      Show Explanation

      Firms can sometimes charge customers using non-traditional fee structures. See this firm's Form ADV for more details.

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    Types of Clients

    The company works with retail investors, high net worth investors and pension plans. Out of its 520 customers, Pathwise's biggest client is high net worth investors, though it also caters to 77 high-net-worth individuals. The SEC defines a high-net-worth individual as someone who has at least $750,000 under management or a net worth of more than $1.50 million or who counts as a "qualified purchaser" (a standard met by having at least $5 million in investments). Just 2% of the firm's customers are represented by people from outside of the U.S.

    • High-Net-Worth Individuals* - 62.1%
    • Other Individuals - 35.48%
    • Corporations - 2.42%
    • Charitable Organizations - 0%

    * The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines a high-net-worth individual as someone who has at least $750,000 under management.

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    Disclosures

    Pathwise does not have any disclosures.

    Please visit its Form ADV for more details.

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    Financial Advisors at Pathwise

    Arek Puzia
    Pleasant Hill, CA
    Ryan Wells
    Pleasant Hill, CA

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