William Blair Investment Management, LLC

CRD#173961
Investment Advisor Firm

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Learn more about William Blair Investment Management, LLC

  • Overview
  • By the Numbers
  • Fee Structure
  • Types of Clients
  • Disclosures
  • State Registrations
  • Office Locations

    • Overview

    William Blair Investment Management, LLC operates as a financial advisor company that has its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. It administers $56.0 billion in assets under management over 1,094 accounts, placing it among the largest firms in the United States by assets under management (AUM). William Blair Investment Management, LLC has a large team, including 144 financial advisors. William Blair Investment Management, LLC is not a registered broker-dealer, signifying that the firm cannot buy and sell securities for its accounts and those of its customers and instead is required to go through a broker-dealer company to do so. Securities are defined as exchangable financial assets like options, bonds and equities.

    William Blair Investment Management, LLC oversees all of the company's client assets on a discretionary basis. Discretionary management signifies that a portfolio manager has the discretion to make transaction choices for the client's account without requiring client approval. The advisory firm manages an average of $51.2 million for each account. The typical financial advisor at William Blair Investment Management, LLC manages about eight client accounts, placing it among the more personalized advisor firms in the country.

    The firm's headquarters is located at 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606-1598. William Blair Investment Management, LLC is registered to provide services to investors throughout 51 U.S. states and territories.

    Assets Under Management

    $56.0 billion

    Number of Advisors

    144

    Disclosures

    No

    Office Location

    150 North Riverside Plaza
    Chicago, IL 60606-1598

    William Blair Investment Management, LLC by the Numbers

    Total Assets Under Management

    $56.0 billion

    National Average: $8.6 billion
    Total Number of Employees

    377

    National Average: 64
    Total Number of Accounts

    1,094

    National Average: 375,227
    Average Account Size

    $51.2 million

    National Average: $23.0 thousand
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    Fee Structure

    Fees charged by financial advisors largely depend on which service is provided. However, fees billed by the company most likely consist of the following fee structures: asset-based or performance-based. Wrap fee programs, or the practice of bundling services for a single fee, are offered by William Blair Investment Management, LLC.

    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 26% of firms

      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.

    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 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 32% of firms that offer this fee type

      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.

    • 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.

    Back to Overview

    Types of Clients

    William Blair Investment Management, LLC manages money for a number of different clients. William Blair Investment Management, LLC works with high net worth investors, investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, pension plans, charitable organizations, state or municipal government entities, other investment advisers, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, corporations and other. Out of its 1,094 accounts, William Blair Investment Management, LLC's biggest client group is other, although it also caters to six high-net-worth individuals. The SEC defines a high-net-worth individual as an investor who has at least $750,000 in AUM or a net worth of at least $1.50 million or who is considered a "qualified purchaser" (a standard met by having at least $5 million in investments). Just 4% of the company's clients are non-U.S. persons.

    • High-Net-Worth Individuals* - 0.56%
    • Other Individuals - 0%
    • Corporations - 93.28%
    • Charitable Organizations - 6.16%

    * 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

    William Blair Investment Management, LLC does not have any disclosures.

    Please visit its Form ADV for more details.

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