A money manager is a professional or firm that oversees an investor's portfolio, making decisions about what to buy, sell, or hold to grow wealth while managing risk.
They are also commonly called portfolio managers, asset managers, or investment managers.
Money managers are responsible for investment selection (researching markets, analyzing financial statements, interviewing company executives, and using data analytics to choose securities), portfolio construction (building diversified portfolios aligned with a client's goals and risk tolerance), ongoing monitoring (adjusting holdings as markets shift or client needs change), risk management (using diversification, hedging, and asset allocation to protect capital), and client communication (understanding goals, explaining strategies, and providing updates).
Money managers are used by individuals wanting professional oversight of retirement savings or investments; institutions such as pension funds, endowments, and corporations; and busy professionals who prefer to outsource financial planning and investment decisions.
Most money managers charge a percentage of assets under management (AUM), typically under 1% for personal money managers. This fee structure aligns their incentives with portfolio growth. They do not earn commissions, unlike brokers, which reduces conflicts of interest.
People hire money managers to gain access to CFA-level expertise and advanced research tools, for the ability to navigate macroeconomic trends and market shifts, for time savings for clients with demanding schedules, and personalized strategies tailored to goals like retirement, wealth growth, or capital preservation.
Types of money managers include discretionary managers, who make decisions without needing client approval each time; non-discretionary managers who provide advice, the clients approve trades; specialized managers who focus on sectors or asset classes; and personal money managers who handle budgeting, taxes, and expenses in addition to investments.
 
 
Recommended Resources
AllianzGI is the active management arm of Allianz Group, operating globally with a large institutional and retail client base. It offers equity, fixed-income, multi-asset, and private markets strategies. It operates in more than 21 locations worldwide, serving institutional investors, retail investors, and Allianz Group assets. Its website emphasizes active management conviction, sustainable investing, and "impact beyond alpha" as a strategic theme. Press data is provided.
https://www.allianzgi.com/
Founded in 1968, American Century Investments is a privately controlled, independent investment management firm based Kansas City, Missouri. The firm also maintains offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Sydney to serve its global clients. American Century offers mutual funds, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), and retirement accounts and advisor solutions, while supporting medical research. Many of its funds a reno-load, meaning investors do not pay upfront commissions.
https://www.americancentury.com/
BNPPAM is the global asset management arm of BNPParibas and one of Europe's largest investment managers, with a platform spanning liquid markets, alternatives, and long-term savings. BNPPAM designs and manages investment solutions for institutional, corporate, retail, and wealth clients worldwide, operating in more than 35 countries. Its mission centers on client-focused investment delivery, long-term savings and alternatives leadership, and sustainability integration.
https://www.bnpparibas-am.com/en/
Founded by Ken Fisher in 1979, Fisher Investments is a U.S.-based independent money management firm headquartered in Plano, Texas. Fisher is a fee-only fiduciary wealth management firm serving primarily high-net-worth investors, and is known for active portfolio management, personalized strategies, and higher-than-average fees. The firm offers portfolio management, personalized asset allocation, financial planning, and a dedicated investment counselor. Contacts are presented.
https://www.fisherinvestments.com/en-us
GenLife is an Australian financial services company specializing in tax-effective investment bonds and investment-linked lifetime annuities, positioned as an alternative or complement to superannuation. It is part of Generation Development Group and is headquartered in Melbourne. It offers investment life insurance products marketed heavily to financial advisors and high-net-worth people for wealth accumulation, retirement planning, estate planning, and intergenerational wealth transfer.
https://genlife.com.au/
Founded in 2009, with roots to the 1940s, and based in Allentown, in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, Magellan is a wealth advisory and financial planning firm that positions itself as a multigenerational, full-service family home office, offering long-term, relationship-driven financial guidance for individuals, families, executives, and business owners. Its emphasis is on personalized, consultive wealth management rather than transactional services. Its services are highlighted.
https://magellanlv.com/
A subsidiary of Bank of America, Merrill Edge, launched in 2010, is an electronic trading platform and investment advisory service for investing in financial assets, including stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, margin lending, mutual funds, and options. The company offers various account types, investment advisory services, robo-advisors, its MarketPro technical analysis software, and cash management. An introduction to the firm's investment, planning, and retirement services is highlighted.
https://www.merrilledge.com/
Merrill Personal Investing and Trading
Formally Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Merrill is the investing and wealth-management arm of Bank of America, offering both self-directed online trading and professionally managed portfolios. A broker-dealer and registered investment adviser under Bank of America, it provides self-directed trading, managed portfolios, and retirement, education, and small-business accounts. Its investment products and account types are highlighted, along with its services.
https://www.merrilledge.com/investing
Milford is a specialist investment company with a strong history of growing wealth and increasing the prosperity of our economy. In 2003 an experienced group of individuals recognised New Zealanders needed a world-class investment partner they could trust. They banded together and established Milford. We practice what we preach, aligning our interests with those of our investors. This means we invest alongside our clients, in the same funds as they do.
https://milfordasset.com/
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Northwestern Mutual is a financial services mutual organization providing consultation on wealth and asset protection, income protection, education planning, retirement planning, investment advisory services, financial planning, trusts, private client services, estate planning, and business planning. Its products include several insurance plans, disability income, and investment advisory products and services. Career information is provided.
https://www.northwesternmutual.com/
Founded in 2016, Perennial Partners is a privately owned investment firm that partners with boutique managers across public and private markets, and is structured as a "house of specialist investment teams," a platform that hosts multiple boutique fund managers while providing them with operational, strategic, and distribution support. Its model emphasizes independence for investment teams, alignment of interests, and active management focus. Contact details are provided.
https://perennial.net.au/
Perpetual (Australia) is a truly global asset manager with a growing international footprint. One of Australia's most trusted investment managers through its brands, Perpetual and Pendal, the firm has a growing presence in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Within Australia, the combined group has a broad range of capabilities across Australian and global equities, credit, fixed income, multi-asset, and ESG. Its capabilities and funds are set forth.
https://www.perpetual.com.au/asset-management/
Based in Montclair, New Jersey, RMR Wealth is a registered investment advisory (RIA) or wealth management firm offering financial planning, investment management, and related advisory services. According to the firm's website, it is a registered investment adviser with the SEC and transacts business in states where properly registered, excluded, or exempted from registration. Its services are highlighted on its website, which includes informational articles and videos.
https://www.rmrwealth.com/
Founded in 1937 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, T.Rowe Price is a global investment management firm. Positioned as one of the world's largest active asset managers, the company is a global investment manager offering mutual funds, retirement products, subadvisory services, and institutional asset management. It is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker TROW and is part of the S&P 500, and has clients in more than 50 countries. A client login is available.
https://www.troweprice.com/
Founded in 1975, the Vanguard Group is an American registered investment adviser based in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Considered one of the Big Three index fund managers, Vanguard is the largest provider of mutual funds and the second-largest provider of exchange-traded funds. It also offers brokerage services, educational account services, financial planning, asset management, and trust services. Its main categories include Investments, Superannuation, and Adviser Solutions.
https://www.vanguard.com.au/
Wright Investors' Service, Inc.
Headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, Wright is a long-established investment advisory firm known for its quality-driven research process, institutional heritage, and client-centric portfolio management. The SEC-registered investment advisory firm's client list includes individuals, high-net-worth investors, institutions, pension plans, and municipalities. Its core identity and philosophy, services, firm structure, regulatory details, and corporate background are provided.
https://www.wrightinvestorsservice.com/
Located in Portage, Michigan, Zhang Financial is a comprehensive fee-only wealth management group. As a proud member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), we offer unbiased advice, unparalleled financial success products, continuing education, extensive planning, and fiduciary commitments. Our financial services include planning strategies for investment, retirement, college, and more, as well as protection plans. Contacts are posted.
https://www.zhangfinancial.com/


