Wells Fargo Funds Management [see profile] has formed a group dedicated to the RIA channel. The team consists of six people, including three regional consultants.

The mutual fund firm is also rolling out a Web resource caled "RIA Advantage" and programs focusing on practice management and asset management.

The three regional consultants are Kyle Najarian, who covers the West; Darin Thomas, who covers the Central territory and Paul Salamone, who covers the East.

The RIA team also includes strategic relationship manager Matthew Straut, regional consultant manager Scott Engroff and marketing strategy manager Craig Taylor.

"RIAs have been an important client segment to which our external sales force has provided continuous support and guidance for many years," according to Cara Peck, president of Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, in an e-mailed statement to The MFWire.com. "Recently, we've experienced such pronounced growth that we believe the creation of a new team dedicated to meeting their unique needs is an appropriate step toward providing continued partnership to our RIA clients."

Company Press Release

SAN FRANCISCO--Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, announced today the launch of a new initiative with the goal of providing consultative guidance and partnership to its growing base of Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) clients. The RIA initiative will take the form of a new team of regional consultants, programs focused on practice management and asset management, and a dedicated web resource, "RIA Advantage."

"Our team will utilize a suite of proprietary practice management and asset management resources and will provide tailored solutions to help our RIA clients manage their firms more effectively and identify opportunities for growth."

According to a recent Cerulli study, RIAs are expected to continue as the fastest growing advisor segment in the industry with projected market share gains of 7.7% by 20141. Experiencing this growth firsthand, Wells Fargo is responding with a dedicated effort specific to this distinct client segment.

"We are experiencing exciting growth in our RIA client base, and we are pleased to launch an initiative dedicated to meeting the unique needs of this expanding and important client segment," said Cara Peck, president of Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC. "Our team will utilize a suite of proprietary practice management and asset management resources and will provide tailored solutions to help our RIA clients manage their firms more effectively and identify opportunities for growth."

Wells Fargo offers RIAs a range of practice management and asset management tools designed to help them strengthen their business. The firm�s proprietary practice management solutions help advisors build efficiency into their practices, develop their brand, manage for scale, and find niche opportunities. In terms of asset management resources, the firm offers market and economic research, analytical papers, an ongoing series of timely "Investment Perspectives" pieces, and detailed quarterly fund commentaries that offer in-depth, qualitative and quantitative performance analysis and attribution.

Many of these resources will be made available to RIAs through Wells Fargo�s team of regional consultants, in-house professionals, and outside experts. Additionally, RIAs will be able to access Wells Fargo�s expertise through a new web portal, RIA Advantage, which will include a full suite of programs, investment resources, and an ongoing business-building video series.

"Our growing base of RIA clients is actively seeking solutions for building and solidifying their business," said Peck. "Whether working with an advisor to benchmark and identify potential areas of growth or leveraging the investment expertise of market strategists and portfolio managers, we believe our RIA clients will benefit from our commitment to partnership and dedication to their success."

RIAs who are interested in learning more about Wells Fargo's commitment to partnership can contact an RIA regional consultant at 1-888-368-7742 or visit the RIA Advantage web portal at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com/ria.

Strength. Expertise. Partnership.

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds skillfully guides institutions, financial advisors, and individuals through the investment terrain to help them reach their financial objectives. Everything we do on behalf of our investors is built on the standards of integrity and service established by our parent company, Wells Fargo & Company; the expertise of our independent investment teams and rigorous ongoing investment review; and the collaborative level of superior service that is our trademark.

Stay ahead of the news ... Sign up for our email alerts now
CLICK HERE