Fratarcangeli Wealth Management

10.13.25

What differentiates your approach from other wealth management firms?

We take a 360-degree approach to wealth management. We examine every aspect of a client's financial picture: tax planning, liability management, estate planning, risk assessment, and insurance needs. Our team also specializes in areas other firms might overlook, like executive compensation packages with RSUs and deferred comp plans, or helping NIL athletes manage sudden wealth with compressed timelines.

What is your company culture like, and how does it influence your client service model?

Our culture stands on the four pillars established when going independent: we are one team pushing in the same direction; client experience is second to none; we treat everyone with respect both inside and outside our walls; we work with urgency and own every situation we encounter. These values drive everything. In practice, this means we're fully accountable; we either own a situation completely or don't take it on. If you play not to get hurt or not to lose, you'll get hurt and lose. So we bring everything we have to each client interaction.

You've built a sizeable team across multiple offices. How do you ensure consistency in service delivery and maintain your firm's values as you've grown?

Consistency begins with hiring the right people. Our internship program has evolved significantly since 1996. Today, it's a comprehensive experience where participants learn financial literacy, meeting preparation, and observe client interactions with client approval. We expose them to every aspect of wealth management, from investment banking to tax planning to estate strategies.

What types of clients do you typically work with, and what are their most common financial concerns?

Our practice is primarily focused on four groups: executives with complex compensation packages, entrepreneurs with both business and personal wealth concerns, high-net-worth families dealing with generational wealth transfer, and athletes and entertainers with compressed earning timelines. Regardless of their background, we find all successful clients share similar concerns. Protection becomes paramount as wealth increases. The more money people have, the less comfortable they often become. There's a constant tension between growth and security, especially with new wealth where we see people trying to hit a grand slam with every swing rather than focusing on preservation and combating inflation.

How has your CEO’s personal experiences influenced the way the firm is structured?

Jeffrey Fratarcangeli’s journey as a Division 1 soccer player profoundly shaped his approach. Athletics taught him about camaraderie, accountability, and performing under pressure. When his playing career ended, he had to rebuild his identity, a transition many athletes face. This experience helped him connect with clients experiencing similar life pivots. Early in his career, he worked under extreme pressure. If you were in the bottom quintile at the end of each quarter, you were fired immediately. No second chances. This forged resilience that he now values in team members. Having offices in both Detroit and Manhattan provided another advantage. could observe the best practices in wealth management's epicenter while maintaining connections in the Midwest.

How do you help clients prepare for wealth transfer and educate the next generation?

We view this as critical work because keeping wealth proves much harder than making it. We organize family meetings focused on intellectual capital, preparing the next generation for both financial responsibilities and emotional challenges that accompany wealth. Many clients' children work with us temporarily to understand wealth management from the inside. This hands-on education makes abstract concepts tangible and demonstrates what goes into proper financial stewardship. We also coordinate with trusted attorneys and other professionals to create comprehensive legacy plans. The goal isn't just tax efficiency but true preparation. The emotional aspects of wealth transfer can be excruciating, and if the next generation isn't prepared for the financial side, everything can crumble. Our approach creates continuity, helping families maintain wealth across generations instead of becoming another statistic of fortune lost.

When meeting with a potential new client, what's your process for understanding their needs and determining if there's a good fit with your firm?

Virtually all our clients come through referrals, which creates an initial foundation of trust since they've typically heard positive experiences from someone they respect. During initial meetings, our priority is understanding what truly matters to that individual, family, or organization - their core concerns, objectives, and values. The connection must be authentic. When clients recognize genuine care about their wellbeing, they become more receptive to advice, particularly regarding difficult subjects like mortality planning or market volatility. We also assess whether our specialized expertise aligns with their specific needs. Not every prospective relationship makes sense to pursue. In certain cases, the most responsible approach is acknowledging when another advisor might better serve their particular situation. Good practice management sometimes means selectively declining opportunities that aren't optimal matches.

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