WWK Investments, a Northville, Mich., family-owned registered investment advisor with about $675 million in brokerage, advisory and retirement plan assets, has joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer, corporate registered investment advisor and custodial platforms, LPL has announced.
Tom Welch founded his brokerage business in 1974 on the premise of putting investors first. He was a solo practitioner for two decades until his sons Dan and Jason joined the business as financial advisors. The firm was rebranded WWK Investments upon Tom Welch’s retirement in 1997 and it eventually became a hybrid RIA. It has grown to include advisors Tom O’Connor and Nicole Farrell, as well as a four-member office support staff.
The team specializes in managing retirement plans for corporations and providing personalized portfolio management for wealthy families and individuals.
Firm president Dan Welch said it has been great to continue the legacy that his father started. “The biggest lesson that he taught us was the importance of putting our clients’ best interests first--to solve problems, not sell products. Being independent allows us to do that,” he said in a statement. “Our integrity is our greatest asset, and our first and only obligation is to help our clients pursue their goals through suitable investments,” he added.
The team chose LPL because it was seeking a partner with scale to help relieve some of the compliance burdens and provide their team and clients with innovative technology, the release noted. “We found LPL was the ideal fit, allowing us to do what we’ve been doing for decades—manage money in our client’s best interest—along with self-clearing capabilities and the ability to handle everything under one roof,” said Jason Welch, vice president and chief compliance officer. “LPL is the largest in the independent space and doesn’t offer proprietary products. We are free to operate our business and help our clients as we see fit.”
Rich Steinmeier, LPL Financial managing director and divisional president, business development, said LPL is honored to be WWK Investments' partner of choice as they elevate their business and continue Tom Welch’s legacy of doing the right thing for their clients. “Supporting our advisors is our one and only focus, and we are committed to making continuous investments in the innovative capabilities and resources to help them differentiate their practices and focus on what matters most to them—their clients,” he said.