Smartleaf Asset Management announces strategic partnership with Clearstead Advisors

investmentnews.com:

A strategic partnership has been announced between Smartleaf Asset Management, the RIA subsidiary of Smartleaf, and Clearstead Advisors.

The collaboration will enable clients of the $30 billion AUA Clearstead to gain from greater personalization and tax optimization that will be offered by its advisors including direct indexes and other tax efficient investment options.

SAM will act a subadvisor for Clearstead and be responsible for the ongoing review, rebalancing, and trading of Clearstead’s client portfolios including the implementation of client preferences as set by advisors such as product selection, values-based criteria, socially responsible investing, and security screens.

“We cater to firms that have moved beyond product, trade and performance-oriented value propositions, and instead strive to be their clients’ lifetime financial coach and guardian,” said Gerard Michael, president of Smartleaf Asset Management. “Clearstead exemplifies this client-centric approach, and we are thrilled to play a role in this ongoing journey.”

SAM will also ensure that Clearstead’s clients are benefiting from the most tax-efficient strategies and will provide a “taxes saved or deferred report” detailing how this has been conducted.

“Smartleaf Asset Management is an entrepreneurial partner with flexibility, scale and proven capabilities,” said Aneet Deshpande, executive managing director and chief investment officer at Clearstead. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with them to provide greater personalization and tax optimization options for our advisors and their clients’ portfolios. This collaboration is entirely consistent with Clearstead’s planning-first approach with a focus on taxes.”