XML Financial Group
XML Financial Group is an independent wealth management firm founded in 2004, serving high-net-worth individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and not-for-profits with comprehensive financial planning and investment management across $3.8B in client assets in the Mid-Atlantic and Colorado.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersFalls Church, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What XML Financial Group does
XML Financial Group is an independent, privately held wealth management firm founded in 2004 by Brett Bernstein and headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, philanthropic planning, insurance and risk management, and business-owner advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, families, entrepreneurs, multigenerational households, and not-for-profit organizations. It operates through a sales-led, relationship-based model in which dedicated wealth advisors deliver high-touch guidance, supported by an affiliated broker-dealer, XML Securities, LLC (member FINRA/SIPC, originating in 1981), that offers brokerage and insurance products.
The firm services approximately $3.8 billion in client assets across five office locations in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. Its technology stack consists of the XML Vault and Wealth Portal (built on the eMaplan platform) for consolidated account viewing, an XML Mobile App for iOS and Android, and integrations with two custodians, Fidelity and First Clearing (Wells Fargo). Revenue is generated primarily through recurring AUM-based advisory fees charged by federally registered investment adviser XML Financial Group, supplemented by transaction-based brokerage commissions via XML Securities and insurance commissions from affiliated and unaffiliated insurance agencies.
XML operates as a partner firm of Focus Financial Partners Inc. (NASDAQ: FOCS), a publicly traded partnership of wealth management firms that provides M&A capital and operational resources. The firm has executed an acquisition-led growth strategy, completing mergers with Samson Wealth Management Group in July 2022 (adding approximately $644 million in client assets and a Pennsylvania presence) and Collins Investment Group (announced 2021, completed 2023), expanding its Washington DC area footprint. Customer acquisition is supported by content marketing (articles, webinars, podcasts), an active social media presence, and thought-leadership outreach targeting defined persona segments across the Mid-Atlantic and Colorado.
XML Financial Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- XML Financial Group
- Legal name
- XML Financial Group
- Website
- https://xmlfg.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- XML Financial Group is an independent wealth management firm founded in 2004, serving high-net-worth individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and not-for-profits with comprehensive financial planning and investment management across $3.8B in client assets in the Mid-Atlantic and Colorado.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
XML Financial Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wealth Management
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Financial Planning–Led RIAs (FSAAACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Managed Platforms & Wrap Programs for Private Clients (Model Portfolios, UMA/SMAs) (FSAAABAM), Independent Broker-Dealers (Retail Network) (FSAAAAAC)
Keywords
Where XML Financial Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Falls Church
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
XML Financial Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Investment Advisory Services: Fee-based investment advisory services offered through XML Financial Group, a federally registered investment adviser. Revenue is generated through advisory fees charged to clients for portfolio management and financial planning services.
- Brokerage Services: Securities brokerage services through affiliated broker-dealer XML Securities, LLC (member FINRA/SIPC). XML BD offers standard and advanced brokerage and insurance products for individuals, families, businesses, and non-profits.
- Insurance Products: Insurance products offered through XML BD or unaffiliated insurance agencies. Many wealth advisors are also licensed insurance agents.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Investment advisory services - custom pricing based on assets under management and service complexity |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
XML Financial Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
XML Financial Group is an independent wealth management firm that delivers fee-based investment advisory, financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, philanthropic planning, insurance, and brokerage services to individuals, families, business owners, and non-profit organizations. Services are delivered through dedicated wealth advisors supported by an affiliated FINRA/SIPC broker-dealer (XML Securities, LLC), custody at Fidelity and First Clearing (Wells Fargo), and a proprietary client portal (XML Vault) and mobile app for consolidated multi-custodian reporting.
Product overview
XML Financial Group is a wealth management advisory firm offering a comprehensive suite of financial planning and investment management services. The firm provides an integrated technology platform consisting of the XML Vault and Wealth Portal for consolidated client account access, an XML Mobile App for on-the-go access, and affiliated brokerage services through XML Securities (member FINRA/SIPC). Services span financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, philanthropic planning, insurance and risk management, and business solutions for entrepreneurs. The firm serves diverse client segments including retirees, individuals navigating life changes, entrepreneurs, women-focused planning, multigenerational families, and non-profits, with approximately $3.8 billion in assets serviced across five locations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Financial Planning Services Comprehensive financial planning services that integrate investment, retirement, tax, and estate considerations to address each client's goals and resources. Offered as part of the firm's wealth management solutions to individuals, families, business owners, and non-profits.
- Investment Management Portfolio management and investment advisory services delivered through a team-driven, collaborative approach in which multiple professionals work together on each portfolio. Includes fee-based advisory services as a federally registered investment adviser.
- Retirement Planning Retirement planning services including distribution planning, Social Security optimization, and tax-efficient drawdown strategies for individuals and families approaching or in retirement.
- Estate Planning Estate planning coordination and intergenerational wealth management services supporting clients with wills, trusts, and the transfer of wealth across generations.
- Philanthropic Planning Charitable giving strategies and philanthropic planning services, including donor-directed giving and structures for high-net-worth clients and non-profit organizations.
- Insurance & Risk Management Insurance products and risk management solutions including life, health, and property insurance offered through XML Insurance Services and many wealth advisors who are also licensed insurance agents.
- Business Solutions Financial planning and wealth management services tailored for business owners and entrepreneurs, including business exit planning, succession planning, and integration of business and personal wealth strategies.
- XML Securities Brokerage Services Affiliated broker-dealer services offering standard and advanced brokerage and insurance products for individuals, families, businesses, non-profits, and associations. Originated in 1981 and is a member of FINRA/SIPC. Provides clearing and custody through First Clearing (Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC).
- XML Vault and Wealth Portal Client-facing digital portal for XML clients to access consolidated account information, view reports, and manage their wealth across multiple custodians including Fidelity and First Clearing. Built on the eMaplan platform.
- XML Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android allowing clients to stay connected to their financial picture and access podcasts, webinars, blog posts, and other resources published by XML.
Quantifiable outcome
- $3.8 billion+ in assets serviced
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use XML Financial Group
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
XML Financial Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature3 records
XML Financial Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and strategic.
- Samson Wealth Management GroupmajorSamson Wealth Management Group, a Pennsylvania-based firm, completed its merger with XML Financial Group effective July 1, 2022. The merger expanded XML's presence into Pennsylvania and added approximately $644 million in client assets.
- Collins Investment GroupmajorCollins Investment Group announced an agreement to join XML Financial Group, a Focus Financial Partners partner, in Maryland. The transaction expanded XML's presence in the Washington DC area. Collins brought experienced advisors including Jordan VanOort and Meredith Wade.
- FidelitycoreFidelity serves as one of two primary custodians for client assets. XML advisors can offer Fidelity investment accounts to clients as part of comprehensive wealth management services.
- First Clearing (Wells Fargo)coreFirst Clearing, a trade name for Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, provides clearing and custody services to XML Securities as an introducing broker-dealer. Serves as one of two primary custodians for client accounts.
- Goldman SachsstrategicGoldman Sachs Asset Management collaborates with XML on market outlook webinars and provides strategic advisory perspectives. The partnership includes Securities-Backed Lines of Credit offerings through Goldman Sachs Private Bank.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
XML Financial Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wealth Enhancement Group: Focus Financial partner firm offering wealth management, financial planning, and tax services, with an aggressive acquisition-led growth strategy. Direct comparability in partner-firm economics, service model, and M&A-driven scaling.
- Hightower Advisors: Large RIA partnership focused on serving HNW clients and families, built through advisor breakaways and acquisitions. Comparable in M&A-driven growth, comprehensive wealth offering, and partnership economics for breakaway advisors.
- Carson Wealth: Focus Financial partner firm providing holistic financial planning, investment management, and tax/estate services to individuals and businesses. Comparable scale range, RIA-plus-broker-dealer model, and active M&A growth strategy.
- Edelman Financial Engines: Large national RIA providing investment advisory and financial planning to retail and HNW households with a strong workplace and direct-to-consumer channel. Direct comp on recurring AUM-fee model, broad planning offering, and advisor-supported delivery.
- Mariner Wealth Advisors: Large Focus Financial Partners partner firm offering comprehensive wealth advisory, including investment management, financial planning, retirement, and estate services to HNW clients. Directly comparable partner-firm model, multi-custodian architecture, and similar service-line breadth.
- The Colony Group: Focus Financial partner firm providing investment management, financial planning, and family-office services to HNW clients. Direct comp in partner-firm model, multi-office Mid-Atlantic/Mid-US footprint, and advisor-led service delivery.
- Lido Wealth Advisors: Focus Financial partner firm providing wealth management and financial planning services with breakaway-advisor acquisition strategy. Comparable in partnership economics and HNW/HNW-adjacent client focus.
- Creative Planning: Large independent RIA offering holistic wealth management including financial planning, investment management, and tax services to HNW individuals and families. Direct comp on service breadth, recurring AUM-fee model, and targeting of mass-affluent and HNW segments.
Broad incumbents
- BNY Mellon Wealth Management: Large established wealth management division of a global custody bank, offering comprehensive planning, investment management, and trust services to HNW/UHNW clients. Overlapping capability set and HNW focus, but at materially larger scale.
- Bessemer Trust: Established multi-generational wealth and investment management firm serving UHNW families and institutions. Comparable on legacy, estate, and trust services, but at a substantially larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
XML Financial Group social profiles
Digital presenceXML Financial Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
XML Financial Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
XML Financial Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
XML Financial Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
XML Financial Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
XML Financial Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about XML Financial Group
What does XML Financial Group do?
XML Financial Group is an independent wealth management firm that delivers fee-based investment advisory, financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, philanthropic planning, insurance, and brokerage services to individuals, families, business owners, and non-profit organizations. Services are delivered through dedicated wealth advisors supported by an affiliated FINRA/SIPC broker-dealer (XML Securities, LLC), custody at Fidelity and First Clearing (Wells Fargo), and a proprietary client portal (XML Vault) and mobile app for consolidated multi-custodian reporting.
Is XML Financial Group a public or private company?
XML Financial Group is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was XML Financial Group founded?
XML Financial Group was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is XML Financial Group based?
XML Financial Group is headquartered in Falls Church, United States, in the North America region.
How does XML Financial Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Investment Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are brokerage Services and insurance Products.
Who are XML Financial Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wealth Enhancement Group, Hightower Advisors, Carson Wealth, Edelman Financial Engines, Mariner Wealth Advisors, The Colony Group, Lido Wealth Advisors and Creative Planning. Broad incumbents are BNY Mellon Wealth Management and Bessemer Trust.
Does XML Financial Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for XML Financial Group.
What industry is XML Financial Group in?
XML Financial Group's product category is Wealth Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAACAB, Financial Planning–Led RIAs, with a secondary code of FSAAABAM, Managed Platforms & Wrap Programs for Private Clients (Model Portfolios, UMA/SMAs). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.