Sagient

What Sagient does

Sagient is an independent wealth management firm headquartered in El Segundo, California, with additional offices across California (Beverly Hills, Whittier, Alhambra, Irvine) and Honolulu, Hawaii. Operating as Sagient Insurance & Financial Services, LLC, the firm was rebranded in October 2023 under CEO Paul Karlitz and carries more than 100 years of institutional history. It serves high-net-worth individuals, ultra-high-net-worth families, business owners, and expanding families through 85 financial advisors, managing approximately $2 billion in client assets.

The firm delivers a unified suite of six core services — financial planning, asset management, insurance, estate planning, retirement planning, and business/executive benefits planning — anchored by a behavioral finance methodology designed to mitigate emotional decision-making. Underlying operations are supported by a modern wealthtech stack that includes Advisor360's AI-empowered CRM, AI-driven advisor training tools (RUBY/FUEL), AI-powered marketing automation (Brevity), and a fraud-prevention partnership with Carefull. Securities, investment advisory, and financial planning services are distributed through MML Investors Services, LLC, a MassMutual affiliate, giving Sagient regulatory infrastructure and product shelf coverage across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Sagient generates revenue through recurring financial planning and investment advisory fees (subscription-style, quote-based per client engagement) supplemented by one-time commissions on insurance placements (life, disability, long-term care). Distribution is relationship-led via direct advisor channels and referral networks, with content marketing and PR (YouTube, LinkedIn, industry trade publications) feeding top-of-funnel awareness. In February 2026 the firm appointed its first Chief Investment Officer, signaling institutional buildout, and has announced plans to add approximately 30 advisors in 2026 to accelerate organic growth.

Name

Sagient

Legal name

Sagient Insurance & Financial Services, LLC

Website

https://sagientfs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sagient is an independent wealth management firm managing approximately $2 billion in client assets through 85 advisors across California and Hawaii. It offers integrated financial planning, asset management, insurance, estate, retirement, and business planning services to high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners, distributed through MassMutual's MML Investors Services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wealth Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital/Hybrid Robo-Wealth & Retirement Advisory (FSAEABAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Managed Accounts & Model Portfolios (SMA/UMA) (FSAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Wealth management services
• Financial planning advisory
• Asset management
• Estate planning services
• Retirement planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Beverly Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Financial Planning Fees: Fees for comprehensive financial planning services covering investments, insurance, estate planning, retirement planning, and employee benefits.
2. Investment Advisory Fees: Fees for investment management and asset management services, including tax-aware strategies.
3. Insurance Products: Commissions from insurance products including life, disability, and long-term care insurance. Implementation of specific products or services may result in commissions or fees outside of the financial planning fee.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sagient is an independent wealth management firm delivering comprehensive financial advisory services across six integrated areas: financial planning, asset management, insurance, estate planning, retirement planning, and business planning. Services are anchored by behavioral finance principles and delivered through a network of 85 financial advisors supported by modern wealthtech platforms and AI-powered digital automation. The firm manages approximately $2 billion in client assets for high-net-worth individuals, ultra-high-net-worth families, and business owners.

Product overview

Sagient is an independent wealth management firm offering a unified suite of financial services, not a modular software platform. The core offering spans six integrated service areas — Financial Planning (anchored by behavioral finance principles), Asset Management, Insurance, Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, and Business Planning/Executive Benefits — all delivered through a team of advisors supported by proprietary wealthtech tools and AI-powered digital automation. The firm also produces educational video content through its 'The Sage' video series. Services are coordinated holistically, with advisors serving as the primary client-facing interface rather than discrete self-service products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Financial Planning Comprehensive financial planning services that integrate personal finance strategies, estate strategies, business strategies, and implementation strategies tailored to individual, business, and family needs. Delivered through a team of financial advisors.
• Asset Management Tax-aware asset management strategies developed to help clients expand savings, acquire wealth, and protect their family or business through holistic, risk-aware portfolio management. Part of Sagient's investment advisory offerings.
• Insurance Evaluation and placement of life, disability, and long-term care insurance plans to address unexpected events and protect clients' financial security. Insurance is positioned by Sagient as the foundation of financial planning, functioning as a risk management and estate strategy tool.
• Estate Planning Ongoing estate planning process including tax minimization strategies, trust structures, wills, and legacy planning to help clients confidently build and preserve their legacy. Supports wealth transfer across generations.
• Retirement Planning Retirement planning strategies designed to help clients weather unexpected events, receive appropriate care, and enjoy their retirement years according to their preferences. Includes ongoing monitoring of retirement plan progress.
• Business Planning Business planning services including cash flow management, succession planning, and employee benefits to support business growth at every stage. Tailored for business owners and entrepreneurs.
• Executive Benefits Comprehensive employee benefits analysis and implementation to help business owners effectively and affordably provide benefits to their teams. Includes design and administration of employee benefit programs.
• Behavioral Finance Advisory Financial advice incorporating behavioral finance principles that address client emotions, biases, and values to drive better financial outcomes. Helps clients manage fear, anxiety, and overconfidence to minimize their impact on financial decision-making.

Quantifiable outcome

• The firm manages approximately $2 billion in client assets with 85 financial advisors, indicating significant scale and trust.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MassMutual / MML Investors ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSagient is affiliated with MassMutual's independent wealth management platform. Securities, investment advisory and financial planning services are offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC, a MassMutual affiliate and member SIPC. This partnership provides regulatory infrastructure, product platform, and back-office support.
• Advisor360coreTechnology or IntegrationThe firm uses Advisor360 for CRM, leveraging this AI-empowered wealthtech platform for client relationship management, practice management, and data analytics to support advisor operations and client service.
• CarefullcoreTechnology or IntegrationCarefull is a fraud prevention partner used by Sagient to provide layered financial hygiene protection for clients, including credit monitoring, account surveillance, and fraud alerts. The partnership helps maximize fraud prevention for clients.
• RUBY (FUEL Training Consultants)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAI-empowered training platform partnered with for advisor training and development, helping enhance advisor skills and knowledge.
• Advisor Resource GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance partner with logo displayed on the Sagient website, representing a collaborative relationship in the financial services ecosystem.
• Baroldi Gundersen Insurance & Financial ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance partner with logo displayed on the Sagient website, representing a collaborative relationship in the financial services ecosystem.
• Hanasab InsuranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance partner with logo displayed on the Sagient website, representing a collaborative relationship in the financial services ecosystem.
• Jones/Halder & AssociatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance partner with logo displayed on the Sagient website, representing a collaborative relationship in the financial services ecosystem.
• Summit CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance partner with logo displayed on the Sagient website, representing a collaborative relationship in the financial services ecosystem.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mercer Advisors: National RIA serving HNW households with holistic financial planning, investment management, tax, and estate services. Acquired by Oakley Capital/GTCR; competes head-to-head with Sagient in the comprehensive HNW planning category with much larger AUM (~$50B+) and similar behavioral-finance-influenced planning philosophy.
• Mariner Wealth Advisors: Independent RIA offering comprehensive wealth advisory to HNW/UHNW clients, including financial planning, investment management, estate planning, and tax services. Operates as a multi-affiliate model with national footprint; comparable in offering breadth and target client profile to Sagient, though larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• LPL Financial: Largest independent broker-dealer in the U.S. supporting ~22,000 advisors with compliance, custody, and product platforms. Direct alternative to Sagient's MassMutual affiliation; comparable in supporting independent financial advisors serving HNW clients with planning and investment management offerings.
• Fisher Investments: Large independent investment management firm serving HNW and institutional clients with discretionary portfolio management and personalized investment counseling. Comparable in scale and target HNW client base; demonstrates the brand and AUM scale a focused independent advisory firm can achieve, representing both a competitor and aspirational benchmark.
• Goldman Sachs Personal Financial Management: Goldman Sachs' wealth advisory unit (formerly Ayco) serving HNW individuals and corporate executives with holistic planning, investment management, and credit solutions. Comparable in HNW/UHNW target market and full-service planning model; backed by Goldman balance sheet and brand but operates at much larger scale.
• Morgan Stanley Wealth Management: Largest U.S. wealth manager by advisor headcount and AUM, serving HNW/UHNW clients through financial advisors, including teams like the Shadden Group (Pete Alliegro's prior firm). Directly comparable in target client and service offering; provides a benchmark for scaled, brand-rich HNW wealth management that independent RIAs must differentiate against.
• Raymond James Financial Services: Large diversified financial services firm with significant independent advisor channel offering wealth management, financial planning, and investment services. Comparable in advisor-driven HNW wealth model; provides an alternative affiliation option to MassMutual and is a candidate partner for advisor recruiting.
• Edelman Financial Engines: Large-scale RIA combining advisor-led financial planning with digital tools, serving HNW mass-affluent and corporate clients. Comparable in target market and hybrid digital-advisor model; much larger scale and brand recognition; represents both a competitor for inbound leads and a potential acquirer or roll-up partner for smaller RIAs.
• Creative Planning: One of the largest independent RIAs in the U.S. with ~$300B+ AUM, serving HNW and UHNW clients through comprehensive financial planning. Directly comparable to Sagient in service offering (financial planning, investment management, estate planning, behavioral finance) but vastly larger in scale, providing a national benchmark for what a scaled RIA can become.
• Focus Financial Partners: Partnership model holding company supporting independent RIAs and wealth management firms with M&A, capital, and operational infrastructure. Sagient could be a candidate Focus affiliate or comparable peer; Focus represents the institutional route for scaling an independent RIA of Sagient's profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkVsrzeyDUGjFFmIDlMp7mg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Sagient
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sagientfs
• Instagraminstagram.com/sagientfs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sagient