Magnetic North Financial
Magnetic North Financial LLC is a privately-held registered investment advisory firm operating as a DBA of OneSeven, providing discretionary investment management via its Curiosus global growth strategy and Low Volatility Hedged Process to qualified clients, families, and retirees in the Southeast US.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersMount Pleasant, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Magnetic North Financial does
Magnetic North Financial LLC is a privately-held registered investment advisory firm founded in 2016 and headquartered in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Operating as a DBA (Doing Business As) of OneSeven, an SEC-registered investment adviser, the firm provides investment management, financial planning, and insurance and annuity solutions to qualified clients, families, small-to-medium businesses, and retirees, primarily in the Southeast US. The firm is founder-led by Christopher R. Lakian, who has been licensed as a financial professional since 2004, and operates with 1-10 employees.
The firm offers two core discretionary investment strategies. Curiosus is the flagship global growth strategy that uses Starmine Analytics (owned by LSEG, London Stock Exchange Group) to evaluate companies across eight proprietary metrics, selecting a concentrated portfolio of 32-44 holdings from the top 25% of each metric on a rolling two-year average basis. The Low Volatility Hedged Process applies Markowitz's Efficient Frontier Analysis to construct portfolios of low-cost, non-leveraged ETFs and index funds for retirement-focused clients seeking capital preservation. Supporting both strategies, the firm delivers financial planning through MoneyGuidePro (Envestnet), consolidated performance reporting via Black Diamond (SS&C), portfolio analytics through Kwanti Analytics, and technical analysis via DeMark Analytics. Client assets are custodied at three independent qualified custodians: Raymond James, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity. All investment approaches adhere to Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) standards, with ACA Compliance Group providing regulatory oversight.
Magnetic North generates revenue through investment advisory fees calculated as a percentage of assets under management, consistent with the standard RIA fee model, supplemented by insurance and annuity commissions via partnerships with TruChoice, Amerilife, and Simplicity Group. The firm distributes through a direct advisory sales model led by the CEO and advisors, employing a consultative onboarding process that includes ADV-2B regulatory disclosures, financial planning discussions, and strategy recommendations, followed by annual review meetings. As a DBA within the broader OneSeven network—which spans 15 states, holds $4.3B in aggregate AUM, and maintains SEC registration—Magnetic North benefits from regulatory infrastructure and operational support while maintaining its own client relationships, proprietary investment strategies, and brand identity.
Magnetic North Financial firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Magnetic North Financial
- Legal name
- Magnetic North Financial LLC
- Website
- https://magneticnorthfinancial.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Magnetic North Financial LLC is a privately-held registered investment advisory firm operating as a DBA of OneSeven, providing discretionary investment management via its Curiosus global growth strategy and Low Volatility Hedged Process to qualified clients, families, and retirees in the Southeast US.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Magnetic North Financial industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Investment Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory (BPAHADAB)
Keywords
Where Magnetic North Financial is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mount Pleasant
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Magnetic North Financial business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Investment Advisory Services: The firm operates as a registered investment adviser (DBA of OneSeven) providing discretionary managed investment services. Revenue is generated through investment advisory fees, typically calculated as a percentage of assets under management. The firm manages $4.3B in assets under management across 15 states.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Magnetic North Financial product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Magnetic North Financial is a registered investment advisory firm (operating as a DBA of OneSeven) that provides discretionary managed investment portfolios and financial planning services. Its two flagship investment strategies are Curiosus, a global growth strategy using a proprietary algorithm with Starmine Analytics to score companies across eight proprietary metrics, and the Low Volatility Hedged Process, a low-risk retirement-oriented strategy sourcing ETFs and index funds screened against Markowitz Efficient Frontier criteria.
Product overview
Magnetic North Financial offers two distinct investment strategies designed for qualified clients seeking clarity, diversity, and focus on achieving financial life goals. Curiosus is the flagship global growth strategy utilizing Starmine Analytics (LSEG) with eight proprietary metrics, targeting 32-44 companies with consistent long-term prospective growth. The Low Volatility Hedged Process provides a conservative, low-risk approach for retirees, sourcing low-cost ETFs and index funds with daily liquidity. Both strategies are supported by financial planning services using MoneyGuidePro and performance reporting via Black Diamond by SS&C, with client assets custodied at Raymond James, Charles Schwab, or Fidelity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Curiosus: Latin for curious and inquisitive, Curiosus is Magnetic North Financial's flagship global growth investment strategy developed for investors seeking long-term capital growth unbound from conventional equity allocation theory. It uses Starmine Analytics (owned by LSEG) to analyze companies using eight proprietary metrics.
- Low Volatility Hedged Process
Products and services
- Curiosus Flagship global growth investment strategy designed for investors seeking long-term capital growth unbound from conventional equity allocation theory. Uses Starmine Analytics (LSEG) with eight proprietary metrics to analyze companies in the top 25% across rolling two-year averages, maintaining 32-44 companies in the portfolio. Available to qualified clients of Magnetic North Financial.
- Low Volatility Hedged Process A safe, low-risk investment option developed for retirement clientele facing risks of losing savings due to unexpected events, economic downturns, and other issues. Sources low-cost ETFs and index funds meeting specific criteria based on technical and fundamental measurements aligned with investment committee risk metrics. Available to clients of Magnetic North Financial.
- Financial Planning Services Comprehensive financial planning services using MoneyGuidePro by Envestnet, including initial introductions, ADV-2B regulatory disclosures, financial plan creation, risk management discussions, and annual review meetings for progress assessment. Offered to families, individuals, and small to medium businesses.
Quantifiable outcome
- S&P 500 could reach 5,500 by December 31st, 2024 (7.1% growth as of March 1st, 2024)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Magnetic North Financial
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Magnetic North Financial technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature5 records
Magnetic North Financial partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- OneSevenflagshipOneSeven is the parent SEC-registered investment adviser under which Magnetic North Financial operates as a DBA (Doing Business As). Magnetic North Financial LLC provides investment advisory services under the OneSeven brand and regulatory umbrella, with OneSeven providing custodial agreements, compliance oversight, and operational support across their national network.
- Raymond JamescoreRaymond James is one of three qualified custodians used by Magnetic North Financial to protect and hold client financial assets. Provides account infrastructure, statement delivery, and asset safekeeping services.
- Charles SchwabcoreCharles Schwab is one of three qualified custodians used by Magnetic North Financial to protect and hold client financial assets. Provides account infrastructure, statement delivery, and asset safekeeping services.
- Fidelity InvestmentscoreFidelity Investments is one of three qualified custodians used by Magnetic North Financial to protect and hold client financial assets. Provides account infrastructure, statement delivery, and asset safekeeping services.
- TruChoiceminorGlobal insurance broker partner collaborating with Magnetic North Financial to provide insurance and annuity solutions to clients.
- AmerilifeminorInsurance broker partner collaborating with Magnetic North Financial to provide insurance and annuity solutions to clients.
- SimplicityminorInsurance broker partner (Simplicity Group) collaborating with Magnetic North Financial to provide insurance and annuity solutions.
- ACA Compliance GroupcoreGlobal compliance and regulatory company providing OneSeven and its practices including Magnetic North Financial with regulatory expertise, strategic leadership in technology, advisory cybersecurity, risk, and regulatory compliance. As of August 25th, 2025, ACA reaches 6,350 clients globally, 1,400 employees worldwide, spanning 60 countries.
- Envestnet (MoneyGuidePro)coreEnvestnet's MoneyGuidePro is the financial planning software used by Magnetic North Financial to calculate income around client financial plans and evaluate risk based on the risk-free rate and required investment returns. Also provides financial planning reports and monitoring systems.
- LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) - Starmine AnalyticscoreStarmine Analytics, owned by LSEG, provides the proprietary eight-metric scoring system used by Magnetic North Financial's Curiosus investment algorithm to analyze companies domestically and abroad. The algorithm was developed specifically for the firm to analyze companies unburdened by human opinion.
- Fortune Financial ServicesminorFortune Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a separate entity from OneSeven through which certain Advisory Persons may offer securities as registered representatives. Christopher Lakian holds this registration in his individual capacity.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Magnetic North Financial competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Creative Planning: Large fee-only RIA providing discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning to households and businesses across multiple states, comparable in service breadth and target market.
- Carson Group: RIA network that supports independent advisor practices under a parent brand, very similar in structure to Magnetic North's relationship with OneSeven. Both rely on centralized investment platforms and back-office support for sub-practices.
- Mercer Advisors: National RIA offering discretionary portfolio management plus financial planning to households, with both growth and conservative strategies, mirroring Magnetic North's two-strategy product line.
- Fisher Investments: Large RIA with a proprietary global equity growth strategy targeting qualified clients, directly comparable to Magnetic North's Curiosus offering in product positioning and target client.
- Mariner Wealth Advisors: Large independent RIA network with a similar multi-practice, advisor-affiliation model. Comparable in offering multi-strategy discretionary portfolios to families and individuals, with centralized compliance and operational support analogous to OneSeven.
Broad incumbents
- Focus Financial Partners: PE-backed RIA aggregator with a practice-affiliation model conceptually similar to OneSeven, representing the consolidator archetype that Magnetic North is too small to compete with on inorganic growth.
- Edelman Financial Engines: One of the largest US RIAs combining advisor-led wealth management with planning tools, comparable to Magnetic North's financial planning plus managed portfolios bundle at materially greater scale.
- Cetera Financial Group: Large advisor network supporting independent practices with custody, compliance, and technology infrastructure, paralleling OneSeven's role for Magnetic North at much larger scale.
Others
- Commonwealth Financial Network: Independent broker-dealer and RIA custodian network; relevant as one of the ecosystem providers (alongside Raymond James, Schwab, Fidelity) that small advisory practices depend on for custody and clearing.
- Cambridge Investment Research: Independent broker-dealer supporting RIAs with custody and back-office services, comparable to the role played by OneSeven's custodian partners in Magnetic North's operating model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Magnetic North Financial social profiles
Digital presenceMagnetic North Financial compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Magnetic North Financial financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Magnetic North Financial leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Magnetic North Financial funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Magnetic North Financial M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Magnetic North Financial
What does Magnetic North Financial do?
Magnetic North Financial is a registered investment advisory firm (operating as a DBA of OneSeven) that provides discretionary managed investment portfolios and financial planning services. Its two flagship investment strategies are Curiosus, a global growth strategy using a proprietary algorithm with Starmine Analytics to score companies across eight proprietary metrics, and the Low Volatility Hedged Process, a low-risk retirement-oriented strategy sourcing ETFs and index funds screened against Markowitz Efficient Frontier criteria.
Is Magnetic North Financial a public or private company?
Magnetic North Financial is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Magnetic North Financial founded?
Magnetic North Financial was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Magnetic North Financial based?
Magnetic North Financial is headquartered in Mount Pleasant, United States, in the North America region.
How does Magnetic North Financial make money?
One revenue line is on record: investment Advisory Services.
Who are Magnetic North Financial's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Creative Planning, Carson Group, Mercer Advisors, Fisher Investments and Mariner Wealth Advisors. Broad incumbents are Focus Financial Partners, Edelman Financial Engines and Cetera Financial Group. Others are Commonwealth Financial Network and Cambridge Investment Research.
Does Magnetic North Financial have an API?
No public API is recorded for Magnetic North Financial.
What industry is Magnetic North Financial in?
Magnetic North Financial's product category is Investment Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHADAB, Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.