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Company Details
GCG Wealth Management has a rich history, with its origins dating back to the 1970s. The firm, under its current ownership and management since 1994, has cultivated a legacy of excellence through decades of steady growth and innovation. Built on the principles of integrity and collaboration, GCG’s advisors have leveraged their combined expertise for over 20 years to help clients achieve their financial goals.
GCG’s mission is embodied in the bonsai tree—a symbol of balance, growth, and longevity. The tree reflects the firm’s philosophy of creating harmony in every aspect of a client’s financial life, whether navigating anticipated milestones or responding to unforeseen challenges. This long-term perspective and client-focused ethos define their commitment to fostering financial health and success.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, GCG Wealth Management is led by a team of experienced professionals committed to sustaining the firm’s high standards. Their leadership embodies the values of balance and excellence, driving innovation while maintaining a client-first approach.
GCG Wealth Management positions itself as a comprehensive and client-focused financial partner, offering personalized strategies designed to address the unique needs of individuals, families, and businesses. The firm emphasizes a holistic approach to wealth management, integrating all aspects of a client’s financial life to create tailored solutions for achieving financial security and growth.
Services and Expertise
1. Financial Planning
GCG provides customized financial plans to help clients prepare for life's uncertainties and opportunities. Their services encompass:
- Goal-Based Planning: Strategies for short- and long-term objectives.
- Sophisticated Financial Tactics: Advanced solutions for clients with complex planning needs.
2. Retirement Planning
Through their Personal CFO platform, GCG offers real-time financial aggregation of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses, enabling clients to view their complete financial picture. Services include:
- Income strategies to sustain retirement lifestyles.
- Custom plans to address evolving needs and scenarios.
3. Estate, Gift, and Trust Planning
GCG helps clients preserve and transfer wealth to future generations with tax-efficient strategies. They assist with:
- Legacy planning and wealth transfer.
- Structuring estates to maximize impact on beneficiaries.
4. Corporate and Business Solutions
GCG serves business owners and executives with a variety of tailored services:
- Succession Planning: Guidance for smooth transitions and liquidity events.
- Tax-Efficient Exit Strategies: Designed for maximum value.
- Employee Benefits: Including 401(k) and compensation plans.
5. Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW) Services
For UHNW individuals and families, GCG offers family-office-style services with advanced customization:
- Asset Allocation: Optimized for substantial portfolios.
- Alternative Investments: Access to unique investment opportunities.
- Custom Wealth Planning: Strategies tailored to complex financial circumstances.
6. Life Insurance and Risk Management
Recognizing the importance of safeguarding wealth, GCG provides full-spectrum risk management solutions:
- Insurance reviews to protect clients against unforeseen risks.
- Integration of risk management into broader financial strategies.
GCG Wealth Management is distinguished by its:
- Holistic Wealth Management: They integrate financial planning, investment advisory, and estate planning into a cohesive strategy.
- Technology-Driven Solutions: The Personal CFO platform delivers real-time insights into a client’s financial status, ensuring informed decision-making.
- Tailored Services: GCG’s solutions are uniquely crafted to align with individual goals, offering flexibility to adapt to changing life circumstances.
- Fiduciary Commitment: As a fiduciary, GCG prioritizes client interests with unbiased advice and transparent fee structures.
- Deep Expertise: Their team of advisors brings decades of experience in navigating complex financial challenges for individuals, families, and business owners.
Why Clients Choose GCG Wealth Management
GCG’s approach is grounded in a deep understanding of each client’s financial life stages, providing personalized guidance and coaching. By leveraging advanced technology and industry expertise, the firm delivers peace of mind and financial clarity, making them an ideal partner for clients seeking comprehensive wealth management solutions. Their emphasis on building long-term, trusted relationships further underscores their value to retail clients.
General Investment Philosophy GCG Wealth Management emphasizes a client-first approach, with their advisors having complete freedom of choice in solutions and strategies recommended to clients.. Their philosophy is centered around client-centric investing, tailoring investment strategies to meet specific financial objectives such as retirement, education, or legacy planning. They integrate all aspects of a client’s financial picture, ensuring investments complement broader wealth management strategies. GCG also focuses on providing sophisticated solutions tailored to client needs, leveraging a mix of investment advisory and broker-dealer services.
Portfolio Construction GCG Wealth Management uses a combination of modeled and custom bespoke portfolios. They offer an open architecture through Envestnet, providing access to hundreds of separately managed accounts (SMAs) and a wide variety of model delivery strategies. Among these options are ten in-house GCG models available to advisors at no cost. The platform accommodates niche investment approaches, including DFA, ESG, SRI, although the firm maintains a neutral stance and does not actively promote any single direction. This comprehensive and adaptable platform ensures that clients have the resources and support necessary to achieve their financial goals.
Securities Used GCG Wealth Management prefers a mix of individual stocks, individual bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and annuities. They also provide access to unique opportunities beyond traditional markets for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, including private equity, structured products, real estate, and hedge funds. The use of alternative investments is currently minimal but is being enhanced.
Investment Team and Process The investment team at GCG Wealth Management is composed of multiple members with diverse expertise, including portfolio management, research, and client service. Investment decisions and strategies are likely managed collaboratively by the executive team and senior financial advisor
Key members include:
- Joel Burris: CEO, guiding GCG's strategic growth and ensuring the alignment of the firm's services with client needs.
- Joey Hagner: Head of M&A Corporate Strategy Business Development, driving mergers and acquisitions and facilitating GCG's expansion.
- Cynthia Butcher: Chief Financial Officer, managing GCG's financial operations and ensuring fiscal responsibility.
- Richard Brown: Chief Information Security Officer, protecting client data through robust cybersecurity protocols and leading the implementation of advanced IT solutions.
Advisor Support and Collaboration GCG Wealth Management provides comprehensive support to advisors, including access to a hybrid platform, technology stack, and back-office operations. Advisors have direct access to the investment team for questions and insights and opportunities to provide feedback and request customizations for specific client needs.
Locations
Company Videos
Acquisition Model
Minority, Majority, & Full Acquisition
Direct Rollover Equity & Profit Interest
Yes
Max Cash: 80%
Max Equity: 30%
GCG's standard terms are 40% held in retention over a 12 month period.
GCG offers a 20% ongoing payout on the percentage of revenue acquired and a 60% ongoing payout for revenue retained by the representative. These two figures are blended into their model to offer a combined payout structure moving forward. Additionally, GCG can incorporate growth hurdles for additional bonuses or profit interest units, providing further incentives for performance and growth.
Mandatory Points of Alignment
Advisors are permitted to retain their brand or co-brand with GCG.
For streamlined efficiency, GCG requests that all advisors centralize their operations and utilize centralized technology solutions.
Advisors have complete autonomy over what gets recommended to their clients.
P&L management is segregated per local office with a collaborative approach to making financial decisions.
GCG Wealth Management delivers a "planning first." This approach allows them to offer a wide range of solutions, including insurance, alternatives, private placements, traditional portfolio management, estate planning, and trust planning. GCG uses advanced CRM systems and digital tools to enhance the client experience, including client portals like eMoney and Client Central, and communication tools like MyRepChat and Mailchimp.
GCG maintains a dedicated practice management team available for advisors to leverage if they choose so.
Advisors can continue to manage their own strategies but have the option to centralize trading if they prefer to do so.
Advisor Value Proposition
GCG offers advisors and partners full access to its “Partnered Independence” platform, allowing them to outsource as much or as little of their daily tasks as they wish. This platform includes services such as investment processing, insurance applications, LinkedIn management, marketing campaigns, investment management, daily trading, wire transfers, and all operational tasks. Additionally, GCG's middle and back office handles all leases, bill payments, and vendor management, providing a turnkey solution that enables advisors to focus exclusively on their clients.
GCG is currently in the process of hiring remote or virtual CFPs to establish an in-house planning department. These professionals will not compete for business as advisors; instead, they will be salaried CFPs dedicated to running, building, updating, and presenting financial plans using one of GCG's financial planning programs.
GCG's middle and back office takes over all leases, bill payments, vendor management, and other administrative tasks, allowing advisors to focus entirely on their clients while benefiting from a fully turnkey solution.
GCG offers a comprehensive suite of additive services designed to enhance the capabilities of advisors and provide exceptional support for their clients. These services include risk management and boutique lower middle market investment banking, which encompasses exit strategy consulting, capital raising, and valuation services for business owner clients. Additionally, GCG provides trust and estate planning, with the ability to refer clients to attorneys, and access to Premier Trust, a trust company owned by Osaic, at no cost to advisors. The firm also offers family office structure and consulting services through a partnership with BNY Mellon, creating a virtual family office without an internal structure. Furthermore, a Tax Planning Division is slated for launch soon, further expanding the range of services available to advisors and their clients.
GCG's marketing initiatives are designed to help advisors grow their practices effectively. Lead generation is bolstered through a strategic partnership with a publicly traded personal financial website, providing approximately $150 million in investable asset leads monthly. GCG hosts several events annually for advisors and clients, and offers robust support for advisors in their own marketing efforts. Additionally, the Marketing Director customizes digital marketing campaigns and paid LinkedIn promotions tailored to each advisor's specific region, ensuring targeted and effective outreach.
The practice management team, comprised of the leadership team, is dedicated to assisting advisors and partners. They provide support in employee reviews and performance management, and help partners identify and implement strategic growth initiatives. The decentralized process ensures cross-training among team members, allowing them to step in and assist whenever needed, enhancing overall efficiency and support.
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