Each year, Barron’s ranks the Top Independent Advisors, but like all things 2020, this year’s list was different. “The pandemic and its economic aftershocks have spurred consolidation. Small advisor teams that might have remained independent are being pushed to modernize or sell. Covid-19 made the adoption of technology—such as videoconferencing and digital account signup—an immediate priority. If you didn’t have good technology, wealth managers realized, you were in for a rough ride.”

That’s why it’s even more of an honor to be named among the Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms this year—and to be the only Seattle-based wealth management firm to make the list. This year’s rankings formula includes several new metrics—technology spending, staff diversity, and succession planning—in addition to the previous metrics of assets under management, company growth, client retention, and breadth of financial services. 

Badgley Phelps is included in the rating category of Top 100 RIA Firms 2020. Barron’s determined the ranking by weighing many qualitative and quantitative components, including assets managed, team size and experience level, and regulatory records. Badgley Phelps did not pay a fee to participate.