May 11, 2020
Willkie represented Franklin Templeton in the acquisition, which underscores Franklin Templeton’s strategic focus on fintech.
On May 6, Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN], a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton, announced that it has acquired AdvisorEngine Inc., a digital wealth platform and provider of technology and consulting services to more than 1,200 financial advisory firms. The transaction underscores Franklin Templeton’s strategic focus on fintech and brings benefits to both companies and the firms they serve across wealth management channels, including registered investment advisors (RIAs), broker dealers, banks and insurance companies.
AdvisorEngine will work closely with Franklin Templeton to co-create new proprietary solutions, including goals-based financial planning tools, digital portfolio construction analytics and research-enabled practice management services to help financial advisors enhance their wealth management offerings. Its leadership team will remain in place and continue to operate the business as an independent subsidiary of Franklin Templeton.
Franklin Templeton provides global and domestic investment management to retail, institutional and sovereign wealth clients in over 170 countries, with expertise across all asset classes, including equity, fixed income, alternatives and custom multi-asset solutions. With more than 600 investment professionals, the California-based company has more than 70 years of investment experience and over $580 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2020.
Founded in 2014, AdvisorEngine provides technology and consulting services to over 1,200 wealth management firms in the United States representing over $600 billion of assets under management. Its financial experience platform serves as a unified operating system across advisor experience, business operations experience and client experience.
The Willkie team was led by partners David Boston and Danielle Scalzo, and included partner Geri Anne McEvoy and associates David Blassberger and Maria LaGumina.
