Returning the “personal” factor back into Investment

Investment Management and Financial Planning:

Fortune magazine quoted that 50% of the Fortune 500 were founded during recessionary times. I thought to myself, that’s interesting. Then, while driving down the Turnpike in New Jersey I saw a billboard that boasted “Bill Gates started Microsoft during a recession”. This all makes total sense to me. During these challenging economic times, thought-leaders are channeling their entrepreneurial spirit to gain control over their destiny, forge new ground and re-inspire. For many of these customer-facing industry experts, adding “business owner” to their resume enables them to service their clients according to their vision, rather than fulfilling someone else’s.

For one OfficeLinks New York client, the decision to start their own firm was fundamental – to connect with the people they want to help.  Last week I sat down to speak with Subir Grewal, CFA and Louis Berger, principals and co-founders of Washington Square Capital Management, an independent advisory firm providing Investment Management and Financial Planning services for private investors and institutions, located in the heart of “Manhattan West” – in the OfficeLinks Chelsea office location. After meeting while working at UBS in 2006, Subir and Louis formed a partnership that resulted in Washington Square Capital Management, named to pay homage to their alma mater: New York University.

Subir and Louis credit their dedication to honing in on their client’s life visions and financial goals and objectives for enabling them to provide their clients with more than the standard investment management and financial planning many businesses have come to expect. Through this very crucial time in our economy, Subir and Louis clearly saw that their unique, personal approach was now, more than ever, critical to bringing their clients’ goals to fruition. Their clients are looking to them for their insight and guidance, Subir and Louis give them what is truly important: a meaningful level of investment through more frequent personal contact to understand where their clients are. Their willingness to bring “personal” back to wealth management allows Washington Square Capital Management to “get into the heads” of their clients: Subir and Louis know it’s the only way they can truly advise them.

Washington Square Capital Management has also adapted to the times by providing clients with the option to invest in socially conscious funds. With a keen eye on your overall goals and objectives, Louis and Subir are able to take your personal interest into account when crafting your overall strategy. Whether your focus is on environmental causes, fair trade practices or corporate governance, Subir and Louis can work with you to include these factors in the investment process. They can employ a strategy that uses screens (avoiding or focusing on certain types of business activity) or one focused on shareholder advocacy (actively engaging with management to modify practices). These are fabulous options for those who are looking to invest in socially conscious funds.

OfficeLinks is delighted to have Washington Square Capital Management in its Chelsea office space and enable them in providing their clients with incredible guidance and extraordinary customer service, especially in an ever changing economy. To learn more about Subir, Louis and Washington Square Capital Management, click here.