Since its inception in 1989, Clearstead has helped wealthy families and leading institutions meet their financial objectives, achieve their aspirations, and build strong futures.
1986
Chess Financial Founded
1989
Clearstead founded
In 1989, Clearstead, then known as Hartland, was founded as an institutional investment advisor dedicated to providing the highest quality objective investment advice and research. Clearstead’s first clients were defined benefit pension plans, but came to include endowments, foundations, healthcare organizations, and defined contribution plans. In 2010 the firm began providing integrated wealth services to individuals and families with the same rigorous approach it applied to its largest institutional clients.
2011
Clearstead acquires Chess Financial
Clearstead acquires Chess Financial, adding 23 employees and 150 family and individual clients. Both firms were independent, fee-only advisors, dedicated to providing objective financial counsel.
Clearstead launches OCIO discretionary services.
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT: $1.1B
ASSETS UNDER ADVISEMENT: $11.5B
2014
Clearstead acquires Plimsoll Mark Capital
Clearstead consolidates Northeast Ohio operations in downtown Cleveland.
On December 31, Clearstead completes its acquisition of Portland, Maine-based wealth advisor Plimsoll Mark Capital. The acquisition adds $0.28B in AUM and expands the firm’s presence outside Northeast Ohio.
Clearstead also began its EmpowHER initiative to advance the careers of women at the firm and in the financial advisory industry. Clearstead dedicated itself to inclusiveness in recruiting, hiring, and firm decision-making.
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT: $2.2B
ASSETS UNDER ADVISEMENT: $15.5B
2016
Lancaster Pollard
Clearstead acquires Lancaster Pollard Investment Advisor Group, an institutional investment consulting firm located in Columbus, Ohio.
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT: $3.2B
ASSETS UNDER ADVISEMENT: $18.0B
2018
CLEARSTEAD LAUNCHES
The firm is rebranded and renamed Clearstead Advisors, LLC. The name Clearstead combines core firm attributes of clarity and steadfastness. Today, Clearstead continues to prosper by building its private client and institutional advisory businesses.
OVER 550 PRIVATE CLIENTS
OVER 125 INSTITUTIONS
$4 BILLION ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
$20 BILLION ASSETS UNDER ADVISEMENT
28 EMPLOYEE AND BOARD MEMBER SHAREHOLDERS
2020
Maine Financial Advisors
Clearstead acquires Maine Financial Advisors, a private client wealth advisor in Portland, ME, and merged with our Plimsoll Mark Capital division.
Employees: 92
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT: $7B
ASSETS UNDER ADVISEMENT: $26B
2021
Clearstead Trust
On July 1, 2021, Clearstead Trust, LLC began operations in the State of Maine as a wholly owned subsidiary of Clearstead Advisors, LLC. Clearstead Trust was formed through the acquisition of the Atlantic Trust (a Trust Company based in Portland, Maine) assets.
Burkhart & CO.
Clearstead acquires Burkhart & Co, a private client advisory firm located in Cleveland, OH.
Employees: 120
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT: $11B
ASSETS UNDER ADVISEMENT: $31.5B+
2022
SCOTT SNOW (FINANCIAL ADVISORS) LLC
Clearstead acquires Scott Snow (financial advisors) LLC, a private client wealth advisory firm located in Westlake, OH.
2023
Avalon Trust
Clearstead acquires Avalon Trust, a high-net-worth focused wealth management firm based in New Mexico, with additional offices in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and Portland, Oregon.
CLS CONSULTING, LLC
Clearstead acquires the business of CLS Consulting, LLC, a consulting firm based in Cleveland.
2024
CLEARSTEAD ADVISORY SOLUTIONS
Clearstead acquires the assets of Wilbanks Smith and Thomas Asset Management, LLC (“WST”), a Norfolk, Virginia based wealth and investment management firm with over $5 billion of assets under management.
The advisory business of WST is rebranded as Clearstead Advisory Solutions, a Division of Clearstead Advisors, LLC and continues serving clients from offices in Norfolk and Roanoke, Virginia, and Raleigh, North Carolina.
BALDWIN ADVISORY
Clearstead acquires Baldwin Advisory, LLC, a Norfolk, Virginia-based tax advisory firm. The combination is Clearstead’s second in the Mid-Atlantic region this year, enhancing the firm’s tax capabilities nationally.
Baldwin Advisory is rebranded as Clearstead Advisors.
TODAY
YOUR FUTURE IN FOCUS
At Clearstead, we create integrated, prudent, and custom strategies that bring clarity to you or your organization’s financial future.
Clearstead is an independent financial advisory firm serving wealthy families and leading institutions across the country. As a fiduciary, it provides wealth management services and investment consulting to help clients meet their financial objectives, achieve their aspirations, and build stronger futures.
SERVICES
INSIGHTS
CONTACT US
1100 Superior Avenue East
Suite 700 | Cleveland, Ohio 44114
216-621-1090
FOLLOW US