Name: Adam Epstein
Firm: UBS Private Wealth Management
Location: Greenwich, CT
Team Custodied Assets: $7.9 billion
Background: Raised in Lawrenceville, just outside of Princeton, NJ, Adam Epstein grew up in a family focused on education—his mother was a teacher and his father was a psychologist. Their influence instilled in him the importance of finding meaning in his work. After graduating from Bucknell University, where he studied Business Economics and Psychology, he interned at Merrill Lynch, which cemented his interest in wealth management. After a stint in institutional asset management from 1999 to 2006—including time in London advising banks and insurance companies—he transitioned to private wealth at Bernstein . After a stint at Credit Suisse, Epstein joined UBS in 2015 and has since expanded his advisory team to become one of the larger ones at UBS, numbering 16 members serving roughly 180 families.
Competitive Edge: “A lot of our growth has come from helping clients plan in advance for big events, like business sales or valuations,” he explains. “We get there early and think through things other advisors don’t have the time or expertise to address.” For Epstein and his team, that means going beyond the investments. “We don’t just help our clients with financial planning; we help them navigate life events, whether it’s sending a child to college or planning for a family wedding,” he says. “It’s about creating a holistic experience.”
Investment Approach: “If you hit singles and doubles over time, that equals a long-term home run,” he says. “I’ve learned that playing it steady leads to real, lasting success for my clients.” For equity portfolios, he maintains a mix of large-cap U.S. and international stocks, balancing growth and value. “We like to peel off 20% of equity allocation into private equity, particularly secondaries,” he notes. “Understanding the nuances of tax and estate planning is also critical—we take a comprehensive approach, integrating these strategies with investment planning.” Fixed income remains a key pillar of client portfolios, with a blend of high-quality municipal bonds and private credit. “Where people run into trouble is when they chase yield where it doesn’t exist or take risks that they shouldn’t,” Epstein adds.
Best Advice: “Every family has a different relationship with money,” says Epstein. “Being a good advisor is about understanding people.” Epstein says his principle is managing expectations and staying disciplined. He likes to avoid fleeting investment trends, noting: “What’s hot today will be cold tomorrow. Planning early and often is what truly matters.”
Read the full article here