The annual MMI/Barron's Industry Awards recognize innovation and leadership in the investment advisory solutions industry. Now in their 15th year, the Awards celebrate outstanding achievement and honor firms that have raised the bar by delivering superior solutions for financial advisors and investors over the past year. 

An impressive number of nominations were received this year which is indicative of all the great work being done in the advisory solutions space.

Winners will be determined by an online vote of designated contacts at each MMI member firm. This process ensures that all member firms are equally represented in the final voting process.

Award winners will be announced at the 2023 MMI Annual Conference. 

Congratulations to the finalists and all the firms that were nominated!

2023 Open Award Categories

DISRUPTION - This category honors a groundbreaking new product, technology or process that will fundamentally alter the future delivery of advisory solutions.
Finalists:

• Andes Wealth Technologies - Visualizing Deep Analytics for Distributing Investment Products
• FLX Networks - FLX Wealth Manager Experience (WME)
• Halo Investing - Halo's Multi-Manager Structured Note SMA Marketplace
• Morgan Stanley - UMA Fractional Share Program

DISTRIBUTION EXCELLENCE - This category honors firms that provide exemplary and innovative advisor sales support both in the field and from the home office.
Finalists:

• Bank of America Merrill Lynch - Alternative Investments Implementation Framework
• J.P. Morgan - Catalog
• Raymond James - Start Smart Assessment
• WisdomTree - Siegel Multi-Asset Income Model Portfolios Distribution Strategy

DOING GOOD - This category honors programs that support a deserving cause or give back to the communities we serve.
Finalists:

• Jackson - Jackson Gives
• Morgan Stanley - Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge
• Perpetual Asset Management - Perpetual Pathways: Embracing Wellness for Peak Performance

INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS - This category honors exemplary commitment and progress in embracing and advocating diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the investment advisory solutions industry.
Finalists:

• Macquarie Asset Management - Challenger Program
• Raymond James - Veteran Financial Advisors Network
• The Copia Group - The Copia Group
• Voya - Voya Cares® program

SUSTAINABLE & ESG INVESTING - This category honors programs that support awareness and adoption of Sustainable and ESG Investing.
Finalists:

• Merrill Lynch Wealth Management - Sustainable Investing Educational & Awareness Campaign
• Morgan Stanley - Morgan Stanley IQ®
• Sage Advisory Services - Impact Portfolio Quarterly Reporting for ESG Fixed Income Strategies
• Thornburg Investment Management - Thornburg Personal ESG Portfolios

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP/EDUCATION - This category honors new programs, research, educational campaigns, or content that meaningfully advance industry knowledge and understanding of topics key to the future of advisory solutions.
Finalists

• CAIS - CAIS IQ
• FS Investments - The Head-to-Head Podcast with Ryan Robertson & Kirsten Pickens
• Russell Investments - Every Season is Tax Season
• UBS - Navigating a “Year of Inflections”

2023 Wealth Managers (Sponsor Firms) Award Categories

DIGITAL INNOVATION - WEALTH MANAGER - This category honors a new technological innovation (or specific enhancement to an existing platform or tool) by a wealth management firm that enhances the investor or advisor experience with advisory solutions.
FInalists:

• Merrill Lynch Wealth Management - Merrill Video Pro
• Morgan Stanley - Portfolio Risk Platform
• Raymond James - Opportunities

WEALTH MANAGER PLATFORM OF THE YEAR - This category honors a wealth manager platform that exemplifies innovation in delivering better outcomes for investors and financial advisors.
Finalists:

• Cetera Financial Group - My Advice Architect™ – Manager Program
• J.P. Morgan Wealth Management - Wealth Plan
• Merrill Lynch Wealth Management - Modern Merrill: A Client-Focused, Comprehensive Digital Ecosystem
• Morgan Stanley - Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (MSWM) – Select UMA Expansion

2023 Asset Managers Award Categories

ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR - AUM OF LESS THAN $25 BILLION - This category honors a smaller asset manager that exemplifies innovation in delivering better outcomes for investors and financial advisors.
Finalists:

• Bluerock Fund Advisor, LLC - Bluerock Total Income+ Real Estate Fund
• Pacer ETFs - Pacer ETFs
• Sierra Mutual Funds & Ocean Park Asset Management - Flagship Bond Funds & Strategies

ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR - AUM BETWEEN $25 BILLION - $100 BILLION - This category honors a mid-size asset manager that exemplifies innovation in delivering better outcomes for investors and financial advisors.
Finalists:

• GQG Partners - GQG MF/SMA Lineup
• Raymond James Investment Management - Multi-asset program suite
• Russell Investments - “How do you want your Russell Investments?”

ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR - AUM of MORE THAN $100 BILLION - This category honors a larger asset manager that exemplifies innovation in delivering better outcomes for investors and financial advisors.
Finalists:

• Fidelity Investments - Fidelity Bond Beacon (SM)
• Invesco - Portfolio Playbook
• T. Rowe Price - Personalized Retirement Manager/Target Date Offerings

DIGITAL INNOVATION - ASSET MANAGER - This category honors a new technological innovation (or specific enhancement to an existing platform or tool) by an asset management firm that enhances the investor or advisor experience with advisory solutions.
Finalists:

• 55ip - Investment Strategy Engine – Tax-smart Transition & Tax Optimization
• AllianceBernstein (AB) - AbbieOptimizer
• Franklin Templeton - Goals Optimization Engine (GOE™) for the Wealth Advisors

2023 Technology/Solution Provider Firms Award Categories

DIGITAL INNOVATION - TECHNOLOGY/SOLUTIONS PROVIDER - This category honors a new technological innovation (or specific enhancement to an existing platform or tool) by a solutions provider firm that enhances the investor or advisor experience with advisory solutions.
Finalists:

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• Andes Wealth Technologies - 4D Risk Framework
• Bento Engine - Bento Engine
• IMTC - IMTC’s Investment Management System

SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR - This category honors a solutions provider firm (technology/service provider) that exemplifies innovation in delivering better outcomes for investors and financial advisors.
Finalists:

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• BNY Mellon, Pershing X - Wove
• CAIS - Alternative Investment Marketplace
• iCapital - iCapital Marketplace