CONCORD, Calif., Nov. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AssetMark Inc., a leading wealth management platform for independent financial advisors, today released findings from its independent advisor insights survey, AssetMark Advisor Insights: Private Markets 2025. Conducted in September 2025 among 400 U.S. financial advisors, the results reveal a strategic shift in advisor priorities: private markets have moved from niche to necessity.

Nearly all advisors (91%) say access to private market investments is critical for differentiation. Among advisors not currently offering private markets, 68% plan to add them within the next year – and of that group, 59% would consider switching firms to gain access, especially those with higher practice Assets Under Management (AUM) and those serving wealthier clients.* These findings underscore a growing urgency for advisors to meet client demand and stay competitive.

“Advisors are signaling that private markets are no longer an optional service—they’re a strategic necessity,” said Michael Kim, CEO of AssetMark. “Our research shows that clients’ desire for diversification, exclusivity, and inflation protection is accelerating adoption, and advisors are preparing to meet these expectations.”

A Strategic Shift: Private Markets as a Competitive Edge

The survey reveals that private markets are now central to how advisors differentiate their services and deliver better potential client outcomes. Among advisors who already offer private market investments, 83% expect allocations to increase over the next three years. This momentum reflects both advisor conviction and rising client expectations—particularly among high-net-worth households. The willingness of nearly six in ten advisors who are planning to add private markets to switch firms in order to do so signals a competitive race among firms to meet demand.

Barriers to Access—and the Opportunity to Unlock Growth

Despite strong interest, advisors cite persistent barriers that limit broader adoption. High investment minimums and limited liquidity are the top concerns among those already offering private market investments, especially for clients with less than $1 million in assets. Advisors are calling for solutions that offer seamless onboarding, transparent fees and data, and flexible redemption options. These improvements could significantly broaden participation, making private markets more practical for a wider range of clients.

“Reducing entry points and improving liquidity are game changers,” said David McNatt, AssetMark Executive Vice President, Chief Wealth Solutions Officer. “These enhancements could help advisors engage clients often excluded – including investors under 40 and emerging high net worth clients – creating modern solutions that facilitate multi-generation opportunities for firms. Pairing these advancements with education and ease of use will give advisors the confidence to integrate private markets into more portfolios.”

Untapped Potential and Key Drivers of Adoption

The survey also highlights a notable gap: nearly half of advisors not currently offering private markets manage $500 million or more in assets, and over a third serve clients with household incomes above $1 million. These advisors represent a significant opportunity for expansion into private markets—if accessibility and education improve. Respondents identified portfolio diversification (53%), investor education (50%), and ease of use (48%) as the top factors that would drive increased adoption.

Unlocking the Opportunity

AssetMark’s findings point to a clear call to action: firms must evolve to meet the rising demand for private market access. Advisors are ready to embrace these investments, but they need platforms that reduce friction, lower barriers, and support a broader range of clients. As private markets shift from exclusive to essential, the firms that prioritize accessibility, education, and ease of use will be best positioned to lead the next wave of advisor innovation.

For complete survey findings and detailed insights, access the full AssetMark Advisor Insights: Private Markets Report here. To learn about AssetMark’s Private Markets solution, visit: https://www.assetmark.com/private-markets.

The Advisor Insights Survey was conducted in September 2025, sampling 400 U.S. financial advisors. The margin of error for the study is ±4.9%.

*Offering refers to advisors making private markets available to clients.

About AssetMark

AssetMark, Inc. operates a wealth management platform with a mission to help financial advisors and their clients. AssetMark, together with its affiliates AssetMark Trust Company, Voyant, and Adhesion Wealth Advisor Solutions, serves advisors at every stage of their journey with flexible, purpose-built solutions, powered by its innovative technology platform. The company equips advisors with planning tools, investment solutions, and operational capabilities to help deliver better investor outcomes by enhancing their productivity, profitability, and client satisfaction.

Founded in 1996, AssetMark has over 1,100 employees and serves more than 10,500 financial advisors and 318,000 investor households. As of September 30, 2025, the firm had over $158 billion in platform assets. AssetMark is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.assetmark.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Media:
Jen Deitsch
PR and Investment Communications Lead
jen.deitsch@assetmark.com

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