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January 26, 20229:41 PM UTCLast Updated ago
Finance

UBS steps up U.S. push with $1.4 bln Wealthfront purchase

By Michael Shields

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2 minute read
The logo of Swiss bank UBS is seen at its headquarters in Zurich,
Switzerland February 17, 2021. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
The logo of Swiss bank UBS is seen at the company's office at the
Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich in this July 1, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/
Arnd Wiegmann/Files
The logo of Swiss bank UBS is seen at its headquarters in Zurich,
Switzerland February 17, 2021. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
1/2

The logo of Swiss bank UBS is seen at the company's office at the
Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich in this July 1, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/
Arnd Wiegmann/Files

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  * Summary

  * All-cash deal set to close this year pending approvals
  * Purchase expands UBS' U.S. market reach
  * Deal lets Wealthfront offer more services, research

ZURICH, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Swiss bank UBS has agreed to buy
U.S.-focused automated wealth management provider Wealthfront, which
has more than $27 billion in assets under management, in an all-cash
deal the two companies said was worth $1.4 billion.

The acquisition of Wealthfront, which has more than 470,000 clients
in the United States and caters to well-off millennial and Gen Z
investors, is set to close in the second half of 2022.

"UBS will accelerate its growth ambitions in the U.S., broaden the
firm's reach among affluent investors and expand its distribution and
capabilities," the two companies said in a statement on Wednesday.

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Wealthfront will become a wholly owned subsidiary of UBS (UBSG.S) and
will operate as a business within UBS Global Wealth Management
Americas, they added.

"Adding Wealthfront's capabilities and client base to our global
investment ecosystem will significantly boost our ability to grow our
business in the U.S.," UBS CEO Ralph Hamers said.

Joining up with UBS will let Wealthfront offer clients additional
services and research, its CEO David Fortunato said, adding: "We
couldn't be more excited to have found a strategic partner who has
the same view on the power of technology".

UBS had said in October it wanted to build a digitally scalable
advice model for affluent clients in the Americas who have up to $2
million to invest. read more

This followed a trend set by U.S. rivals Goldman Sachs (GS.N) and
Morgan Stanley (MS.N) in looking to broaden their client bases beyond
the super-high-net-worth individuals they traditionally served.

UBS said it would finance the deal with excess capital.

The companies said UBS Investment Bank is acting as financial adviser
to UBS and Sullivan & Cromwell is legal counsel. Qatalyst Partners is
Wealthfront's financial adviser and Fenwick & West is acting as legal
counsel.

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Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Jan Harvey and Alexander
Smith

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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