Automating Private Asset Custody for Wealth Managers

Key Takeaways 

With AET’s Deals platform, you can: 

• Facilitate client access to exclusive deals
• Automate complex multi-investor workflows
• Deliver sophisticated tax strategies
• Scale your private asset practice without scaling headcount
• Launch proprietary investment opportunities     

Private Investment Custody for RIAs: Multi-Investor Deal Management  

For many advisors and their clients, the infrastructure to efficiently manage and invest in private assets in tax-advantaged accounts hasn’t kept pace with the demand and complexity of these investments. While platforms like iCapital and CAIS excel at distributing large, syndicated funds, wealth managers need solutions for the diverse private opportunities their high net-worth clients are pursuing, from direct startup investments to small real estate syndications to niche private placements. Firms that can offer streamlined services for private assets, especially in tax-advantaged accounts, distinguish themselves as efficient partners for sophisticated wealth management. 

The Challenge: Managing Multiple Investors in Private Deals 

When you’re moving 10, 20, or even 100 clients into the same private placement or fund, traditional custody becomes a bottleneck. Each investor needs account setup, document execution, funding coordination, and ongoing administration. Without the right infrastructure, what should be a competitive advantage becomes an operational challenge. 

How AET’s Deals Platform Transforms Private Investment Management 

We’ve built our Deals functionality specifically for wealth managers who facilitate client access to exclusive private placements or sponsor their own opportunities. Our platform turns weeks of manual processing into days of automated workflows. 

Create Once, Deploy Many 

We work with you to build an investment “template” that becomes the foundation for rapid multi-investor onboarding. Set up the deal structure once with subscription documents, investment terms, and minimum commitments, then efficiently onboard as many qualified investors as needed.  

Comprehensive Workflow Support 

Our Deals platform accommodates the full spectrum of wealth manager needs: 

• Paperless, Automated Onboarding: Digital account opening with built-in AML/KYC compliance 
• Complete Account Flexibility: Traditional and Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, HSAs, trusts, and individual accounts 
• Granular Access Controls: Define precisely which entities can access specific deals 
• DocuSign Integration: Handle complex multi-party signing workflows with automated routing and tracking 
• Dedicated Support: Your success team provides clear, actionable feedback throughout the process 

Since AET controls our entire technology stack, we can rapidly implement the specific workflows your firm needs without waiting for third-party vendors or platform limitations.  

Sophisticated Distribution Management 

Our platform distinguishes between principal and interest payments, automatically updating client asset values based on distribution types. Whether you’re managing monthly income distributions or more complicated distribution structures, we handle accounting and tax reporting. Each distribution automatically flows to the appropriate tax forms, with clear audit trails for every transaction.  

Streamlined Capital Calls 

When it’s time for follow-on investments, our platform enables efficient capital call management across your entire investor base. Send notices, track commitments, and monitor funding status from your centralized dashboard. Clients receive clear communication about their obligations, with simple funding instructions that integrate with their existing accounts.  

Tax Optimization 

Your HNW clients expect sophisticated tax strategies, especially high-growth private investments. 

• Automatic generation of 1099-R and 5498 forms 
• Real-time notifications when documentation is ready 
• Direct access to our tax team for amendments or corrections 
• Full integration with year-end tax reporting 
• Straightforward Roth conversion processes 

Using qualified accounts, AET can help your clients capture potentially millions in tax-free gains on their most promising investments. 

Technology That Puts Your Firm in Control 

Advisor Dashboard 

Manage your entire book of private investments from one interface that provides complete visibility across all deals and investors. Private asset data flows automatically into the platforms you already use like Orion, Black Diamond, or Tamarac, eliminating manual data entry, duplicate systems, and reconciliation headaches while your team works in their familiar environment as AET handles the complex custody and reporting requirements in the background. 

Client Portal 

Your clients get a modern, intuitive experience where they can: 

• View real-time investment status and performance 
• Access all documentation and tax forms 
• Set and update beneficiaries 
• Initiate contributions and transfers
• Track their complete private asset portfolio  

Real-World Impact: The Columbia Advisory Success Story 

Columbia Advisory Partners used our Deals platform to raise $5M for a private real estate fund in just 30 days. By leveraging our automated workflows and qualified account expertise, they onboarded multiple investors weeks ahead of schedule. As Jeremy Russell noted, “AET removed all the friction from IRA custody. Their platform helped us onboard investors faster and close our raise weeks ahead of schedule.” 

Let’s Talk 

Let us know how American Estate & Trust can help you grow your firm with private asset custody by booking a call with us today.