Becker Capital Management | Investment & Wealth Management
Becker Capital Management: A Deep Dive into an Investment Powerhouse
In the dynamic and often tumultuous world of investment management, a firm that has not only survived but thrived for nearly five decades, while remaining true to its founding principles, is a rarity. Becker Capital Management, a Portland, Oregon-based investment advisory firm, is one such institution. This comprehensive 5000-word analysis will delve into every facet of Becker Capital Management, from its storied history and extensive range of services to its investment philosophy, commitment to responsible investing, and its significant impact on the community.
The Bedrock of a Legacy: The History of Becker Capital Management
Becker Capital Management was founded in 1976 in Portland, Oregon, with a vision to provide a client-centric, fee-based investment advisory service. At a time when the industry was largely commission-driven, this was a revolutionary approach. The founders believed that by aligning their interests with those of their clients, they could build a foundation of trust and long-term success. This core belief has been the guiding principle of the firm throughout its 48-year history.
One of the most defining characteristics of Becker Capital is its structure as an independent, employee-owned firm. This means that the firm is not beholden to a large parent company or outside shareholders. Instead, the employees, the very people who work with clients day in and day out, have a vested interest in the firm’s success. This ownership culture fosters a sense of pride, dedication, and a long-term perspective that is often absent in publicly traded financial institutions. The firm’s minimal employee turnover, with an average tenure of 14 years and an average of 24 years of industry experience, is a testament to its strong and stable work environment.
Over the decades, Becker Capital has grown from a small Portland-based firm to a respected institution with offices in Seattle, Washington; Bend, Oregon; and Boise, Idaho. This expansion is a direct result of the firm’s unwavering commitment to its clients and its ability to adapt to the ever-changing financial landscape.
A Comprehensive Suite of Services: Tailored Solutions for Every Client
Becker Capital Management offers a wide array of services designed to meet the unique needs of a diverse clientele, including high-net-worth individuals, families, nonprofit organizations, and institutional investors. The firm prides itself on its ability to build goals-based portfolios using a multi-asset strategy approach. Let’s explore each of their services in detail:
Wealth Management: A Holistic Approach to Financial Well-being
Becker Capital’s wealth management service is designed for multi-generational families, executives, and individuals who seek a comprehensive and personalized approach to their finances. The firm’s process begins with a deep understanding of the client’s unique goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation. This client-centric approach drives the creation of a tailored strategy that encompasses not just investment management, but also financial planning, tax planning, and estate planning.
By combining the nimbleness of a boutique firm with the resources of one of the largest independent firms in the Pacific Northwest, Becker Capital provides its clients with unbiased advice and thoughtfully constructed multi-asset portfolios. They have the flexibility to utilize a combination of individual stocks and bonds, third-party managers, passive indexes, and alternative investments to create a portfolio that is optimized for each client’s specific needs.
Nonprofit Services: Empowering a Mission-Driven Future
A significant portion of Becker Capital’s business is dedicated to partnering with nonprofit organizations across the Pacific Northwest. The firm understands the unique challenges and responsibilities that nonprofits face, and they provide the advice, access, and management of financial resources that these organizations need to thrive.
Becker Capital’s team works closely with nonprofit boards and investment committees to develop detailed investment policy statements and to customize portfolios that align with the organization’s mission and values. They also provide education and transparent reporting to help fiduciaries understand their portfolios and make informed decisions.
Wealth Planning: Navigating Life's Transitions with Confidence
Life is full of transitions, and Becker Capital’s wealth planning service is designed to provide clients with peace of mind during these times. Whether it’s planning for retirement, navigating a career change, or managing an inheritance, the firm’s personalized and dynamic wealth planning approach helps clients make informed decisions and stay on track to achieve their financial goals.
The wealth planning process at Becker Capital is a collaborative one. The firm’s advisors work closely with clients to create a comprehensive financial plan that is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in their lives and the economic environment.
Institutional Management: A Trusted Partner for Capital Management
Becker Capital has a long and successful track record of managing capital for institutional investors. The firm’s institutional-caliber investment management services are tailored to the specific needs of each client, and they offer a range of investment strategies across different asset classes.
Becker Capital’s institutional clients benefit from the firm’s disciplined investment process, its experienced team of professionals, and its commitment to transparency and accountability. The firm’s custom multi-asset approach allows them to accommodate existing holdings and integrate tax planning with portfolio management.
Alternative Investment Opportunities: Unlocking New Avenues for Growth
Becker Capital’s size and scale give them access to a wide range of compelling alternative investment opportunities that can improve the risk and return profile of a client’s portfolio. For qualified clients, the firm offers direct partnerships in real estate, private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds.
These alternative investments are carefully vetted by Becker Capital’s team of experts, and they are only offered to clients for whom they are suitable. By providing access to these less-correlated asset classes, Becker Capital helps its clients diversify their portfolios and potentially enhance their long-term returns.
Impact Investing: Aligning Investments with Values
For clients who want to make a positive impact with their investments, Becker Capital offers a range of impact investing solutions. The firm helps clients align their investments with their values by offering solutions across the complexity spectrum.
Whether it’s investing in companies that are leaders in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, or investing in funds that are specifically designed to address social or environmental challenges, Becker Capital can help clients create a portfolio that not only generates a financial return but also makes a positive difference in the world.
Family Office Services: A Comprehensive Solution for Affluent Families
For single-family and multi-family offices, Becker Capital offers a full range of financial, investment, and lifestyle solutions. The firm’s team of industry experts provides a high-touch, personalized service that is tailored to the unique needs of each family.
From managing complex investment portfolios to providing philanthropic advisory services, Becker Capital’s family office services are designed to help affluent families preserve and grow their wealth for generations to come.
Women Investors: Empowering Women to Take Control of Their Financial Futures
Becker Capital recognizes that women often face unique financial challenges, such as longer life expectancies and career interruptions. The firm has women-only teams available to support women with all their investment needs.
These teams provide a supportive and collaborative environment where women can feel comfortable discussing their financial concerns and developing a plan to achieve their goals. By empowering women to take control of their financial futures, Becker Capital is helping to close the gender wealth gap.
A Disciplined Approach to Investment: The Becker Capital Funds
Becker Capital Management serves as the investment advisor to a registered investment company, the Becker Value Equity Fund (BVEIX). This no-load mutual fund is a large-cap value fund that seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of undervalued stocks.
The fund’s investment strategy is based on a disciplined, bottom-up approach to stock selection. The firm’s team of analysts looks for companies with strong fundamentals, durable competitive advantages, and attractive valuations. The fund’s portfolio is typically diversified across a wide range of sectors and industries.
In addition to the Becker Value Equity Fund, the firm also serves as a General Partner to the Becker/Mark Real Estate Opportunity Fund, L.P. This fund was founded to acquire, develop, manage, and dispose of real estate and real estate investments in the Pacific Northwest. The fund is not available to the general public and is intended for accredited investors only.
A Growing Force: Assets Under Management and Annual Revenue
Becker Capital Management has experienced significant growth in its assets under management (AUM) over the years. As of 2024, the firm manages approximately $5 billion in assets for its clients. This is up from $2.4 billion in 2010 and $3 billion in 2020, demonstrating the firm’s consistent growth and the trust that clients place in their services.
While Becker Capital is a private company and does not publicly disclose its annual revenue, the firm’s commitment to philanthropy provides a glimpse into its financial success. The firm donates 1% of its gross revenue to worthwhile causes, which indicates a substantial and healthy revenue stream.
A Commitment to Principled Practice: Responsible Investing
Becker Capital Management has a long-standing commitment to responsible investing. The firm believes that incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into its investment process can lead to better long-term investment outcomes.
In 2020, Becker Capital became a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The PRI is an international network of investors working together to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment into practice. By becoming a signatory, Becker Capital has committed to:
Incorporating ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
Being an active owner and incorporating ESG issues into its ownership policies and practices.
Seeking appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which it invests.
Promoting acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
Working with the PRI Secretariat and other signatories to enhance their effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
Reporting on its activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
Becker Capital’s commitment to responsible investing is not just a box-ticking exercise. It is an integral part of the firm’s investment philosophy and is reflected in its “Impact Investing” service, which offers a range of solutions for clients who want to align their investments with their values.
Building a Better Community: Partnerships and Philanthropy
Becker Capital Management is deeply committed to the communities it serves. The firm’s philanthropic efforts are a testament to its belief that businesses have a responsibility to give back. As mentioned earlier, the firm donates 1% of its gross revenue to charitable causes. It also has a formal employee matching program and provides employees with time off to volunteer.
This commitment to philanthropy has not gone unnoticed. Becker Capital has been a recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s Corporate Philanthropy Award every year since 2011. The firm supports a wide range of nonprofit organizations, including:
Children’s Cancer Association: An organization that provides joy-based programming to seriously ill children and their families.
Deschutes River Alliance: A science-based advocacy organization working to restore the health of the Deschutes River.
Friends of the Children: A nationwide organization that breaks the cycle of generational poverty by providing long-term mentors to high-risk children.
Medical Teams International: A global health organization that provides life-saving medical care to people in crisis.
Oregon Food Bank: An organization that works to eliminate hunger and its root causes.
Store to Door: A volunteer-based grocery shopping and delivery service for homebound seniors and people with disabilities.
In addition to its philanthropic partnerships, Becker Capital also partners with organizations like Double the Donation to facilitate corporate matching gifts. This program allows employees to double the impact of their charitable donations.
The Heart of the Firm: The People of Becker Capital Management
Becker Capital Management’s most valuable asset is its people. The firm employs 38 individuals who are dedicated to providing the highest level of service to their clients. The firm’s culture of independence and employee ownership has created a stable and experienced team with an average employee tenure of 14 years.
The leadership team at Becker Capital is comprised of seasoned professionals with a deep understanding of the investment management industry. Pat Becker, Jr., the Chief Executive Officer & President, leads a team of managing directors, directors, and associates who are all committed to the firm’s client-centric philosophy.
A Legacy of Trust, A Future of Growth
Becker Capital Management is more than just an investment advisory firm. It is a testament to the power of a client-centric philosophy, a commitment to principled practice, and a deep-seated belief in the importance of community. For nearly five decades, the firm has been a trusted partner to individuals, families, and institutions, helping them to navigate the complexities of the financial world and achieve their goals.
With a strong foundation of history, a comprehensive suite of services, a disciplined investment approach, and a dedicated team of professionals, Becker Capital Management is well-positioned for continued growth and success in the years to come. For those seeking a wealth management partner that is not only knowledgeable and experienced but also principled and community-minded, Becker Capital Management is a name to remember.
Becker Capital Management Leadership & Teams
Headquarters: 1211 SW 5th Ave, Suite 2185, Portland, OR 97204, USA
Phone: 503-223-1720
Number of employees: Approx. 40
Website: www.beckercap.com