Our investment philosophy and approach consists of a disciplined process and planning. Our most deeply held principle is loyalty to our clients. Our group is built on a strong commitment to client service and personalized attention based on an understanding of each client's financial goals. We begin every relationship with a conversation, helping you identify and prioritize which goals matter most to you. Our commitment to exceptional service and personalized advice guides everything that we do.
Snowden Lane Partners is an independent, selective wealth management firm, dedicated to providing client focused
advice in a goals-driven culture. As independent wealth advisors, we are free to act in the best interest
of our clients. Snowden Lane was founded to create a place of higher ideals; a place where the client's interests
Comes First.
The leadership team has over 125 years of experience from the worlds largest wealth management firms and founded Snowden Lane Partners. Our Chairman, Lyle LaMothe, was Head of Merrill Lynch's US Wealth
Management. Rob Mooney, Managing Partner, and CEO was Head of Risk Management and General Counsel
for Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management. Greg Franks, Managing Partner, and President was a former
Division Director for Merrill Lynch's US Wealth Management.
With 14 offices Nationwide - California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Colorado. Snowden Lane has a growing national and overseas footprint with over $ 11 billion in client assets. The Financial Times named Snowden Lane to its elite FT 300 list for six straight years, recognizing it as one of the top independent RIA firms in the U.S. The firm was also included in the Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms ranking, from 2020 -2023 .
Michael Schmatz
CPFA, CRPC®
Michael Schmatz is a graduate of Ithaca College and has been in the financial services industry since 1994. Prior to joining Snowden Lane as Partner, Managing Director, he was a Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Michael has worked with individuals and corporate clients to review, develop & implement investment strategies to help meet their long term financial goals. He concentrates on current client management and new business development primarily with senior executives, family wealth planning and the 401(k) plan market. Through the College for Financial Planning, Michael has earned the designation of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®) Through NAPA, he has also earned the designation of Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). Michael is very active with volunteering in the WNY community and past Board member of Sister's Hospital Foundation and lives in Amherst, NY with his wife and three children and English Black Lab
Michael J. Kreuzer
CFP®
Michael J. Kreuzer is a graduate of Middlebury College. Prior to Snowden Lane, he was a Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and has worked in the financial services and technology industries since 1996. Michael's focus is on helping individuals and families define their financial goals and grow and preserve their wealth. Michael is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certificant, a designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Michael served as President and continues to sit on the Board of the City Honors/Fosdick-Masten Park Foundation. He is a past participant and continued supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters. In his spare time, he enjoys playing hockey, competing in triathlons, and skiing with his three sons.
Bill Markel
CFP®
William "Bill" Markel is a graduate of the University of Denver and has been in the financial services industry since 1981. Prior to joining Snowden Lane, Bill was a Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management . His achievements include the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Bill helps clients determine long-term financial goals and implement customized investment strategies, utilizing when appropriate the services of top money managers throughout the United States. Bill lives in East Aurora, NY with his wife. Bill Markel has been recognized on the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list for 2018, 2019, and 2020.
General Information |
| Firm Start Year: | 2011 | |
| No. of Employees: | 100-499 | |
| States Licensed in: | Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
| Number of Years with Current Firm: | 3 |
| Work Experience: |
Snowden Lane is a fiduciary for our clients. Our independence enables us to impartially evaluate investment
strategies, managers, and investment products. We are first and foremost focused on our clients and act in their
best interests. That's the way we like to do business. As an independent advisory firm, Snowden Lane maintains
an objective approach to providing advice. Our value proposition is simple: We measure our achievements by the
success of our clients. Working closely with you, we will create a plan intended to help achieve your goals. We're able to search the world of investments for the solutions that meet your unique criteria and goals, from equities and fixed income to alternative investments and private equity. |
| Work with the following types of clients: | Non-Profit Organizations, Individual Investors, Businesses |
| Advisory Services Provided: | Financial Advice & Consulting, Estate Planning & Trusts, Insurance Products & Annuities, Financial Planning, Portfolio Management, Retirement Planning, 401K Rollovers, Wealth Management, Money Management, Risk Management, Financial Planning for Individuals, Financial Planning for Businesses, Investment Advice & Management |
Services |
| Investment Types: | Mutual Funds, Alternative Investments, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Mortgages & Real Estate, Insurance, Annuities, Stocks, Bonds, Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) |
| Can meet clients in the following ways: | Email, Phone, Our Office, Your Home, Your Office, Our Offices, Video Conference |
Qualifications & Memberships |
| Insurance and Annuity Licenses: | Life, Health |
Firm Information |
| Assets Managed by Firm: | $11,500,000,000 |
| Advisor's Number of Clients: | 400+ |
| Advisor's Number of Managed Clients: | 400 |
| Advisor's Number of Planning Clients: | 400 |
| Assets Managed by Advisor: | $450,000,000 |
Compensation and Fees |
| Fee Structure: | Fee-Based |
| Minimum Portfolio Size for New Managed Accounts: | $250,000 |
| Compensation Methods: | Based on Assets, Commissions |
| Fee % Based on Assets: | .75 - 1.35 |
Disclosures |
|
WiserAdvisor provides referrals to financial professionals. WiserAdvisor is not a current client of advisor or advisory services. Financial professionals pay cash compensation for these referrals, which creates the incentive for WiserAdvisor to make these referrals, resulting in a conflict of interest. |
|
Additional Detailed Disclosures |
Registered Investment Advisor:
Yes
Registered Representative:
Yes
Acknowledged fiduciary:
Yes
Compliance Disclosures in Last 5 years:
I have a clean record
Criminal Disclosures in Last 5 years:
I have a clean record
| Mon. | 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Tue. | 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Wed. | 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Thu. | 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Fri. | 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
| We have clients all around the country but mostly in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. |
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