Investment management firms in Indiana professionally manage assets such as equities, income securities, real estate and derivative products. Investment management firms in Indiana are customers who represent the "buy side" of investments while investment bankers represent the "sell side."

Indiana investment services fall into categories according to the type of asset managed by the investment management firms. Indiana companies may dedicate themselves to a specific client base while others serve all client types, including businesses that have assets to invest.

It is critical that you understand the three basic types of investments when evaluating an investment agency in Indiana:

1. Hedge funds receive contributions from members of a private partnership and are typically used by Indiana investment firms to invest in public securities or a financial derivative. They may use a wide variety of strategies for making a profit.

2. Indiana investment management firms use mutual funds for individual investors that typically do not have a high net worth. The firm combines the individual contributions to create a single investment.

3. Pensions, endowments and foundations for non-profit organizations form the basis for institutional funds. They use a more conservative investment strategy than mutual funds.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select an Indiana investment management company for long-term results

A highly diversified portfolio will minimize the risk investment management companies in Indiana incur. These companies will pick stocks that have a high earnings potential and a value that is not reflected in their current prices.

I recommend: Go to Respond.com and begin the selection process by selecting retirement planning along with your zip code or city and state. The Service Employees International Union is the fastest growing union in North America and promotes several investment firms in Indiana that specialize in retirement planning.

Use an Indiana investment management firm for wealthy investors

Affluent clients tend to benefit the most from a unique investment plan based on diversified holdings through investment management firms. Investment managers will partner with clients and their financial advisers to increase each client's wealth over the long-term.

I recommend: Robert W. Baird & Company specializes in wealthy investors and has a branch locator on its website you can use to find the nearest financial adviser. Country Financial has specialized experience in serving clients who have attained sudden wealth. You can find the nearest agent with a search form its website.

Select a local investment agency in Indiana to help strengthen your community

Local investment firms are best able to design a portfolio that contains equities and bonds that support local businesses. Their local knowledge will put your money to good use, not only increasing your own worth, but helping other local business owners expand and prosper as well.

I recommend: Beck Financial Strategies in Indianapolis uses an in-depth evaluation to first establish your overall objectives and then focus on specific goals. Galecki Financial Management in Fort Wayne designs diversified portfolios based on no-load mutual funds along with individual stocks and bonds.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Evaluate an investment management firm according to the performance of the funds that it manages. Evaluate the performances of funds by comparing them against standard indices and peer groups over the same time period. Clients of Indiana investment management firms should assess fund performance over at least 3 years to ignore the influence of short-term fluctuations in the business cycle.
• •  It is important to assess long-term investments by the assets that they represent. An investment management company in Indiana will usually advise that equities generate higher returns than bonds in most countries, and bonds are more profitable than cash. This is because equities have a higher risk than bonds, which are more volatile than cash.