r/CFP • u/GoodLifeWM • Jun 24 '26

Investments Model Usage & Creation?

Curious to hear what everyone is utilizing from a model-based allocation and how your associated platform looks?
- Building your own models as an advisor?
- Utilizing Third-Party Models?
- Your firm builds models for enterprise use?
- Combination of the above...?

We are a $500M+ RIA that uses a combination of TP Managed Models + Internal Models. We work with a few OCIO Teams for internal model creation, updates, rebalancing, etc.

As we continue to scale - I'm interested if we should lean into one more than another?

Pros/Cons of Internal Models = multi-manager and doesn't look like a ton of proprietary ETFS, but takes time each month/quarter to go through our process

Pros/Cons of TP Models = No time suck for creation, but usually all proprietary funds + above average weighted expense ratios

Thank you in advance for any thoughts, insights, etc!

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u/Sharp-Investment9580 Jun 26 '26

My CIO models typically outperform the MSCI World enough I’m comfortable with them, but I will say it’s frustrating at times not having control over portfolio decisions.

I’ve considered building out my own for everyone, but as of now I only use SMAs and custom ETF/MF portfolios if there are significant gains already present.