Balentine Surpasses $1 Billion in Assets Under Management

Online, January 19, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Balentine, an independent, employee-owned investment advisory firm, announced today that it has surpassed $1 billion in assets under management. Founded by Robert Balentine and ten partners, Balentine LLC reached this milestone less than two years after opening its doors to clients.

"When we opened our doors in 2010, there was a dearth of independent investment firms and a crisis of confidence among investors, prompting many to lament the lack of objective investment advice," said Chairman and CEO Robert Balentine. "In response to that need, we built a firm that provides exceptional service to our clients and bottom line results to protect and preserve their wealth, and we do all of this using a transparent, conflict free investment process."

Balentine now has 24 employees and serves clients throughout the United States. The Balentine team includes three Ph.D.s, seven CFA® charter holders, the former director of research for the Shanghai Stock Exchange and three former chief investment officers of multi-billion dollar institutions. Of Balentine's current employees, nearly half are women and one quarter have lived or were educated outside of the United States.

Balentine's rapid growth has been coupled with receipt of a number of awards noting the firm's commitment to exceptional client service, innovative investment strategy and employee growth and satisfaction. These awards include Atlanta Business Chronicle Top Money Manager, InvestmentNews Top Ten Up and Coming RIAs, NABCAP Premier Advisor and Atlanta Business Chronicle's Best Places to Work in Atlanta.

"When we restarted our firm, we insisted on hiring the best and brightest for every position...the firm has a specific culture," said Jeff Adams, Balentine's President. He continued, "That culture is defined by our people. We feel diversity of background and experience is essential to bringing best thinking to our work and encouraging innovation in our industry. We have been fortunate to staff our firm with qualified professionals who know their jobs and understand that putting clients' interests first is the idea that underpins everything we do."