Family Office Glossary

Alternative assets are non-traditional holdings, such as private equity, real estate, and digital assets, used by family offices to diversify and build resilient portfolios.

Alternative investments are non-traditional strategies, like private equity, hedge funds, and real assets, used by family offices to diversify portfolios and enhance returns.

Related terms: Alternative Assets, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Digital Assets

Regulations and procedures intended to prevent criminals from disguising illegally obtained funds as legitimate income.

Related terms: Compliance, Due Diligence, Know Your Customer (KYC), Regulatory Compliance

The process of distributing investments among various asset classes to balance risk and reward according to an individual’s goals. The process of dividing a portfolio among different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate.

Related terms: Asset Management, Diversification, Investment Strategy, Tactical Asset Allocation, Strategic Asset Allocation

The direction of a client’s cash and securities by a financial services company, usually an investment bank.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Assets Under Management (AUM), Diversification, Investment Strategy, Portfolio Management

The total value of assets managed for clients, including reporting and safekeeping, but without direct investment authority.

Related terms: Custodial Services, Investment Strategy, Wealth Preservation

The total market value of the financial assets that a family office manages on behalf of its clients.

Related terms: Asset Management, Asset Allocation, Diversification, Liquidity, Investment Strategy

A group of individuals responsible for overseeing the family office’s financial reporting and internal controls.

Related terms: Compliance, Corporate Governance, Financial Audit, Risk Management

A field of study that examines psychological influences on investors and financial markets.

Related terms: Cognitive Biases, Risk Management, Diversification, Impact Investing

Comparing performance metrics to industry standards or best practices to assess efficiency and effectiveness.

Related terms: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Due Diligence, Asset Management, Risk Management

Designating individuals or entities to receive assets from wills, trusts, or insurance policies.

Related terms: Estate Planning, Legacy Planning, Family Trust, Intergenerational Wealth Transfer

A decentralized ledger technology that securely records transactions across multiple computers.

Related terms: Cryptocurrency, Digital Assets, Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

CFA Charterholders are investment professionals with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, recognised for expertise in portfolio management, financial analysis, and ethical investing.

Investment strategies focused on preventing loss of principal in a portfolio.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Diversification, Liquidity, Risk Management, Wealth Preservation

Monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing the net amount of cash receipts minus cash expenses.

Related terms: Liquidity, Financial Stewardship, Investment Strategy, Operational Risk

Donating resources to charitable organizations, often for tax benefits and social impact.

Related terms: Donor-Advised Fund, Philanthropy, Strategic Philanthropy, Impact Investing

A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in a family office oversees financial planning, reporting, and tax strategy to ensure long-term wealth preservation and compliance.

A Chief Investment Officer (CIO) in a family office manages investment strategy, asset allocation, and risk to preserve and grow family wealth.

Citizenship By Investment (CBI) programs enable individuals to obtain citizenship by making financial investments in a country, offering benefits such as global mobility, tax advantages, and access to enhanced opportunities.

Collaborative investments where several families or investors pool capital and expertise to invest directly in private companies, real estate, or other assets—often to access larger deals and share risk.

Related terms: Co-investing, Private Equity, Direct Investing, Due Diligence, Venture Capital

When family offices pool their money together to make an investment.

Related terms: Alternative Investments, Due Diligence, Private Equity, Venture Capital

Systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, affecting investment decisions.

Related terms: Behavioral Finance, Conflict of Interest, Risk Management, Diversification

A multi-family office that looks after the interests of multiple families, often with less wealth than those served by private multi-family offices.

Related terms: Alternative Investments, Asset Management, Family Office (FO), Wealth Preservation

Basic goods used in commerce that are interchangeable with other goods of the same type, such as oil, gold, or wheat.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Diversification, Investment Strategy, Risk Management

Adhering to laws, regulations, guidelines, and specifications relevant to the family office’s operations.

Related terms: Regulatory Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Conflict of Interest, Audit Committee, Risk Management

The risk of loss due to a large position in a single asset or market segment.

Related terms: Diversification, Asset Allocation, Investment Strategy, Risk Management

Legal contracts ensuring that sensitive information shared between parties remains private and protected.

Related terms: Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), Compliance, Due Diligence, Conflict of Interest

A situation where a party’s responsibility to a second-party limits its ability to discharge its responsibility to a third-party.

Related terms: Compliance, Corporate Governance, Due Diligence, Risk Management, Reputational Risk

Combining all financial data into a single report to provide a comprehensive view of assets and performance.

Related terms: Audit Committee, Compliance, Financial Audit, Investment Committee, Risk Management

Mechanisms, processes, and relations by which corporations are controlled and directed, ensuring accountability and fairness.

Related terms: Audit Committee, Compliance, Conflict of Interest, Governance, Risk Management

A digital currency in which transactions are verified and records maintained by a decentralized system using cryptography, rather than by a centralized authority.

Related terms: Blockchain Technology, Digital Assets, Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

Safekeeping of securities by a financial institution on behalf of clients, including settlement, reporting, and compliance.

Related terms: Custodian Bank, Global Custody, Compliance, Due Diligence

A financial institution that holds customers’ securities for safekeeping to prevent them from being lost or stolen.

Related terms: Custodial Services, Global Custody, Compliance, Asset Management, Regulatory Compliance

Protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks, crucial for safeguarding sensitive financial information.

Related terms: Compliance, Operational Risk, Risk Management, Cryptocurrency

Assets in digital form, including cryptocurrencies and digital tokens, requiring specialized management and security.

Related terms: Blockchain Technology, Cryptocurrency, Compliance, Asset Management

Integration of digital technology into all areas of business, fundamentally changing how organizations operate and deliver value.

Related terms: FinTech (Financial Technology), Cybersecurity, Digital Assets, Compliance

When a family office invests directly in a company or asset, rather than through a fund.

Related terms: Co-investing, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Due Diligence

Investing directly in assets like real estate or companies, bypassing intermediaries like mutual funds or ETFs.

Related terms: Direct Investing, Due Diligence, Private Equity, Co-investing

An arrangement where an investment manager makes decisions to buy or sell assets without client approval for each transaction.

Related terms: Asset Management, Investment Strategy, Risk Management, Portfolio Management

Investing in a variety of assets to reduce exposure to any single asset or risk.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Economic Diversification, Investment Strategy, Portfolio Management, Risk Management

The process of selling off subsidiary business interests or investments, often for strategic or ethical reasons.

Related terms: Asset Management, Investment Strategy, Compliance, Risk Management

A philanthropic giving vehicle that allows donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund over time.

Related terms: Charitable Giving, Philanthropic Foundation, Philanthropy, Strategic Philanthropy

A comprehensive appraisal of a business or investment opportunity to evaluate its commercial potential and risks.

Related terms: Compliance, Conflict of Interest, Financial Audit, Risk Management

A trust designed for preserving and transferring wealth across generations without incurring estate or generation-skipping taxes.

A set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments.

Related terms: ESG Investing, Corporate Governance, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing, Divestment

Incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance factors into investment analysis and decision-making.

Related terms: Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing, Corporate Governance

Spreading investments across various sectors or regions to reduce exposure to any single economic risk.

Related terms: Diversification, Economic Indicators, Investment Strategy, Asset Allocation, Risk Management

Statistics about economic activities that allow analysis of economic performance and predictions of future performance.

Related terms: Economic Outlook, Inflation Risk, Monetary Policy, Economic Diversification

A sustainable competitive advantage that allows a company to protect its market share and profitability.

Related terms: Economic Diversification, Economic Indicators, Economic Outlook, Financial Stewardship, Risk Management

A projection of future economic conditions used to inform investment strategies and risk assessments.

Related terms: Economic Indicators, Economic Diversification, Economic Moat, Monetary Policy, Inflation Risk

Laws requiring entities to demonstrate substantial economic activity in the jurisdictions where they are incorporated, often affecting tax planning.

Related terms: Compliance, Jurisdictional Risk, Regulatory Compliance, Due Diligence

A structured approach to managing processes and assets from creation to retirement, ensuring efficiency and compliance.

Related terms: Risk Management

Preparing for the transfer of an individual’s wealth and assets after death through wills, trusts, and other legal mechanisms.

Related terms: Beneficiary Planning, Legacy Planning, Succession Planning, Wealth Preservation

Everyday millionaires (EMILLIs) are individuals with $1M–$5M in investable assets, a segment that has quadrupled since 2000 to 52 million people holding $107 trillion in wealth, driven by property growth, currency shifts, and wider investment access.

A gathering of all family members to discuss and inform about matters concerning the family enterprise and wealth.

Related terms: Family Governance, Family Council, Family Office (FO), Estate Planning

A group of individuals responsible for providing oversight and guidance to the family business.

Related terms: Family Governance, Family Council, Family Dynamics, Succession Planning

A document outlining the family’s values, vision, and guidelines for managing wealth and business interests collectively.

Related terms: Family Constitution, Family Council, Family Governance, Family Dynamics

A formal document that records the family’s mission, values, and policies regarding the management of their wealth and business interests.

Related terms: Family Assembly, Family Council, Family Governance, Family Mission Statement, Family Trust

A governance body composed of family members that manages communication and decision-making for the family enterprise.

Related terms: Family Assembly, Family Business Board, Family Governance, Family Office (FO), Succession Planning

The shared values, beliefs, and practices that shape interactions and decision-making within a family enterprise.

Related terms: Family Assembly, Family Business Board, Family Council, Family Governance, Family Legacy

The patterns of interaction and relationships among family members, impacting decision-making and governance.

Related terms: Family Assembly, Family Business Board, Family Council, Family Governance, Family Office (FO)

A family-owned business or group of businesses managed by multiple family members across generations.

Related terms: Family Business Board, Family Council, Family Governance, Family Office (FO), Succession Planning

The system of joint decision-making and structures that families use to guide the management of their shared assets and business interests.

Related terms: Family Assembly, Family Charter, Family Council, Family Office (FO)

A private company structure used by families to manage and control assets in a tax-efficient manner.

Related terms: Family Office (FO), Family Governance, Estate Planning, Intergenerational Wealth Transfer, Wealth Preservation

The lasting impact and reputation a family builds over generations through wealth, values, and contributions to society.

Related terms: Family Governance, Estate Planning, Succession Planning, Intergenerational Wealth Transfer

A declaration of the family’s core purpose and focus that remains unchanged over time, guiding decision-making and governance.

Related terms: Family Culture, Family Governance, Family Legacy, Family Office (FO), Family Trust

An entity that provides comprehensive services to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families for managing their wealth and interests across multiple generations.

Related terms: Family Governance, Family Trust, Wealth Preservation, Asset Allocation

A group of individuals responsible for providing oversight and guidance to the family office.

Related terms: Family Office (FO), Family Governance, Family Council, Family Dynamics, Family Legacy

A professional responsible for managing the operations and strategic direction of a family office.

Related terms: Family Office (FO), Family Governance, Asset Management, Investment Strategy, Wealth Preservation

The framework of policies and procedures that guide the operations, decision-making, and oversight of a family office.

Related terms: Family Governance, Family Council, Family Charter, Family Constitution

A practical framework to benchmark how a family office operates across governance, people, process, and technology, and to sequence upgrades from Foundational to Institutional maturity.

Technology solutions designed to streamline operations, reporting, and data management for family offices.

Related terms: Family Office (FO), Family Governance, Asset Management, Compliance, Wealth Preservation

A legal arrangement where assets are held by a trustee for the benefit of family members, often used for estate planning and tax efficiency.

Related terms: Beneficiary Planning, Estate Planning, Family Governance, Family Office (FO), Wealth Preservation

Technology innovation aimed at competing with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services.

Related terms: Cryptocurrency, Blockchain Technology, Digital Assets, Compliance

An objective examination and evaluation of a company’s financial statements to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations.

Related terms: Audit Committee, Compliance, Due Diligence, Financial Instruments, Risk Management

Programs and initiatives aimed at increasing financial literacy among family members, especially the next generation.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Diversification, Estate Planning, Risk Management

Monetary contracts between parties, including stocks, bonds, loans, options, and futures.

Related terms: Alternative Investments, Asset Allocation, Asset Management, Private Equity

Responsible management and oversight of financial resources on behalf of others, ensuring ethical and effective use.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Cash Flow Management, Diversification, Estate Planning, Financial Education

Investments that provide a return in the form of fixed periodic payments and eventual return of principal at maturity.

Related terms: Investment Grade, Liquidity, Risk Management, Asset Allocation

Generational wealth refers to financial and non-financial assets transferred from one generation to the next, requiring intentional long-term planning to preserve and grow the family’s legacy.

A service where a financial institution holds securities for clients in multiple jurisdictions, handling settlement, reporting, and compliance.

Related terms: Custodial Services, Custodian Bank, Compliance, Due Diligence

The movement of individuals and families across borders, impacting tax residency, legal obligations, and wealth management strategies.

Related terms: Human Capital, Jurisdictional Risk, Intergenerational Wealth Transfer

The system of rules, practices, and processes by which a family office is directed and controlled.

Related terms: Corporate Governance, Family Governance, Governance Structure, Regulatory Compliance

The framework of rules and practices by which a family office or business ensures accountability, fairness, and transparency in its relationships.

Related terms: Corporate Governance, Family Governance, Governance, Investment Committee

An alternative investment vehicle using pooled funds that employ various strategies to earn active returns for investors.

Related terms: Alternative Investments, Assets Under Management (AUM), Due Diligence, Risk Management

The skills, knowledge, and experience of the family office’s employees.

Related terms: Financial Education, Family Governance, Succession Planning, Impact Investing

Investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.

Related terms: ESG Investing, Philanthropic Foundation, Sustainable Investing, Co-investing

The possibility that the value of assets or income will be eroded as inflation decreases the purchasing power of money.

Related terms: Monetary Policy, Economic Indicators, Fixed Income Securities, Diversification

The passing of assets from one generation to the next, often involving estate planning and tax considerations.

Related terms: Beneficiary Planning, Estate Planning, Family Office (FO), Legacy Planning, Wealth Preservation

A group responsible for making key investment decisions and overseeing the management of the investment portfolio.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Due Diligence, Investment Policy Statement (IPS), Risk Management

A rating that indicates a relatively low risk of default, applied to bonds and other fixed-income securities.

Related terms: Investment Committee, Investment Policy Statement (IPS), Investment Strategy, Fixed Income Securities, Liquidity

A document outlining an investor’s objectives, risk tolerance, and guidelines for managing an investment portfolio.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Investment Strategy, Risk Management, Diversification

A document that outlines the investment objectives, risk tolerance, asset allocation targets, and guidelines for a family office portfolio. The IPS serves as a strategic compass for the investment team, ensuring decisions remain aligned with the family's long-term goals. It typically covers return expectations, liquidity requirements, concentration limits, ESG considerations, and rebalancing protocols.

Related terms: Direct Investing, Family Governance

The strategic process of selecting and managing a mix of assets—like stocks, bonds, and alternatives—to meet defined investment goals.

A plan that outlines how the family office will invest its assets.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Diversification, Investment Policy Statement (IPS), Risk Management

The potential for losses due to changes in laws, regulations, or political stability in a country where investments are held.

Related terms: Compliance, Regulatory Compliance, Sovereign Risk, Operational Risk

Measurable values that demonstrate how effectively objectives are being achieved within an organization.

Related terms: Benchmarking, Compliance, Financial Audit, Investment Strategy, Risk Management

Regulatory compliance process used to verify the identity and suitability of clients to prevent fraud and money laundering.

Related terms: Compliance, Due Diligence, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Confidentiality Agreements, Risk Management

Preparing strategies to ensure one’s values, wishes, and financial assets are passed down to future generations as intended.

Related terms: Estate Planning, Family Legacy, Intergenerational Wealth Transfer, Succession Planning, Wealth Preservation

The ability to buy or sell an asset quickly and easily at a price close to its fair market value.

Related terms: Liquidity Event, Market Liquidity, Cash Flow Management, Asset Management

A transaction that allows owners to convert their equity into cash, such as an IPO or sale of the company.

Related terms: Private Equity, Liquidity, Cash Flow Management

An investment account owned by an individual investor but managed by a professional money manager.

Related terms: Asset Management, Assets Under Management (AUM), Investment Strategy, Portfolio Management

The extent to which a market allows assets to be bought and sold at stable prices and in sufficient volumes.

Related terms: Liquidity, Liquidity Event, Financial Instruments, Asset Management

The process of organising and overseeing legal cases, workflows, and documents to ensure transparency and risk management.

The consolidation of companies or assets through various financial transactions, important for growth strategies.

Related terms: Due Diligence, Divestment, Compliance, Asset Management

A statement that defines the family office’s purpose and values.

Related terms: Family Mission Statement, Governance, Strategic Philanthropy, Financial Stewardship

The process by which a central bank manages the supply of money to achieve specific goals like controlling inflation or unemployment.

Related terms: Economic Indicators, Inflation Risk, Liquidity

A clause ensuring one party receives terms as favourable as those given to any other party in contracts or agreements.

Related terms: Investment Strategy, Regulatory Compliance

A family office serving multiple families, pooling resources to provide comprehensive wealth management services.

Related terms: Family Office (FO), Asset Management, Wealth Preservation, Investment Strategy

A private organization that provides wealth management services to multiple families, sharing costs and infrastructure. MFOs typically serve families with $10M–$100M in investable assets who want family-office-level service without the overhead of a dedicated operation. Services include investment management, consolidated reporting, tax coordination, and access to institutional-quality deal flow.

Related terms: Single-Family Office (SFO), Family Governance

Involving the younger generation in wealth management and decision-making processes to prepare them for future responsibilities.

Related terms: NextGen (Next Generation), Family Office (FO), Impact Investing, Digital Transformation

The children and grandchildren of the family office’s founders.

Related terms: Next-Gen Engagement, Family Office (FO), Impact Investing, Digital Assets

A legal contract establishing a confidential relationship between parties to protect sensitive information.

Related terms: Confidentiality Agreements, Compliance, Due Diligence, Conflict of Interest, Regulatory Compliance

Holding assets in financial jurisdictions outside one’s country of residence, often for tax benefits or diversification.

Related terms: Alternative Investments, Compliance, Due Diligence

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) is the practice of collecting and analysing publicly available information to produce actionable insights, often used in family offices for due diligence, risk monitoring, and reputation management.

The expenses incurred by the family office in running its day-to-day operations.

Related terms: Operational Risk, Cash Flow Management, Financial Audit, Compliance

Risks arising from internal processes, people, and systems, or external events impacting operations.

Related terms: Compliance, Risk Management, Reputational Risk, Due Diligence, Concentration Risk

An Outsourced CFO is a part-time or project-based financial expert who provides strategic oversight and planning without the need for a full-time hire, making them ideal for evolving family office needs.

An Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) provides family offices with external investment management, offering expertise and risk oversight without requiring an internal CIO.

A tax-efficient solution combining life insurance with investments to support wealth growth, transfer, and confidentiality.

Related terms: Estate Planning, Wealth Structuring, Investment Strategy

An investment approach aiming to replicate market index performance rather than outperform it.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Diversification, Investment Strategy, Portfolio Management, Tactical Asset Allocation

Long-term capital committed with the understanding that returns may take years to materialize, often used in mission-driven or strategic investments.

A non-profit organization established by a family or individual to support charitable activities through grants and donations.

Related terms: Philanthropy, Charitable Giving, Donor-Advised Fund, Impact Investing, Strategic Philanthropy

The act of donating money, goods, services, or time to support charitable causes and promote the welfare of others.

Related terms: Charitable Giving, Donor-Advised Fund, Philanthropic Foundation, Impact Investing, Strategic Philanthropy

The art and science of making decisions about investment mix and policy to match financial objectives.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Diversification, Risk Management, Investment Strategy

Portfolio management software helps family offices and investors oversee, analyse, and optimise their portfolios by centralising performance tracking, reporting, and strategic oversight.

A secure, dedicated cloud infrastructure for exclusive use, offering enhanced control, security, and regulatory compliance.

Related terms: Regulatory Compliance, Digital Transformation

Capital investment made into private companies not listed on public exchanges, often to fund growth or restructure operations.

Related terms: Due Diligence, Co-investing, Liquidity Event, Investment Strategy

A multi-family office with a founding family that holds at least 50% of assets under management and serves no more than eight families. They are owned and operated for their benefit.

Related terms: Asset Management, Family Office (FO), Private Equity, Wealth Preservation

Offering of securities to a small number of selected investors as a way of raising capital without going public.

Related terms: Due Diligence, Private Equity, Regulatory Compliance, Liquidity

A Private Trust Company is a family-controlled entity serving as trustee, offering personalised governance and privacy for managing family trusts.

Delegating voting power on corporate matters to a representative, often used in shareholder meetings.

Related terms: Corporate Governance, Conflict of Interest, Investment Committee, Regulatory Compliance

Third-party cloud services providing scalable and cost-efficient computing resources over the internet for organizations.

A monetary policy where a central bank purchases government securities or other securities to inject money into the economy to expand economic activity.

Related terms: Monetary Policy, Inflation Risk, Liquidity, Asset Management, Financial Instruments

Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources.

Related terms: Asset Management, Investment Strategy, Due Diligence, Liquidity

A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is a fiduciary professional or firm that offers fee-based investment advice and is registered with either the SEC or state regulators.

Adherence to laws, regulations, guidelines, and specifications relevant to business processes, ensuring legal operation.

Related terms: Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Due Diligence, Risk Management

The potential loss resulting from damages to an organization’s reputation, affecting stakeholder confidence.

Related terms: Compliance, Corporate Governance, Conflict of Interest, Risk Management

The process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks that could affect the family office.

Related terms: Operational Risk, Compliance, Due Diligence, Diversification

Subscription-based software solutions hosted in the cloud, offering flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency for users.

Related terms: Digital Transformation

A strategic planning method used to make flexible long-term plans based on different future scenarios.

Related terms: Risk Management, Investment Strategy, Due Diligence, Economic Outlook

Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) are personalized investment portfolios managed by professional advisors, offering tailored strategies, direct ownership of assets, and greater control compared to pooled investment vehicles.

A Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) is a funding mechanism where investors provide capital to startups in exchange for future equity, typically at the time of the next investment round, without setting a fixed valuation upfront.

A family office that serves a single family.

Related terms: Family Governance, Asset Management, Wealth Preservation, Estate Planning

A private organization that manages the financial affairs and investments of one ultra-high-net-worth family. An SFO typically serves families with $100M+ in assets, providing comprehensive services including investment management, tax planning, estate planning, philanthropy coordination, and lifestyle management. Unlike multi-family offices, an SFO is dedicated exclusively to one family, offering maximum privacy, customisation, and control.

Related terms: Multi-Family Office (MFO), Family Governance, Family Constitution

An investment strategy that screens companies based on ethical, social, and environmental criteria, often excluding industries or practices that do not align with the investor’s values.

Related terms: ESG Investing, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing, Corporate Governance, Divestment

The risk that a foreign central government will default on its financial obligations.

Related terms: Jurisdictional Risk, Economic Indicators, Regulatory Compliance, Reputational Risk, Risk Management

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) are state-owned investment funds that manage national reserves, often sourced from trade surpluses or natural resource revenues, with a focus on long-term wealth creation and stability.

A Special Purpose Vehicle is a distinct legal entity designed to isolate financial risk and facilitate high-risk investments or joint ventures.

A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency designed to minimise price volatility by being pegged to a stable asset like the US dollar.

A long-term investment strategy that sets target allocations for various asset classes and periodically rebalances the portfolio back to those targets.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Diversification, Investment Strategy, Tactical Asset Allocation, Risk Management

A planned approach to charitable giving, aligning philanthropic efforts with personal values and societal needs for greater impact.

Related terms: Charitable Giving, Donor-Advised Fund, Impact Investing, Philanthropic Foundation, Strategic Asset Allocation

Pre-packaged investment strategies based on derivatives and a variety of underlying assets to meet specific risk-return objectives.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Investment Strategy, Risk Management, Liquidity

The process of planning for the transfer of ownership and management of the family office to the next generation.

Related terms: Estate Planning, Family Governance, Intergenerational Wealth Transfer, Legacy Planning

An investment approach that considers environmental, social, and governance factors in addition to financial returns.

Related terms: Impact Investing, Divestment, Corporate Governance

An active management portfolio strategy that shifts the percentage of assets held in various categories to take advantage of market pricing anomalies.

Related terms: Asset Allocation, Investment Strategy, Diversification, Risk Management

Analyzing financial situations from a tax perspective to minimize tax liability and maximize efficiency.

Related terms: Estate Planning, Charitable Giving, Succession Planning, Wealth Structuring

Time-Weighted Rate of Return measures portfolio performance by neutralising cash flow impacts, offering an accurate assessment of investment strategy effectiveness.

A Trust Protector oversees trust administration, ensuring trustee compliance, resolving disputes, and maintaining alignment with the trust’s objectives.

An Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individual (UHNWI) is a person with investable assets exceeding $30 million, requiring bespoke financial, legal, and lifestyle management services, often through family offices.

Related terms: Alternative Investments, Asset Allocation, Family Office (FO), Wealth Preservation

Financing provided to startups and small businesses with long-term growth potential by investors in exchange for equity.

Related terms: Due Diligence, Private Equity, Liquidity

Venture studios are organisations that create and launch startups in-house, offering a structured model for family offices to build aligned businesses from the ground up.

A technology-oriented family office that outsources many of its functions.

Related terms: Family Office (FO), Family Governance, Asset Management, Wealth Preservation

Wealth management software helps advisors and family offices manage portfolios, financial planning, reporting, and client relationships in one secure, integrated platform.

Strategies aimed at protecting existing wealth from erosion due to taxes, inflation, or market risks.

Related terms: Alternative Investments, Capital Preservation, Estate Planning, Wealth Structuring

Designing financial and legal frameworks to manage, protect, and transfer wealth efficiently.

Related terms: Alternative Investments, Estate Planning, Family Office (FO), Wealth Preservation

Wealth Tech refers to the use of digital tools and AI-driven solutions to enhance wealth management, investment strategies, and financial planning.