We’re Focused on Maintaining the Same High Level of Service, Independence, and Integrity That Has Guided Us Since the Beginning: Lewis J. Altfest, Ph.D., CEO of Altfest Personal Wealth Management

Altfest Personal Wealth Management is a New York City-based wealth management firm that mostly advises individual investors, but also works with some institutional clients. The fee-only firm offers investment management and integrated financial planning services, and manages one pooled investment vehicle. 

SME Business Review reached out to Lewis J. Altfest, Ph.D., CEO of Altfest Personal Wealth Management®, for an interview to discuss the firm’s approach to financial planning and the benefits of its fee-only model. Here’s what Mr. Altfest had to say.

Interview Excerpts

How does Altfest Personal Wealth Management ensure that the financial advice you provide is truly personalized?

We take the time to understand every detail of your financial life. It’s not just about investments for us — we consider your tax situation, your retirement plans, your risk tolerance, and more. Through in-depth conversations and thorough analysis, we tailor our advice to fit your specific circumstances. Our goal is to offer guidance that reflects your unique financial journey, ensuring that everything we suggest aligns with where you are now and where you want to go.

How does Altfest handle investment strategies, especially during market volatility?

Our investment strategy is rooted in discipline and evidence-based decisions. We don’t chase trends or make reactive moves during market volatility. Instead, we focus on long-term growth and carefully manage risk. We use data-driven research to guide us, ensuring that your portfolio is diversified and positioned for stability over time. Our approach allows us to keep an eye on long-term objectives rather than getting caught up in short-term market swings.

How does the fee-only model benefit your clients?

With our fee-only model, you can rest assured that the advice you receive is unbiased and entirely in your best interest. We don’t earn commissions or sell products, so there’s no pressure to push you toward anything that doesn’t align with your needs. This transparency ensures that our recommendations are based solely on your financial goals, not driven by incentives from third parties.

What role does technology play in your relationship with clients?

Technology plays a supportive role in how we work with you. We use advanced financial planning tools and investment software to provide you with up-to-date information on your portfolio. This allows you to see where you stand financially and even explore different “what-if” scenarios to model future decisions. However, technology doesn’t replace the personal touch we’re known for. It simply enhances your experience, making it easier for you to engage with your financial plan.

Altfest has been independent since its founding. How does that benefit clients like me?

Being independent allows us to provide truly objective advice. We aren’t tied to any larger financial institutions, so we’re free to choose the products and strategies that best fit your needs. This independence gives us the flexibility to create custom financial plans tailored to your situation, without any pressure to follow corporate directives or push specific products. You get advice that’s solely focused on your best interests.

What sets Altfest Personal Wealth Management apart from other wealth management firms?

We stand apart by focusing on personalized service and comprehensive financial planning. Instead of just managing investments, we look at the bigger picture. We examine everything from tax strategies to retirement plans, estate planning, and risk management. We’re also independent, which means we avoid conflicts of interest. Our fee-only model ensures that the advice we give is entirely based on what’s best for you, not influenced by commissions or product sales.

How does the firm maintain high ethical standards, and why should that matter to me as a client?

We take ethics seriously, and our clients’ trust is our top priority. We adhere to strict ethical guidelines, and that means being transparent and honest in every recommendation we make. In an industry where conflicts of interest can sometimes arise, we take pride in making sure that every decision is made with your best interests in mind. You can feel confident knowing that we’re committed to acting with integrity and placing your needs first.

What can you tell me about the future of Altfest Personal Wealth Management?

We’re focused on maintaining the same high level of service, independence, and integrity that has guided us since the beginning. Succession planning is something we take seriously, ensuring that our firm’s values and client-centric approach will carry on as new generations step into leadership roles. We’re committed to evolving with the financial industry while holding onto the core principles that have defined us for decades. You can count on us to continue delivering personalized, expert guidance for years to come.

Lewis J. Altfest, Ph.D. | CEO

Lewis J. Altfest, Ph.D., is CEO, Chief Investment Officer and a Principal Advisor for Altfest Personal Wealth Management®. He directs the firm’s Investment and Leadership Committees, and leads the Portfolio Action Group, which sets investment strategy for client portfolios.

Prior to founding the firm in 1983, he was a General Partner and Director of Research for Lord Abbett & Co., a large mutual fund and investment management company that manages more than $100 billion in assets. Lew began his investment career as a research analyst at Wertheim & Co.

Lew was the sole recipient of the 2007 Charles R. Schwab IMPACT Award® – arguably the highest distinction in the profession – for his sustained vision, outstanding leadership and client commitment.

His academic textbook, Personal Financial Planning, was published by McGraw-Hill and is currently used at universities around the country. Lew is also co-author of Lew Altfest Answers Almost All Your Questions About Money, named one of the best financial planning books by Money magazine, and co-author of An Introduction to Business.

Lew is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Lubin School of Business at Pace University, where he teaches financial planning and investments. In addition to the books listed above, Lew is the author of many scholarly articles on financial planning and investments.

Lew lectures frequently to investors, pre-retirees and retirees as well as to other financial professionals. He is often interviewed by the media and currently writes a monthly investment column for Medical Economics.

Lew is listed in Who’s Who in Finance and Who’s Who in America.

Lew received his Ph.D. from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY). He has an MBA from New York University and a BBA from Baruch College. He also holds the CFA, CFP®, CPA and PFS designations.

“With our fee-only model, you can rest assured that the advice you receive is unbiased and entirely in your best interest. We don’t earn commissions or sell products, so there’s no pressure to push you toward anything that doesn’t align with your needs.”