Stories by Suzanne Cosgrove, Judith Crown, Meaghan Offerman, Julie Tatge, Danielle Walker, Christine Williamson, and Trilbe Wynne
Illustration by Peter Hoey | Design and development by Patrick Roth
94 firms cited as best of bunch
Ninety-four firms were recognized by Pensions & Investments as part of its 2020 Best Places to Work in Money Management program.
Firms change the rules to help workers meet new challenges
Best Places employers loosened policies and rolled out new benefits in the wake of COVID-19 and racial inequity concerns.
Managers focus on employee health, preserving culture
Preserving corporate culture is a prime focus for P&I BPTW winners as the COVID-19 pandemic rages.
1,000+ employees
1
Capital Group
Headquarters: Los Angeles
AUM: $1.9 trillion as of June 30
Employees: 7,013
Years won: 2018-2020
Popular perks: Annually contributes 15% of each associate’s compensation into their retirement.
Employees say: “Great company culture in general. Takes employee satisfaction very seriously. Respect for individuals is high."
2
Neuberger–Berman Group
Headquarters: New York City
AUM: $357 billion as of June 30
Employees: 1,646
Years won: 2013-2020
Popular perks: A new civic engagement initiative led by employees seeks to increase awareness and education on important topics.
Employees say: “Enables and supports individual creativity and thinking. Very collegial environment. Upward mobility allows rapid advancement.”
3
PGIM
Headquarters: Newark, N.J.
AUM: $1.4 trillion as of June 30
Employees: 2,637
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: Added a variety of health and wellness programs in response to the pandemic.
Employees say: “By far the most inclusive workplace that I’ve experienced and people are genuinely nice to each other, which is rare in finance.”
4
T. Rowe Price
Headquarters: Baltimore
AUM: $1.22 trillion as of June 30
Employees: 7,489
Years won: 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020
Popular perks: Provides on-site massage therapy, yoga classes and gyms.
Employees say: “They always get it right when it comes down to social issues. They are never hesitant to come out in support of what is right.”
5
Principal–Global Investors
Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa
AUM: $486.5 billion as of June 30
Employees: 1,516
Years won: 2012-2020
Popular perks: Provides on-site massage, yoga, fitness classes and team sports.
Employees say: “Principal really cares about their employees and makes an effort to have a good work/life balance.”
6
Athene USA
Headquarters: West Des Moines, Iowa
AUM: Not available
Employees: 1,260
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: Encourages employees to act like owners and enroll in an employee stock purchase plan that allows them to buy Athene stock at a 15% discount.
Employees say: “The company gives me the authority to do my job and listens to my ideas — and many times implements them.”
500-999 employees
1
TCW–Group
Headquarters: Los Angeles
AUM: $225 billion as of June 30
Employees: 613
Years won: 2014-2020
Popular perks: On-site subsidized dining facility serves fresh breakfast and lunch, including a made-to-order juice bar.
Employees say: “This organization adapts fast and well during tough times.”
2
Schwab Asset Management Solutions
Headquarters: San Francisco
AUM: $2.5 trillion as of June 30
Employees: 743
Years won: 2016-2020
Popular perks: Employees can earn a $300 health reward by completing a health screening, online health risk assessment and achieving certain health thresholds.
Employees say: “There are many options and resources for work/life balance, including paid time to volunteer.”
3
Voya Investment Management
Headquarters: New York City
AUM: $230 billion as of June 30
Employees: 826
Years won: 2015-2020
Popular perks: Employees are encouraged to volunteer and are paid up to 40 hours a year for volunteer time away.
Employees say: “The organization’s values were on display during the Black Lives Matter protests and it created a sense of community.”
4
AQR–Capital Management
Headquarters: Greenwich, Conn.
AUM: $141 billion as of June 30
Employees: 648
Years won: 2017-2020
Popular perks: Provides 100% paid medical, dental and vision coverage.
Employees say: “AQR takes a proactive interest in continually investing in its employees through a world-class training program, annual review process and work environment.”
5
Western Asset Management
Headquarters: Pasadena, Calif.
AUM: $468.5 billion as of June 30
Employees: 835
Years won: 2012, 2014-2020
Popular perks: Promotes diversity and inclusion and social action.
Employees say: “Western hires and retains people that you'd want to have as neighbors.”
6
Lord–Abbett
Headquarters: Jersey City, N.J.
AUM: $198.5 billion as of June 30
Employees: 729
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: Provide paid subscriptions to a meditation app.
Employees say: “Our leadership has been amazing with the level of communication and transparency during this COVID crisis.”
100-499 employees
1
Clearbridge Investments
Headquarters: New York City
AUM: $149.4 billion as of June 30
Employees: 213
Years won: 2012-2020
Popular perks: Provides sit-stand desks and stretch demonstrations by fitness instructors.
Employees say: “Great leadership that cares for the employee and the quality of the work provided.”
2
Income–Research & Management
Headquarters: Boston
AUM: $81.4 billion as of June 30
Employees: 180
Years won: 2016-2020
Popular perks: Granted three extra days of vacation to be taken in May or June to combat burnout during work from home because of COVID-19.
Employees say: “Even in a pandemic, I still feel connected to and cared for by my co-workers while working from home.”
3
Intercontinental–Real Estate
Headquarters: Boston
AUM: $10.4 billion as of June 30
Employees: 110
Years won: 2016-2020
Popular perks: Promotes a healthy work life balance with an on-site company gym and complimentary wellness and athletic training classes.
Employees say: “Leadership has handled the COVID pandemic with grace and supported employees in a way that is above and beyond the call of a corporate employer.”
4
Mesirow–Financial
Headquarters: Chicago
AUM: $32.3 billion as of June 30
Employees: 276
Years won: 2013, 2015, 2020
Popular perks: Offers a student loan debt repayment program designed to assist employees with the growing challenge of student debt.
Employees say: “Mesirow does a great job championing the needs of our clients alongside the well-being of its employees.”
5
Harbert Management
Headquarters: Birmingham, Ala.
AUM: $7.7 billion as of June 30
Employees: 147
Years won: 2019, 2020
Popular perks: The employee-run HERO Foundation provides direct financial or other appropriate assistance to individuals or families in crisis.
Employees say: “It is a hardworking, hard-driving place that is focused on growth and providing great investment returns.”
50-99 employees
1
Vulcan Value Partners
Headquarters: Birmingham, Ala.
AUM: $13.5 billion as of June 30
Employees: 64
Years won: 2017-2020
Popular perks: Fully paid maternity and paternity leave, child-care reimbursement, and adoption and infertility financial assistance.
Employees say: “Quality work is valued greatly and there is always someone there to say a simple ‘great work!’”
2
Adviser Investments
Headquarters: Newton, Mass.
AUM: $5.6 billion as of June 30
Employees: 88
Years won: 2016-2020
Popular perks: Provides paid time off to allow employees to contribute to local and national organizations and also sponsors charitable events in which employees can participate.
Employees say: “Very entrepreneurial — if you see something that needs to be improved or an opportunity that arises, you are encouraged to run with it.”
3
Bailar|d
Headquarters: Foster City, Calif.
AUM: $3.8 billion as of June 30
Employees: 65
Years won: 2018-2020
Popular perks: Makes available education assistance with paid study days.
Employees say: “The open-door policy literally means we have no doors in our main office. The CEO and COO sit in cubes.”
4
MRA Associates
Headquarters: Phoenix
AUA: $3.6 billion as of June 30
Employees: 53
Years won: 2016-2020
Popular perks: The in-office MRA Associates Community Gallery showcases original artworks by local established and emerging artists with rotating exhibitions.
Employees say: “The partners promote activities and an atmosphere of having fun, play hard and work hard.”
5
Polen–Capital Management
Headquarters: Boca Raton, Fla.
AUM: $45 billion as of June 30
Employees: 91
Years won: 2016-2020
Popular perks: Offers on-site gym and wellness room with free personal training, yoga, meditation and massages.
Employees say: “You can fail without fear of unfair retribution, allowing you to experiment and try new things that may add value to firm.”
20-49 employees
1
Your Wealth Effect
Headquarters: Irvine, Calif.
AUM: $1.1 billion as of June 30
Employees: 21
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: Provides team members with one paid day off per quarter to volunteer.
Employees say: “Everything the company does is focused on taking care of employees, clients and the community.”
2
Dana–Investment Advisors
Headquarters: Waukesha, Wis.
AUM: $6.5 billion as of June 30
Employees: 45
Years won: 2012-2020
Popular perks: To support local restaurants during COVID-19 closures, the company provided free Take-Out Tuesday lunches.
Employees say: “Management seems to go out of their way and even take a financial hit to themselves first to ensure the success of all employees and organizations.”
3
Satori Capital
Headquarters: Dallas
AUM: $1 billion as of June 30
Employees: 37
Years won: 2015-2020
Popular perks: During quarantine, Satori provided a week’s worth of fresh and healthy lunches to employees’ homes each Monday at no cost.
Employees say: “Leadership goes above and beyond to make it an environment where authenticity and collaboration are optimally tuned.”
4
Cornerstone–Advisors Asset Management
Headquarters: Bethlehem, Pa.
AUM: $6.2 billion as of June 30
Employees: 34
Years won: 2016-2020
Popular perks: Offers a charitable giving match of up to $100 a year per employee and a paid day off for volunteering.
Employees say: “While we work hard, the company also makes sure that we and our families are taken care of during good times and bad.”
5
Bridgeway–Capital Management
Headquarters: Houston
AUM: $5 billion as of June 30
Employees: 37
Years won: 2014-2015, 2017-2020
Popular perks: Sponsors company outings including sporting events and happy hours along with special celebrations, such as Pi Day, a chili cookout competition, a virtual family talent show, and pumpkin carving.
Employees say: “Partners truly care for each other. We care about society and others.”