West Branch Capital LLC

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Client assets under management

$677,257,493

Clients

372

46% high-net worth

Advisors

of 9 employees

Firm type

Team

4-10 advisors or $500M+ in AUM

Clients per advisor

High

Average account size

$1,820,585

About

West Branch Capital provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, high‑net‑worth clients, trusts, estates, corporations and other businesses. The firm constructs portfolios using individual equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs and options, and it offers planning across retirement, education, estate and related topics.

The firm’s investment approach is primarily long‑term and uses both fundamental and technical analysis, while retaining the flexibility to trade more actively for rebalancing or in response to market conditions. West Branch’s brochure discloses use of margin, leverage and options strategies (including covered‑call writing) where authorized, and it states accounts are monitored continuously with at least annual formal reviews.

What distinguishes West Branch from many peers is its scale and legacy arrangements: the brochure reports $690,090,610 in assets under management and notes the firm maintains performance‑based fee arrangements with three existing qualified clients while no longer offering such arrangements to new clients. The brochure also discloses a willingness, in select cases, to pay third‑party estate‑planning legal fees for clients, directs clients to third‑party sources such as the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site for additional information, and states that proxy voting is left to clients rather than handled by the firm.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management

Expertise

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management

Fee options

Percentage

$0 - $500,000: 1.50% $500,001 - $1,000,000: 1.10% $1,000,001 - $3,000,000: 0.75% $3,000,001 - $5,000,000: 0.65% $5,000,001 - $10,000,000: 0.50% $10,000,001 - $15,000,000: 0.40% $15,000,001 - $20,000,000: 0.30% $20,000,001+: 0.25%

Performance-based

Charged to three legacy clients who are 'Qualified Clients'; fee is a percentage of yearly realized or unrealized capital gains or appreciation as of calendar year-end; no new clients accepted under performance-based fee arrangements.

Other

Account minimum: $1,000,000 (minimum account size generally required, may be waived at Adviser's discretion)

Main office location

West Branch Capital LLC

9 Research Drive, Suite 1

Amherst MA 01002, United States

Number of offices

Most active in

California · Colorado · Connecticut · Florida · Illinois · Louisiana · Maine · Massachusetts · Nebraska · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Rhode Island · Texas · Vermont · Virginia · Washington

Disclosures

Business activities & affiliations

Is not active or affiliated with:

Insurance agent

They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.

Broker-dealer / trader

They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.

Bank

They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.

Trust company

They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.

Fund sponsor

They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.

Accountant / CPA / tax prep

They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.

Lawyer

They provide legal services, typically billed separately.

Real estate agent

They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.

Other specialized services

They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.

Forms ADV

Form ADV Part 2: Client Brochure Form ADV Part 3: Client Relationship

Quick links

LinkedIn Website 833-888-0534; 413-256-1225

Advisors at this firm

James H

CFA®

Amherst, MA

West Branch Capital LLC

James Ho is a CFA® charterholder with 22 years of industry experience. He has been with West Branch Capital LLC since 2009. West Branch Capital provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, corporations, and other businesses. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach using both fundamental and technical analysis, while maintaining flexibility for active trading as needed.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management

Ian M

Series 63, Series 65

Amherst, MA

West Branch Capital LLC

Ian Mahmud is a financial advisor at West Branch Capital LLC with 11 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has previously worked at Centerview Partners LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, MIT Sloan, UBS Securities LLC, and Barclays Capital. West Branch Capital provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, corporations, and other businesses. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach using both fundamental and technical analysis, while maintaining flexibility for active trading and portfolio rebalancing.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management

Ayaz M

Series 63, Series 65, Series 66

Amherst, MA

West Branch Capital LLC

Ayaz Mahmud is a financial advisor at West Branch Capital LLC with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 registrations and has been with West Branch Capital since 2004. West Branch Capital provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, corporations, and other businesses. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach using both fundamental and technical analysis, with flexibility for active trading and risk management strategies.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management

Anne C

Series 66

Amherst, MA

West Branch Capital LLC

Anne Christopulos is a financial advisor at West Branch Capital LLC with 22 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with West Branch Capital since 2016, following nine years at Davis Financial Services, LLC. West Branch Capital provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, corporations, and other businesses. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach using fundamental and technical analysis while maintaining flexibility for active trading as needed.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management

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