We’re a relationship-driven firm. We believe in trust, integrity and objectivity. Clients who value a relationship will do very well with us - and we’ll do very well with them - because there is that open, trusting and intimate dialogue, “ said Thomas P. Melcher, executive vice president and managing executive of Hawthorn, PNC Family Wealth®.

The main key to Hawthorn’s success is its steadfast belief in the well-being of its clients, and a corporate culture that from its inception, has been steeped in an uncompromising adherence to the fiduciary standard.

“We put our clients first in everything we do, and never lose sight of the fact that it’s an honor and a privilege to serve clients.” Hawthorn serves ultrahigh net worth individuals or organizations investing a minimum of $20 million.

The firm prides itself on being a people-oriented organization that cherishes face-to-face interactions with its clients. “I really believe there is no substitute for face-to-face interaction when it comes to significant wealth management relationships. I think money continues to be one of the most intimate subjects that we have,” Melcher reiterates.

He also believes that clients can tell when an advisor has a genuine interest in their lives. When clients feel that their advisers are totally trustworthy and are only out to protect the clients’ interests, “then you have those very deep – and quite frankly, emotional – types of conversations that allow for clarity in what the client is trying to accomplish.”

An adviser who has a clear understanding of a client’s goals is said to be in a much better position to help the client accomplish those goals. Most of the firm’s clients have achieved financial independence, but they may still take advantage of programs such as Hawthorn’s tax efficient strategies that can compound over time to help improve their overall financial situations. “I think when you adjust for the fact that insurance proceeds are typically tax free, whereas market proceeds are generally taxable – when you level that playing field certain instruments that are often times overlooked become very interesting and highly relevant in the overall diversified portfolio.”

Melcher refuses to take credit for Hawthorn’s success, however. “I have an incredible leadership team that has been outstanding in their stewardship of the company, and in the culture that we’ve jointly created.”

Hawthorn is expanding to states like Florida to be closer to its clients. As Melcher insists, “It’s hard for me not to be proud of all of Hawthorn – not just my leadership team – but all of our employees,” he adds, “The greatest success of my career has really been watching Hawthorn grow from a relatively small firm into one of the leading multifamily offices in the country.”

For more information visit: www.hawthorn.pnc.com

Hawthorn, PNC Family Wealth® (hawthorn.pnc.com) is one of the country’s largest and most successful multi-family offices, providing integrated wealth management solutions to ultra-affluent families and individuals with investable assets of at least $20 million.* Integrated wealth management enhances a family’s ability to manage wealth over generations; align investment management with family values, lifestyles and aspirations; and simplify the complexities of managing wealth. *Bloomberg Markets, December 2014