About
SkyView Partners is a financial services firm dedicated exclusively to the investment banking and financing needs of independent Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and financial advisors. Unlike general-purpose lenders, SkyView leverages deep wealth management industry expertise to deliver customized conventional bank financing—avoiding the constraints of SBA loans—with competitive fixed rates and favorable loan terms tailored to advisory practice valuations. SkyView's core offerings include M&A advisory and sell-side representation through its investment banking division, loan facilitation for acquisitions and successions, and a dedicated marketplace called the Advisory Practice Board of Exchange (APBOE) where RIAs can list practices for sale or find acquisition targets. Additional tools include a Borrowing Capacity Calculator and an RIA Market Value Estimator to help advisors plan their financial strategy. The firm has facilitated over $1 billion in RIA financing since inception across the United States, with a SOC 2 Type II certified operational framework. SkyView is ideal for financial advisors planning succession, looking to acquire or merge with another practice, seeking to restructure existing debt, or requiring flexible working capital. It operates as a subsidiary of SkyView Legacy Partners, LLC, and its investment banking arm is a SIPC and FINRA member.
Key Features
- Conventional (Non-SBA) Loan Financing: SkyView secures conventional bank loans with fixed rates and favorable terms, bypassing SBA requirements for faster, more flexible RIA-specific financing.
- Investment Banking & Sell-Side Representation: SkyView's investment banking team provides full sell-side advisory services, helping RIA owners find strategic buyers or equity partners.
- Advisory Practice Board of Exchange (APBOE): A dedicated marketplace for financial advisors to list, buy, or sell wealth management practices, with complimentary listing services for sellers and buyers.
- RIA Market Value Estimator & Borrowing Calculator: Online tools that help advisors estimate the market value of their practice and calculate borrowing capacity to plan M&A or succession transactions.
- Full M&A Transaction Support: End-to-end support for RIA mergers, acquisitions, successions, and debt refinancing, coordinating with buyers, sellers, bankers, and lenders.
Use Cases
- An independent RIA owner planning to retire and seeking immediate liquidity through a structured succession transaction with a qualified buyer.
- A financial advisor looking to acquire a competing practice and needing conventional financing with favorable fixed rates to fund the acquisition.
- An RIA firm with existing high-interest SBA or other debt seeking to refinance into a more cost-effective conventional loan structure.
- A growing advisory practice pursuing a merger with another RIA firm and requiring M&A advisory support alongside access to acquisition capital.
- A financial advisor exploring their practice's market value before entering sale negotiations, using SkyView's RIA Market Value Estimator tool.
Pros
- RIA-Exclusive Expertise: Unlike generalist lenders, SkyView focuses solely on the wealth management industry, offering deep domain knowledge and lender relationships tailored to RIA transactions.
- Over $1 Billion Funded with Zero Loan Loss: A strong track record of successful closings and zero loan losses demonstrates reliability and creditworthiness for both borrowers and lending partners.
- Conventional Financing Advantage: Non-SBA loan structures offer more flexibility, fewer restrictions, and often better terms for qualified RIA borrowers compared to government-backed loans.
- Fast Pre-Approval: SkyView offers pre-approval within 48 hours, enabling advisors to move quickly on time-sensitive acquisition or succession opportunities.
Cons
- Narrow Target Audience: Services are exclusively designed for RIAs and independent financial advisors, making the platform irrelevant for businesses outside the wealth management space.
- Not a Direct Lender: SkyView facilitates loans through third-party banks rather than lending directly, meaning final approval and terms depend on the selected banking partner's underwriting criteria.
- Limited Transparent Pricing: Specific loan rates and fees are not publicly listed; advisors must go through a consultation and formal credit underwriting process to receive actual terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of financing does SkyView Partners offer?
SkyView offers conventional (non-SBA) bank financing for RIA practice acquisitions, successions, mergers, debt restructuring, and flexible working capital solutions.
Who is eligible for SkyView's financing services?
SkyView exclusively serves independent and registered investment advisors (RIAs) and financial advisory practices in the United States.
How long does it take to get pre-approved?
SkyView offers pre-approval decisions within 48 hours, allowing advisors to move quickly on acquisition or succession opportunities.
What is the Advisory Practice Board of Exchange (APBOE)?
APBOE is SkyView's proprietary marketplace where financial advisors can list their practices for sale or search for practices to acquire, with complimentary listing services for both buyers and sellers.
Does SkyView provide direct loans?
No. SkyView facilitates financing by presenting applications to the banks best suited to fund a given transaction. It acts as an intermediary and advisor rather than a direct lender.
