For Maryland-based Fortigent, a provider of outsourced wealth management services for financial advisors and institutions targeting high net worth clients, the first half of 2010 was its best six-month period ever in terms of new client partnerships and the renewal of existing client relationships.

Over the period, some 22 firms, including banks, trust companies and both start-up and existing RIAs selected Fortigent. More than 80 firms that collectively advise high net worth clients on more than $40 billion in assets now use Fortigent, the firm said.

"We were hired by a number of high net worth advisors that broke away from larger financial institutions and established newly independent firms. Several already existing firms partnered with us so they could focus on their core competencies while still delivering a comprehensive high-end solution to their clients. We also had regional banks and trust companies partner with us to enhance their overall offering so they could aggressively grow their businesses in a cost-effective manner," said chief executive and president Andrew Putterman.

"We are seeing increased interest in Access Overlay and Access Alts, our unified managed account and alternative investment platforms."