Family Offices Emerging as New Power Players in Global Dealmaking and Wealth Management

The WSJ article [2] highlights that family offices have become new power players on Wall Street, with wealthy families launching them at a record pace and increasingly participating in significant deals. Data from Deloitte, reported by Bloomberg [1], shows 8,030 single family offices managing $3.1 trillion in 2024, a 31% rise over five years. The WSJ [2] further notes current AUM of ~$5.5 trillion, with projections to exceed $9 trillion by 2030 (Deloitte).

Growth drivers include rising global ultra-wealth, dissatisfaction with traditional wealth management fees, and a desire for direct control over investments [0]. Family offices’ ability to make fast decisions without the regulatory constraints of larger institutions and their long-term investment horizons make them attractive partners for sellers, shifting the balance of power in dealmaking historically dominated by private equity firms and investment banks [4].

• Shift in Dealmaking Landscape
  : Family offices’ financial clout enables direct participation in major transactions, reducing reliance on traditional intermediaries and potentially altering market share dynamics [2].
• Patient Capital Influence
  : Their long-term investment approach may encourage sustainable business models, contrasting with the shorter-term focus of some traditional institutions [0].
• Wealth Management Competition
  : Traditional firms face pressure to adapt services to retain high-net-worth clients as family offices gain traction [2].

• Opportunities
  : Businesses seeking stable, long-term capital may benefit from partnering with family offices, which often prioritize legacy building over quick returns [0].
• Risks
  : Less regulatory oversight for family offices could raise concerns about transparency in large transactions [0]. Traditional financial institutions may experience reduced dealflow if family offices continue to expand their direct investment activities [4].
• Market Structure Risk
  : A growing concentration of wealth in family offices may impact market liquidity and pricing in certain asset classes [0].

Family offices are private firms managing assets for ultra-high-net-worth families (typically >$100 million in assets) [0]. They have grown by 31% in number (2019-2024) with current AUM of ~$5.5 trillion, projected to reach $9 trillion by 2030 [1][2]. Their involvement in deals includes private equity, real estate, and venture capital, often co-investing with peers or traditional firms [0]. Information gaps include 2025 growth rates, specific 2025 deal examples, and their market share relative to traditional institutions [0].