Trusted Expertise for a Changing World

J. Alden Associates, Inc. was founded in 1995 by Peter Alden Engelbach to provide independent brokerage advice, trading, and account management for individual investors. Over the next several years the firm grew to over 12 licensed representatives.

In 2008, the firm added over 10 licensed representatives affiliated with Meyer Chatfield, Inc., a leading provider of benefits and insurance solutions to hundreds of financial services companies.

J. Alden grew to over 25 licensed individuals in the years following the 2008 financial crisis.

During 2017, Peter Engelbach and Lee Calfo explored a transition to enhance the capabilities of the firm and add new business lines by combining teams. In early 2018, an agreement was reached to purchase the broker dealer. Lee Calfo was added as CEO and Kenneth Smith as Chief Compliance Officer; Peter Engelbach was named the firm’s President. Several other key personnel were added and the firm began doing business as Alden Securities.

In mid-2018, Alden Securities completed a successful continuing membership application with FINRA that added a number of additional business lines to the firm’s membership agreement and significantly expanded the number of representatives the firm may have. In addition, Alden added an investment advisor affiliate to provide fee-based asset management services to individuals and institutional investors.

Alden added additional licensed representatives during 2018, taking the total number to over 30. These included research representatives, equity sales personnel and representatives offering private placements to both individual and institutional investors.

Alden established a retirement plan business in mid-2018 with two key personnel additions and through year-end, grew the firm’s retirement plan assets to nearly $150 million.

In the first quarter of 2019 Alden significantly enhanced its web presence with the rollout of a brand new website and a new online marketing campaign to attract more representatives and clients to the firm.

As part of Alden’s continued growth plan, the firm opened another office in Collegeville, PA in June, for the Springhouse Wealth Partners division.

By the end of 2020, Alden more than doubled the total number of registered financial representatives since 2018, for a total of 65. Additionally, Alden increased 401k assets under management to $250 million, over a $100 million increase in two years.

For the second year in a row, Alden Investment Group ranks in the 35th annual Financial Planning IBD Elite, achieving second place for Revenue Growth and third place for Highest Growth in Producing Reps.

Alden Investment Group announces their latest partnership with the Adi Dassler International Family Office (ADIFO), an affiliate of Apollon Wealth Management, a $1.6 billion RIA.

Alden launches its newest Registered Investment Advisor, Alden Investment Advisors (AIA). AIA is focused on empowering independent financial advisors to provide exceptional client outcomes through modern technology, high-quality client service, and operational support.

The Galbreath Group announces its affiliation with Alden Securities. The Galbreath Group’s consultants and advisors specialize in Bank-Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) and Corporate-Owned Life Insurance (COLI).

Aaron Williams joins as Managing Director to launch Alden Cove, a turnkey asset management platform (TAMP) with concierge services and diverse investments, rapidly adding $300M in assets.

Alden makes its Endowment and Endowment PLUS models accessible through Alden COVE. The Endowment models are designed to provide enhanced risk-adjusted returns to institutions and clients. The portfolios invest in low-cost, passively managed equities, actively managed asset managers or securities, and alternative asset classes.

Sharp Financial Group, based in Horsham, PA, joins Alden Investment Group as a strategic partner. It offers clients investment banking and family office services.

Alden Investment Group announces its latest branch expansion by opening the Alden Red Bank office in Red Bank, NJ.

Alden Investment Group Receives a Strategic Investment from the Castle Creek Launchpad Fund. This strategic initiative from a community-bank-backed fintech venture fund aims to expand the reach of Alden’s Turnkey Asset Management Platform and retail investment advisor firm and transform investment solutions offered for financial advisors, banks, and other participants with high-value comprehensive wealth offerings and low-cost digital delivery.

Alden creates an advisor-facing investment committee designed to assist with institutional asset manager due diligence, selection, and portfolio construction. This expansion allows Alden to provide institutions and HNW clients with open architecture, institutional quality solutions, held-away account management, and technology such as client portals and reporting. ALPS is our hedge fund focused on risk-adjusted returns by coupling our go-anywhere best-ideas approach with hedging.

The first partner advisors were awarded equity, symbolizing Alden’s shift to a more hands-on, boutique partnership model.

Alden doubles advisor headcount in two years to over 140 team members nationwide and over $2 billion of client assets.

The Castle Creek Launchpad Investment Fund invests in a second round of venture funding with Alden.

An extension of our advisor platform to now support individual fixed income, technical equities research and retirement plans.

Phinon Woodside joins Alden, expanding the operations infrastructure to service advisors and clients.

Alden celebrates its 30th year!

Launch of Ambassador Financial Group fixed income trading, an advisory and investment banking firm that helps clients improve their financial performance and achieve their strategic goals and objectives. Services include balance sheet advisory, M&A advisory, and capital markets advisory.

Alden Partners with Axos Complete to streamline operations, empower advisors with an intuitive professional workstation, and elevate the client experience through a fully branded digital portal. The result is a unified, secure platform that enables advisors to manage relationships and planning tools more efficiently, while providing clients with real-time access to banking, investment accounts, and reports within a single, connected experience.

Launch of Alden Insurance Associates to broaden the firm’s advisor solutions team to encompass advanced planning and insurance solutions.

Launch of Broker Benefits Group, a unique benefits platform designed exclusively for real estate brokerages to attract and retain top-producing agents while building long-term enterprise value.