Intro: Detailed Ranking & Review of Chicago Capital


Chicago Capital (Chi-Cap) was recently ranked by AdvisoryHQ News as a top-rated financial advisory and wealth management firm in Chicago, Illinois. The firm provides advisory services to individuals, high net worth individuals, families, foundations, and corporations.

In the sections below, we provide a detailed overview of the firm, including the key factors that enabled this firm to be ranked as one of the top financial advisory firms in Chicago.

AdvisoryHQ Award Emblem for Chicago Capital


About AdvisoryHQ News


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AdvisoryHQ is an online news media that is committed to simplifying the research that consumers conduct before choosing a top provider. Our review articles are always 100% independently researched and written.

For additional information on AdvisoryHQ’s methodologies, click here: AdvisoryHQ Methodologies. For information on AdvisoryHQ’s objectivity approach, click here: AdvisoryHQ’s Objective Process.


Overview of Chicago Capital


Chicago Capital is a top Chicago investment firm that offers unbiased advice squarely focused on its clients’ financial objectives. The founding principle of the firm is to put clients first.

As one of the top financial planners in the Chicago Metropolitan area, Chicago Capital offers a wide range of services, which include investment management, financial planning, tax planning, retirement solutions, and more.

The firm is a fee-only Chicago registered investment advisor (RIA) and is also a fiduciary. It has approximately $3 billion in assets under management. You can access the firm’s Form ADV and legal disclosures here.

Logo of Chicago Capital

The advisors at Chi-Cap provide customized investment solutions. You won’t find any “one size fits all” approaches here. The team at this firm believes that the best investment services are those that are tailored to each client’s circumstances and specific financial goals for the future.

Investments for Multiple Generations

If you’re looking for a Chicagoland financial advisor that will become a trusted source of expert financial advice throughout generations of wealth, Chicago Capital is an excellent option.

The firm’s advisors believe in building long-term relationships where they align their focus with your family’s goals that span multiple generations. The firm’s core principles are long-term ownership and shared values with clients.


Diversified & Strategic Investment Approach


The advisors at Chicago Capital employ a variety of investment vehicles in order to accommodate each client’s individual needs and goals. Among the investments that are considered are common stocks, preferred stocks, master limited partnerships, corporate, government, and municipal fixed income securities, mutual funds, and money market funds.

The firm uses fundamental research methods when identifying the best investment strategies for clients. The research includes several resources, including, but not limited to:

  • Company Management
  • Company Websites / Press Releases
  • Corporate data / SEC Filings
  • Financial news sources
  • Ratings services
  • Third-party research
  • Wall Street Research
  • Primary research

The portfolio managers at Chi-Cap have decades of experience managing client investments. This includes experience successfully navigating several different financial cycles in both up and down markets.

Advisors look for opportunities in all financial conditions to help their clients capitalize on wealth potential while being mindful of risk.


The Team at Chicago Capital


While Chicago Capital itself was founded in 2018, its co-founders and others on the advisory team have investment industry experience that spans decades. Some have over thirty years of financial experience. This is a seasoned group of advisors that have worked through multiple market conditions and have the expertise to guide clients through any financial climate with a steady hand.

The committed team at Chicago Capital includes the following investment industry professionals.

Paolo Barbone - Chicago Capital TeamMalinda Distefano - Chicago Capital TeamRichard Fradin - Chicago Capital TeamJake Hamlin - Chicago Capital Team
Paolo Barbone

Has been in the investment business since 2013

Malinda Distefano,
Co-Founder
Has been in the investment business since 2001
Richard Fradin

Has been in the investment business since 1994

Jake Hamlin

Has been in the investment business since 2009

Jessica Kribs - Chicago Capital TeamDavid Mabie - Chicago Capital TeamEric Maddix - Chicago Capital TeamWhitney Nessner - Chicago Capital Team
Jessica Kribs

Has been in the investment business since 2000

David Mabie,
Co-Founder
Has been in the investment business since 1991
Eric Maddix,
Co-Founder
Has been in the investment business since 1987
Whitney Nessner,
Co-Founder
Has been in the investment business since 2006
Stacey Sargent - Chicago Capital TeamChristy Verity - Chicago Capital Team
Stacey Sargent,
Co-Founder
Has been in the investment business since 1995
Christy Verity

Has been in the investment business since 1992


Chicago Capital Services


One benefit of working with Chicago Capital for your investment and wealth management needs is that the firm offers a wide range of different financial services. This provides one place that families, individuals, and organizations can go to for several of their financial management requirements.

Working with one firm for a variety of financial services can foster a cohesive wealth strategy, with different areas of your financial life working together to complement each other.

The range of services offered by Chi-Cap include:

  • Investment Management
  • Wealth & Financial Planning
  • Tax Planning
  • Charitable giving
  • Endowments & Foundations
  • Retirement Solutions

Customized Retirement Solutions


One of the things that make Chicago Capital one of the best Chicago financial advisors is its dedication to customizing each client’s financial strategy to their distinct needs. The transition from the workforce to retirement includes many complicated details, and Chi-Cap’s team helps clients make sense of the complexities.

The team’s tailored strategy for investing is also used for retirement solutions. This helps those looking for top-notch asset management in Chicago plan for a comfortable retirement that will assist them with achieving the safety net they need.

The advisors at Chicago Capital have experience with:

  • 401(k)
  • 403(b)
  • Profit-sharing
  • Defined benefit plans
  • All types of IRAs

Chicago Capital Team


Tax Planning


If you’re looking for a full-service Chicago wealth management firm that can go beyond just investment guidance, then you’ll appreciate the tax planning services offered by Chicago Capital.

The firm’s advisors coordinate with a broad range of tax, accounting, and legal professionals to offer clients the most helpful financial solutions for their needs.

Taxes are a big consideration for Chicago investors and can significantly impact how much of their money they’ll have working for them.  Chicago Capital can assist you in managing your tax burden.


Award-Winning Firm


In addition to being named as one of the top financial advisors in Chicago, IL (2020-2021 Ranking), Chicago Capital has garnered multiple other financial industry awards.

Being that the firm was founded in 2018, the number of awards that it has already earned is impressive and a testament to this team of experienced financial professionals.

Some of the awards that this financial investment and wealth management firm has been given over the years include:

  • Forbes Best-in-State (2019, 2020, 2021)
  • Barron’s America’s Top Advisor (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
  • Chicago Magazine Five Star Wealth Manager (2019, 2020, 2021)
  • Investment News Ranked 159th largest in the U.S., 10th in Illinois (2019, 2020, 2021)
  • Financial Advisor Magazine RIA Rankings #165 2021
  • Chi-Cap Among Largest Money Managers – Pension & Investments Magazine (2021)
  • Chi-Cap Named in Top 20 Advisor’s in Chicago by Expertise.com
  • Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 finalist

Additionally, Chicago Capital’s advisors also garner their own awards and are often featured in industry publications. This points to a dynamic team that is a leader and contributor in the financial services industry.

The company also is a contributor to the health and wellbeing of the local Chicago area community. Chi-Cap supports many local organizations.

Chicago Capital Community Investment


Chicago Capital Contact Information


Head Office

135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 4200
Chicago, IL 60603

Email: [email protected]
Tel: (312) 429-2333
Website: Chi-Cap.com

Company Blog

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AdvisoryHQ’s Objective Standards & Our Personalized Page Service

This Chicago Capital review was independently conducted by AdvisoryHQ.

Our focus is on the everyday consumer. All of our research and publications are conducted from the end-user consumer’s perspective, and we publish our top-ranking reviews for anyone to view for free.

Both ranked and non-ranked firms can also request to have a separate personalized profile, like the one above, which incurs a charge. 

For additional information on AdvisoryHQ’s methodologies, click here: AdvisoryHQ Methodologies. For information on AdvisoryHQ’s objectivity approach, click here: AdvisoryHQ’s Objective Process.



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Image Sources:

  • https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoCapital.net/
  • https://www.chi-cap.com/about-us