For many South Asian immigrants and Indian Americans, financial literacy and structured wealth management guidance have not historically been prominent in personal or professional settings. This gap has, in some cases, contributed to weaker financial outcomes despite strong earning potential within the community.  

Approximately 5.2 million people in the United States identified as Indian, according to estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, making Indian Americans the second-largest Asian origin population living in the U.S., which accounts for roughly 21% of the country’s Asian population, according to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center.   

While financial independence remains a deeply ingrained goal, a growing number of first-generation South Asians and Indian Americans are now turning to financial advisors who share their Indian heritage. These culturally aligned professionals provide tailored strategies and comprehensive planning, enabling clients to streamline decision-making, reduce financial burdens, and enjoy a higher quality of life—all while respecting the unique values, family dynamics, and wealth-building priorities within the community.  

Understanding the Immigrant Perspective 

South Asians and Indian Americans who have launched their own wealth management firms, emphasizing serving Indian clients, shared their experience and what prompted their decision in interviews with Connect Money. 

Amol Desai, founder and financial advisor of Houston-based Perceptive Wealth Advisors, stated that he was prompted to launch his firm after recognizing the challenges that arise when immigrants attempt to grasp the financial system in another country. 

“I lived in India until I was 26 and then came [to the U.S.],” Desai said. “So I have experienced that, and once you experience some cultural aspect, you relate with those people, and you are better able to serve them. You are better able to understand their position and their problems.” 

Perceptive Wealth Advisors, which launched in 2019, offers financial planning, investment management, estate and retirement planning, and tax planning for “first-generation immigrants and mid-career professionals who are seeking to build their long-term wealth and ideal life.” The firm oversees $9.4 million in assets under management. 

Asian Americans, overall, have been making financial strides when it comes to their wages. However, Indian Americans are earning significantly more compared to other Asian groups. Indian Americans have the highest median income, bringing in about $119,000, followed by Filipino Americans with $90,000, Japanese Americans, who have earned $83,000, and Chinese Americans with $82,000, according to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. 

Despite the financial wins for this racial group, South Asians continue to struggle with meeting their financial expectations and sustaining their long-term goals – as recent economic hurdles such as market volatility and inflation continue to rise nationwide.  

Ajay Kaisth said he often advises his clients on “behavioral economics” to avoid them making financial mistakes that could stem from an “emotional” perspective. With a looming bear market, Kaisth cautions his clients to remain vigilant as market uncertainty continues to escalate. 

“[My firm] has developed an investment policy statement that’s based on every client having a custom risk profile that’s based on a qualitative and a quantitative assessment,” Kaisth said. “After educating the client about the potential risks associated with a targeted reward, it can result in an asset allocation at a very high level, which is divided into stocks, fixed income, and alternatives, which could include real estate, and commodities.” 

Kaisth is a principal and founder of Princeton Junction, NJ-based KAI Advisors, which offers “personalized” financial planning and investment management to high-net-worth individuals, Americans of Indian origin, physicians, and medical professionals. KAI Advisors oversees $57 million in assets under management, according to its Form ADV filed in March. 

Financial Education is Vital 

As a growing number of financial advisors seek to broaden their diversification offerings for their clients’ portfolios, Singh Private Wealth Management’s founder and financial planner Raman Singh, emphasized that clients need to not only understand how investment management and wealth management work in the U.S. but also be able to quickly adapt to various investment strategies. 

“It’s important to be able to diversify,” Singh said. “Being Indian American and serving a lot of Indian clients, I have noticed that a lot of Indian clients typically tend to have assets overseas, and some wealth management firms are unable to address those concerns. It’s important for me to address my clients’ comprehensive assets in the United States or abroad.” 

Phoenix-based Singh Private Wealth Management offers financial planning, investment strategies, tax, and estate planning to high-net-worth clients across Arizona. Singh PWM oversees $16 million in assets under management, according to its latest Form ADV filed in January. 

Arlington, VA-based CapitalWe, founder and lead financial planner Vrishin Subramaniam says that while his client base is more geared towards Millennials and Gen Z, and the conversations are not necessarily aimed at long-term savings now, he is pushing for more conversations to help his clients manage their wealth in a more “tax-efficient manner.” 

“Understanding how to split assets cross-border and how that should inform your overall allocation, not just your money in the U.S. [is important],” Subramaniam said. “Educating others on tax efficiency is also important because a lot of people just hate paying taxes, and there is a significant concentration in high-tax states.” 

CapitalWe, founded in 2020, offers financial planning, financial coaching, and Investment management services to Millennials and Gen Z clients. CapitalWe manages $13 million in client assets, according to its Form ADV filed in June. 

The need for culturally attuned, education-driven financial advice is only growing. Whether it’s guiding first-generation immigrants through the unfamiliar terrain of U.S. investing, ensuring overseas assets are fully integrated into financial plans, or instilling disciplined investment behavior — these firms are proving that heritage and expertise can be a powerful combination in delivering better financial outcomes.  

For South Asian and Indian American clients, this approach offers more than just wealth management—it provides a trusted partnership for building and sustaining generational prosperity. 

For Monish Verma, managing partner at Vardhan Wealth Management, he said that because of his upbringing, he views his background as a connection to bridging the divide between financial knowledge and the South Asian community.  

“As an educator, I like to help other advisers grow by letting them know to find a fit where they can thrive,” Monish Verma, CEO and founding partner at Vardhan Wealth Management, said. “So if you have a connection to something, you should kind of make sure that you’re supporting that connection because there might be some value in that connectivity to that community. I want to put myself in a position where they can look at me as an adviser they can work with and trust.” 

Farmington Hills, MI-based Vardhan Wealth Management, an independent registered investment advisor founded in 2021, provides “holistic” wealth management solutions and investment management to high-net-worth individuals and families.