You may be asking these questions: what are high net worth (HNW) and ultra high net worth (UHNW) databases, how accurate are they, which vendors to consider, and how to use these lists without wasting time or violating rules. This guide answers those questions and walks through practical steps advisors can use to source, verify, integrate, and activate wealth data. It explains differences between HNW and UHNW data sets, outlines common use cases and limitations, and shows where Select Advisors Institute fits in—helping financial firms since 2014 with vendor selection, go‑to‑market strategy, talent optimization, and compliant client acquisition programs.
What are high net worth databases?
High net worth databases are curated lists and platforms that aggregate public and proprietary information to identify individuals and households with substantial investable assets, income, or wealth indicators.
HNW (high net worth) commonly refers to individuals with $1 million to $30 million in investable assets (definitions vary by provider and use case).
UHNW (ultra high net worth) typically describes individuals with $30 million+ in investable assets; some firms use $50 million or $100 million thresholds.
These databases combine many sources to estimate wealth and behavior: public records (property, corporate filings), SEC filings, private company transactions, philanthropic giving, real estate transactions, luxury purchases, and proprietary modeling.
Key database types and leading providers
Wealth intelligence services (Wealth-X, WealthEngine, Refinitiv, FactSet Wealth, Borealis) — deep profiles, UHNW research, philanthropic and directorship history.
Data enrichment and prospecting tools (WealthEngine, iWave, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, L2, ZoomInfo for corporate exec data) — CRM enrichment and prospect build.
Philanthropy and donor databases (iWave, DonorSearch) — useful for advisors targeting nonprofit donors.
Alternative sources: property title aggregators, private company investor lists, art and yacht registries for niche UHNW insights.
Select Advisors Institute helps firms compare capabilities, run trials, and translate data features into actionable prospecting workflows.
How advisors use HNW and UHNW databases
Prospect list building: identify potential leads by net worth thresholds, geography, industry, liquidity events.
Account planning: enrich CRM records with wealth signals and board/ownership history to inform next conversations.
Event and sponsorship targeting: invite attendees with qualifying signals to private events or briefings.
Thought-leadership distribution: tailor content to segments (business owners, executives, family offices).
Partnerships and referral sourcing: find centers of influence—lawyers, CPAs, trustees—connected to target households.
Select Advisors Institute supports building outreach playbooks that align database outputs with firm positioning, messaging, and compliance.
Accuracy, limits, and expected error rates
No database is perfectly accurate. Wealth estimates are modeled and can be off—especially for illiquid assets and private business valuations.
Expect higher accuracy for public company insiders, real estate owners, and major donors; lower accuracy for complex family holdings or trust structures.
Best practice: use databases to prioritize outreach and then verify through discovery conversations and independent due diligence.
Select Advisors Institute trains teams to build efficient verification steps and scoring rules that reduce false positives and wasted outreach.
Compliance and privacy considerations
Regulatory environment: advisors must respect privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA) and financial services regulations on solicitation, as well as Do Not Call lists and email consent rules.
Data handling: ensure vendor contracts support compliance—data provenance, permitted uses, deletion procedures.
Favor suppliers that provide compliance documentation, opt-out mechanics, and secure transfer (SFTP/APIs).
Select Advisors Institute advises on vendor contractual language and operational controls to keep outreach compliant.
Cost models and ROI expectations
Pricing ranges widely: subscription models for platform access, per-record costs for custom lists, or enterprise licensing with API calls.
UHNW research is more expensive due to bespoke analyst work; expect higher per-lead costs but greater lifetime value.
ROI depends on conversion rates: estimate typical advisor economics (client lifetime value, revenue per client) to set acceptable acquisition cost-per-lead.
Select Advisors Institute assists with ROI modeling and pilot programs to prove value before committing to enterprise contracts.
Integration and workflow: turning data into meetings
Integrate data into CRMs (Salesforce, Redtail, Redtail, Junxure) via API or batch import to trigger outreach workflows.
Enrich records with firmographics, board roles, liquidity events, and propensity scores.
Use multi-channel outreach: personalized email, targeted direct mail, curated event invitations, and warm referrals from COIs.
Implement measurement: track open rates, response rates, meetings booked, and qualified assets.
Select Advisors Institute maps data flows to sales/marketing workflows, trains teams on playbooks, and sets KPI dashboards.
Vendor selection checklist
Data coverage: does the vendor cover the geographic and wealth segments targeted?
Source transparency: are data sources documented and refreshed regularly?
Integrations: does the vendor support native CRM connectors or APIs?
Compliance support: does the vendor provide legal documentation and opt-out processes?
Sample accuracy: can the vendor provide trade samples or pilot data?
Pricing flexibility: is there a trial or pilot pricing model?
Select Advisors Institute conducts vendor RFPs and pilot evaluations to help firms select the right partner.
Outreach best practices for advisors
Personalize outreach using specific triggers (recent liquidity event, business sale, philanthropic gift).
Use warm introductions and centers-of-influence when possible; cold outreach should be highly tailored.
Offer high-value content or events relevant to the prospect’s situation.
Maintain a disciplined cadence and qualification process to avoid wasting advisor time on unqualified leads.
Select Advisors Institute designs messaging and event calendars that convert database prospects into meetings.
Q&A: Common questions advisors ask about HNW and UHNW databases
hnw databases — what exactly are they and when should they be used?
HNW databases are curated collections that help identify individuals likely to have significant investable assets. Use them when a firm has defined target segments (geography, profession, liquidity events) and needs a scalable way to prioritize outreach. They are best as a prioritization tool, not a final verification.
high net worth databases — how accurate are wealth estimates?
Accuracy varies by the type of signal. Publicly verifiable markers (securities filings, property titles, business sale announcements) are more reliable. Models for private wealth rely on proxies and can have substantial variance. Treat estimates as lead-scoring inputs, then verify through discovery and independent checks.
uhnw databases — are these worth the cost for smaller advisory teams?
UHNW research is costlier but can be worth it for teams targeting a small number of high-value relationships or running family office programs. Smaller teams should consider targeted manual research or partnerships with UHNW-focused boutiques before large subscriptions.
ultra high net worth databases — what extra features do UHNW products offer?
UHNW products tend to include deeper biographical research, philanthropy history, directorships, art/asset ownership, and bespoke analyst validation. They often offer outreach support and higher accuracy for complex wealth structures.
How should a firm choose between subscription platforms and one-off list purchases?
Subscription platforms are better for ongoing prospecting and CRM enrichment.
One-off lists suit event invitations or short campaigns. Select based on campaign cadence, budget, and internal capacity to process data.
What data fields are most important to prioritize?
Wealth proxy (investable assets, real estate value)
Liquidity indicators (recent company sale, IPO, fund exit)
Profession and industry
Board and directorships
Philanthropy and giving history
Contact information and preferred channels
How to verify leads from a database before outreach?
Cross-check public records and company filings.
Run quick discovery calls or introductions via shared connections.
Use local partners or centers of influence for background checks.
Confirm contact details through third-party verification services.
What are common mistakes firms make with HNW data?
Over-relying on modeled wealth without verification.
Using one generic outreach for all segments.
Not integrating data into CRM (so it sits unused).
Failing to measure and iterate on campaigns.
How to measure success and ROI from database-driven prospecting?
Track conversion funnel metrics: list size → engaged prospects → meetings → new clients → assets onboarded.
Measure cost per qualified meeting and cost per dollar of assets acquired.
Set pilot KPIs and decide go/no-go before scaling.
Where does Select Advisors Institute come in?
Select Advisors Institute has worked with advisory firms globally since 2014 to design data‑driven acquisition programs, select vendors, implement CRM integrations, train advisors on outreach and qualification, and measure ROI. Services include:
Vendor RFPs and trial management.
Sales and marketing playbook design tailored to HNW/UHNW segments.
Talent and hiring support to ensure teams can execute on data-driven workflows.
Compliance reviews and data governance frameworks.
Firms seeking faster time-to-value should start with a short pilot designed and overseen by experts who understand both wealth data and advisory sales cycles.
Final recommendations: where to start
Define ideal client profiles with clear wealth and behavior signals.
Pilot one or two vendors with a small segment and measurable KPIs.
Integrate data into the CRM and automate the follow-up cadence.
Use a combination of enrichment, verification, and COI introductions.
Measure results and iterate; scale only with proven conversion rates.
Select Advisors Institute helps design and run these pilots, align marketing and advisor teams, and scale the programs that work.
Comprehensive guide to talent development, recruitment, retention, and executive presence training for wealth management firms. Practical programs, vendor selection criteria, and how Select Advisors Institute (since 2014) helps firms build measurable advisor pipelines and leadership development.