Vanguard has launched Vanguard Custom Model Portfolios, giving financial advisors greater flexibility to modify the firm’s existing model portfolios while retaining Vanguard’s broader investment framework.
The new offering allows advisors to customize selected multi-asset and single-asset-class Vanguard models based on client preferences involving products, asset classes, and active or passive management styles.
The product is designed to address a challenge facing advisory firms: delivering more customized portfolios without significantly increasing the time advisors spend managing investments.
Vanguard research found that using model portfolios for core portfolio construction can reduce portfolio-management time by approximately two-thirds. The company said that time can instead be used for activities including behavioral coaching and prospecting.
Vanguard also said the average expense ratio across its model portfolios is approximately 0.07%, compared with an industry average of about 0.40% based on Morningstar data as of February 26, 2026.
The new offering allows advisors to start with Vanguard’s existing investment models and modify selected components instead of constructing and maintaining every portfolio independently.
Vanguard is working with Vestmark, SS&C Black Diamond Wealth Solutions, and Orion’s Tailored Allocation Portfolios to integrate the customized models into advisor workflows.
Those integrations support trading, rebalancing, and tax management. Vanguard will also provide white-label and co-branded marketing materials that advisors can use when communicating portfolio strategies to clients.
KEY QUOTES:
“Helping advisors scale personalization while managing their practices efficiently remains a key focus for Vanguard. Vanguard Custom Model Portfolios leverage Vanguard’s decades of experience managing multi-asset portfolios to help advisors scale portfolio management while retaining control over key investment choices.”
Amma Boateng, Managing Director of Financial Advisor Services at Vanguard
“Our Vanguard Custom Model Portfolios give advisors access to Vanguard’s world class product lineup, spanning high-quality index strategies and active solutions across asset classes. Vanguard Custom Model Portfolios allow advisors to construct more personalized portfolios intentionally, combining low-costs with thoughtfully selected sources of active risk, without compromising on rigor or alignment to long-term investor outcomes.”
Victor Zhu, Global Head of Model Portfolio Solutions at Vanguard
“Advisors shouldn’t have to choose between scale and control. Technology-enabled platform capabilities have made model portfolios increasingly customizable and simple to deliver and use. With Vanguard Custom Model Portfolios, we are combining the efficiency of models with the flexibility advisors need to serve their clients.”
Eve Cout, Head of Advisor Solutions at Vanguard Financial Advisor Services
