Certis Capital Management, Inc.
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
About
Certis Capital Management operates as a multi‑family office serving high‑net‑worth individuals and families, typically relationships of $20 million and above, and provides investment advisory and broad family office services such as arranging credit lines, assisting with insurance claims, managing account openings/closings, handling real estate correspondence and coordinating family operating company matters. The firm reports roughly $256 million in assets under management across about 31 clients and three advisors, and it also reviews third‑party investment pitches and third‑party advisors on clients’ behalf.
The firm’s investment process combines macroeconomic analysis with classic portfolio theory, emphasizing low‑volatility, low‑correlation allocations while employing long and short equity positions and derivative instruments as described in the brochure. Certis offers both discretionary and non‑discretionary portfolio management, with most firm assets reported as non‑discretionary (about $231.7 million non‑discretionary versus $24.2 million discretionary as of December 31, 2025), and it performs due diligence on third‑party managers for clients.
Notable distinctions disclosed in the brochure include Certis’s affiliations and role in sponsoring private funds: the firm is under common control with other advisory entities and principals have ownership interests in a general partner that sponsors a pooled private partnership the firm has advised clients to invest in, a relationship the firm discloses and documents to mitigate conflicts. The brochure also notes that certain personnel are registered with a broker‑dealer and sell privately‑offered securities for commissions and use a third‑party platform, and Certis has procedures to document and periodically review such recommendations; the firm focuses exclusively on high‑net‑worth family relationships and does not serve non‑HNW individual retail clients.
Client services
Expertise
Occupation focus
Fee options
1.00% per year
0.5% commission on sales of investor notes via Finalis Securities LLC
Account minimum: $20,000,000
Main office
See office801 Garden Street, Suite 300
Santa Barbara CA 93101
Advisors at this office
1
Offices (2)
Most active in
California
Disclosures
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Business activities & affiliations
Is active or affiliated with:
Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
Is not active or affiliated with:
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Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
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Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
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Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
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Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
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Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
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Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
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Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
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Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Advisors at this firm
Todd D
Series 66, Series 63
Santa Barbara, CA
Certis Capital Management, Inc.
Todd Dawes is a financial advisor at Certis Capital Management, Inc. with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at several firms including Finalis Securities LLC, Amet Partners, Merus Advisors, LLC, and Certis Capital Management. Dawes is the founder and portfolio manager of Merus Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor serving the high-net-worth community. Certis Capital Management operates as a multi-family office serving high-net-worth individuals and families, typically with relationships of $20 million and above. The firm provides investment advisory and broad family office services, combining macroeconomic analysis with classic portfolio theory and conducting due diligence on third-party managers.
Kelly S
Series 65, Series 66
Santa Barbara, CA
Certis Capital Management, Inc.
Kelly Smith is a financial advisor at Merus Advisors, LLC with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Merus Advisors since 2016 and Certis Capital Management, Inc. since 2005. Merus Advisors serves individual clients and families, often business owners with additional entities holding real estate or other investments. The firm provides broad financial advisory services focused on evaluating third-party advisers and investment opportunities, combining macroeconomic analysis with classical portfolio theory to tailor strategies that emphasize lower volatility and low correlation.
David B
Series 65, Series 63
Santa Barbara, CA
Certis Capital Management, Inc.
David Backens is a financial advisor with Certis Capital Management, Inc. in Santa Barbara, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Finalis Securities LLC, Amet Partners GP, LLC, and Merus Advisors, LLC, and serves as President and Portfolio Manager of Amet Partners GP, a hedge fund investing in California Carbon Allowances. Certis Capital Management operates as a multi-family office serving high-net-worth individuals and families, typically with relationships of $20 million and above. The firm combines macroeconomic analysis with classic portfolio theory to offer investment advisory and family office services, including due diligence on third-party managers and management of both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios.
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