Manhattan Beach, CA Office

First Western Securities, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory services primarily to individual clients, including high net worth individuals, managing roughly $48.6 million in client assets across a small client base of about 32 accounts. The firm focuses on portfolio management delivered on a discretionary or non‑discretionary basis and uses asset‑based advisory fees rather than custodial or administrative services.

The adviser employs a tactical asset allocation approach intended to reduce risk and pursue improved performance, implementing allocations with a wide range of instruments such as exchange‑listed and over‑the‑counter securities, options, mutual funds, variable life and annuity products, and interests in real estate and oil and gas partnerships. Accounts are custom‑managed to clients’ objectives and risk tolerances; the firm does not offer wrap‑fee programs, does not custody client assets, and does not charge performance‑based fees.

Uncommon for a team firm, First Western is also a FINRA‑member broker‑dealer and reports that about 80% of its activity is broker‑dealer related, with its investment adviser representatives dual‑registered and able to receive commission compensation for securities and insurance sales (insurance business is reported to occupy roughly 10% of advisers’ time). The brochure discloses potential conflicts of interest from recommending the affiliated broker/clearing arrangements and receiving portions of third‑party money manager fees, and it also notes that the firm does not provide standalone financial planning.