19 fund firms are among the contenders in an annual awards program from the folks at a retail asset management industry trade group and a national publication for investors.

Last Friday (July 25), Craig Pfeiffer, president and CEO of the Money Management Institute (MMI), and Jack Otter, global head of wealth & asset management at Barron's publisher Dow Jones, revealed the finalists for 2025 MMI/Barron's Industry Awards. This year's winners will be revealed and honored at the 2025 MMI Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. in October.

The 2025 MMI/Barron's Industry Awards will include 12 categories, and the finalists includes asset managers as well as a host of other firms supporting retail investors and advisors.

Among fund firms, Franklin Templeton and Invesco lead the pack so with three finalist spots each. Invesco is contending in the "marketing campaign of the year" category, Franklin is contending in the "digital innovation" category, and both firms are in the running in the "marketing campaign of the year" and "asset manager of the year" (retail advisory AUM more than $500 billion) categories.

Blackstone is a finalist in two categories: "distribution excellence" and "investment innovation."

The 2025 MMI/Barron's Industry Awards' other 16 fund firm finalists includes:

AllianceBernstein, "asset manager of the year" (retail advisory AUM $25 billion to $500 billion);

Allspring Global Investments, "marketing campaign of the year";

AssetMark, "technology/solutions provider of the year";

BlackRock, "investment innovation";

BondBloxx, "asset manager of the year" (retail advisory AUM less than $25 billion);

Calamos Investments, "asset manager of the year" (retail advisory AUM of $25 billion to $500 billion);

Ameriprise's Columbia Threadneedle Investments, "distribution excellence";

Domini Impact Investments, "asset manager of the year" (retail advisory AUM less than $25 billion);

F/m Investments, "asset manager of the year" (retail advisory AUM less than $25 billion);

Fidelity Investments, "asset manager of the year" (retail advisory AUM more than $500 billion);

New York Life Investments, "distribution excellence";

TIAA's Nuveen, "thought leadership/education";

Ocean Park Asset Management, "marketing campaign of the year";

Stepstone Private Wealth Solutions, "distribution excellence";

Thornburg Investment Management, "doing good"; and

Westwood Holdings Group, "asset manager of the year" (retail advisory AUM less than $25 billion).

"Each year, the field of nominees grows more competitive, reflecing the industry's continued momentum and innovation," Pfeiffer states. "We are proud to honor the firms driving meaningful progress in how investment advice and solutions are delivered."

"Firms across the advisory space continue to elevate what's possible in wealth and asset management," Otter states. "This year's finalists embody that spirit of innovation —l delivering powerful tools, insights, and solutions that help advisors and their clients thrive in an increasingly complex environment. Congratulations to all who are helping move the industry forward." 

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