Family offices shun hedge funds and private credit in favor of direct deals
That macro skepticism is reinforcing the case for tangible, controllable assets over externally managed fund vehicles, precisely the dynamic reflected in the FINTRX new-entrant data.
Research released in February 2026 by JP Morgan Private Bank, drawing on a survey of more than 300 single-family offices across 30 countries, found that family offices prioritizing inflation protection hold roughly 60% of their portfolios in alternatives, approximately 20 percentage points above average, and that 65% plan to prioritize AI-related investments now or in the near future.
Even so, more than half of those surveyed lacked growth equity or venture capital exposure, suggesting significant runway remains for managers who can offer tailored access.
What the contact data reveals about talent pipelines
FINTRX added 1,487 new contacts tied to family office personnel during Q2, a 21.9% decline from the 1,904 added in Q1.
The most common titles among new contacts were managing director, director, managing director and principal, investment analyst, and managing partner, reflecting the senior, operationally oriented nature of family office hiring.
