Courtesy Saratoga Private Wealth
By Staff Writer
When Harrison Xu and Joseph Vidarte launched Saratoga Private Wealth in Saratoga Springs in November 2025, their goal was not simply to establish another wealth management firm.
Instead, they set out to build a business centered on greater client engagement, active communication and a more coordinated approach to financial planning.
Based at 229 Washington St., Saratoga Private Wealth provides investment management, retirement planning and wealth preservation services for individuals and families. Xu is president of the firm, while Vidarte is vice president and partner.
Their launch reflects a broader movement within the financial advisory industry. Over the past decade, many experienced advisers have chosen to establish independent firms, citing greater flexibility in client service, technology selection and long-term planning strategies. At the same time, clients increasingly seek more personal guidance and ongoing communication rather than periodic portfolio reviews.
“We’re modernizing wealth management,” Xu said.
The firm’s approach illustrates that evolution, as independent advisory firms place greater emphasis on communication, technology and comprehensive planning rather than solely on investment portfolios.
Xu said clients today want more than periodic meetings and performance reports. They want guidance that connects investments, taxes, retirement planning and estate considerations into a single strategy.
“Our clients want more than transactions,” he said. “They want a relationship and a plan that brings investments, taxes and estate planning together.”
One way Saratoga Private Wealth seeks to accomplish that is through regular communication and client education. Xu writes a weekly market commentary that discusses economic developments, market conditions and planning considerations. The updates are designed to help clients better understand events that may affect their financial goals and encourage ongoing dialogue.
“The one common word I keep hearing is ‘engaged,’” Xu said. “Clients feel more informed and more connected because we’re communicating with them regularly.”
Technology is another important component of the firm’s business model. The firm uses planning and reporting platforms that allow clients to view investment accounts and other financial information in a single location. According to Xu, those tools help both advisers and clients maintain a more complete picture of a family’s financial situation and identify opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked.
The firm’s emphasis on service goes beyond technology.
Earlier this year, Saratoga Private Wealth added Rachel Arata as director of client relations and wealth adviser. Arata brings more than a decade of experience in financial services and plays a central role in client communication, operational coordination and planning support.
Xu said the firm’s structure is intentionally team-oriented, with advisers and support staff sharing responsibility for client relationships rather than operating independently.
“We’re not working in silos,” Xu said. “Every client relationship is supported by the team.”
That approach allows the firm to maintain regular contact with clients and actively address planning issues, whether related to investment accounts, cash management, beneficiary designations or other financial matters.
Arata’s role includes helping monitor client activity, coordinating communications and identifying planning opportunities that can be addressed before they become problems. Xu said the goal is to create a more proactive experience for clients rather than waiting for annual review meetings.
Vidarte contributes experience in retirement planning, portfolio construction and wealth transition strategies. His work includes assisting business owners, professionals and families with long-term planning decisions.
Together, the partners believe the financial advisory profession is moving toward a more integrated model in which investment management, tax planning and estate considerations are more closely connected.
“The future of this business is integration,” Xu said. “Investment, tax and estate planning should work together.”
As Saratoga Private Wealth approaches its first full year in business, the firm’s leadership remains focused on building long-term relationships and providing a client experience centered on communication, planning and personalized service.
For Xu and Vidarte, success will ultimately be measured not only by growth, but by whether clients feel informed, engaged and confident in the financial decisions they make.
Reporting includes information from Saratoga Private Wealth, Joseph Vidarte and an interview with Harrison Xu.