Academy Asset Management to Celebrate Major AUM Milestones for the Firm at the New York Stock Exchange on Veterans Day
MWN-AI** Summary
Academy Asset Management, a veteran-owned institutional asset manager, is celebrating a significant achievement by surpassing $1 billion in assets under management (AUM). In recognition of this landmark milestone, the firm's leadership will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on November 11, 2025, coinciding with Veterans Day—a day dedicated to honoring those who have served in the U.S. military.
Founded with a mission to provide career opportunities in financial services for veterans, Academy Asset Management has effectively combined its commitment to veterans with delivering institutional-quality investment solutions. This $1 billion achievement enhances their ability to scale programs aimed at supporting veterans and reinforces the synergy between their core mission and financial performance.
Chance Mims, Chairman and CEO, expressed pride in the firm’s growth and its mission, emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for veterans. The firm launched the Academy Veteran Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: VETZ) over two years ago, focusing primarily on investments in loans to service members, veterans, and their families. This initiative not only aids the capital flow to veterans but also reduces borrowing costs for them.
Seth Rosenthal, Academy’s CIO, highlighted the values instilled by the veterans they employ and recognized key partners including the State of Iowa and Eli Lilly and Company for their contributions to the firm’s success. Phil McConkey, Vice Chairman of Academy Securities, noted that ringing the bell at the NYSE celebrates both the firm's achievements and the progress of veterans in the financial industry.
Academy Asset Management stands out as the nation’s first post-9/11 veteran-owned institutional asset manager, with a strong ethical foundation and accountability, operating from offices in New York, Chicago, and San Diego.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Academy Asset Management's recent achievement of surpassing $1 billion in assets under management (AUM) is a pivotal milestone that underscores both its growth trajectory and commitment to its mission of supporting veterans in the financial sector. As the firm prepares to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Veterans Day, potential investors should take this opportunity to evaluate Academy's distinctive market positioning and investment offerings.
The firm has made its mark with the launch of the Academy Veteran Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: VETZ), which uniquely focuses on loans to veterans, service members, and veteran-owned enterprises, allocating at least 80% of its assets towards this demographic. This innovative approach not only fosters community investment but also capitalizes on a niche market that can offer more consistent returns than traditional bonds, especially when considering the lower borrowing rates facilitated for veterans.
With a rigorous adherence to mission-driven investment, Academy positions itself to attract socially conscious investors who prioritize ethical investing while aiming for competitive returns. The firm's emphasis on hiring and mentoring veterans further differentiates it in the asset management landscape, potentially appealing to institutional investors looking for authentic alignment with corporate social responsibility.
However, investors should remain cognizant of inherent risks, including interest rate fluctuations affecting fixed-income securities and the specific challenges tied to non-agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS). It's advisable to thoroughly review the fund’s prospectus, weighing these factors against the potential benefits of investing in a firm that not only aims for financial growth but also seeks to create a tangible impact in the veteran community.
In summary, Academy Asset Management represents a compelling investment opportunity, characterized by strong leadership, a robust mission, and innovative financial products. Engaging with this firm may yield both fiscal returns and positive societal impact, making it a noteworthy consideration for investors looking to balance profit with purpose.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Academy Asset Management, a veteran-owned institutional asset manager, is pleased to celebrate reaching $1 billion in firm AUM. The leadership of Academy Asset Management will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, November 11 th , 2025.
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Academy Asset Management
Academy Asset Management’s mission is to hire, train, and mentor veterans for careers in financial services while delivering institutional-quality investment solutions. Surpassing $1 billion in assets under management strengthens Academy’s ability to scale its veteran-centric programs and deepen its impact across the industry. This milestone underscores how mission and performance can reinforce one another to drive meaningful results.
“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone, which reflects not only our firm’s growth but the strength of our mission,” stated Academy’s Chairman and CEO Chance Mims. “As we continue to expand, our focus remains on delivering value to our clients while creating meaningful opportunities for veterans.”
Over two years ago, Academy Asset Management launched the Academy Veteran Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: VETZ), the first publicly traded ETF to primarily invest in loans to U.S. service members, military veterans, their survivors, and veteran-owned businesses. At least 80% of the underlying assets consist of loans to veterans or their families. Investing in these loans helps facilitate the flow of capital to veterans, resulting in lower borrowing costs for them and their families.
“This Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who have served our nation with courage and commitment, including many of my colleagues at Academy. Their dedication inspires the values we bring to our work every day. We’re grateful to those who have partnered with us and helped us surpass this milestone, which is a testament to their trust, discipline, and shared commitment," stated Academy Asset Management’s CIO Seth Rosenthal.
Academy is honored to recognize the State of Iowa, Eli Lilly and Company, Muriel Siebert and Co. LLC, Massey Romans Capital, and AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust as key partners this Veterans Day, whose support helped Academy Asset Management reach these important thresholds.
“Ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange is a proud moment for all of us,” stated Phil McConkey, Vice Chairman of Academy Securities. “It celebrates not just our success as a firm but the continued advancement of veterans within the financial industry.”
About Academy Asset Management (AAM):
Academy Asset Management is the nation’s first post-9/11 veteran-owned and operated institutional asset manager, specializing in fixed-income funds and separately managed accounts. Our leadership and team members bring rigorous military training combined with deep expertise in global capital markets. Mission-driven and guided by a strong ethical foundation, we operate with a high degree of accountability and a relentless focus on our clients’ success. Academy Asset Management is an SEC registered investment adviser, certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) and has offices in New York, Chicago, and San Diego. To learn more, visit www.academyassetmanagement.com .
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Fund, please call (866) 631-0504 or visit our website at www.academyassetmanagement.com . Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.
Agency Small Business Loan & MBS Risk. There is uncertainty as to the current status of many obligations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and other agencies that are placed under conservatorship of the U.S. Government.
Fixed income Securities Risk. Typically, the value of fixed income securities changes inversely with prevailing interest rates.
Non-Agency MBS Risk. Non-agency MBS are subject to heightened risks as compared to agency MBS, including that non-agency MBS are not subject to the same underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those MBS that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee.
Prepayment Risk and Extension Risk. Many issuers have a right to prepay their fixed income securities.
Repurchase Agreement Risk. Repurchase agreements may be viewed as loans made by the Fund that are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase.
TBA Transactions Risk. The Fund may enter into TBA transactions for MBS.
New Fund Risk. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow or maintain an economically viable size.
Investment grade is a rating of fixed-income bonds, bills, and notes by credit rating agencies like Standard and Poor’s (S&P), Fitch, and Moody’s, which signifies a low risk of default. The rating determines the creditworthiness of companies based on their financial strengths and structure, past data, and growth potential. Companies with good levels of debt, debt repayment, good earning potential, and growth will have good credit ratings.
Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are investment products similar to bonds. Each MBS consists of a bundle of home loans and other real estate debt bought from the banks that issued them. Investors in mortgage-backed securities receive periodic payments similar to bond coupon payments.
Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index This index (the “Agg”) represents securities that are SEC registered, taxable and U.S. dollar denominated. It covers the U.S. investment grade, fixed-rate bond market, with components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities and asset-backed securities. These major sectors are subdivided into more specific indices that are calculated and reported on a regular basis.
Bloomberg US Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) Index: This index measures the performance of investment grade, fixed-rate, mortgage-backed, pass-through securities of the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs): Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae).
VETZ is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside is not related to Academy.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251110871561/en/
Academy Asset Management
Michael Boyd, 646-736-3995
Chief Compliance Officer
mboyd@academyalpha.com
FAQ**
How does the Academy Veteran Impact ETF VETZ differentiate itself from other bond ETFs in terms of its investment strategy and focus on veterans?
What strategies does Academy Asset Management employ to manage the risks associated with the fixed-income securities within the Academy Veteran Impact ETF VETZ?
In light of surpassing $1 billion in AUM, what specific initiatives does Academy Asset Management plan to implement to further enhance the Academy Veteran Impact ETF VETZ's performance and reach?
How does Academy Asset Management measure the social impact of its investments through the Academy Veteran Impact ETF VETZ on the veteran community and the overall effectiveness of its mission?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Academy Veteran Impact ETF (NYSE: VETZ).
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