An old tradition for a new generation
We are a wealth management firm primarily for successful business owners, professionals, and executives. We've developed a process that puts every piece of the financial puzzle together and engages every service provider so our clients have the complete picture.
Confidence In Your Future
Financial planning is nothing new. But the economic challenges we face are. And we approach them that way.
We believe every dream of the future should have a roadmap. We work with you to pave the pathway to financial independence. We’ll help you get your financial life together, make the right money moves with the income you have now, and develop smart plans for what’s to come.
Our Focus Is Risk Management
Whether you’re new to investing or you’ve been investing for years, our risk management approach to your investment and financial planning is the practical option for the modern investor.
Financial Planning
Portfolio Management
Cash Flow Management
Tax Planning
Estate Planning
Insurance Analysis
Full Suite Of Services
Besides educating, empowering, and investing in you, we also advise on a vast array of strategies in our bespoke, comprehensive financial planning process.
Our LEAD Financial Planning Process
Traditional financial planning has a roadmap that doesn’t account for changes, and that isn’t how life works. Life is not a straight line. Our process is built to lead you through those changes. Tailored to you, the LEAD planning process is our unique approach that answers the important questions. How do you think and feel about money? What matters most to you? LEAD stands for Learn, Evaluate, Agree and Deploy.
Learn
Evaluate
Agree
Deploy
Frequently Asked Questions
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) vs. Financial Advisor
CFPs often call themselves financials advisors but it's important to point out that not all financial advisors are CFPs.
There isn't a specific license or certification process required to become a financial advisor. Usually the financial adivsor would have passed a licensing exam to buy and sell you a securities or an insurance product. Regardless, anyone can become a financial advisor and help you manage your money.
Most important, financial advisors may or may not be a fiduciary depending on the product they are discussing with you. In other words, they might be a fiduciary one minute and the next minute, they might not be.
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ must undergo years of training, coursework and pass an examination. Additionally, a CFP® continues their education even after receiving their certification. A CFP® provides comprehensive financial planning services and may also provide investment advice and recommendations. They also must act as fiduciaries when providing financial advice to their clients...not some of the time, but ALL of the time.
What’s different about a registered investment advisor?
Registered Investment Advisors are held to a “fiduciary standard” while brokerage firms are held to a “suitability standard”. Brokers are employed by and loyal to a company, while Investment Advisors are loyal to the client. Our duty is to be a steward of your funds and place your needs ahead of our own, not to make money for a company by selling you financial products.
How much do you charge?
Most clients pay .20%-.30% per quarter, but this amount varies based on the total assets that are managed. Additionally, some of our clients choose to just utilize us for just financial planning and in this case, we don’t charge a cost on your investments but rather a flat fee for a financial plan. Contact us for more information.
Why should I pay you a fee?
If you have the time and can manage your investments better than us, then you shouldn’t. Successful people pay us to manage their money for a variety of reasons. Some would like to reduce their stress of emotional investing, free up their time for other activities, desire for someone to help with a spouse if they pass, or just don’t want to do the work involved. The fee is approximately 1 tenth of 1 percent per month, so for the fee to be worth it, we need to earn you or save you that much each month over time.
But I don’t pay fees at my broker, bank or investment firm?
It’s likely that you weren’t told what you paid, how you paid and probably don’t understand the investments you were sold. Nobody works for free, so if you bought a bond, mutual fund annuity or stock, YOU PAID. We would be happy to evaluate your account to determine how much it’s costing you each year.
What types of investments do you recommend?
We have access to over 25,000 securities, but with most of our accounts, portfolios consist mainly of stocks, exchange traded funds (ETF’s), CD’s, No-Load Mutual Funds, and Corporate/Municipal Bonds.
Where can we meet?
Wherever is convenient for you. We’d be happy to come to your home, meet you at the office or join you at the coffee shop. While our offices are located in the Chicagoland area, we have access to an office network nationwide.
Why would I choose a small independent firm over a larger well-established bank or wire-house?
Smaller firms like us, are able to focus on clients much more effectively than large banks or other firms. Since we have very little overhead to pay for, we can charge lower fees and provide a higher level of service. At a large firm, you really are just another account. With us, you will likely become a friend. We would much rather give great service to 50 clients, than poor service to 500. Additionally, we’ve partnered with Charles Schwab as our custodian so we can be the boutique firm you might expect from a small independent firm but access to all the technology from a well established firm.