Investment Advice

Investment and Advisory Services Process

We are happy to discuss your investment philosophy and your investment objectives with you. We strive to be service-oriented and responsive, offering good communication and access.  We are always available for consultation and to forthrightly answer your questions.

Once we have established a relationship, you will find that the balance of your investment decisions will be straightforward.  The securities we use on a regular basis include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, institutional funds, and unit trusts. Our fees are for investment advice are competitive, and we are paid for the sale of individual securities and unit investment trusts through commissions. We actively work to provide investment services in the following areas:

Portfolio design and asset allocation that can be designed to provide the potential for both growth and income

Retirement plans, including pension, IRA rollovers, or income distribution options

Stock Option – exercise consequences

Systematic investment plans for college education or other goals

Estate plans and charitable giving

Investment Policy Statement

We work with the client to determine and define goals, objectives, needs and risk tolerance and then develop the parameters of a portfolio in a written investment policy statement. We review our clients' portfolios quarterly. In addition, we typically meet or discuss with a client his or her portfolio in detail one or two times per year. Of course, changes and adjustments to the holdings can be made at anytime. We make recommendations for changes to portfolios only after careful consideration of market conditions and any changes in that client's circumstances or goals.

The portfolio management process involves the following steps:

Identifying and clarifying goals for a given investment portfolio. This includes a discussion regarding income requirements and need for liquidity.

Determining an investment time horizon for portfolio.

Allocation by asset class (i.e., stocks, bonds cash).

Diversification by style (i.e., growth vs. value, government vs. corporate).

Selection of individual securities and funds that make up a given portfolio.

Monitoring portfolio diversification and asset allocation over time.

Re-balancing the portfolio to maintain diversification and asset allocation to conform with objectives set jointly by us and the client.

Reporting results to the client quarterly and periodic review of portfolio with a client.

Client Reporting and Review

Most financial institutions provide a detailed quarterly report and investment summary. Our advisory services clients receive comprehensive quarterly reports and an annual summary that tracks unrealized gains and losses; cost basis; interest dividends; and realized capital gains. In many cases we can offer internet access to clients investment portfolios and daily values.  We review client accounts on a regular basis.

While diversification through an asset allocation strategy is a useful technique that can help to reduce overall portfolio risk and volatility, there is no certainty or assurance that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall return or outperform one that is not diversified.