The Fiduciary Standard – What is it and Why Should You Care?

As a Fiduciary Advisor, I am bound to put your interests first and foremost at all times and to do what is best for you in every situation. The Fiduciary Standard is a high bar to meet, and I take doing so very seriously.

Federal and state law requires that Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) be held to a Fiduciary Standard. This requires an advisor to 1) act solely in the best interest of the client at all times, 2) disclose any conflict or potential conflict prior to and throughout a business engagement, 3) adopt a Code of Ethics and 4) fully disclose how they are compensated.

As a Fee-Only Financial Advisor, I am compensated by my clients on an hourly basis, only for the time it takes to provide the best financial advice to meet their needs. I don't sell any investments or financial products and I never accept any fees or commissions. This means your expenses are minimized and you only pay for the services you need.

Unfortunately, only a small proportion of “financial advisors” are federally or state-registered RIAs. Many so-called financial advisors are considered “broker-dealers” by the SEC. Brokers are not held to a Fiduciary Standard. Instead they are held to the lower Suitability Standard, which by federal law requires them to act in the best interest of their employer, not in the best interest of their clients.

As a Fiduciary, I promise to abide by these standards:

1.    I will put my client’s best interest first.
2.    I will act with prudence; that is with the skill, care, diligence and good judgment of a professional.
3.    I will not mislead clients and I will provide conspicuous, full and fair disclosure of all important facts.
4.    I will avoid conflicts of interests.
5.    I will fully disclose and fairly manage, in my clients’ favor, any unavoidable conflicts.

You deserve to trust your financial future to an advisor who always has your best interests at heart – you can do this by hiring an advisor who is a Fiduciary.