Many people allow firms to manage their hard-earned money simply based on the company brand or national presence. Unfortunately, the terrain is now covered with formerly well-known firms that no longer exist. As with any important decision one makes in life, a little homework can go a long way in choosing the best asset manager for your situation.
Key criteria that you should look for when selecting an asset manager:
Independence – One factor that is often neglected when people choose a financial professional is their independence. The assumption is that if they work for a recognizable institution, they must be free of any conflict of interest issues. The reality is many advisors at well-known institutions are compensated in ways that compromise their independence. Some advisors have affiliations with other financial companies (e.g. insurance, banks) which compensate the advisor for putting clients in investments managed by the affiliated company. Advisors that are not strictly fee-based may also be compensated via commissions generated on the purchase or sale of investments for their clients.
Stack Asset Management does not have an affiliation with any insurance company, major wire house or financial institution. Stack Asset Management’s fee is based solely on a percentage of assets under management and is not compensated via incentives or commissions when purchasing or selling investments on behalf of its clients.
Accessibility – An often overlooked criteria that should be a primary factor to look for is timely access to the asset manager of your account. Frustration can set in when a salesperson can not answer the questions you have about the investments in your portfolio.
As a boutique investment firm, our clients have direct access to their portfolio manager. Rather than being two or three persons removed from the investment profession performing analytics and making the investment decisions, your private financial advisor at Stack Asset Management can provide you with thorough and logical explanations to your questions in a relaxed setting.
Trust - To begin developing trust in your asset manager, you should be able to ask them about their experience, expertise, credentials and references. A salesperson or broker may have a financial background but rarely has the experience or credentials to fundamentally analyze prospective investment opportunities being made on your behalf.
Stack Asset Management is a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the state of California. The Chief Executive Officer of Stack Asset Management, Robert Stack, holds a CPA license and a license as a Uniform Investment Adviser Representative (NASD Series 65). He has performed business analysis and provided financial advice for over 25 years. For twelve years, Michael Griffin – Chief Investment Officer of Stack Asset Management, focused predominantly on the investment selection process as an analyst and director for a buy-side investment firm with ~ $7 billion under management. He has earned the designation of Charter Financial Analyst and also holds a CPA license. The testimonials exhibit just some of the reasons why clients have chosen Stack Asset Management. Additional client and professional references are available upon request.
Security - You should ask which custodian your asset manager uses. Is it an institution that you recognize and can trust with your assets?
Stack Asset Management uses Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. as its custodian. Stack Asset Management never takes custody of client assets and its only power is to make investments on behalf of the client. Clients can access their portfolio online at any time.