A. We specialize in providing investment advice and management, retirement planning, college planning, and socially responsible investing. We also present personalized advice on pension elections, stock options, insurance sufficiency, company retirement plans, financial considerations before divorce, and other situations unique to each person. Our advice is based on persistent, thorough research and proven principles.
Q. What is your typical client profile?
A. The defining quality of our clients is that they are serious about their current and future financial security. Generally, our clients fall into a few different groups:
1. Those planning for long-term retirement needs, but juggling competing financial demands.
2. Those preparing for retirement within the next five to ten years.
3. Those who are pursuing other goals and interests, but who wish to maximize their savings during retirement.
Our clients frequently include working professionals, families, nontraditional couples, small-business owners, and retirees.
We also work with small and mid-sized businesses and institutions helping them set up or improve their retirement plans or, in the case of non-profit entities, providing investment consulting and management.
All of our clients receive sophisticated and customized financial advice without the pressure to purchase products. We make very specific recommendations, but are not limited in our ideas or advice.
Q. Do you get paid for products we purchase?
A. No. Unlike most advisors, our advice is our ONLY income source. We do not receive sales commissions, mutual fund payments, finder's fees, referral fees, or accept vendor sponsorships. We have no insurance, bank, or brokerage ties and therefore no sales quotas, product alliances, or hidden fees. We believe this approach -- known as fee-only -- eliminates conflicts and enables us to act in our clients' best interests.
Q. What is the difference between fee-only and fee-based?
A. Fee-based compensation is a confusing and potentially misleading term. Fee-based advisors are different from fee-only advisors. Whereas fee-only advisors earn their fees solely from direct client payments, fee-based advisors may receive client-paid fees and/or fees from the sale or purchase of a product, including commissions, 12b-1 fees, referral fees, or other indirect forms of compensation. Such product payments are rarely disclosed to clients, which might represent conflicts of interest.
Q. How much does hourly advice cost?
A. Our hourly rate is $125/hr. For clients with simple needs, or those on a budget, we recommend our Two-Hour Working Session. For those seeking more extensive advice, we recommend scheduling a no-cost introductory meeting. Once we understand your needs and circumstances, we will provide a quote based on our hourly rate. Short-term advisory engagements include written analysis, recommendations, action steps, and discussion. A comprehensive financial plan typically includes additional meetings and a higher cost.
Q. Is there a minimum account size or income level that I must have to work with Greenleaf Financial Group?
A. For investment management, we recommend assets of $200,000. There is no minimum for hourly financial analysis and advice.
Q. What is the advantage of investment management?
A. For busy people who might neglect to monitor, change, or rebalance their investments, investment management is an ongoing relationship with professional responsibility and accountability. This service provides customized tax- and cost-sensitive portfolio management. Over time, we tackle clients’ financial-planning needs as part of the investment management fee.
Q. How does your cost compare to other advisors?
A. Our mission is to provide you with enduring value. Our fees are very competitive and our recommendations often save clients money through lower investment costs and reduced taxes.
Q. Are you a fiduciary? What exactly does that mean?
A. The word fiduciary comes from the Latin fides, meaning faith, and its modern equivalent, fiducia, meaning trust and confidence. A fiduciary must not put personal interests before the duty owed to a client. A fiduciary duty is the highest standard of care. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) places a fiduciary requirement on Registered Investment Advisors. We are a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) with the states of California, Indiana, and New York.
Q. Who is not a good match for your services?
A. People who don't take their future seriously. People looking for speculative investments and get-rich-quick schemes.
Q. Do you have evening or weekend hours?
A. Yes. We will meet during evening or weekend hours by appointment. Please note that such times are in high demand and are of limited availability. In order to efficiently and effectively serve all clients and prospects, Greenleaf Financial Group reserves the right to charge a $100 fee if an evening or weekend meeting is cancelled with notice of less than 48 hours for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday evenings and all weekends times, or with notice of less than 72 hours for Monday evening meetings.
Q. What makes you a better choice?
A. We hold ourselves to high standards. Each client with Greenleaf Financial Group receives individual management, not an assembly line approach. Our distinctive approach includes the following:
We seek fund companies with business practices that benefit shareholders, such as compensation methods that promote long-term investing, an independent board of directors, and managers who have their own money invested in their mutual funds.
If you don't see your question, just email us and we will gladly respond!