Here are a few frequently asked questions.

Q. What are your areas of specialization?
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. 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:

Investing Side by Side With Our Clients
We only use investments that we also invest in or would be willing to own. We invest in the same share classes and on the same platform.

Investment Selection
We search for top investment managers and organizations that stand out from the crowd. We believe good investment management is more than a few years of good performance. The mutual fund or investment must also be run by a company that recognizes its role as a steward of your money.

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.

Transparency
Besides disclosing all fees, we want you to understand your investment strategy and its results. Our quarterly commentary and our discussion-oriented semi-annual meetings keep you informed about your investments and the progress you are making.

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. How much does hourly advice cost?
A. Your first introductory meeting has no cost or obligation whatsoever. Once we understand your needs and circumstances, we specify the project fee with the cost 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 $150,000. 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 after standard business hours by request.


If you don't see your question, just email us and we will gladly respond!