Choosing a financial advisor is often a challenging task. Banks, insurance providers, online brokerages, traditional wealth management and trust companies all offer financial planning products and services to help clients achieve their respective financial goals.

The most pressing question that prospective clients seeking financial advice ask themselves is this--who possesses the best products, services and expertise to help me achieve my financial goals? The simplest answer is that any of these firms may offer solutions that meet their clients' respective goals. However, the pressing question that financial services firms ask is this--which prospects do we want as our clients.

Every financial services firm has their unique vision of who they want as their ideal clients. Banks and insurance companies offering retail investments may target people with $20,000 to invest. Traditional wealth managers may only want to work with people who have $250,000 or more to invest. Online brokerages provide a low-cost means to invest, but typically concentrate only on stocks and bonds.

What do these firms have in common? Nearly every one of these firms want you to work with them by transferring your assets to them or one of their affiliates--this is the only way they can make money.

An independent financial advisor can offer the same services and expertise of any other financial institution. The key difference is that we act as a fiduciary for our clients. This means that we are obliged ethically and legally to always act in the best interests of our clients. Secondly, our profits are driven by advice. Once a recommendation is made, we provide the rationale in a clear and concise manner. Because of this, you do not necessarily need to transfer assets to work with us.

A.A. Napier Wealth Management provides a cost analysis of transferring assets. If it makes more sense for your situation to keep assets at their current location, we will be the first to let you know.

To better understand the advantages of independence, schedule an appointment with us. We invite you to bring your CPA, attorney, or trusted advisor with you to truly understand how we can help you achieve your financial goals.