PlanFIRST™ specializes in tailoring our services to suit the asset management needs of each client. We accomplish this objective by using a combination of no-load mutual funds, individual equities through private money managers, and treasury securities. At PlanFIRST™, our goal is to effectively diversify every portfolio, helping us limit our exposure to any individual type of investment. We have an appreciation for and understanding of whom we work for, what we are trying to accomplish, and what is at stake. In a very real sense, how we as a firm perform each day will determine to what degree our clients will ultimately be successful in meeting their goals. Other services available to our asset management clients are as follows:

Retirement Planning - We perform a detailed analysis to evaluate and plan for each client’s retirement goals. This service includes helping to determine ways to distribute retirement assets (401(k)/IRA) in a tax-efficient manner. We can help you decide an optimum time for retirement.
Estate Tax Planning - We work with the client’s attorney to help create the estate plan and then integrate the ownership of the client’s assets and beneficiary designations with the wills and trusts drafted by the attorney.
Survivor Income Planning - We assist the surviving spouse and family during the probate process, as well as with all aspects of settling the estate.
Client Communications - We provide our clients with monthly account statements from custodians, quarterly consolidated rate-of-return reports, and regularly scheduled reviews of individual portfolios.

Unlike stockbrokers, PlanFIRST™ advisors act as a fiduciary for all of their clients. As a fiduciary, PlanFIRST™ recommends only those investments that we believe are in the client’s best interest, not just what is suitable. Brokers are paid through commissions by their companies to sell financial products their company manufactures; therefore, a broker might sell an investment solely based on his commission rate and not what is best for the client. Because of our fee-only arrangement, we are not under obligation to sell for any particular company. Our goal is to provide our clients with our best advice about investments and personal finance.

Our Process

PlanFIRST™ believes it has established a hallmark of outstanding service, which is always preceded by an outstanding process. Our carefully designed process is the result of many years of direct client interaction. PlanFIRST™ wants to bring added value to every client relationship. When we discuss our investment management and financial planning process with you, our objective is to gather a great deal of information about your goals and expectations. This helps us determine if our desire to add value can be achieved. If for some reason we do not think that we are a good fit for each other, we will be honest with you and give you the name of someone that we think could meet your needs.

We provide an initial complimentary consultation to determine whether PlanFIRST™ is a good fit for both parties and to understand each client’s needs.
We develop a personal profile based on a client’s specific financial goals and risk tolerance.
We design a tailored portfolio to reach the identified financial goals within the appropriate risk levels.
We carefully implement, monitor, and manage all investment selections related to each client’s personal portfolio.
We offer to meet with our clients annually to review their portfolios and address any of their concerns. We encourage our clients to contact us anytime they need help making a decision that affects their financial situation.

The PlanFIRST™ investment team monitors the portfolios and makes the changes in investments we feel are most appropriate for each client. As part of that process, we want to always be sensitive to each client’s risk tolerance, objectives and income needs.