I recently received this note from an Oxford Club Member:
My full-service broker isn’t familiar with most Oxford Club recommendations. Nor is he willing to adjust my trailing stops without a verbal confirmation. Unfortunately, I’m too busy traveling and running my business to do everything myself. Any suggestions?
I don’t know this Member’s circumstances and we aren’t allowed to give personal investment advice.
However, he may be a good candidate for a managed account with one of our Pillar One Advisors.
We have no financial arrangement with these advisors. But they have been vetted by the Club for experience, effectiveness and trustworthiness.
For example, Rick Pfeifer and Conrad Schwalbe head up the money management team at Fund Advisors of America, based in Orlando, Florida.
The firm offers personalized managed accounts using many of the Club’s investment strategies and recommendations.
Here’s how their accounts work…
Rick and Conrad generally begin by talking with you about your investment goals, time horizon and risk tolerance.
Some investors are looking for growth. Others want to maximize their monthly income. Still others want both growth and income.
After understanding your personal circumstances and objectives, Fund Advisors offers to run a discretionary account to help you meet your goals.
(That means they have limited power of attorney to direct your investments.)
They select the best investment ideas based on your age, experience and temperament.
They enter and adjust your trailing stops.
And they keep you apprised of your investment performance.
That leaves you free to run your business, play golf, travel or spend more time with your kids and grandkids.
The firm uses Charles Schwab as their clearing agent to safeguard your capital and minimize your investment costs.
There are zero commissions. And their low management fee – based on the size of your account – enables them to manage your money without potential conflicts of interest.
While the minimum account size at Fund Advisors is $100,000, they also offer these complimentary services to Oxford Club Members:
- A thorough analysis of all Oxford Club recommendations
- A complimentary review of your existing portfolio
- Implementation of trailing stops to protect your principal and your profits
- Retirement planning
- IRAs, Roth’s, SEPs, and 401(k)s
Many investors are so busy with their personal or professional lives (or both) that their financial goals may not get the time and attention they deserve.
Or, in some cases, experience may have shown that they lack the equanimity to manage their portfolio effectively when the financial markets turn volatile.
A managed account can solve these problems. And, unlike a traditional brokerage account, there are no conflicts of interest.
Of course, some investors prefer running their money themselves.
If you have the time and discipline to see your investment program through – and especially if you enjoy doing it – you may not need a managed account.
However, as a former money manager myself, I know that some folks struggle.
They stray from important investment principles. They don’t have a solid asset allocation. They aren’t properly diversified. They become emotional and abandon their discipline. Or they get distracted and forget to run their trailing stops.
And – bottom line – they aren’t satisfied with their returns.
Using an account manager means turning the reins over to someone else, a professional who may be better qualified to run things.
For more information on Fund Advisors’ managed accounts, feel free to contact Rick Pfeifer or Conrad Schwalbe at 800.438.3040 or 407.667.4729.
Most investors realize that they have a choice between using a discount or a full-service broker (or both).
But a managed account is a third alternative – and an option worth exploring.