FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A Member of Advisory Services Network, LLC
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Q: Who is Balanced Wealth Advisors?
A: Balanced Wealth Advisors (BWA) is a privately held, independent wealth management firm owned by Edmund C. Hilston Jr, CFS who has over 20 years of investment management experience. BWA offers investment management and wealth planning solutions. We work in the best interest of our clients, eliminating potential conflicts associated with commissions or proprietary investment products. We are a member of Advisory Services Network, LLC who services firms like ourselves.
Advisory Services Network, LLC (ASN) is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser that strategically partners with investment professionals and provides them an all-inclusive platform designed to meet their individual needs. Working with Advisory Services Network, LLC allows us to focus on our clients while it provides the compliance and back-office support we require.
Q: What are your fees?
A: BWA is not a broker; we are a trusted advisor. As a Fee-Only investment advisory firm, our revenues are derived solely from fees paid directly to us by our clients. We charge a management fee based upon a percentage of the total value of the assets we manage for you. The fees for managed accounts range from 1.3% to 1%, sometimes less, depending on account size and services being provided. We do not receive commissions on transactions and we accept no other forms of compensation from investment product providers or financial institutions.
Q: What is the minimum investment?
A: We work with investors with a minimum of liquid investable assets of $50,000. (Occasionally, we will make an exception to our new client minimum account size for small accounts.)
Q: What happens to the custody of my accounts and my investments?
A: BWA does not have legal custody of its clients’ accounts. We contract with Fidelity Investments to act as your financial custodian. These are your separate account(s) held by Fidelity Investments for safekeeping. We do not have the ability to withdraw your cash or investments.
Q: Am I locked-in? Are their termination penalties?
A: There are no barriers to exit a relationship with BWA. The relationship is terminable on written notice, at any time, without penalties. There are no forced liquidations, termination fees, back-end loads, redemption fees or other charges associated with the termination of an advisory relationship with our firm. Fidelity Investments may charge a modest closing fee, if your assets leave their custody.
Q: What type of investments do you use?
A: BWA utilizes low cost, no load mutual funds. We have access to the entire range of investment alternatives including US equities, Emerging Market equities, US bonds, International bonds, real estate, commodities, and cash.
Q: Can I review my account online?
A: Yes, through Fidelity Investment’s website.
Q: How often will you meet with me?
A: Review meetings and communications occur regularly with each client. We typically recommend an annual or semiannual meeting. Depending on the complexity of your situation and needs, we can meet more frequently, if necessary. As we like to say, “our door is always open and we are just a phone call or an email away.” We encourage open communication with each of our clients.
Q: How often will I get account statements?
A: Fidelity Investments will send your monthly statements and trade confirmations either by mail or email, this decision is up to you.
Fidelity investments (“Fidelity”) is an independent company, unaffiliated with Balanced Wealth Advisors, a Member of Advisory Services Network, LLC. Fidelity is a service provider to both. There is no form of legal partnership, agency affiliation, or similar relationship between your financial advisor and Fidelity, nor is such a relationship created or implied by the information herein. Fidelity Institutional® provides clearing, custody, or other brokerage services through National Financial Services, LLC or Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC Members NYSE, SIPC.