Business Description
We leverage our total independence to form a partnership with you. We offer no proprietary insurance or investments because we are not owned or affliated with an mutual fund or insurance company. We offer unbiased advice for a fee, no strings attached. We help you gain power over your money and investments -saving you time and keeping you stress-free, while creating opportunities for your success and security.
General Information Gender:    Male CRD#:    2751115 Firm CRD#:    6413 Insurance License#:    6864412 Name of Broker/Dealer:    LPL Financial Name of Custodial Firm:    LPL Financial States Licensed in:    IA, IL, MN, MO, PA, TX, AR Years of Experience in Financial Services:    15 Number of Years with Current Firm:    10 Work Experience:    Business Owner - 10 years (present) Advisor - Wells Fargo Investments - 4 years I work with the following types of clients:    Businesses, Non-Profit Organizations, Individual Investors Foreign Languages Serviced:    Access to Spanish translator
Education Academic Background   Bachelor of Science - Iowa State University
Services Investment Types:    Variable Insurance Products, Annuities, Alternative Investments, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Bonds, Stocks, Insurance, Mutual Funds, Socially Responsible Investments (SRI)
Qualifications & Memberships Certifications, Accreditations & Designations:    CRC - Certified Retirement Counselor, Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®) Securities Licenses:    Series 65, Series 63, Series 7, Series 6 Insurance and Annuity Licenses:    critical illness, Long Term Care, Health, Annuity, Variable Annuity, Life, Variable Life, Disability Financial Organization Memberships:    Paladin Registry, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) Non-Financial Organization Memberships:    Marion City Council Member Cultural & Entertainment District Board Member Imagine8 Steering Committee Marion Central Corridor Redevelopment Committee Marion Economic Development Corp Member CEO Roundtable Marion/Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce Iowa State University Alumni Assn Iowa State University Alumni Student Ambassador
Firm Information Number of Advisors in Office:    Up to 10 employees I work with clients as part of a team:    Yes Advisor's Number of Clients:    150 Advisor's Number of Managed Clients:    120 Advisor's Number of Planning Clients:    98 Assets Managed by Advisor:    $16MM
Compliance Registered Representative:    Yes Investment Advisor Representative:    Yes I am an acknowledged fiduciary:    Yes Compliance Disclosures in Last 5 years:    I have a clean record Criminal Disclosures in Last 5 years:    I have a clean record
Compensation & Fees Fee Structure:    I am a fee-based financial professional Compensation Methods:    Hourly, Commissions, Based on Assets, Flat Fee Fee % Based on Assets:    1 Hourly Rate:    $150.00 Additional Details on Charges:    Fees are discussed up-front with clients. Fee estimate is provided at time planning engagement is agreed to. Annual fees for investment management are assessed on a sliding scale and may be increased or decreased depending on the services needed by the client. I will work with the client to define those needs to make the appropriate choices when implementing their investment strategy. Minimum Fee Charged for Managed Accounts:    $300 Minimum Fee Charged for Hourly Planning Accounts:    $300 Minimum Fee Charged for Flat Fee Accounts:    $0.00
Prepared By:	Craig Adamson

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.	Do you have a customer satisfaction or refund policy?

Q.	What are your qualifications? What is your education background?

Q.	What is your approach to financial planning?

Q.	What services do you offer?

Q.	How many clients do you currently manage?

Q.	Will you be the only person working with me?

Q.	How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services?

Q.	If you are going to manage my account, will you obtain my permission every time you buy or sell something?

Q.	Do you offer any guaranteed results?

Q.	How much risk should I be willing to take?

Q.	Have you ever been charged with any breaches?

Q.	What carrier(s) do you represent?

Q.	Are there any pre-existing conditions that you can not cover?

Q.	How long does it take to complete the application and approval process?

Q.	Is there a maximum age that you can insure?

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Q.	Do you have a customer satisfaction or refund policy?
No. All our planning and analysis work is done on a fee-only basis. A client or potential client cannot buy anything other than my time and expertise. This reduces, if not eliminates, the potential for conflict of interest in assessing a client’s financial situation.

Q.	What are your qualifications? What is your education background?
I have been advising clients since 1996. I hold two specialized retirement credentials and actively pursue 60 hours of continuing education each year on a variety of financial planning topics including: Retirement Accumulation Planning; Retirement Income Distribution Planning; Estate Planning; Income Tax Planning; and College Planning. I also have access to Third Party professional resources.

Q.	What is your approach to financial planning?
While the numbers are important, YOU -the client- are most important. A great deal of time and care is put into getting to know you and understanding your unique financial situation. Not only do I understand you better, but you will understand yourself better. A financial plan is useless until it is implemented. Understanding the “what” and the “why” will motivate you to take action today.

Q.	What services do you offer?
My firm offers independent, unbiased financial planning and investment management. We specialize in retirement planning. We manage both phases of your retirement planning: Accumulation (Saving) and Distribution (Spending). This includes portfolio management, insurance (disability, life and LTC), and trust services. Our clients don't want to live with their children, nor ask them for money.

Q.	How many clients do you currently manage?
I manage over 100 households. My practice grows by 15 to 25 households each year. My goal is to serve 250 households by 2018. At that time I will expand my office or no longer accept referrals.

Q.	Will you be the only person working with me?
Yes. I will be your primary contact. However, your situation may call for legal or tax expertise that I am not able to provide. Over the past 12 years I've created an extensive network of trusted professionals that can add expertise, or fill a void that a you may have related to your financial plan.

Q.	How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services?
I am fully licensed so I can be paid via flat or hourly fees, asset management fees, and commissions. While my commissions are mainly limited to insurance products, there are cases where investments may be purchased less expensively through commission. These fees of mine and the companies who are assisting us will be disclosed. Your additional questions are welcomed.

Q.	If you are going to manage my account, will you obtain my permission every time you buy or sell something?
In nearly every case, you will be consulted on changes to your account. This will be in person during your regular review, or due to a phone call. Some investment options allow for my discretion or the discretion of the separate account manager (accounts over $500,000). This will disclosed to you up-front. If you are not comfortable with the discretion you have other investment options.

Q.	Do you offer any guaranteed results?
No. Absolutely not! I will never make personal guarantees related to investment performance as it is both illegal and unethical. In certain circumstances I can make guarantees related to an insurance product or a bank CD. However, additional fees may or may not apply to those guarantees.

Q.	How much risk should I be willing to take?
This is the $64,000 question. This is also why each client is expected to complete a financial plan for a fee. This removes any biases or specific investment recommendations so that a reasonably accurate assessment can be made of your willingness to accept risk and your financial ability to accept market and interest rate risks.

Q.	Have you ever been charged with any breaches?
No. Never.

Q.	What carrier(s) do you represent?
I am independent. Currently I represent over 50 highly rated companies with access to many, many more.

Q.	Are there any pre-existing conditions that you can not cover?
Terminal illnesses. Advanced illnesses related to cancer, diabetes, Alzheimers, etc. We can always apply. The worst a carrier will tell us in "no." If they accept, it may come at an economic cost. Asking costs nothing.

Q.	How long does it take to complete the application and approval process?
30 to 45 days depending on your health and your ability to complete the application and medical exam in a timely manner.

Q.	Is there a maximum age that you can insure?
Many insurers use a standard age of 85. Some carriers may go higher. However, those insurance companies may not have the best track record for paying claims completely and promptly. This is a risk we will have to assess to see if it is appropriate.