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Is my account with LPL protected?
LPL Financial is a member firm of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Membership provides account protection up to a maximum of $500,000 per client, of which $250,000 may be claims for cash. For an explanatory brochure, please visit http://www.sipc.org/.
Through London Insurers, LPL Financial accounts have additional securities protection to cover the net equity of client accounts up to an overall aggregate firm limit of $600 million, subject to conditions and limitations.
London Insurers rely on SIPC to determine the extent of losses incurred by individual LPL account holders. This additional protection covers losses above limits available from SIPC and would be payable up to a total of $600 million.
The account protection applies when a SIPC member firm fails financially and is unable to meet its obligations to securities clients, but it does not protect against losses from the rise and fall in the market value of investments. This extensive coverage reflects a strong commitment to serving your investment needs.
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Who is LPL and why have you partnered with them?
LPL Financial (Nasdaq: LPLA) was founded on the principle that the firm should work for the advisor, and not the other way around. Today, LPL is a leader in the markets we serve,* supporting nearly 20,000 financial advisors, and approximately 800 institution-based investment programs and 500 independent RIA firms nationwide. We are steadfast in our commitment to the advisor-centered model and the belief that Americans deserve access to personalized guidance from a financial advisor. At LPL, independence means that advisors have the freedom they deserve to choose the business model, services, and technology resources that allow them to run their perfect practice. And they have the freedom to manage their client relationships, because they know their clients best. Simply put, we take care of our advisors, so they can take care of their clients.
*Top RIA custodian (Cerulli Associates, 2020 U.S. RIA Marketplace Report); No. 1 Independent Broker-Dealer in the U.S (Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine 1996-2023); No. 1 provider of third-party brokerage services to banks and credit unions (2020-2021 Kehrer Bielan Research & Consulting Annual TPM Report); Fortune 500 Company as of June 2021. LPL and its affiliated companies provide financial services only from the United States.
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Will I be able to view my accounts online?
You will have convenient online access for all of your accounts.
Specifically, you will have access to the LPL Financial AccountView system, where you can track account values, trading activity, and find relevant tax documents. It also provides a modern and informative app available for Android, Apple, tablets and desktop computers.
Furthermore, our financial planning software allows you to link your other outside assets such as 401ks, 403bs, and other employer-sponsored retirement accounts is offered through Right Capital.This provides a real-time combined view of your investments and net worth.
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How do you get paid?
We offer multiple pricing options to accommodate our variety of clients and services. We will consistently be transparent about our fees and want you to agree we’ve earned them.
We believe our qualifications and emotional intelligence help us provide our clients with a premium service and experience. We work with a select group of clients that recognize the value of their time, and our expertise.
For more information, you can see our transparent pricing here:
We believe fees are important, but never at the expense of good advice!
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Do you have account minimums? Who is your typical client?
As mentioned above, there are many variables to consider when choosing a financial advisor. Similarly, there are many variables that we consider when accepting new clients.
Therefore, we do not have an account minimum. Instead, we work with a wide variety of clients in varying financial circumstances that:
- Understand the success of their retirement is too important to manage on their own
- Want a collaborative partner to give comprehensive advice for all aspects of their financial life
- Understand the value of their time, and our expertise
Importantly, we will meet with the friends and family of existing clients regardless of their account size or needs. It's an honor to do so and we are always grateful for client referrals.
For additional information, you can see our typical client here:
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Do you charge a fee for the initial meeting?
No. We offer complimentary meetings and want you to understand the value we can provide before paying us a single dollar.
Financial planning can be extremely complex. Just like you would get a second opinion regarding a health issue, we think you should do the same for your investments.
We offer a free consultation if you’re unsure about the services of your current advisor.
You can schedule your complimentary review here:
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Can I do this myself using index funds?
Maybe! We think index funds are great tools for suitable investors.
The reality is that there are many resources available online and elsewhere for do-it-yourself (DIY) investors. Furthermore, technology has made investing accessible to almost anyone regardless of account size. However, DIY investing doesn't always equate to being the less expensive option.
Consider the example of a home renovation project: There are enough resources online to learn how to renovate a kitchen without the help of a construction professional. Furthermore, most of the materials would be available at your local hardware store or could be purchased online.
If you’re somewhat handy and determined, everything would probably function. However, it would have taken time, been stressful, and the crown molding joints for the kitchen cabinetry might not be cut to perfection.
On the other hand, there are instances that the DIY homeowner only hires a professional after they make a big mistake or get stuck! Instead, many folks hire a contractor that charges a 20% markup and they specialize in kitchen renovations.
Our Value Proposition: We like to think of ourselves like your general contractor: one that shows up on time, is trustworthy, and wants to help achieve your unique goals! As an advisory client, in an advisory relationship, we would coordinate all the other professionals involved in your financial life, such as your accountant, estate attorney, and other consultants.
Summary: We work with people who understand the value of their time, and our expertise. Our clients are people that want to delegate the management of their investments so they can focus on the things that matter most to them.
In our opinion, your retirement and family’s legacy shouldn't be in the hands of a fintech app or call center. Instead, you should have a customized financial plan tailored around the things that are most important to you and your family.
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Why should I pay for advice?
Most of our clients agree that their most precious resource is time. How much is your time worth?
Do you enjoy spending countless hours researching the stocks? How often do you find yourself worrying about the market or checking your phone for stock quotes?
Financial security and free time comes at a price. We believe our services are worth every penny!
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Where are your offices? Do you offer virtual meetings?
We have clients all over the country and we have offices in the Charleston South Carolina area.
Therefore, we offer virtual meetings and leverage technology to make it possible (and secure!).
We always enjoy meeting our clients in-person, whether to discuss their financial questions or to do something more social.
Curious to see how we might fit into your financial planning needs? You can schedule a complimentary meeting (virtual, or in-person) here:
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What are your qualifications?
At Atlantic Wealth Management Group we work to help ensure we are qualified to meet your financial needs. In addition to our experience, our staff holds the following credentials:
- Registrations held through LPL Financial: Series 7,24,63,65
- Certifications and Designations:
- Marilyn Allen, C(k)P, CRPC, CPFA *CRPC conferred by College for Financial Planning.
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How do I know if I'm a good fit?
We understand it can be an intimidating process to choose a financial advisor and you have so many options. At Atlantic Wealth Management Group,, we want to provide all the resources you would need to make an informed decision.
Here is what you can expect from an introductory meeting:
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Why should I partner with Atlantic Wealth Management Group?
I have over 25 years of experience on both the wire house and independent side of the wealth management services arena. We are currently on the independent which means we work for YOU, not a branch manager in some ivory tower. I am passionate about cultivating a long lasting relationship and have dedicated my career to my practice and family of clients.