FAQ's
- Who is Paladin Wealth Partners?
Paladin Wealth Partners is an independently owned Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA") registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our offices are located in Clive, IA, and we work with clients who live in Iowa as well as other states across the country. Our firm was formed with the vision of surrounding clients with a caring, highly experienced team of professionals to help guide their financial lives. We focus on advice and professional management of client assets. We are not product or sales driven. We are a fiduciary to our clients.
We believe in defining and delivering value in each client relationship we take on, evidenced by our team-based approach and low client-to-advisor ratio. It's important to us that our relationships are built on caring, trust and mutual respect.
- Who does Paladin work with?
Our firm was founded to work with a select group of individuals and families who value having an experienced TEAM of professionals help guide their financial lives. We work with successful savers and retirement focused investors, professionals and business owners, people with newly acquired wealth, as well as high net worth individuals and families. Our typical client entrusts us to manage $1 million of their investible assets while also relying on us to provide coordinated guidance on all areas of their financial life, like tax planning, estate planning, and risk management.
The best ways to help evaluate whether we are a good fit is to start with a conversation. We'll listen, assess, and be transparent on how we might be able to help.
- How will I benefit from working with Paladin?
Every client situation is unique, but common areas where we add value for clients include:
* Having a TEAM of highly experienced professionals who care about you and your family helping coordinate your financial life.
* We are an independent RIA firm and a fiduciary. We exist to serve you. We will act in your best interest and avoid conflicts of interest.
* Client service focus. Low client-to-advisor ratio. Simply stated, you matter to us.
* Professional, in-house asset management led by seasoned professionals (including multiple CFA Charterholders). Open-architecture platform. Portfolios tailored to specific client circumstances and focus on risk-adjusted returns.
* Financial planning: a continual and comprehensive planning process helps guide decision making to stay on track and achieve goals.
* Tax planning: we will thoroughly understand your tax situation and be proactive in identifying opportunities to be tax smart.
* Estate planning: we help clients find clarity and confidence by identifying the "why" (what matters most to you) and creating the "how" (an effective estate plan that is durable in an ever changing and complicated world of tax law).
- What is a Fiduciary and why is it important to me?
Paladin has a Fiduciary responsibility to clients. As a Fiduciary, we have a legal & ethical responsibility to act in a client's best interest at all times, including upholding a duty of loyalty, fairness, and good faith. We have a duty to avoid conflicts of interest, but when a conflict of interest does exist, we will disclose it.
Why is this important? We feel it's critical to be transparent in order for clients to trust their advisor and be "on the same team" at all times. We will sit on the same side of the table and advise you like we would a family member. Our firm does not sell products that generate commissions, and we believe our fee structure aligns our collective goals.
- What are Paladin's qualifications?
Our ADV/Firm Brochure details our firm's background and experience. The Paladin team is educated (the principals all have graduate degrees), credentialed (all team members hold highly respected credentials, including the Certified Financial PlannerTM, Chartered Financial Analyst®, and Certified Public Accountant designations), and experienced (core principals each average over 25 years of serving investment clients).
* Certified Financial PlannerTM certification is considered the standard for financial planners. CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements and commit to CFP Board’s ethical standards that require them to put their clients’ interests first. Learn more about the CFP® designation here.
* The Chartered Financial Analyst® designation is one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession. Earning the CFA charter requires passing three levels of rigorous exams demonstrating proficiency in investment analysis & portfolio management, adherence to ethical & professional standards, and satisfying professional work experience requirements. Learn more about the CFA® designation here.
- How does Paladin get compensated?
Paladin charges a management fee based on assets we manage for clients. The fee calculation is straight forward and is a fixed percentage based on the amount of assets managed.
In some circumstances, clients engage Paladin for specific financial planning or consulting services. In these cases, we will charge a separate fee based on the scope of the services provided.
Paladin does not receive commissions or any other kinds of compensation. We believe our compensation structure promotes transparency and properly aligns us with our clients' success. Please see our ADV/Firm Brochure for additional details.
- What is Paladin's investment philosophy?
Client portfolios are designed and managed internally by Paladin's investment team. Because we are independent, we are able to utilize an "open architecture" process, which means that we are able to research and select investments that meet the client's best interests and are not beholden to any single strategy or manager. This also allows us to focus on building cost-efficient portfolios.
Our investment strategy is based largely on Modern Portfolio Theory, where the focus is identifying the appropriate risk tolerance for a client first, and then design a diversified portfolio intended to maximize the total return for that level of risk. We believe asset allocation is the biggest determinant of investment returns and risk management, so our process places a primary focus on owning attractive asset classes rather than market timing or stock picking.
We manage portfolios to a client specific asset allocation and make rebalance decisions on a quarterly basis. Investment specific decisions are made continuously based on our research, due diligence, and monitoring process.
- How are my assets protected?
We utilize Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab") as the primary qualified custodian of client assets. Paladin is independently owned and not affiliated with Schwab. We believe the separation of duties between advisor and the physical holder of client assets is important. Information on Schwab's programs to safeguard client assets can be found here.
- How will I remain informed on my investments?
We have regular communication with our clients, including regularly scheduled review/planning meetings (usually twice per year), periodic check-ins, and when needed as questions arise. As part of the regular review meetings, we typically review portfolio performance and ensure that your asset allocation is aligned with your investment objective and risk tolerance.
Clients also remain informed on their portfolio through the delivery of monthly statements from the custodian, access to Schwab's client portal, and access to Paladin's client portal.
- What should I expect from an initial meeting?
The first conversation is all about discovery. We'll spend some time getting to know you, learning about your family, your resources, and the goals that matter the most to you. We'll answer any questions you have about our firm and how we work. If we believe we can add value to your situation, then we'll outline what an ongoing relationship with Paladin would look like. If not, we'll give you our best thinking of how you might be able to get the help that best fits you. In either case, our goal is that you are better informed and better off after a conversation with us.
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