HAVE THE NAMES OF MY INVESTMENT FIRM AND ITS ASSOCIATES REMAINED THE SAME YEAR AFTER YEAR?

Consistency matters. Corporate culture matters. New ownership invariably brings a new culture; one that is usually larger, less flexible, and less personal.

Turnover of personnel matters. Quarterly performance pressure by Wall Street analysts cause corporate managements to make knee-jerk personnel decisions. Due to this atmosphere of uncertainty, job security occupies the time and attention of most associates in publicly traded financial firms.

The silent victim is the customer; the client. Each time a different associate is assigned to you, the burden falls to you to educate and try to "bring up to speed" someone who heretofore knew nothing about you, your family, your goals, your "heart".

All of this represents a lot of stress for the client; stress that can be completely avoided. Greenport Financial Advisers is locally owned and operated. Since 1989, we have been providing quality, one-on-one portfolio management and financial advice to clients.

Capital markets are huge and very dynamic. There is nothing in these markets that is not subject to change. An investment portfolio without a personalized, written Investment Policy Statement is somewhat like a ship at sea with no navigational charts or technology - only the captain's intuition as to his location at any given moment in relation to his desired destination.

Having a written Investment Policy Statement provides the investor and the advisor with specific parameters, boundaries, and restrictions for the portfolio. In the absence of an Investment Policy Statement, an investor unwittingly loses his way amidst the continual cacophony of the financial markets. Contrary to the opinion of many investors, it is impossible to truly adhere to an investment discipline if it has not been committed to in writing.

Of course, life changes for all of us. Accordingly, it is vitally important to review the appropriateness of the Investment Policy Statement at least annually, and make adjustments as life situations change.

At Greenport Financial Advisers, every client has a personalized, written Investment Policy Statement, jointly authored by them and us, before one dollar of their portfolio is invested.

In any business relationship, one needs to understand the economic dynamics at work. Follow the money; it is at the core of the energy driving the business.

To understand how people are compensated is to understand the object of their loyalty and who it is they are trying to please. In the world of investment management, understanding this dynamic is arguably the most fundamental piece of wisdom for the investor.

Greenport Financial Advisers generates revenue from one source: our clients pay a fee based on a percentage of total assets managed. This system has two advantages. First, it is simple and easy to understand. Second, it is designed to eliminate a conflict of interest between the client's best interest and the financial incentives of a third party financial firm.

At Greenport, we work exclusively on your behalf to help you achieve your financial goals.

Plan to live well Call us to discuss these and other questions you may have. Consultation is complimentary and confidential. You are under no obligation. Call 330.433.1800 today.