Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
What services does IAM provide?
We focus on the management of globally-diversified investment or retirement portfolios and cross-border financial planning services for individuals, families, and small businesses.
Certain other services are offered in conjunction with trusted experts in specific fields. These services include insurance for non-US and US residents, US or cross-border estate planning, taxation services, and pension plan administration and consulting.
In addition, we make ourselves available at no extra charge to all our clients for consultation on any financial topic.
What type of clientele does IAM serve?
Our investment management clients are individuals who recognize the value that a professional portfolio manager can bring to investment results through specialized knowledge and experience.
Furthermore, our unique knowledge of US expatriate investment and financial planning issues makes us the firm of choice for Americans living outside the USA who seek guidance from a financial advisory firm regulated under US laws.
Typical clients include:
- Individuals with busy lifestyles who prefer to focus on family or career and leave their investments in the hands of a professional
- People who are faced with managing an investment portfolio or financial planning responsibilities for the first time, such as after a divorce or receipt of an inheritance
- US citizens working on international assignments
- Retirees living outside their country of citizenship
- Individuals who prefer to have one advisor oversee their financial picture as a whole rather than dealing with different advisors for taxation, portfolio management, insurance, and other services
- Businesses with expatriate employees
Does IAM offer different levels of service?
We have three levels of investment advisory service and a financial planning service that are more fully described on our website in the “Services” section.
Our Portfolio Management service is discretionary investment management based upon a strategy customized specifically for the client. The strategy and investment constraints are agreed in advance, reviewed periodically, and summarized in the client’s Investment Policy Statement. Discretionary management means that an IAM advisor manages the investment account without the client’s interaction on a daily basis but always in keeping with the agreed upon strategy. This allows us to take quick action if there is a change in the fortunes of one of the client’s holdings but ensures that portfolios will always be invested in keeping with each client’s individual specifications.
Our Portfolio Advisory service is suitable for investment accounts that utilize a buy-and-hold type investment strategy or for corporate pension accounts.
Our Portfolio Analysis service is ideal for investors who do not desire ongoing advice or management but only seek a one-time opinion on their investments or an initial allocation for a self-managed account.
Our financial planning service focuses on cross-border issues for US citizens living abroad and non-US citizens living in the USA.
We also offer financial consulting services to businesses with expatriate employees.
My Investments
What are IAM's investment advisory fees and how are they charged?
Unlike many brokerage firms, we do not charge on a commission basis because we feel that this type of compensation pays a broker to trade their client’s account instead of paying him or her to build the client’s wealth. We charge an on-going management fee based upon assets under management, this means that our compensation increases as the value of the account grows and decreases if it shrinks. For US residents with portfolios larger than $1,000,000, or for non-US residents, a performance-based compensation structure that further aligns our interests with our clients’ is available.
IAM’s fees vary depending upon the level of service and the size of the account under management. The fees for our Portfolio Management service range from 0.5% to 2% of assets under management per year. For our Portfolio Advisory service, the fees are 1% of assets under management per year. For our Portfolio Analysis service, we charge a one-time fee of between $500 and $2000 depending upon the complexity of the analysis.
IAM does not receive any investment advisory fees other than those mentioned above but there may be additional charges from the discount brokerage firm where the account is held or from the individual holdings in the account. A fee schedule for the brokerage firm that IAM recommends is available upon request.
IAM may also receive referral fees from certain of our partner firms. If this is the case then these fees are fully disclosed.
Does IAM have a minimum account size requirement?
There is no minimum account size requirement for our Portfolio Analysis or Financial Planning services. We prefer to have a minimum account size of $200,000 for our Portfolio Management and Portfolio Advisory services so that we can properly diversify this type of account, however under certain circumstances we will accept smaller accounts.
If I open an account with IAM, where are my money and investments held?
As a Registered Investment Advisor, we do not hold our clients’ money. All our clients have an independent relationship with their custodial firm. We will recommend a custodian depending on the client’s needs. Certain of our custodial firms offer debit card and checking access, other offer multi-currency accounts, and there are other services available to help customize the experience for our clients.
Does IAM take custody of my investments?
Are my investments with IAM protected by SIPC insurance?
Are my investments with IAM guaranteed not to lose value?
Our investment strategies do have risk associated with them. The level of risk is set based upon the client’s risk tolerance, investment time horizon, and investment goals. Some of our strategies involve controlling risk in various ways such as through the use of a “market neutral” portfolio, by using options or futures for hedging, or through an asset allocation strategy, but none of these measures can fully guarantee against the possibility of a decrease in value of the portfolio.
You should be wary of any investment advisor who offers “risk-free” investments, please contact us if you are considering such an offer – we will evaluate it for you at no charge.
About IAM
Why should I trust IAM?
- We align our interests with yours: From the very beginning IAM was set up to bring a new level of service and confidence to individuals seeking financial services. IAM’s independence, fee structure, and willingness to address clients’ specific concerns, assures that our interests are aligned with yours.
- Fiduciary duty: IAM is a Registered Investment Advisor, as such, IAM representatives have a fiduciary duty to clients. This is a higher legal standard than the “suitability” standard to which brokers are held.
- Independent firm: We serve only private clients, and have no conflicts with investment banking or M&A departments, neither do we represent any mutual funds or brokerage firms.
- Comprehensive approach: Our goal is to help you reach your financial goals. Investment performance is important but of greater importance is that your goals for retirement, financial growth, or other lifestyle considerations are met. IAM looks at the whole picture from a financial planning as well as an investment perspective.
- Portfolio manager oversees account: At IAM you will always be dealing directly with a qualified portfolio manager and financial planner, not just a sales representative or “relationship manager” as is so often the case at brokerage firms or mutual fund companies.
- Thorough performance reporting: IAM’s underlying philosophy is to ensure that our services pay for themselves. Every year our clients receive a detailed report comparing their portfolio performance to a benchmark. We look at what we’ve done well and honestly analyze how we can do better. This consultative rather than sales-oriented approach is the cornerstone of why our clients trust us.
- Global outlook: We understand the importance of diversification and the investment opportunities and risks that exist in various parts of the world. Our approach takes advantage of global, as well as asset class, diversification.
- Personalized consulting: We provide services on a client-specific level. You may require specific guidance on issues such as company retirement plan options, concentrated stock holdings, or protection against currency fluctuations. We use our investment, taxation, and financial planning expertise to find the best solution to your specific concern.
- Expatriate experience: IAM offers services to expatriates on a higher level than other firms. If you are an expat, then you will be dealing with an IAM advisor who has considerable personal expatriate experience.
How is IAM licensed and regulated?
IAM is incorporated and licensed in the state of California, USA as a “Registered Investment Advisor” (RIA). RIA’s are regulated by the government of the state in which they are based or the US Securities and Exchange Commission. As a RIA firm, IAM is held to a higher standard of care with respect to its clients than a brokerage firm. A RIA firm representative has a fiduciary responsibility to his or her clients whereas a broker often does not.
IAM is further bound by the US “Investment Advisor Act of 1940” and we adhere to the CFA Institute (formerly the Association of Investment Management and Research) Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
US representatives of RIA firms hold a “Series 65” or “Series 7 & 66” Investment Advisor license and, in addition, all IAM portfolio managers are CFA charterholders or have a CIMA or other recognized portfolio management qualification.
What types of investments does IAM use?
We always fully explain our recommendations to our clients and we never invest a client’s portfolio in any vehicle with which our client is uncomfortable. Furthermore, unless specified, all investments are liquid such that they can be cashed out within three business days.
What type of reports do I get?
Our Portfolio Management and Portfolio Advisory clients receive quarterly reports from IAM summarizing the performance and status of their accounts. There is also a yearly, in-depth, performance and strategy review and consultation with your portfolio manager. If your account is held at a brokerage firm that we recommend, you will also receive on-line access to your account and can enable automatic delivery of statements on a periodic basis.
Our Portfolio Analysis service consists of a one-time detailed report.
Our Financial Planning service consists of an initial in-depth review and report and periodic updates are available as well.