IFG One Sheet
- 1. IFG Practice Profile 2012 About IFG The Independent Financial Group isn’t ours; it’s YOURS. IFG is a Moorpark, Ca.-based solo independent financial planning and investment management consulting practice with clients located in New York, Florida, Colorado, as well as here in California. IFG is a “pure” fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and does not sell financial products or receive commissions, incentives, or any other third party compensation either directly or indirectly. As an RIA, IFG is a fiduciary and required by law to put clients’ interests first. What this means in English: IFG can provide virtually all the services you’re used to receiving through the ‘big name’ firms; the main difference is this: Fiduciary status and compensation through fees rather than commissions. Your Advisor – James Lorenzen, CFP®, AIF® Founding Principal of IFG with more than 20 years’ experience helping clients navigate financial decisions. Published in The Journal of Compensation & Benefits, The Profit Sharing Council of America’s Insights, and numerous other publications and newspapers. Jim’s also been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal for SmartMoney magazine as well as by American Airlines’ Sky Radio heard on more than 19,000 AA flights. In addition, Jim has been the headline speaker at more than 500 conventions throughout the United States, Canada, and the U.K., for clients such as Hearst Corp., CapCities/ABC, Foster Grant, Hobie Cat, and others. Credentials Certified Financial Planner® (CFP ®) Candidates for CFP certification must meet requirements for work experience, education, ethics and possess a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university. Candidates must also master a list of nearly 100 topics on integrated financial planning through a CFP Board-Registered program. More than 300 accredited colleges and universities across America offer CFP Board-Registered programs in their MBA curriculum. Upon graduation, candidates must pass a two-day, ten-hour exam conducted by the CFP Board. IFG utilizes a state-of-the-art planning platform powered by PIE Technologies. This highly-sophisticated tool achieved a #1 ranking three years in a row in a nationwide survey of advisors by Financial Planning magazine. Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Granted by The Center for Fiduciary Studies in association with the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh, this program addresses the needs of Registered Investment Advisors who provide investment advisory services for trustees of estates, endowments, foundations, and corporate retirement plan sponsors. The IFG Credo Every client deserves, and has the right to expect, an objective and unbiased advisor who is fully aligned with the client’s goals, possesses a moral compass with strict standards of accountability, and who takes a straightforward, common sense collaborative approach, putting the client in control of a hassle-free process incorporating breakthrough technology and unparalleled flexibility… with openness and transparency. THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP A Registered Investment Advisor Financial Planning and Wealth Management 805.265.5416 • www.indfin.com
- 2. IFG Practice Profile 2012 IFG’s Goal with Each Client Extraordinary service with no surprises, no excuses, and no worries, as well as independent thinking and lasting solutions to help clients achieve the security, stability, predictability, and peace of mind they seek. The IFG Philosophy Investment success isn’t about being “brilliant” or having amazing insight unavailable to others. It’s more about sound business planning coupled with a responsible discipline. There are four basic pillars of investment success: • It’s not about picking investments and beating markets; it’s about achieving goals. • No one can control markets or interest rates; but, you can control taxes and expenses. • Managing the ‘downside risk’ is more important than trying to be an investment super star • Monitor everything, revise as necessary, and keep your plan current Primary Custodian Service Provider: Pershing, division of Bank of New York-Mellon Pershing, owned by BNY-Mellon, is our primary custodian for client accounts*. IFG receives no compensation from this or any other service provider. Unlike other major banks, The Bank of New York is primarily a provider of global and domestic custody services, not a retail bank. The Bank is a major force in the mutual fund processing business and has a long history in the financial services arena. Highlights from The Bank’s 200+ year history include: • The Bank of New York was founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1784 • It is the oldest bank in the United States • It is one of the oldest banks in the world • The Bank came into existence before the adoption of the U.S. Constitution • It is one of the few companies in the U.S. that has been in business for more than 200 years • First loan made to the United States Government -- $200,000 in 1789, Washington’s administration • The Bank’s headquarters are located at One Wall Street, New York, NY • In 1792, The Bank’s stock was the first stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange • The Bank is one of the largest financial holding companies in the United States • Global expansion began with an office in London in 1966 • The Bank now has a presence in 33 countries *The choice of asset custodian for a given client is based on a match between the custodian’s service capabilities and the individual client’s needs. IFG receives no compensation or incentives of any description from any service provider that is chosen. IFG’s only compensation is through client fees. Learn More About IFG! • Go online and visit our website: www.indfin.com • Call 805.265.5416 ext. #1 or email info@indfin.com to request our introductory package. THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP A Registered Investment Advisor Financial Planning and Wealth Management 805.265.5416 • www.indfin.com