By going through the initial steps of the process, both sides can determine if there is value in moving forward and entrusting your investable assets, retirement resources, and savings with us.

This introduction can be done in person (preferable), video conference, or over the phone.  During this meeting, we will ask a series of questions to help you determine if our team and services can benefit you.  We trust this introduction will give you (and us) clarity on how best to move forward.  If both sides agree, we will move to Step 2 of the process.

The “Heartland Process” uses the Stifel financial plan questionnaire as our primary tool for gathering the necessary information to get started.  This in-depth form gives you total control over what is shared with us.  Gathering this data is essential for us to begin the process of creating a unique, customized plan for you.  Once received, we will get to work on creating the initial draft of your plan through Stifel’s financial planning resources.

The financial plan presentation is the heart of our process.  This presentation will illustrate how your dollars need to be invested to work toward your goals.  The review utilizes the Stifel Wealth Strategist Report^® to address your questions/concerns as it relates to your asset allocation, retirement, insurance, education savings, Social Security, goal funding, and more.  In addition, we will consider factors such as inflation, taxes, retirement dates, and many others that may affect your financial future.  This review will be conducted in the office or via video conference.  By the end of our time together, our hope is for you to have a better understanding of where you currently are and what is needed to get you to where you want to be.

Following the presentation, we encourage you to take time to consider everything that has been presented and discussed.  The next step is to decide if you would like to move forward with the relationship, entrusting us to help you manage your assets.  The account types we open and investment portfolios we pursue will be determined by the outcomes revealed in the financial plan.  The amount of risk taken will be based on those outcomes and our conversations around your risk tolerance.  We consider the “risk conversation” one of the most important aspects of financial planning.  Educating our clients on risk and how much we are taking to potentially generate investment returns is of the utmost importance to us.

Once we both have made the decision to move forward, our team will begin the implementation phase.  This is the step where we will assist you in completing the necessary paperwork.  We will share with you what we believe to be the most cost-effective and tax-efficient methods to move your funds into the newly established Stifel accounts.

Once you become a client, our focus is to provide our service through a collaborative team approach.  Our client service associates and team of financial advisors are available on a daily basis to help with anything you may need. You will receive monthly statements, automatic portfolio rebalancing, with your permission, and an annual review discussion in addition to any customized services that may be agreed upon as part of working with us.  We recognize that needs arise and life happens.  We are always ready to schedule an appointment, conduct a review meeting, and create an updated strategy on how to best continue working toward your hopes, dreams, and goals.  Years of experience have taught us that periodic client communication is the best way to work together in accomplishing this mission.