How is Matador Financial different than other firms?

We are a Registered Investment Advisory firm operating as a Fee-Only practice that provides customized financial planning and investment management services for our clients. We create a financial game plan that is tailored to your personal financial needs. Matador Financial acts as your financial coach and concierge who organizes your financial life in a fiduciary manner. All of these services are included in a transparent Fee-Only price structure according to the amount of your assets under our management.

What does “Fee-Only” and “Fiduciary” mean?

A fee-only financial advisor cannot receive compensation or commissions from a brokerage firm, a mutual fund company, an insurance company, or any source other than the client. The only form of compensation the advisor receives comes from the fee the client pays for managing their assets. A fiduciary advisor is one that gives recommendations that are in the best interest of the client and where the client’s interests come first.

Brokerage Firm vs. Registered Investment Advisory Firm?

At a Brokerage Firm, a registered representative/financial advisor works under the “suitability” rule. The suitability rule requires that investment recommendations must be suitable for the client based on the client’s investment profile but not necessarily in their best interests. In other words, as long as the investment is “suitable”, an advisor could potentially recommend an investment product that pays them a higher commission and has a higher management fee compared to another similar suitable product.
As a Registered Investment Advisory firm we recommend suitable investments for our client’s based on their investment profile, but we are also required to act as a fiduciary. We must put our client’s interests above our own when we give advice and declare conflicts of interest if they arise.

What is a CFP®?

Most people think all financial planners are “certified,” but this isn’t true. Anyone can call himself a “financial planner.” Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP Board can display the CFP® certification marks, which represent a high level of competency, ethics and professionalism. CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct require CFP® professionals to look out for your interests above their own.

How does Matador Financial invest?

Because we believe every investor is unique, we build diversified investment portfolios that are customized to fit both your risk tolerance and your unique investment objectives. We adhere to a core-satellite approach that uses both passive and active investment management. We utilize individual stocks and bonds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s), and other investments that have little to no internal management faq. In general the advisors at Matador Financial use the same investment approach for our own assets as we do for our clients.