First, a flat fee is easy to understand, and it is very clear to the client what they are paying. Additionally, a flat fee reduces some of the potential conflicts of interest that come with AUM models. For example, an advisor could be incentivized to have you save more or delay paying off debt to increase the assets they manage, and thus their own fees. While this doesn’t mean all AUM advisors act in their own interest, the flat fee model helps reduce these potential incentives, allowing the advisor to focus more on your needs.
A common statement from AUM advisors is “We do better when you do better,” implying that their fee increases when the portfolio size goes up and decreases when the size goes down. While this may sound appealing, it’s important to remember that historically, markets tend to trend upwards, and AUM advisors’ fees will likely rise over time. At Eagle Valley Wealth Management, our flat fee is not tied to market performance or the size of your portfolio, so your fee remains predictable.
A CFA, or Chartered Financial Analyst, is a globally recognized professional designation awarded by the CFA Institute to individuals who demonstrate a high level of expertise in investment management and financial analysis, requiring the successful completion of a rigorous program and exams focusing on the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, and wealth planning. Drew has been a CFA charter holder since 2019.
Fee-only means I’m compensated solely through the advisory fees that clients pay me. I don’t earn commissions or other compensation from selling products like specific securities or insurance. This helps reduce conflicts of interest between the client and advisor.
A fiduciary is legally required to act in your best interests, with duties of loyalty, care, and disclosure. At Eagle Valley Wealth Management, we are a fiduciary and believe the fiduciary duty is one of the most important aspects clients should look at when choosing a financial advisor.
We are able to offer fees that are often lower than some of the larger firms simply because we do not have any of the fancy offices, marketing budgets, or layers of staff. We believe the fee paid should reflect high quality client service and not these other items.
We value transparency and consistency in fees, and we do not intend to increase fees on clients every year. However, as inflation and business costs rise, we may adjust fees in the future, subject to full disclosure and sign off by our clients. The benefit of a flat fee is that you will always know what you’ll pay, unlike AUM models where fees can rise significantly if the market performs well or if you experience a financial windfall.
Absolutely! We are a remote firm and can operate entirely digitally. If you’re familiar with video calls and online meetings, there are no barriers to us working together. If you’re in the central Arkansas area, I’m also happy to meet you in person!
Long story short, the first company I worked for right out of graduate school was named after one of the most affluent streets in Dallas (Strait Lane if you are curious). While this might have been a nice aspiration to have regarding clientele, when I started my own firm, I wanted to serve not only the ultra-wealthy but rather small business owners, young professionals, and those near retirement. The name Eagle Valley is inspired by the road I grew up on and was named by my late grandfather whom I was very close to. For me it represents returning to my roots and serving everyday folks.