Archives: Service Posts

You understand all too well the effort that goes into creating a successful business. It is no surprise that a successful transition – whether it be selling all or part of your business or passing it on to an heir – requires substantial work as well.

During this significant emotional and financial event, it’s imperative to have someone by your side carefully reviewing the deal and keeping your best interests in mind as you cede control of something you’ve tended to for years. You’ll also need to factor in how the proceeds will fit into your overall financial and retirement income plan – in the most tax-efficient way possible.

We can work with you to properly value your business, create a succession plan designed to maximize its financial potential, and address the details essential to all parties concerned. Alongside other professionals such as your tax professional and attorney, we work to develop a comprehensive picture – legal, structural, operational and financial – of your business. Together, we ensure your interests are well represented as you transition out of your business and move on to the next stage of your life.

Getting Ready

Regardless of how you are passing on the business, you may need at least two to three years to fully prepare your business for new leadership if you are not planning to continue in a leadership role. We understand that there are many moving parts to a business deal and can provide you with guidance to ensure things go as smoothly and profitably as possible.

Searching for a Match

Whether you’ve decided it’s time for a full or partial sale or are merely starting the search for the successor of your business, we help you take the steps necessary to determine who you would feel comfortable taking on the business.

Making the Transition

We understand that financing details are crucial when it’s time to transition out of your business, particularly if you’re looking for the proceeds to provide added cash flow in retirement. When it’s time, we work with you, the buyer and your team to reach a deal everyone can agree on.

We follow a fiduciary standard and seek to continue the success of your business while fostering a professional culture that both attracts and retains quality employees. Selecting and implementing the right retirement plan can go a long way in helping you achieve those objectives. Our team extends the capabilities and bandwidth of your management team to administer and manage retirement plans that support the needs of both your institution and workforce.

Whether you’re in search of a new sponsor or need assistance reviewing your current plan, our advisors offer comprehensive guidance, conducting thorough vendor searches, monitoring plans and providing quality support, as well as independent investment consulting. We have extensive experience working with providers, and seek to both maximize tax efficiency for your business, as well as participants’ benefits.

As your business evolves, we provide flexible support where it’s needed. We understand the complexities of managing a business, and staying abreast of regulations and the latest investment trends. We take our role seriously as an extension of your own team, so you can devote your focus where it’s needed most.

Provider Search, Analysis and Selection

As your organization grows and evolves, your retirement plan criteria may also change. We conduct provider analysis and research as frequently as needed, and work with you to help clarify the objectives of your institution and employees. Once a provider is selected, we guide clients through the integration process for a seamless transition.

Fee and Service Analysis and Negotiation

Our team leverages our extensive experience in working with providers to negotiate the fees and services that are best suited for your organization. We take into account your needs and corporate profile, and help develop a plan that is designed to be sustainable and beneficial for your organization and plan participants.

Documentation and Record Management

Proper documentation is a key factor in ensuring the long-term success of your retirement plan. We provide support for this critical piece of your fiduciary duties, helping to implement the proper technology and systems to store and maintain records and documents, while keeping them easily accessible for convenient reference as needed.

Leadership Training and Employee Education

By providing employees with useful resources and opportunities to learn more about their plan options, you can better ensure the success of your chosen provider and the satisfaction of employees. We provide guidance and insight for your senior staff for educating employees and assisting in the on-going facilitation of your benefits package.

Supporting a child’s education can be one of the most rewarding aspects of success and one of the most important elements in your financial plan. With rising inflation and the high cost of education, planning to contribute to another’s higher education may require an early start.

There are a variety of investment vehicles and tax-efficient options to contribute to the cost of higher education. As your trusted partner, our knowledge and professional guidance can help you analyze the tax benefits, ownership structure, risk and contribution limits involved – even what to do with your leftover education funds if your aspiring academic earns a scholarship.

529 College Savings Plan

When you invest in potential, you’ll do more than help make the dream of education possible for a student in your life. You could provide the inspiration for a legacy of higher learning that’s passed on for generations to come. What’s more, the funds you contribute have the ability to grow tax-deferred, and eventually be withdrawn, tax-free.*

Working together, we choose the investment strategy that is right for you and your student, keeping in mind that generous contribution limits do exist, regardless of income level.

*Certain conditions may apply. Rules and laws governing 529 plans are varied and subject to change. As with other invetments, there are generally fees and expenses associated with participation in a 529 plan. There is also a risk that these plans may lose money or not perfome well enough to cover college costs as anticipated. Most states offer their own 529 programs, which may provide advantages and benefits exclusively for their residents. Tax-free withdrawals may be made for qualified education expenses. Otherwise, the deferred earnings portion may be subject to taxes and a 10% penalty. Please consult a qualified tax professional discuss tax matters. Investors should consider before investing, whether the investor’s or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers state tax or other benefits only available for investments in such state’s 529 savings plan. Such benefits include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors. 529 plans offered outside their resident state may not provide the same tax benefits as those offered within their state. The tax implications can vary significantly from state to state.

UGMA/UTMA Custodial Accounts

Although UGMA and UTMA accounts are not designed specifically for college savings, they offer advantages including multiple investment options, limited tax benefits and the ability for a parent to transfer assets to a child without needing to establish a more costly trust. However, contributions to the accounts are irrevocable and parents lose control of the funds when the child becomes 18 – 21 – an age that may vary by state. We help you navigate these considerations, providing solutions tailored to your funding needs.

One of life’s greatest rewards is sharing your wealth with others. Managing assets to take care of one’s own needs and wants is one thing, but it takes additional planning and knowledgeable guidance to help ensure your financial legacy makes an enduring difference in the lives of loved ones or a favorite charity.

Having an estate plan to control the distribution of your assets benefits everyone – you, your family and the causes you care about – and can help mitigate potential pitfalls in the future. Our experienced team has the resources to assist your attorney and CPA with a personalized plan that not only protects your assets but also helps you share your wealth with the people and charities you care about most.

Strengthen Your Legacy

Think of it this way: if you don’t plan for your estate, it will inevitably be done for you. Most often the state will intervene, which can take a toll in taxes, time and additional emotional stress for loved ones. That is why it is important to develop your own estate plan.

We are here to make legacy planning a positive, life-affirming endeavor that leads to the preservation of your family values and your assets transferring efficiently and according to your wishes. We have access to experts in trusts, insurance, philanthropy and family dynamics. Our team is also adept at working with other professionals – such as CPAs and attorneys – to help ensure a well-coordinated approach, that your wishes are communicated to all involved, that your thoughts are thoroughly and accurately documented, and that your plans are amended appropriately as new marriages and births occur in your family.

Protect Your Legacy

There are various instruments that work within your overall estate plan to provide certainty and control over everything you’ve worked for and accumulated during your lifetime, regardless of asset level. Examples include wills, trusts, insurance policies, and carefully considered durable powers of attorney.

Using instruments such as these can give you the confidence of knowing that your estate will be handled as you wish and can potentially exclude probate – a lengthy and expensive process. Well-documented estate plans may also help your family avoid the court’s involvement in appointing a guardian or conservator in the event of incapacity. Thorough documentation can provide for long-term care or education for children or grandchildren while other investment vehicles can provide for a favorite charity.

Our team works with you and your other professional advisors to ensure your wishes are communicated in writing and are legally binding. Moving forward, we will revisit your plan regularly to ensure it is up to date.

Make Your Mark

Making charitable giving part of your financial and estate plan enables you to support the charities and causes you love, now and in the future. Moreover, having the right charitable giving strategy can help further your overall wealth management plan.

There are many ways to make charitable giving part of your overall financial plan, each with its own level of control and tax benefits. Some options provide immediate or future tax deductions while others can provide a continuous income stream. In any case, our goal is to help ensure tax-efficient giving so that your estate or charity of choice receives the most benefit from your gift.

Our knowledgeable team can provide recommendations that not only benefit you now but provide the opportunity to shape the way you wish to be remembered.

This information was developed by Raymond James. It is general in nature, and is intended solely for the purpose of illustrating conceptually how a particular estate planning technique might work, based on various assumptions. Whether the planning technique is appropriate for you will depend on your goals and your specific situation. This is not a complete statement of all information necessary for making an investment decision, and is not a recommendation or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investments and strategies mentioned may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Raymond James does not provide advice on tax, legal or mortgage issues. These matters should be discussed with an appropriate professional.

Whether planning to build a home by the lake or help your daughter launch a business, you need a well-conceived plan in order to succeed. Pursuing financial independence is no different. Whether you’re looking to grow your money over time, generate income in retirement or preserve wealth for future generations, confidence in your financial plan comes with knowing your assets are invested well. As your knowledgeable partner, we provide wide-ranging, comprehensive financial planning with which to chart a detailed course for pursuing a bright and confident future.

Our disciplined planning process accounts for your short- and long-term goals, your tolerance for risk and your stage of life, while also keeping a watchful eye on today’s complex domestic and global markets. In our experience, that’s the best way to customize a comprehensive, diversified portfolio that is flexible enough to meet your needs now and in the years to come.

Our financial plans offer a high-degree of personalization that matches your investments to your goals and ability to take on risk. We analyze each potential opportunity to find just the right ones for you, your family and your goals, while also helping to manage your liabilities to help you feel confident in your complete financial picture.

The result is a financial plan that is as dynamic, vibrant and enduring as the lifetime of achievement it represents. Simply put, we believe our business is people and their financial well-being, and we are as committed to your success as you are.

Build a Foundation With Achievable Goals

Realistic goals provide the foundation for a solid financial plan. That is why it is important to codify your own. They can include educations for children, a second home, your income needs in retirement, your philanthropic interests, and plans for your estate. Because no two people are the same, building a financial plan around your specific goals creates a plan that is uniquely yours. We will work closely with you to identify and define your near- and long-term goals, check for goals that may conflict and work to resolve conflicts that arise. Even more important, we’ll set metrics with which to define success and adjust your plan as necessary.

Develop a Complete Financial Picture

Along with a complete picture of your goals and time horizons, a personalized plan must incorporate current assets and liabilities in order to establish your net worth and monitor it throughout the years to come. We also consider your comfort level with risk so investments can be made accordingly. If applicable, consideration is also given to consolidating accounts to make finances and cash flow easier to track and manage.

Review and Analyze Performance

Finally, we believe a financial plan should be as dynamic as the life it represents. Things change, priorities sometimes shift and new opportunities wait just over the horizon. That is why we review your plan’s progress relative to your defined objectives. Should changes need to be made, we rely on myriad resources to help guide our decision process and also to suggest appropriate actions or strategies. Together, we can review the options and make objective decisions. To keep you apprised, we provide ongoing reporting of your account activity and conduct periodic reviews. Because we are truly partners in this important endeavor, we also rely upon you to communicate any significant changes in your life.

Coming Soon……

No matter where a business stands in its lifecycle, Raymond James results-driven team stands ready to help you move it forward – with deep industry expertise driven by senior bankers. Behind Raymond James full-service investment banking capabilities are hundreds of specialized professionals in strategically located offices throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe within eight growth-oriented industry practices to serve you.

In addition to introducing you to experienced industry bankers and advisory and capital markets services, Raymond James can connect you to the specific support and resources you need for continued success.

Full-Service Expertise

You can expect strength and support from one of the largest diversified financial services firms with market-leading investment banking. With a personal approach and international access, Raymond James brings together strategic plans from industry renowned teams that provide proficiency and quality service to those who matter most – clients like you.

• Mergers and acquisitions
• European advisory
• Activism response and contested situations
• Equity capital markets
• Private capital solutions
• Debt capital markets
• Recapitalization and restructuring

Industries of Focus

Raymond James deals speak for themselves. In the past few years, they’ve been respected and recognized as highly specialized in their industries. This thoughtful and deep approach has helped Raymond James become the number one full-service investment banking firm in the U.S. catering to middle-market growth companies.

• Consumer & Retail
• Convenience Store & Fuel Products Distribution
• Diversified industrials
• Energy
• Financial Services
• Health Care
• Real Estate
• Technology & Services

Coverage Areas

With high-level attention on every transaction, Raymond James consistently provides you with compelling ideas, investment opportunities and creative solutions through industry insight, execution expertise and dedication to the middle market.

• Financial sponsor coverage – Private equity and venture capital firms, family offices and pension funds turn to Raymond James to deliver the full benefits of the Alex. Brown platform. Look to The Raymond James team for high-quality deal flow and an unwavering focus.
• Professional partners – Raymond James partnerships go far beyond the deal, since strong relationships form the foundation of our team. Raymond James focuses on cultivating business opportunities through strong ties with attorneys, accountants and consultants, providing each partner with investment banking advice designed for their clients’ long-term success. Raymond James coverage universe includes law, accounting and financial consulting firms.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Our team of professionals unlocks a number of choices for your portfolio. We offer experienced guidance for selecting alternative investments, separately managed and unified managed accounts, managed discretionary accounts, wrap accounts, structured products and options, along with traditional offerings such as equities, fixed income, annuities, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

We sift through the many investment strategies, managers and products to uncover those we believe to be of the highest caliber, judged by potential for growth, capital preservation, income and other factors. We then further refine that pool to reveal options suited to your specific needs, placing your best interests first in all decision-making.

Your assets and needs are unique, and we believe your investment strategy should follow suit.

There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss. Alternative investments involve specific risks that may be greater than those associated with traditional investments and may be offered only to clients who meet specific suitability requirements, including minimum net worth tests. Investors should consider the special risks with alternative investments including limited liquidity, tax considerations, incentive fee structures, potentially speculative investment strategies, and different regulatory and reporting requirements.

A Broad Universe Of Options

We are committed to offering you access to a wealth of high-quality investment opportunities. Using our extensive experience with the various choices for your portfolio, we can help guide you toward investments that are the right fit for your circumstances.

Our offerings include:

• Alternative investments
• Separately managed accounts
• Unified managed accounts
• Managed discretionary accounts
• Wrap accounts
• Structured products
• Options
• Traditional investments, like equities, fixed income, annuities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds

Ongoing Due Diligence

Our rigorous research and due diligence of investment managers and related products helps ensure we meet the needs of our investors. We provide continuous monitoring and strive to thoroughly vet the wide array of investment solutions we offer. We also stay informed about what’s going on in the markets, reviewing detailed reports and analysis as well as the latest market and economic commentary.

A Methodical Approach

We employ a personalized process to build a customized, diversified portfolio that addresses your objectives. This process begins with focusing on what’s most important to you as we build a lasting relationship based on understanding and trust. Our team then designs and actively manages your financial plan, adjusting along the way to meet your changing needs.

Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

Many of today’s retirees can expect to spend 30 years or more enjoying the fruits of their labor. That’s why it’s increasingly important not simply to plan for retirement, but to plan for longevity in retirement – all of the years it might last, all of the ways your life will change and all of the events you can’t foresee.

In addition to the financial implications, retirement has life implications. Our knowledgeable and experienced team can help you sort through the possibilities and offer financial advice designed to guide you up to and through the retirement you’ve envisioned.

Ask yourself these key retirement questions:

Where will you live?

Whether you’re bound for a dream home or planning to stay put, housing likely will be your biggest expense in retirement. While aging in the comfort of your own home would be ideal, modifications to the home – or your plan – could be necessary as mobility and transportation challenges arise

Let’s talk about:

• Do you want to stay in your home? Will it need to be modified?
• What housing options are available to you, and what will they cost?
• Would you want to downsize? Relocate to a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood?

How will you get around?

Being mobile means being independent. And retirement life brings more opportunity to go where you want whenever you want. That may help explain why transportation is the second largest expense for individuals older than 65 and accounts for about 15% of their annual expenditures, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s why we make sure to account for it as part of your long-term financial plan.

Let’s talk about:

• How will you get to your favorite places in retirement?
• Who will assist you if you can’t drive yourself somewhere?
• What transportation options are available in your area?

How will you safeguard your health?

Your health and your finances are intertwined in complex ways. Most expect Medicare to pay for their healthcare expenses in retirement. But, in reality, Medicare pays only 60% of healthcare costs* – you still will have premiums, copays, and deductibles. As you age, healthcare costs can add up.

Let’s talk about:

• Do you have an existing condition? What will treatment cost over the long term?
• Do you know what costs Medicare will cover?
• How will you pay for what Medicare doesn’t?
• Have you considered Medigap?

*Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2015

How will you secure your legacy?

As you take the steps to plan for a comfortable retirement for as long as you may live it, it’s important to think even further. Ask yourself what kind of legacy you want to leave. How are you going to make sure you’re secure against financial fraud and work toward passing assets – and information – to your heirs to help secure your family’s future?

Let’s talk about:

• Have you spent significant time thinking about your legacy?
• Who will have access to your important documents and information when the time comes?
• How will you protect your assets and inheritors from financial fraud?

Who will take care of you?

As we all live longer, chances are you may, at some point, provide care for a loved one or receive care yourself. Becoming a caregiver can be not only stressful, but also can have financial consequences if it requires taking time away from work. And long-term care is not covered by Medicare.

Let’s talk about:

• Do you understand the full impact of being a caregiver?
• How will you get the care you need as you age?
• Should you consider long-term care insurance?

Will you have enough?

Giving yourself every opportunity to save enough for a long, fulfilling life requires careful, detailed longevity planning – strategies for saving, investing and taking withdrawals. Making the right Social Security claiming decisions is vital to optimizing your retirement income strategy.

Let’s talk about:

• When are you planning to retire?
• What sources of income will you have in retirement?
• How much income you will need in retirement?