Download to read offline
Worth Article Featuring Altair
- 1. MAKE GROW LIVE MAG A TH ZI The Power of Partners: Year in Review: 10 steps The best hospitals for R O N W E W Why some partnerships to financial recovery in heart surgery. Plus: survive and succeed— 2010. Also: How to buy Vaccines customized and some never last. a sports team. for your DNA. ES 92 A 9 T BL 1 ISHED ® THE EVOLUTION OF FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE . nd o om fo r pro s p e r it y i n 2 01 0 and b ey sd wi l ia nc a pat h t f in og t ro gh t ri r wi Ex pe e th ng y ou h? r w lt ea g ta k in ou $ 1 8 . 9 5 A SANDOW MEDIA PUBLICATION ey ar g, c in en o mm ec on her a not and n w do ng WORTH.COM W i t h o n e y ea r windi 03 $18.95 01 0 09281 03361 5 VOLUME | EDITION
- 2. OUR TEAM OFOWNERS Chicago, IL Leading Wealth Advisor Altair Advisers LLC Richard K. Black, CFP®, JD, Managing Director What are the qualities and credentials I should consider when selecting an investment advisor? By Richard K. Black We believe you should seek a firm ations”; Item 9, “Participation or Inter- that is as accomplished as you are— est in Client Transactions”; and, most one that is successful, entrepre- importantly, Item 13, “Additional Altair and its principals are consistently neurial and committed to building Compensation.” recognized as top independent wealth a long-term relationship. Of course, financial and investment managers by Worth, Barron's, Financial Your investment counsel should knowledge, skills and understanding Advisor, Wealth Manager and Chicago be independent and objective, with are key considerations. Certain cre- magazines. Steven B. Weinstein has been a strong team of experienced and dentials can be good indicators. selected by Barron's for three consecutive credentialed advisors. To learn more Pay particular attention to key years as one of the Top 100 Independent about the firm you are considering, members of the investment commit- Financial Advisers and was named to toss out the glossy brochures and ask tee. These professionals should have Worth’s roster of the Top Wealth Advisors for, and READ, Form ADV, specifically credentials such as the CFA® (Char- seven times.1 Richard K. Black has been ADV Part II. This is the single most tered Financial Analyst) and CAIA® named twice2 to Worth’s Top Wealth important part of your due diligence (Chartered Alternative Investment Advisors. Individual accolades are always process. This form must be filed by all Analyst) designations, obtained after a result of team efforts. investment advisors registered with rigorous multiyear exams. In addi- the SEC under the 1940 Act. There is tion, client service professionals Steven B. Weinstein, CFA®, CFP®, JD an old Russian proverb made famous should also have the CFP® (Certified President and Chief Investment Officer Richard K. Black, CFP®, JD by Ronald Reagan during arms con- Financial Planner™) certification, Managing Director trol discussions with Mikhail Gor- obtained after completing several Bryan R. Malis, CFA®, CFP® bachev: Doveryai no proveryai—it exams covering investments, income Managing Director means “Trust but verify.” and estate taxes, retirement planning Rebekah L. Kohmescher, CFP®, CPA Certain qualities that foster the and insurance. Director development of a successful relation- The best investment advisors also Jason M. Laurie, CFA®, CFP® ship can be verified in ADV Part II. have a broad range of experiences and Director First and foremost is independence. backgrounds, often in law, accounting, Michael J. Murray, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® A fiduciary has the legal obligation to banking and finance. They understand Director put your interests first. Freedom from the larger accounting, tax and legal Brett K. Rentmeester, CFA®, CAIA® competing priorities puts an exclusive implications of a client’s particular Director focus on you, the client, and avoids the circumstances and can add real value. Donald J. Sorota, CFP®, CPA conflicts of interest that are pervasive Finally, conduct a personal inter- Director in the investment industry. That said, view. Ask yourself if the people you We are employee-owned and committed you should know that even fiduciar- are considering understand your to building long-term successful relation- ies may have conflicts, and the SEC goals and objectives. The best advi- ships by providing responsive and highly requires that they be disclosed. sors are also interviewing you. They personal service. Conflicts are disclosed in ADV know their process, and want to 1 Part II. See especially Item 7, “Other ensure that your needs align well September 2001, January 2004 and October 2004, Business Activity”; Item 8, “Other with their capabilities and strengths. 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 2 October 2007 and 2008 Financial Industry Activities or A li-
- 3. “The best investmentadvisors have a MAKE broad range of experiences and back- grounds, often in law, accounting, How to Reach Richard K. Black banking and finance.” GROW Please call me at 312.429.3003 to set up an initial appointment. – Richard K. Black LIVE ALTAIR ADVISERS LLC Left to right: Front row-Richard K. Black, Steven B. Weinstein, Bryan R. Malis; back row-Rebekah L. Kohmescher, Donald J. Sorota, Brett K. Rentmeester, Jason M. Laurie, Michael J. Murray About Altair Advisers LLC Altair was formed on June 1, 2002, by members of Arthur Andersen’s Chicago Investment Consulting Practice, with an exclusive focus on providing independent investment counsel to high net worth individuals. Altair was created to preserve valued client relationships, to maintain continuity in its client service team, to enhance the firm’s ability to work objectively on behalf of its clients, and to provide opportunity for Altair’s outstanding people, creating a long-lasting firm. Turmoil in the markets and upheaval in the advisor community have clients on the move. According to the Capgemini 2009 World Wealth Report, “Of all the high net worth individual clients surveyed, 27 percent said they withdrew assets or left their wealth management firm in 2008.” Altair has retained over 95 percent of its clients. $2.3 billion Asset-based and fixed fees Assets Under Management Compensation Method Primary Custodian for Investor Assets State Street $37,500 Minimum Annual Fee Planning and investment advisory services Professional Services Provided $5 million (in investable assets) Minimum Net Worth Requirement Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association, Chicago Estate Association Memberships $1 billion+ Planning Council, CFA Institute, CFA Society of Chicago and FPA Largest Client Net Worth 130 years (combined) www.altairadvisers.com info@altairadvisers.com Financial Services Experience Website Email Altair Advisers LLC 303 West Madison Street, Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60606 312.429.3000 WORTH.COM DECEMBER-JANUARY 2010 101
- 4. W Steven B. Weinstein, CFA®, CFP®, JD President and Chief Investment Officer Richard K. Black, CFP®, JD Managing Director Bryan R. Malis, CFA®, CFP® Managing Director Rebekah L. Kohmescher, CFP®, CPA Director Jason M. Laurie, CFA®, CFP® Director Michael J. Murray, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® Director Brett K. Rentmeester, CFA®, CAIA® Director Donald J. Sorota, CFP®, CPA Director Altair Advisers LLC 303 West Madison Street Suite 600 Chicago, IL 60606 Tel. 312.429.3000 Email: info@altairadvisers.com www.altairadvisers.com REPRINTED FROM ® THE EVOLUTION OF FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE About the Worth Leading Wealth Advisors The Worth Leading Wealth Advisor admittance process is based on, but not limited to, the Advisor’s experience, education, fiduciary status, compliance record, wealth management services, methods of compensation and scope of current business. In order to be considered for the Worth Leading Wealth Advisors Program, financial professionals must be willing to provide com- plete and full disclosure to investors so that independent analysts from Paladin Registry can thoroughly screen and evaluate their credentials, ethics and business practices. Once admitted, Advisors pay a fee to be included. Investors and potential investors are solely responsible for the decision to select particular Advisors.