
Our Services
Click on an item below to learn more about the services we offer. You can also check out our “Added Benefits” section to read about the valuable perks that come with being our client.
Many do-it-yourself investment platforms may seem like a great idea initially. They’re simple and relatively easy to start. But, when markets fluctuate and inevitable investment questions arise, having a real person to talk to, someone with whom you’ve developed a relationship and knows the ins and outs of your life, is PRICELESS. This is the type of person you want to contact, not a stranger at the other end of a 1-800 number. It’s important to work with someone you trust and who can address your fears, speak into your uncertainties, provide feedback and advice, or answer your pertinent questions.
Planning: The Key to Financial Success
In life, we pass through several phases, each with different financial requirements. The financial needs of a young married couple are not the same as those of a retired couple. That’s why continuous, long-term planning is essential. Typically, there are three basic financial steps most people take in life. They include:
- Wealth accumulation – the building of a solid, diversified financial foundation from which to expand over time. During this phase, allocation of money for a home, investments, life insurance and educational expenses is coordinated with tax planning strategies to help ensure that current and future income is utilized effectively.
- Wealth conservation – the inclusion of a variety of investment strategies and further diversification, designed to preserve and invest assets to help ensure adequate funds for current living expenses and future retirement needs.
- Wealth distribution – the proper allocation of assets to heirs. Good estate planning should provide for the orderly transfer of assets while avoiding unnecessary tax burdens.
In addition to the complexities and changing priorities that occur over a lifetime, a financial plan also is affected by fluctuating economic conditions, taxes and inheritance laws. We have the experience to thoughtfully design a plan with your circumstances in mind, helping you develop a long-term financial strategy for your individual needs.
Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.
The Importance of Tax Planning
Careful planning throughout the year can assist you in reducing the taxes you pay – as well as help you achieve your financial goals. We’ll brief you on things like current tax rates, credits, deductions and related considerations that may apply to you.
Income tax planning should not be done in isolation, but instead should be driven by your overall financial goals and integrated with your total financial plan. By developing and implementing appropriate strategies to help lessen or shift current and/or future tax liabilities, you can improve your prospects of meeting both long- and short-term objectives. For example, accurately projecting your income taxes can help you determine the cash flow available to you in the coming year.
Keep in mind that tax laws are often complex and frequently change. As a consequence, you should be sure to consult the appropriate professional before making investment and/or tax decisions. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.
Types of Insurance
As an essential part of financial planning, life insurance can help replace income that would be lost upon your death. It can also help ensure that dependents are not burdened with significant debt, affording them financial confidence in a difficult time. Choosing the right type of insurance requires careful consideration of the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. We will help you evaluate these things and set you up with a plan that’s right for you. We offer term, whole, universal or variable life plans.
Considering Annuities
Variable annuities offer a combination of tax-advantaged growth opportunities and protection including:
- Tax deferral. You can defer income tax on earnings or other taxable amounts until you make a withdrawal. At that time, it’s important to be aware that withdrawals of taxable amounts are subject to income tax and, if taken prior to age 59 ½, a 10% federal tax penalty may apply.
- Potential for long-term growth of your money. You’re able to invest in professionally managed sub accounts.
- Valuable guarantees. These help protect beneficiaries and provide choices for income.
Understanding Asset Management
My role of as an asset manger has a dual mandate – to work towards the appreciation of your assets over time while mitigating risk. This is done through determining what investments to make, or avoid, that can potentially grow your portfolio. Rigorous research is conducted on my end, utilizing both macro and micro analytical tools including: statistical analysis of the prevailing market trends, interviews with company officials, and anything else that would aid in achieving the stated goal of client asset appreciation.
A Little About Stocks, Bonds & Mutual Funds
Bonds
We believe bonds can play an important role in a well-diversified portfolio. Bonds can provide predictable income and, most important, help preserve principal. Also bonds may help minimize overall volatility.
Stocks
By purchasing stock, you are actually paying for a small percentage of everything the company owns. Generally, investors purchase stock to realize capital gains.
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are a way to access professionally managed portfolios and diversify your holdings. In order to find one that’s right for you, you’ll need to understand the following terms: open-end and closed-end funds, ETF funds, load and no-load funds.
Bond prices and yields are subject to change based upon market conditions and availability. If bonds are sold prior to maturity, you may receive more or less than your initial investment. There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and fixed income prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, fixed income prices fall and when interest rates fall, fixed income prices rise.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of mutual funds before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contains this and other information about mutual funds. The prospectus and summary prospectus is available from your financial advisor and should be read carefully before investing.
Personal Planning
Everyone always wonders if they can afford a financial professional. You’d be surprised to learn that the answer to that question is typically, “yes”. The person that matters most in your retirement planning is you. And no matter what stage you’re in – early in your career, actively contemplating retirement or already retired – we’re here to help. Contact us for a complimentary consultation.
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Solutions for Corporate Executives
Executives at publicly traded companies face many unique challenges when managing their personal financial plans. The individuals are often so consumed by the demands of their occupations that they are unable to dedicate the necessary focus to their personal financial situations.
Our team specializes in providing consulting services to successful corporate executives on a variety of issues that are unique to their situations.
- Concentrated Stock Positions,
- Equity Based Compensation,
- Regulatory Requirements / Forms Filing,
- Company Trading Policies and,
- Additional Corporate Solutions.
Available Plans To Choose From
- 529 Savings or Prepaid Plan
- UGMA/UTMA Custodial Accounts (Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act)
- Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
- Other ways to save – IRAs, Life Insurance, and Company Sponsored Retirement Plans
Which Plan is Right for You?
With many college savings plans available, it is critical to choose the one that’s appropriate for you. Selecting the wrong plan – or not investing properly within the right one – can prohibit you from maximizing your savings. That’s why we’re here to guide you through some of the issues that need to be considered before selecting a plan, such as:
- What are the tax benefits?
- Who controls the funds?
- How much risk is involved?
- Are there contribution limits that may hinder your ability to meet savings goals?
- Are large contributions subject to gift taxes?
- What investment options are available?
The Financial Advisor’s Role In Estate Planning
Like investment planning, estate planning should start with identifying and prioritizing your goals. For many attorneys who establish estate plans, reducing taxes takes precedence over any other objective. However, a financial advisor’s job is to not let tax considerations run the estate planning show. After all, you have plenty of other reasons to address estate planning, including:
- Challenges related to children who are financially immature, face exposure to creditors, or are involved in bad marriages
- The need to provide for a disabled family member
- Unique circumstances, such as bequests to longtime friends or partners
Therefore, we’re here to help you assess whether an estate plan crafted by your attorney lines up with your financial goals. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.
Part of our job at Raincross Financial Partners is to act as a coordinator between your other professional services, and provide an overall analysis between all your existing plans that are held with other service professionals. These types of plans might include things such as family trusts, estate plans, insurances, annuities, corporate retirement plans, etc. Our job is to provide you a holistic picture and help ensure that all your products, whomever they are with, are working cohesively toward achieving your goals.
Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.
Independent Advice
Being Independent Matters
We’re not persuaded nor given incentives to sell certain products, nor are we limited in the type of investments that we can provide. This gives you a greater range of investment options from which to choose.
No Cookie-Cutter Products
Tailored Investments
Every client has specific investment goals that are unique to their situation, that’s why we don’t take a cookie-cutter approach. We are committed to providing tailored investment strategies for every client.
Financial Stewardship
No Sales Pitch
Our job is to be your financial steward, not a salesman. You can trust that your goals and nothing else dictate our investment strategy for you.