A Straightforward Investment Philosophy
Bragg Financial adheres to a strict investment discipline in the construction of portfolios of stocks, bonds and mutual funds for its clients. This discipline emphasizes diversification, long term holding periods, fundamental analysis and risk-adjusted returns.
Investment Strategy and Target Portfolio Allocations are developed by the Bragg Financial Investment Policy Committee. This committee, made up of research analysts and portfolio managers, analyzes each security being considered for inclusion in the portfolio.
Each portfolio is managed individually according to a written Investment Policy Statement that is personalized for each client. Investment allocations within the portfolio appropriately reflect each client's tolerance for risk, tax circumstances and liquidity needs.
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Retirement and Financial Planning
The Bragg team of financial advisors recognizes that sound investment management is a crucial means to an even more significant end: a secure retirement. We will address the following questions: When can you retire and how much may you spend during your "golden" years? Where and how much should you save in order to ensure a comfortable retirement? From which account should you spend first? Answers to these and other questions will drive our recommendations and shape the plan that we will devise for you.
This is what you can expect:
analysis of the retirement capital that you will need
design and implementation of a long-term investment plan
accumulation planning utilizing taxable savings, IRAs, Roth IRAs, and retirement accounts
in-depth analysis of various withdrawal options for IRAs and retirement plan savings at retirement
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Estate Planning: Family Wealth Management
A complete financial plan should include consideration of how you wish to dispose of your assets at your death. Bragg Financial Advisors will work with you and your legal advisors to construct and implement a plan to preserve your wealth for your heirs while minimizing your own tax burden.
This is what you can expect:
financial analysis of current wills and trusts
review of your assets and their “movement” through the estate plan
discussion of gift and estate taxes,
beneficiary designation planning for retirement accounts and IRAs
consideration of advanced planning strategies involving:
generation-skipping trusts
preservation planning for illiquid estates
conservation easement planning for landowners
hedging techniques, including the use of option strategies and exchange funds
charitable trusts
lifetime gifting techniques utilizing Family Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies and Retained Interest Trusts
Again, as is the case with all of your financial goals, it is vital that we understand your estate planning objectives. Only then can we manage your assets effectively - to your greatest advantage and profit.
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Charitable Giving Strategies
In the course of developing a wealth accumulation, preservation, and spending plan, it is not unusual for us to discover that a client has built what we call excess capital. Excess capital can be parlayed into an earlier retirement, a larger lifestyle or a bigger inheritance for children. However, it is not unusual to find that clients don’t want any of the above and they instead want to use their gifts to improve their communities.
As a result, we often help our clients navigate the complex field of philanthropic giving. Strategies available for creating their charitable legacy include: Endowments, Donor Advised Funds, Charitable Trusts, Private Foundations, Conservation Easements and more. Through Donor Advised Funds, we have shown clients how to expedite their giving of stock to charity and to realize their income tax deductions when they need them most. Through charitable remainder trusts, we have helped clients diversify high risk, concentrated stock positions while retaining a healthy income stream. Through Private Foundations, we help clients carry out missions that go beyond the capabilities of a public charity. Finally, through conservation easements, we help clients protect family land from development, high property taxes, and prohibitive estate taxes.
We always ask the client, “What good will you do with your wealth?”
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Typical Clients, Fees and Minimums
Normally, Bragg Financial is compensated through advisory fees that are charged as a percentage of your account. Our advisory fees are described in detail in our ADV part II which is available upon request. Bragg does charge a minimum fee for client relationships. Clients considering working with Bragg normally should plan to invest $2,000,000 or more for our fee structure to make sense economically. There are exceptions to this and we encourage you to discuss your situation with us to determine if we would be a good fit for your planning and investing needs.
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Your Other Advisors
We enjoy and encourage a sound working relationship with your attorney and CPA. Communication and cooperation among your significant advisors is of vital importance, particularly in the context of estate planning and income tax management.
IN SUMMARY, Bragg Financial's comprehensive approach recognizes that 'wise decisions' are only possible when all financial, tax and personal factors are considered together. Excellent advice can only be given when a clear understanding of your goals is grounded in an up-to-date knowledge of relevant tax and investment issues. The professional advisors at Bragg Financial offer guidance at the highest level of expertise, service and commitment. We encourage you to read about each member of our team in the section on advisors. (The CFP mark identifies those who have met the educational, experiential, and ethical standards established by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.)
As a Registered Investment Advisor, Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. is capable of providing advice with the option of charging fees for services rendered. Part II of our ADV form will be provided upon request and before services are rendered.
Bragg Financial's Investment Advisor Representatives are also registered representatives offering securities through Queens Road Securities, LLC, which is wholly owned by the principals of Bragg Financial Advisors. Queens Road Securities is a registered broker/dealer and member of the National Association of Securities Dealers (FINRA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). In exchange for operational and compliance services rendered, Queens Road Securities will retain a portion of the compensation paid to Bragg Financial Advisors or its advisor representatives.
