American Independent Securities Group, LLC
American Independent Securities Group (AISG) is a financial advisor firm located in the city of Eagle, Idaho. AISG is different than many advisory firms, as it doesn't work directly with individual clients. Instead, it provides business support, advisory and broker-dealer services to independent financial advisors in its network. Through these firms, AISG indirectly works with clients.
The firm is fee-based, as some of its advisors can receive commissions from insurance sales. This is different from a fee-only firm, whose compensation comes solely from advisory fees that clients pay.
American Independent Securities Group Background
American Independent Securities Group was founded in 2004 in Idaho. In addition to providing business support to a network of independent financial advisors, the firm is also a registered broker-dealer.
The firm's president, Thomas C. Sellin, and chief compliance officer (CCO), Ryan S. Carlson, are the two principal owners and founders of the firm. Sellin is a chartered life underwriter (CLU) and chartered financial consultant (ChFC).
American Independent Securities Group Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
American Independent Securities Group works almost exclusively with non-high-net-worth individuals. Other clients include high-net-worth individuals and businesses. Remember, these are not clients of the firm directly, but rather clients of the advisors in its independent network.
There are a wide variety of minimum account sizes if you choose to work with an AISG advisor. Advisor program accounts have a $25,000 minimum, while Managed Accounts generally have a $2,500 minimum.
RBC Unified Portfolios offered through AISG have minimum account requirements ranging from $10,000 to $250,000.
Services Offered by American Independent Securities Group
American Independent Securities Group is a broker-dealer, but it primarily provides business support and advisory services to independent financial advisors and their firms. Through this network, AISG's services include both investment management and financial planning.
AISG also provides advisors with a number of investment programs that they can use. These are called the RBC Program Accounts, and they can be managed by the advisor directly or through a third-party money manager. The programs are:
- RBC Unified Portfolios (RBC UP)
- Small account solutions
- Mutual funds and/or ETFs
- Equity
- Balance
- Tax-exempt fixed income
American Independent Securities Group Investment Philosophy
Even if AISG's independent advisors use model programs and portfolios supplied by the firm, they still look to tailor their investment choices to the individual objectives and financial situations of each client. Advisors work with clients to develop a personal investment policy based on their tolerance for risk, liquidity needs, income and other important factors.
Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on how their money is managed, but advisors don't limit their investment advice to any specific type of security or investment. Advisors may utilize a variety of methods of analysis, such as fundamental, technical, charting, cyclical, sub-advisor and more.
Fees Under American Independent Securities Group
The investment management fee schedule for AISG's services are based on a percentage of each client's total assets under management (AUM). This percentage typically ranges from 0.75% to 2.50% annually. Specific fee rates are negotiated on a client-to-client basis.
Financial planning clients are charged either an hourly or fixed fee. Hourly fees range from $50 to $250 per hour and fixed fees range from $100 to $3,000 per engagement.
What to Watch Out For
American Independent Securities Group has one disclosure listed on its Form ADV. The disclosure relates to the firm and one or more of its advisory affiliates for the failure to guarantee compliance on the sale of collaterized mortgage obligations. The firm was ordered to pay $275,000 in partial restitution to customers.
AISG is fee-based financial advisor firm. Since many of the firm's advisors are broker-dealer representatives or insurance agents, they may be able to earn compensation when they effect securities or insurance transactions. While this creates the potential for a conflict of interest, the firm is a fiduciary, which legally forces it to act in the best interests of clients, at all times.
Opening an Account With American Independent Securities Group
Again, you won't be able to work directly with AISG, as only its network of advisors is accessible to clients. To learn how to reach an AISG advisor, call the firm directly at (208) 489-3131.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this review.
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