Arbor Point Advisors is a financial advisor firm with billions in client assets under management (AUM). The firm is headquartered in La Vista, Nebraska. Although registered as an investment advisor, you can't actually work directly with Arbor Point, as it is a network of financial advisor firms. Arbor Point provides its network of firms with various resources, such as help with billing, investment platforms, back office support and business metric reporting.
Through its affiliated firms, Arbor Point indirectly works with a multitude of individual and institutional investors. This is a fee-based firm, as some of its advisors can receive commissions from the sale of securities or financial products.
Arbor Point Advisors Background
Arbor Point Advisors has been in business since 2012 and has grown considerably over the past several years. The firm's president is Dennis King who is a certified financial planner (CFP). Securities America Financial Corporation, which owns Arbor Point, is itself owned by Advisor Group Holdings, Inc., which is owned primarily by a consortium of investors through RCP Artemis Co-Invest, L.P.
Arbor Point Advisors was formed by the merger of two exisitng financial advisors: Securities America and Orion Advisor Services. These firms came together to provide dedicated support to independent financial advisors.
Arbor Point Advisors Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Arbor Point Advisors works indirectly with a variety of individual and institutional clients. These include individuals both with and without a high-net worth, as well as retirement plans, charities and business entities.
The minimum account sizes at Arbor Point vary based on the type of services that the client is using. More specifically, financial planning services and participant retirement program accounts carry no minimum. However, Arbor Point generally requires a minimum of $25,000 for entry into its asset management program. Certain affiliated advisors may use different minimum requirements, though.
Services Offered by Arbor Point Advisors
Arbor Point and its network of advisors provide a wide range of advisory services, from portfolio management to financial planning and consulting. Investment services may include advice on different investments, such as real estate, municipal securities, certificates of deposit (CDs), variable products, stocks and bonds.
The firm's advisory programs include the Asset Management Services Program and the Participant Retirement Program. The firm provides these programs on a wrap fee basis, which means all advisory, custodial and transactional fees are combined into a single rate.
Arbor Point Advisors Investment Philosophy
As a retail investor, you won't be working directly with Arbor Point Advisors itself. Instead, you'll work with one of the several independent advisors or advisory firms that are a part of the Arbor Point network. As a result, the individual investment philosophies of each advisor may vary. Advisors typically meet with clients to determine their investment goals and desired strategies, working to craft investment portfolios or financial plans based off of their personal information.
While investment strategies, philosophies and methods of analysis vary by advisor, there are a number of common methods used by a wide range of advisors. These methods of analysis include fundamental and technical analysis.
Fees Under Arbor Point Advisors
As a network of independent advisors, the fee schedules for working with an advisor through Arbor Point Advisors vary depending on who you work with. Some advisors may charge flat fees, whereas others may charge fees based on a percentage of your assets under management (AUM). Some fees may be negotiable between you and the advisor you are working with. Ultimately, your advisory fee rates will be set forth in each client advisory agreement.
What to Watch Out For
Arbor Point Advisors has one disclosure of a regulatory action listed on its most recently filed Form ADV with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. That disclosure involved an affiliated advisor and not the firm itself.
As a fee-based firm, some advisors in the Arbor Point network can receive commissions from the sale of securities, insurance or other financial products. This potential conflict of interest is mitigated by the firm's status as a fiduciary, binding all of its advisors to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
Opening an Account with Arbor Point Advisors
As an individual investor, you won't be able work with Arbor Point Advisors directly. On the flip side, you can work with one of their in-network advisors. You can contact any of these advisors directly, or you can reach out to Arbor Point online or over the phone at (800) 747-6111.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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