Bolton Global Asset Management
Bolton Global Asset Management (BGAM) is a broker-dealer and financial advisor firm located in Bolton, Massachusetts. BGAM advises a wide range of institutional and individual clients, working with them to provide both investment management and financial planning services.
As a fee-based firm, certain advisors at BGAM can receive commissions for the sale of specific investments or insurance products. This differs from the fee schedule of a fee-only firm, which is any one that earns all of its income from client-paid fees.
Bolton Global Asset Management Background
Bolton Global Asset Management went into business in 2002 as a dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment advisor. It operates one office in Bolton, and it is wholly owned by Bolton Financial Group. BGAM works closely with BNY Mellon and Pershing, as all of its securities trades are cleared through these firms. Several of the firm's advisors hold financial certifications.
Bolton Global Asset Management Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Bolton Global Asset Management works with both individual and institutional clients, though individual clients make up the majority of its client base. Of these individuals, the majority have less than a high net worth. Institutional clients include pensions and profit-sharing plans, charities and businesses.
BGAM does not have a set account minimum for new clients.
Services Offered by Bolton Global Asset Management
Bolton Global Asset Management works with clients to provide both investment management and financial planning services. It also serves as a broker-dealer in its role as an investment advisor. Investment management services come in many forms, including wrap programs, mutual fund asset allocation programs and advisory programs offered by third-party firms. Services are offered on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis.
Financial planning services at BGAM are based on the needs of each client. This service includes advice on issues like tax planning, investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, business needs planning, education planning and more.
Bolton Global Asset Management Investment Philosophy
As is the case with many advisory firms, Bolton Global Asset Management works with clients to determine their overall financial situation and goals before allocating their portfolio's assets. This involves reviewing a client’s risk tolerance, liquidity needs, time horizon and anything else that's relevant to their desired financial future. Once these characteristics are compiled, the client's advisor will present them with a plan prior to investing any money.
The firm and its advisors use a wide range of analysis methods to inform the decisions they make in relation to investments within clients' portfolios. These methods include fundamental analysis, technical analysis and cyclical analysis, along with mutual fund and exchange-traded fund (ETF) analysis.
Fees Under Bolton Global Asset Management
Advisory services are offered through a network of investment advisor representatives (IARs)
Investment management fees at Bolton Global Asset Management are generally negotiable. Clients engaging in this service will pay a maximum of 2.5% of their assets under management. Some advisors, however, may adhere to a static fee schedule for their own clients, which will fit within the firm's advisory fee range.
Financial planning fees are fully negotiable and are charged on either an hourly or fixed fee basis. If the arrangement is hourly, fees will not exceed $500 per hour.
What to Watch Out For
Bolton Global Asset Management has nine disclosures listed on its Form ADV. These disclosures include regulatory, criminal and judicial infractions, such as failure to disclose certain information and incomplete filings. Of the nine disclosures, all but two apply to advisory affiliates of the firm. The remaining couple of disclosures belong to the firm completely and both the firm and an advisory affiliate, respectively.
BGAM is a fee-based firm, as some of its advisors are broker-dealer representatives or insurance agents. Each of these dynamics creates a potential conflict of interest, as advisors can receive additional compensation in these roles. However, the firm is a fiduciary and is legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
Opening an Account With Bolton Global Asset Management
If you're interested in opening an account with Bolton Global Asset Management, you'll have to either call the firm over the phone or visit it at its office in Bolton.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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