Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA) has been providing financial planning services since 1997. This financial advisory firm is based in Los Angeles, and it currently oversees billions of dollars in client assets under management (AUM).
Signature Estate & Investment Background
Brian D. Holmes founded SEIA in 1997. According to the firm's brochure, it is wholly owned by Signature Financial Service Group, LLC, which is primarily owned by a "combination of employees and investors through Reverence Capital Partners Opportunities Fund V, L.PReverence Capital Partners, Advisor Group Holdings and SEIA Management, LLC."
The team of advisors collectively holds various certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), chartered life underwriter (CLU) and accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) designations, among others.
Signature Estate & Investment Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Signature Estate & Investments works with a variety of clients including the following:
- Individuals with and without a high net worth
- Pension/profit-sharing plans
- Charitable organizations
- Business entities and corporations
Account minimum vary by investment strategy and account type. Clients with equity/blended portfolios are required to have at least $250,000. The firm's fixed-income portfolios require a minimum investment of $500,000.
Services Offered by Signature Estate & Investment
SEIA provides a range of wealth management and advisory services tailored to client needs. These include discretionary and non-discretionary investment management programs, financial planning (both modular and comprehensive), investment consulting and retirement plan consulting.
SEIA also offers access to third-party money managers, managed portfolio platforms and cash management solutions. Services are customized through client interviews, risk assessments and ongoing portfolio monitoring, with clients able to impose reasonable investment restrictions.
Signature Estate & Investment Investment Philosophy
The firm’s investment philosophy is research-driven, led by its Department of Investment Management and Economic Strategy (DIMES), which uses quantitative and qualitative analysis to filter investment opportunities.
The firm incorporates principles of modern portfolio theory and emphasizes diversification. Portfolios are managed using strategic macro asset allocation and tactical adjustments based on economic and market conditions.
SEIA includes a broad range of asset types in client portfolios. These commonly include equities (stocks), fixed income securities (bonds), mutual funds (open- and closed-end), exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and exchange-traded notes (ETNs). Portfolios may also hold unit investment trusts, certificates of deposit, preferred stocks, options, structured products, hedge funds and private placements.
Fees Under Signature Estate & Investment
SEIA negotiates investment management fees with each client based on factors such as portfolio size, complexity, and asset types. Fees are typically calculated as a percentage of assets under management and billed quarterly. While fee ranges are provided, actual fees are negotiable and specified in the client agreement.
Depending on the program, maximum fees can reach up to 2% or 3% of assets. SEIA may aggregate household accounts for billing purposes to apply breakpoint pricing, but the firm does not disclose a universal minimum household fee.
What to Watch Out For
SEIA does not have any disclosures on its latest SEC-filed Form ADV.
Some of the firm’s advisors are licensed to sell insurance and securities products. As a result, they may earn commissions or other forms of compensation in addition to the regular fees they charge their clients. This creates a potential conflict of interest, because advisors may be incentivized to recommend certain products and services over others. However, the firm must abide by fiduciary duty to always act in the clients' best interests.
Tips for Finding the Right Financial Advisor
- Don’t just settle for the first firm you find. Keep doing your research and interviewing potential advisors. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- Not all advisors are the same. So make sure you ask your advisor the right questions.
All information was accurate as of the writing of this article.
