Strategic Wealth Designers, LLC (SWD) is a financial advisory firm that is based in Louisville, Kentucky and provides financial planning and portfolio management services to a diverse group of clients. Its team of financial advisors and retirement planners work out of offices across four states, including Colorado, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
Strategic Wealth Designers Background
Though Matthew J. Dicken founded the firm in 2002, it didn’t become a registered investment advisor until 2012. He is the principal owner and serves as CEO, while Partner Dustin Stanley, Junior Partner Jordan Schwartz and Chief Compliance Officer Jason Vander Pol own small stakes.
What Types of Clients Does Strategic Wealth Designers Accept?
SWD works with the following types of clients:
- Individuals
- High-net-worth individuals
- Corporations or other business entities
Strategic Wealth Designers Minimum Account Size
To open an account with SWD, you generally need a minimum investment of $25,000.
Services Offered by Strategic Wealth Designers
SWD specializes in ongoing portfolio management services. It tailors its investment strategies to the goals, risk tolerance and time horizons of its clients.
The firm will take discretionary authority of client accounts, which means clients authorize it to sell and buy investments in their portfolios when it deems appropriate.
In addition, the firm can create financial plans based on various topics including:
- Retirement planning
- Tax management
- Insurance policies
- College funding through vehicles like 529 plans
- Debt and credit management
Strategic Wealth Designers Investment Philosophy
SWD generally provides advice and recommendations around the following types of securities:
- Mutual funds
- Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
- Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
- Equities
- Fixed income investments
- Insurance products such as annuities
- Government securities
Fees Under Strategic Wealth Designers
Like most firms, SWD charges investment advisory fees based on a percentage of your assets under management (AUM). That rate is based on the following current fee schedule:
| Total Assets Under Management | Annual Fee |
| First $500,000 | 1.75% |
| $500,001 – $999,999 | 1.50% |
| $1,000,000 - $2,499,999 | 1.00% |
| $2,500,000 - $4,999,999 | 0.75% |
| $5,000,000 And Up | 0.50% |
These fees are paid quarterly in arrears.
What to Watch Out For
Some SWD employees are licensed insurance agents who earn commissions, which can present a conflict of interest if they are also financial advisors recommending these products. However, as a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), SWD must uphold a fiduciary duty and always work in clients’ best interests.
Disclosures
As of the time of this writing, SWD had no disciplinary or criminal matters in the past 10 years to report in its SEC filings. For the latest disclosures, you can find the firm’s Form ADV on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
Opening an Account With Strategic Wealth Designers
You can schedule a visit with an SWD representative at https://swdgroup.com/schedule-a-visit/. Alternately, you can speak to an advisor by calling (877) 934-7687. For specific locations, you can find and SWD office addresses here:
Kentucky
500 North Hurstbourne Parkway, Suite 120, Louisville, KY 40222
2716 Od Rosebud Rd, Suite 180, Lexington, KY 40509
Indiana
9850 Westpoint Drive, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46256
2680 E. Main Street, Plainfield, IN 46168
Ohio
5181 Natorp Boulevard, Suite 100, Mason, OH 45040
Colorado
4600 S Syracuse St, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80237
Tips for Finding the Right Financial Advisor
- Talk to at least three advisors before deciding on one. This should give you enough context to compare and contrast crucial points like services offered and fee structures. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- Ask advisors about their certifications. They’re not required, so people who have them have sought out extra training and likely hold themselves to higher standards. For example, the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board requires members to provide financial planning advice in the best interests of the client at all times.
All information was accurate as of the writing of this article.
