SRQ Magazine | BRANDSTORY: Allegiant Private Advisors June 2020

BRANDSTORY FEATURE | SRQ MAG A ZINE | MAY/JUNE 2020

INDEPENDENT THINKING. CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS.

BUILT TO BE YOUR ADVOCATE

When working with Allegiant, you are not simply hiring one advisor to manage your money, you are partnering with an entire team of financial and investment advisors - supported by exceptional client service professionals – that all bring their knowledge and years of experience to bear for the sole purpose of helping you achieve your goals. Allegiant’s team of advisors helps you examine every aspect of your financial life to design a personalized and ever-changing financial plan based solely on your priorities and goals. The Allegiant Private Advisors team will always work in your best interests. Given the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, its impact on our lives, community and recent market volatility, having an advisor that proactively communicates, educates and guides you and your financial well-being is crucial.

L EADIN G LOCAL LY SIN CE 1997

HONORED ON

FORBES’ 2020 BEST-IN-STATE L I ST:

TO P A DV I SOR I N SA R A SOTA

In January, Allegiant chairman MARTIN (MARTY) J. KOSSOFF (CFP, AIF) was named to Forbes magazine’s “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list for 2020.* Kossoff was recognized with the highest ranking of all Sarasota-based advisors included on the 2020 list, and now holds the 11th ranking in the North Florida region. He was also previously recognized by both Barron’s magazine (in 2013 and 2014)** and The Financial Times (in 2013)*** as one of the top advisors in the United States. Kossoff served as President from 1998 until 2019, when he became Chairman.

BENJAMIN (BEN) W. JONES, CFP®, AIF®, (Allegiant’s long-time Chief Investment Officer) was promoted to President in 2019. Jones himself was also recognized on Forbes’ Next-Gen Best-InState Wealth Advisors list in both 2018 and 2019.* Kossoff and Jones consider these recent accolades a credit to Allegiant’s philosophy of independent thinking and customized solutions that are researched, designed, analyzed and implemented by an ensemble of professionals—as opposed to the common industry practice of working in silos.

THE FIDUCIARY ADVANTAGE TRUST IS PARAMOUNT when it comes to money matters, and one word makes working with Allegiant Private Advisors one of the safest-possible options for clients: fiduciary.

What does this term mean? Simply stated, being a fiduciary is a legal obligation to do what’s in the client’s best interest, without regard to self-interest. There is a huge advantage working with a fiduciary advisor like Allegiant.

“Part of the reason our industry sometimes gets a bad rap is because people think of financial advisors as salesmen who make commissions to sell you products. They’re incentivized to sell.

Worse, they’re not legally required to recommend what’s best for you,” says Allegiant’s President, Ben Jones. “The best and only way we can be advocates for our clients is to act as their fiduciary.”

Allegiant is a fully independent, fee-based firm of wealth advisors, financial analysts, portfolio managers and customer service professionals.

Allegiant’s advisors are not salespeople; however, they are required to serve their clients financial planning needs. There is no incentive compensation, no product sales, and all employees are salaried.

How they serve is based on the rules outlined in the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. A CFP®

F I N D I N G YO U R S E L F, F U N D I N G YO U R F U T U R E PHILOSOPHICALLY SPEAKING, we all ask ourselves some big questions throughout our lives: What is our purpose? What will our legacy be? How will we leave the best possible mark on the world? Allegiant advisors are helping clients answer these questions every day, uncovering the personal stories behind the paperwork, and using financial investments to accomplish their important and meaningful goals. The team’s advisors become so much more than number crunchers to their clients; they are coaches, trusted advisors, independent problem solvers, and “thinking partners” who talk clients through everything from business decisions to overall life paths.

“For example, we’ve seen too many times where money is passed onto the next generation and it’s not used in the way the parents would have liked, the results being far less than optimal. We feel like our goal is to offer that softer-side coaching and hand holding to make sure we best serve the client,” Jones says. “We’re all here to help in any way we can by combining our professional expertise and experience with the ability to really listen to each client and advise them appropriately.”

The Allegiant team includes three Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholders (plus one more in process), six Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designees, two Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designees, one Certified Public Accountant (CPA), one Chartered Market Technician (CMT), one Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®, and nine CFP®-certified professionals. Combined, these team members act as sounding boards during the most pivotal times in their clients’ lives— from college saving to retirement planning and every step in-between. The advisors offer broad perspectives, reality checks, and the ability to empower clients to make smart financial decisions (choices that could affect multiple generations). They help crystallize clients’ visions and then make those goals materialize. Throughout, they have every client’s back, always.

“ I T H I N K W E H AV E S O M E T H I N G R E A L LY S P E C I A L H E R E . W H AT W E DO IS NOT ABOUT US; I T I S A B O U T D O I N G W H AT ’ S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF O U R C L I E N T S , P E R I O D. ” — BENJAMIN (BEN) W. JONES

PRESIDENT, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, PRINCIPAL

professional has three duties: to put the clients’ interests first, to completely analyze the clients’ unique goals and circumstances, and to follow client instructions, complying with all policies, restrictions and lawful directions of the client.

These are all the highest, legally-binding standards that exist in the profession, and every Allegiant advisor holds a CFP® certification and is therefore held to those standards. Allegiant team members have also earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF) designation, which also has its own set of practice standards. In all, it is a culture of professional excellence that is solely client focused.

HOW DOES ALLEGIANT HELP CLIENTS?

This example illustrates the experience of one Allegiant client throughout the stages of their financial life. The fiduciary difference is clear. The law demands it.

Most importantly, Clients feel it.

1998

2000

2004

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2015

2017

A couple moves to Sarasota in their late forties, with two children in grade school, and they establish a relationship with Allegiant to invest some funds for the future, college expenses and retirement being their priorities.

The couple purchases a home in the area while selling their home up north. Allegiant facilitates a mortgage and bridge loan strategy.

Allegiant serves as a thinking partner as their income grows and their savings increase. The firm guides them through the estate planning process, making sure their children are taken care of and their wishes carried out by qualified successor trustees.

Both college planning and retirement planning remain priorities, but an older parent now needs support and Allegiant develops a plan to divert resources to make that happen.

One child starts college and the college savings accounts are partially used to cover those expenses. The recession and market decline has them worried so Allegiant helps evaluate their longterm goals they had established together.The Allegiant team advises the couple in multiple ways to keep their financial plan intact.

Allegiant presents a typical (quarterly) account review that shows they were able to stick to their long-term investment plans.

All their accounts have increased in value since the recession ended.

Their retirement plans and college funding goals remain on track.

The second child starts college, and funds are ready as the first child gets ready to graduate.

Allegiant analyzes their ability to retire early. The decision is made that while early retirement is possible, they still quite enjoy their work, find it fulfilling, and realize that some of their life goals may change as they near retirement age.

Retirement planning demonstrates a high probability of a financially successful retirement, and the conversation shifts to charitable giving and more important life goals, such as traveling and using some extra time to pursue more creative work. Social security income strategies are analyzed; Medicare is applied for.

HAVING AN ADVISOR THAT PROACTIVELY COMMUNICATES, EDUCATES AND GUIDES YOU AND YOUR FINANCIAL WELL-BEING IS CRUCIAL.

LOOKING AHEAD Allegiant ensures that long-term care insurance is in place, if needed, and heirs are prepared in case of a sudden emergency. Having financial plans and estate documents in place can help with the couple’s confidence in their future so that they can focus on enjoying their most fulfilling life.

BRANDSTORY FEATURE | SRQ MAG A ZINE | MAY/JUNE 2020

The preceding case study is provided for illustrative purposes only and may not be representative of the experience of other clients. Every situation is different and actual performance and results will vary.

This case study does not constitute a recommendation as to the suitability of any investment for any person or persons having circumstances similar to those portrayed. Please consult a financial advisor regarding your individual situation. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

YOUR TRUSTED ADVISOR

Most clients do not want to be pressured into making impulsive decisions that will affect their family’s future. They don’t want to be conned, sold or pushed into one-size-fits-all plans. They crave custom-tailored attention and genuine conversation. Unfortunately the financial services industry has historically revolved around a sales culture, and the client often suffers.

Allegiant is different. The firm’s independent, fiduciary, non-sales philosophy provides a safe, trusting and caring environment so that all your goals and dreams can be discussed and planned for in total confidence. All this and more combine to create a multifaceted, comprehensive wealth management firm. Allegiant’s proprietary “Client Bill of Rights” pledges the firm’s standards in writing.

Some of these rights include having every phone call and email answered promptly, daily access to all accounts online (so that all trading activity, gains and losses, and asset allocation reports are viewable), and an open invitation to meet with the team as often as the client deems necessary.

Allegiant team members manage all assets as team fiduciaries and do all of their own research (which advisors often share in the form of monthly macroeconomic reports, white papers and security-level research data). Client accounts receive individual personalized advice instead of boilerplate packages created by mass-marketing financial firms. To accomplish this, Allegiant maintains a high staff-to-client ratio, and forms strategic advisory teams with clients’ attorneys and accountants.

“We also put together family meetings where we have conversations about values and the core mission statement of the family,” Jones says. “We help talk through existing assets and estate plans, and make sure heirs are prepared financially and legally. We are always checking in, seeing where our clients are in life and what they need help with along the way. Then we help them in every way possible. That’s why we’re here.”

BUILT TO BE YOUR ADVOCATE

240 S. Pineapple Ave, Suite 200 | Sarasota, FL 34236 | Phone: (941) 365-3745 Toll-Free: (800) 926-5237 | Fax: (941) 953-7430 (fax) | Online: Allegiantpa.com Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, a Registered Investment Adviser

BRANDSTORY FEATURE | SRQ MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2020

*The 2020 ranking was developed by SHOOK Research, based on meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively and on a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and other quantitative criteria. Overall, 32,000 advisors were considered, and 4,000 (12.5 percent of candidates) were recognized. This award is not indicative of the advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Some states may have more advisors than others. SHOOK does not receive a fee in exchange for rankings. **To compile this annual list, Barron’s uses data provided by advisors. Barron’s takes a number of criteria(1) into account for this state-by-state ranking, including assets under management(2); revenues generated by advisors for their firms; quality of practices, which includes examination of regulatory records; and philanthropic work. Overall in 2014, 3,000 advisors were considered, and 1,200 (40 percent of candidates) were recognized. Some states may include more advisors than others, in proportion to state populations. This award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Your experience may vary. (1) Investment performance is not a criterion. (2) Managed through Commonwealth ***To compile the 2013 list, the Financial Times evaluated nominees on six primary areas and calculated a numeric score for each advisor. The areas of consideration were assets under management (AUM), asset growth, compliance record, experience, credentials, and accessibility. Approximately 960 qualified applications were received; 400 advisors were selected, representing 41.6 percent of applicants. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For the full methodology, please visit ft.com. ****The 2019 ranking of Forbes’ Best-In-State Next Generation Wealth Advisors(1) recognizes advisors born in 1980 or later with a minimum of four years of experience. Advisors were rated on a proprietary algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria: assets under management, revenues generated for their firms, client retention, industry experience, credentials, and compliance records. SHOOK Research also employs an opinion-based weighting system that prioritizes its preferred “best practices,” which include business models, activities, processes, and structure. Overall, 6,389 advisors were considered, and 1,495 (23 percent of candidates) were recognized. Please visit the Forbes website for the full methodology (2) that Forbes developed in partnership with SHOOK Research. 1This recognition and the due-diligence process conducted are not indicative of the advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary.

You are encouraged to conduct your own research to determine if the advisor is right for you. 2Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. SHOOK does not receive a fee in exchange for rankings.