Frequently Asked Questions
Tell me about Mallard
We’ve been in business for over 20 years and are located in Newark Delaware, just a few minutes from Main Street, with plenty of free parking. We have over 180 clients and manage about $170 million of assets for our clients, with portfolios ranging from about $20,000 to over $10 million.
We are a Fee-Only™ firm. This means we don’t get a commission every time we buy or sell within your portfolio. Our only compensation is from our clients. We feel this fee structure reduces potential conflict of interests.
How do I get started?
It’s easy! Give us a call or send us an email to schedule your FREE “get acquainted” meeting.
302-737-4546 or info@mallardfinancial.com
What types of accounts do you deal with?
We work with individuals, families, trusts, small businesses and nonprofits. We can manage your individual, joint, trust, IRA, and rollover accounts. We can also provide guidance on outside accounts, including 529 plans, 401(k), and 403(b) accounts. We can rollover employer-sponsored plans.
What products/services do you offer?
We work with clients in a variety of ways.
- For clients who are only interested in a one-time review of their investments, we can work with you on short-term hourly project (like a consultant).
- We offer Financial Planning. This can be through a stand-alone project or as part of our Investment Management services.
- We offer 3 levels of Investment Management, depending on the size of your portfolio and your needs.
We Offer:
- RetirementGPS service is generally best suited for retirement plans. We can also consolidate your retirement plans, if you have multiple plans.
- Gold Level service is usually appropriate for portfolios of $200,000 and up.
- Platinum Level service is usually appropriate for portfolios of $400,000 and up or for clients who want to hold specific stocks.
- Both the Gold and Platinum Level services include ongoing Financial Planning, quarterly investment reporting, tax-efficient investing, and at least two face-to-face meetings per year. Your fees are based on the amount of assets in your portfolio (fee details are on our website).
Will I be working with a financial advisor?
YES! All of our Investment Management clients work with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). We currently have 5 CFPs® on staff.
How much do I need to become a Mallard client?
We accept portfolios of any size. Our management fees are calculated as a percentage of the Assets Under Management (AUM) in your portfolio, subject to minimum charges. Our clients’ portfolios generally range from about $20,000 to over $10 million.
How will my portfolio be invested?
Moderation is an investment virtue. We recommend a globally balanced approach, within the limitations of each Investment Policy Statement. We follow this approach when it is easy and when it is hard. This means adding to stocks when they are falling (with no end in sight), and selling stocks when they seem to go nowhere but up.
What is your financial performance? How do you do against the DOW or S&P?
Since every client’s portfolio is managed individually, based on their own risk levels, that is a difficult question to answer.
If you decide to have us manage your accounts, we will create a benchmark of peer securities, specific to your risk level. For example, we would look at the performance of the large US stocks in your portfolio compared to the S&P 500. We would look at whether your non-US stocks rose or fell differently than the average non-US stock mutual funds. There are no cookie cutters at Mallard – your account is managed specifically for your needs. We also consider the tax impact of every move we recommend.
We use top-of-the-line portfolio management software. We are linked to TD Ameritrade, the primary custodian for our clients’ accounts, and other financial firms, so that every transaction is tracked, and accurately reported.
Who are your Competitors?
There are lots of other investment managers, financial advisors, and financial planners. Some are very large, some charge commissions for every trade, and some are new to the investment management business. We are a Fee-Only company. Our income is based on the value of assets we manage, not the amount of trades we make in your account.
What happens at the initial FREE “get acquainted” meeting?
We sit and listen to your financial concerns. We explain how we work at Mallard and how we can help you meet your financial goals. If you decide to hire us, we then schedule a meeting with a member of our Financial Planning team. We will work together to determine your unique “Investment Policy Statement.” This takes into account your risk tolerances, asset allocations, tax consequences, etc. Your Investment Policy Statement is then used to manage your portfolio. Every client portfolio is managed separately – there are no cookie cutters used at Mallard.