Asset Management

We pride ourselves in fully understanding a client’s current financial picture and their future asset management goals. From in-depth conversations with our clients, we develop a customized asset management plan that takes in to account their accumulation, cash flow and preservation needs.

Our firm’s investment philosophy focuses on the following:

• Markets work
• Focus on what you can control
• Resist chasing past performance
• Practice smart diversification
• Risk and return are related

Our firm uses an investment model based on 45 years of research data designed by Nobel Prize winning economists French and Fama. Our model uses transparent investments (publicly traded mutual funds) and a globally diverse asset allocation along with a tax-efficient, disciplined rebalancing strategy.

This philosophy is coupled with our specialized approach to the markets and deep relationships with industry leaders such as Charles Schwab & Co., TD Ameritrade, Dimensional Fund Advisors, and Vanguard.

Byron Financial does not custody investment funds. We have selected Schwab as the primary custodian for our client’s accounts which provides us access to a wide range of custody, trading and support services that help us serve our clients.

A diversified portfolio does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.

Tax Strategies

Taxes affect every part of a client’s financial picture.

Backed by the experience of our on-staff CPAs, CFPs, and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), our team identifies and analyzes tax mitigation opportunities within a client’s portfolio.

We do not file tax returns, however, we provide a high-level tax summary highlighting areas that are commonly tax inefficient like capital gains, charitable giving, etc.

We also collaborate with our clients’ outside CPAs and tax professionals to develop and execute a cohesive, long-term tax strategy.

Cash Flow Management

We begin with a cash flow analysis which examines the following areas:

• Income inflows and outflows
• Debt
• Tax obligations
• Savings
• Big-ticket items such as new home or renovations, education, transportation, vacations, etc.

This analysis is coupled with the client’s financial goals to develop a strategic cash flow management plan. Each plan is customized, allowing for discretionary spending while helping the client manage upfront expenses and still save for their long-term goals.

We also educate our clients on how their tax scenario will differ once they leave the formal workforce and recommend how much should be taken from their portfolio on an annual basis so that they don’t outlive their wealth.

Liquidity Event Planning Services

A liquidity event is a unique and complex situation where experienced advice is needed across a variety of areas in anticipation of receiving a substantial amount of capital. Lack of preparation, not having a “point person,” and using generalists instead of specialists can lead to mistakes during this process, causing disappointment and financial uncertainty.

This is where a asset management firm, like Byron Financial, can have the greatest impact. Our services are consultative, comprehensive, and customizable, taking into account all of the pre- and post-liquidity event considerations that must be addressed including:

• Business valuation expectations
• Pre-sale tax planning
• Preserving and growing your capital
• Mitigating additional taxes
• Efficient cash flow for current lifestyle
• Leaving a legacy for your family

76% of our current asset management clients have experienced a liquidity event during their life. We have assisted clients before, during and after, and many throughout the liquidity event process.

Banking Consultation

With wealth comes more complexities and the need for innovative solutions. We assist clients with bank consultations and are here to help navigate all aspects of personal and business lending.

Our years of experience helps us to negotiate the best rates and terms for any type of banking agreement for our clients.

We have structured the following on behalf of our clients:

• New business venture
• Home, second home, boat loan
• Pledged asset accounts
• Securing collateralized loans
• Management of multiple loans
• Restructuring assets or liabilities

One of our clients wanted to purchase their dream boat and was discouraged with the loan terms they were being offered. With our assistance they found an alternate lender, with better lending terms and upon our suggestion, structured the sale of the boat in a state with favorable tax rates, saving the client tens of thousands of dollars.

Case study results are for illustrative/informational purposes only and may not reflect the typical client’s experience and are not intended to represent or guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results.

Charitable Planning

We assist those clients with a philanthropic mindset in developing and executing a customized charitable plan based on their family’s goals.

Building a legacy of giving that can be passed down through generations is a common goal of many of our clients.

Whether it is an alma mater, church, foundation or organization – we can help determine the best assets and method of giving that will make the most effective charitable gifts in the most tax-efficient way possible.

Vehicles for giving include:

• Charitable Trusts
• Donor Advised Funds
• Private Family Foundations
• Lifetime and Testamentary Gifts

A relatively easy and popular method of giving is a donor advised fund (DAF). Money is transferred into the DAF and the grantor receives a lump sum tax deduction in the year of the transfer. From there, money in the DAF can be granted to any charity at any time. The fund is managed as an investment account with our institutional partner administering the grants.

Asset Transfer and Estate Preservation

Preserving and growing your assets is a hallmark of Byron Financial. Life insurance, as part of an overall estate plan, can safeguard and help transfer your wealth in a tax-efficient manner.

LIFE INSURANCE

When it comes to life insurance, Byron Financial has strong, long-term relationships with a variety of carriers, whom we negotiate with to help ensure the best offers and premier policy design for our clients.

We partner with M Financial Group, to offer proprietary insurance products that are specifically designed and priced for the ultra high net worth market. These products are available exclusively to the clients of M Member Firms. To learn more about M Financial, click here.

All policies sold are designed and underwritten by Byron Financial, not a third-party insurance broker. Our team personally communicates with insurance underwriters, making sure they understand our client’s complete insurability picture, and then negotiates the best rate on a policy. We aren’t constrained by one company, policy type or funding mechanism, which is a differentiating factor in servicing our clients.

ESTATE PLANNING

Many times, planning is done – insurance policies are purchased, or wills are drafted, and then are forgotten until it is too late. To prevent this situation, Byron Financial can conduct an estate plan audit which would review your in-force planning documents to ensure they are up-to-date, and still reflect your goals.

If an estate plan is not in place, we can work with your current attorney or recommend one to develop plan and accompanying documents that reflect your wishes.

Generational Asset Management

The deep relationships we develop with our clients do not stop with them but continues to the next generation. As a “Family CFO” we work with our client’s children and even grandchildren to help ensure our client’s legacy is carried out the way they envisioned it would.

We understand the complexities of family planning, and unlike at “big box” shops where one advisor manages an account and turnover is high, our clients and their family work with the same team whom understands their dynamics and goals.

With our comprehensive, customized services, we look to simplify all areas of the asset management process so that you have more time to enjoy what’s important to you.

Some of the areas we can assist with are:

• Cash flow management and planning
• Tax considerations
• Point person for your team of external advisors
• Financial education for younger generations
• Education planning
• Record keeping and financial statement preparation

We work with multiple generations of a client’s family to educate, guide and preserve the wealth they have worked so hard to accumulate.
Our education to the younger generations of a family include how to manage money, what types of assets they may inherit and what this means for them, and smart family finances. We also work across generations to make sure there is a clear understanding of the legacy our clients would like to continue.

When clients feel the time is right, we introduce children and grandchildren into the family’s gifting strategy and walk them through how gifting is done, the most tax-efficient way of doing so that preserves the portfolio, and the level of giving that the family would like to make on a regular basis.

We strive to impart knowledge and guidance to our clients’ heirs so that they are ready to manage their family’s wealth for generations.