By definition, a fiduciary is an individual who is ethically bound to act in their client's best interest.  The term can apply to certain people who manage assets on behalf of an individual, a family or a company. This person might be a banker, accountant, executor, trustee, board member, investment adviser, or other investment professional. In theory, a fiduciary duty can potentially apply to anyone to whom you delegate personal, legal, or financial choices. In other words, it’s up to you to choose wisely. In the financial industry, SEC-registered investment advisers and their investment adviser representatives are fiduciaries when they provide you with investment advisory services.  When Clint helps you with your financial goals in an investment advisory capacity, he is acting as a fiduciary under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.  You can find information regarding a financial professional's background and qualifications on FINRA BROKERCHECK or the SEC website.

Also known as fiduciary responsibility, fiduciary duty is the obligation to put someone else’s interests first. For SEC-registered investment advisers, this duty is not just a matter of ethics – it’s a legal mandate under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.  The fiduciary duty requires that investment advisers act honestly, diligently, and in your best interest.  Fiduciary duty protects you. It’s like the financial version of the Hippocratic oath – and it’s just as important.

A financial professional can help you prepare for your financial future. Since that’s an important role, you may want to consider choosing a financial professional who’s bound to act in your best interest.

*To the extent that we are providing you with investment advisory services, including either financial planning services or ongoing investment advice, pursuant to a written agreement and related disclosures that describe this investment advisory relationship, we are acting in a fiduciary capacity related to those services under the federal securities laws, in particular the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.