Frequently Asked Questions
Our investment philosophy is grounded in decades of research. Our service is personalized and reasonably priced. Our advice is free of conflicts. We have the experience, credentials, objectivity, and work ethic to help clients achieve their goals.
We work for the client and only the client. The client’s best interest is our only concern.
We are a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Because we are fee-only advisors, conflicts of interest regarding compensation are removed. We work directly for our clients.
Vericrest provides clients with a clear firewall between their advisor and the entity that takes custody of their assets. Client accounts are established in their own names at either Fidelity or Schwab, a third-party custodian that is unaffiliated with Vericrest. Clients receive the best of both worlds, the high-level service of a boutique firm with the backing of a large institution.
Yes. No services will be omitted. Clients will receive investment management services and financial planning services. Clients can expect a portfolio design that reflects their personal financial situation, investment time horizon, and risk tolerance.
We incorporate estate planning and taxes into planning and investment discussions with clients. However, we believe it’s important to stick to our core competencies. We recommend estate planning work to be handled by qualified attorneys and tax preparation services by qualified tax accountants. Keeping these services separate ensures there is no conflict of interest.
You can “do it yourself.” Though, even the most experienced investors often second-guess themselves and make poor investment decisions. Research shows that it's difficult for investors to separate their emotions from their money in order to make the right decisions for their long-term financial success.
Advances in technology are the main factor. Quite simply, due to technology and advancements in the industry, we can do more with fewer people, and we can accomplish tasks in less time.
Griffin Haviken, Vericrest’s founder and principal, brings over 28 years of experience working in the financial services industry. Prior to Vericrest, Mr. Haviken was a co-founder and managing partner of Towercrest Capital, where he spent a decade developing and refining the model of delivering quality advisory services for a low fee. Before forming investment management companies, Mr. Haviken had more than 18 years of leadership, strategic, and investment experience at some of the largest financial firms in the world. He was a director at Merrill Lynch in New York. Before his eleven-year career at Merrill Lynch, Mr. Haviken worked as an analyst at Morgan Stanley and Barclays Capital. Mr. Haviken is a certified public accountant and has passed the Series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor Law Examination. He holds an MBA in finance from Fordham University, and a B.S. in accounting from the University of Albany, State University of New York.
Our recommended account minimum is $1,000,000, although exceptions can be made.
You are free to leave at any time. There is no fee for leaving, and you do not need to sell the investments in your account.
Not at all. We prepare the paperwork for your signature to transfer the assets over to our management. There are no fees for the transfer. The process usually takes a week. Assets held directly at a mutual fund company may take longer.
Vericrest has clients all over the U.S.
Of course. However, we will need to meet in the Philadelphia area. Many of our clients live in different areas of the U.S., and we have never met in person. We communicate via phone, videoconferencing, and email. It’s efficient and cost effective.
First, the purpose of a client’s investment portfolio must take into account the client’s financial goals, risk tolerance, needs for current liquidity, and tax considerations.
Yes. Every client receives a financial plan. Following our initial meeting to establish your financial goals, your financial data is gathered and analyzed to determine your financial situation. A financial plan is then developed with recommendations on how best to meet your goals. Financial planning services are included in the management fee.
Contact our office to schedule a no-cost initial meeting. We will be happy to learn more about your financial goals and answer any questions you have about our services and investment philosophy and how these might serve your needs.