MATRIX360™ Financial Planning Services Fees and Investment Advisory Fees
For more detailed information on firm fees, please see the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A.
Connemara Group receives no fees or revenue from any sources other than its clients.
Connemara Group does not receive commissions, trailing fees, revenue sharing fees, or any other such types of fees. The firm does not pay for client referrals.
In general, initial MATRIX360™ financial planning services engagements are performed for a fixed fee of $6,995-$12,995 based upon estimated time required and complexity of specific engagements. A firm quote is provided in advance and must be accepted in writing by prospective clients before detailed work begins.
Fixed Fees for initial MATRIX360™ financial planning services engagements are generally waived for clients who, immediately upon conclusion of initial MATRIX360® financial planning reviews, elect to become ongoing clients of the firm pursuant to the firm’s ultra-low-cost assets-under-management (AUM) fee schedule as set forth in the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A and remain clients of the firm for a period of at least three (3) years.
In general, ongoing MATRIX360™ financial planning and investment advisory services are provided according to the following ultra-low assets-under-management fee schedule:
$0-$2,000,000 – 50 basis points (1/2 of 1%, where 1 basis point = 1/100 of 1%)
$2,000,001-$10,000,000 – 40 basis points
$10,000,001-$20,000,000 – 30 basis points
$20,000,001 and above – 20 basis points
In general, ongoing MATRIX360™ financial planning and investment advisory services fees for relationships of more than $5,000,000 in assets-under-management are capped at maximum fixed amounts agreed to in advance by the firm and its clients.
Fees for ongoing MATRIX360™ personal financial planning services are included in fees paid by all clients receiving ongoing MATRIX360® investment advisory services pursuant to the firm’s no frills, ultra-competitive assets-under-management (AUM) fee schedule.
In down markets, ongoing MATRIX360™ financial planning and investment advisory services fees decline. In up markets, ongoing MATRIX360™ financial planning and investment advisory services fees are capped above $5,000,000 in assets-under-management.
Connemara Group is committed to providing often helpful and sometimes essential MATRIX360™ investment advisory services on a no-frills, ultra-low fee basis. The firm works with its clients to manage individual household portfolios collaboratively with client input on a custom bespoke basis, often using low-cost Vanguard and/or Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) low-cost exchange traded funds (ETFs) and handful of individual securities. Prospective clients should be committed to minimal trading in accounts other than for annual portfolio rebalancing, year-end tax loss harvesting, and related portfolio management activities.
Schwab and Fidelity have been selected as the firm’s institutional custodians to hold firm-managed client accounts. Clients retain access to these accounts and can conduct transactions without Connemara Group’s assistance. Inappropriate or excessive transactions may lead to termination of the MATRIX360™ investment advisory services relationship, however.
Connemara Group will advise but not bill on “held-away” accounts that cannot or should not be moved to firm management for MATRIX360™ investment advisory services at the present time. For example, many clients have active 401(k), 403(b), TSP, deferred compensation arrangements, and other accounts that cannot or should not be moved to firm management. Additionally, on a case-by-case basis, certain retired clients may be best advised to keep former employer retirement accounts where they are pending other decisions.
Connemara Group does not advise or bill on “held-away” accounts that clients prefer to manage themselves or that are managed without firm oversight by professional third-party investment advisory firms.
Prospective clients are invited to compare Connemara Group’s fee schedule for MATRIX360™ financial planning services and MATRIX360™ investment advisory services with fees charged elsewhere. It is important to do the math and understand the implications.
Prospective clients must also decide for themselves: Do we really need the mahogany walls, deep carpet, and tasteful décor present in the offices of many top shelf firms? (Remember, you are paying for that pricey rent and furnishings.) Do we even need to meet with our advisors in a formal office setting if we can meet with them from time-to-time over lunch or in a shared (co-working) environment?
Connemara Group advisors conduct all quantitative, analytical reviews exclusively virtually. Clients still often like to meet in person, however, to discuss more qualitative planning and investment issues, including household goals and priorities. Certain senior level Connemara Group advisors accommodate the needs and preferences of these clients by meeting with them over lunch in Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Washington DC, and Tysons Corner. The firm also has meeting locations available through co-working space provided by Carr Workplaces in Bethesda, Washington DC, and Tysons Corner. Some advisors also travel and visit with clients in person nationally and internationally.
In down markets and in low real (net of inflation) return environments, costs matter. In fact, they can make all the difference.