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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is your target client profile?
- What is the portfolio value of your typical client account and what is their net worth?
- How are you different from other firms?
- What is your best client fit?
- Who would not be a good client for Optivest?
- How are you compensated?
- Do you take discretion over my assets?
- Will you work with my existing legal and tax advisors?
- Is Optivest financially stable?
- Whom are you regulated by?
1. What is your target client profile?
We work with wealthy individuals and families. We also have the capabilities and expertise of working with foundations, endowments and pensions plans. Our target clients are usually business owners in the process of selling their firms and looking to live on their investment portfolio. We also work with others who are retired or building an investment portfolio to retire on. Most of our clients lead active lifestyles unrelated to spending their time managing their life savings as a full time profession.
2. What is the portfolio value of your typical client account and what is their net worth?
Our average managed account is between $3 and $15 million, although we have several accounts considerably above these levels. Most of our clients have a net worth in the tens of millions and a few over one hundred million.
3. How are you different from other firms?
Since 1987, we have focused on building very diversified investment portfolios that are targeted to produce steady absolute annual returns in the 6-8% range without the volatility typically associated with the stock and bond markets. We do this by balancing each client's unique liquidity, income, risk/return and estate requirements with a blend of extraordinary equity and debt managers, hedged and un-hedged funds, and income and growth real estate. Mark Van Mourick, CEO and Chief Investment Officer, is a large investor himself and often invests side by side with our clients. Our superior and dedicated customer service is attributed to a senior investment staff that has an average of 21 years of industry experience vs. the rotating staff of most banks, trust companies and brokerage firms, and it shows in the long term tenure of our clients.
4. What is your best client fit?
Our best fit is with people who value and rely on expert counsel to help them manage life. We also seem to be most attractive to clients who gravitate toward top industry professionals who pursue their own specialty business vs. large institutional firms which serve thousands of clients.
5. Who would not be a good client for Optivest?
Over the years we have found that people who want to actively trade their own account or “co-manage” are not a good fit for Optivest. Neither are clients who want or expect returns above 15% per year and have high risk tolerances associated with those returns.
6. How are you compensated?
We work off of an industry standard asset fee schedule of 1% on the first million dollars, .75% on amounts between $1-5 million and .50% there after (with a negotiated fee on assets over $10 million). If there is an appropriate no load product available, it will be recommended. We normally use Schwab Discount Brokerage accounts for trading, but receive no compensation from those trades. If private placement vehicles are used in the portfolio, we have security licenses that entitle us to share in the sponsor’s fees.
7. Do you take discretion over my assets?
Only on the portion of the portfolio that is at a brokerage firm. Most assets are directed, under the client's signature, to third party specialty managers who maintain separate accounts in each client’s name. We have no direct access to client funds except to collect our management fees.
8. Will you work with my existing legal and tax advisors?
Yes, as true and dedicated wealth managers, we oversee your "advisory team" and encourage frequent meetings to co-ordinate and synchronize the various aspects of estate and tax planning. We value and recognize the synergistic benefits for our clients.
9. Is Optivest financially stable?
Since 1987, Optivest has been a profitable and stable firm. Most recently, we have enjoyed prosperity and large profitability, much of which has been invested back into our firm’s infrastructure and staff development. Optivest is not transaction oriented and requires no new accounts to be profitable. Our growth is deliberate and selective as we invest considerable time and care into every client’s financial well being.
10. By Whom Are You Regulated?
We are a registered Investment Advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We also hold a California Broker/Dealer license along with offering securities through the FINRA regulated broker/dealer Gramercy Securities, Inc. (800-333-7450, P.O. Box 1059 Charlestown, RI 02813) We are regulated by the SEC and FINRA and our brokerage accounts are protected by SIPC insurance.