Fiduciary Service: A formal and written commitment to put the client’s best interest ahead of the advisor’s compensation. You should also have a complete understanding of how your advisor is compensated. Not all financial advisors are fiduciaries!

Access and Communication: An advisor should be accessible for questions and meetings at whatever frequency and format works for you. In addition, they should be communicating strategy and updates in a manner that allows you to have at least an anecdotal understanding of what is happening and why it’s sensible in your situation. 

Advice Tailored to Your Situation: Your advisor may use the same investments or other financial products with many of their clients. However, the way investments or other strategies are used should be unique to your goals.

Coordination with CPA and other related professionals: A comprehensive financial plan generally involves integration of investments, taxes, cash flow and debt management, legal and estate planning, and insurance. A good advisor will be proactive in communicating with other professionals relevant to your financial plan. They should also be willing to consult with these other professionals if they lack expertise in a given area.

The MDA endorses DBS Investment Advisers, LLC. Call 989-686-6222, or contact Ted Schumann at ted.schumann@dbsia.net. DBSIA has a paid endorsement with the MDA. MDA is not a client of DBSIA, and has financial incentive to promote their services.

DBS has a financial arrangement to compensate the MDA for providing marketing services and promoting DBSIA’s services. This arrangement is compensated via quarterly checks and is not based off of client referrals.