Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fintegrity?
Fintegrity is a registered investment adviser (RIA) regulated by the New Jersey Bureau of Securities. We provide investment management and personalized financial planning services to families throughout the United States who are investing between $2 million and $25 million.
What makes Fintegrity different?
Fintegrity vs. Typical RIA
Aspect
Typical RIA
Who do you typically work with?
We serve individuals, families, and business owners across the United States who prioritize disciplined investment strategies and thoughtful financial planning. Our clients typically invest between $2 million and $25 million and include retirees, corporate executives, professionals, inheritance recipients, and those navigating significant life transitions.
How do I get started?
The first step is a complimentary introductory conversation. We’ll learn about your goals, explain our process, and determine whether we’re a good fit to work together.
What does it mean to be a "registered investment adviser?
Key Differences: Obligation and Accountability
Discretionary Authority and Investment Control
Fintegrity operates as a discretionary account manager, meaning clients authorize Fintegrity to make investment decisions on their behalf without seeking approval for each trade. This authority is granted through a written agreement that outlines investment objectives, risk tolerance, and constraints.
Broker-dealers can offer discretionary accounts as well, typically marketed as “wrap accounts” where all fees are bundled into one charge. However, the key difference is that Fintegrity’s discretionary authority is exercised under fiduciary obligation, while a broker-dealer’s discretionary authority is exercised under the suitability standard.
Banks offering trust services also exercise discretionary authority, but the scope is constrained by trust documents and regulatory requirements, and trustees may have less flexibility than investment advisers in adjusting allocations to capture new opportunities
Fee Structures and Transparency
Fintegrity charges transparent, asset-based fees and receives no commissions from brokers, banks, insurance companies, or product manufacturers. This fee model aligns Fintegrity’s interests directly with client interests—the firm benefits when client assets grow, not when clients trade frequently or purchase high-commission products.
Broker-dealers earn commissions on each trade and from products sold, creating incentives that may not align with client interests.
Banks employ varied compensation models, often bundling advisory services with lending and deposit products. This creates multiple revenue streams and can encourage the bank to recommend its own products rather than those best suited to the client.
How does Fintegrity differ from a broker or bank?
As an RIA, we are held to a fiduciary standard—meaning we are legally and ethically obligated to put your best interests first. This is the highest standard of care in the financial industry. Our registration with the New Jersey Bureau of Securities ensures we meet regulatory requirements designed to protect investors and our information is publicly listed on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) website at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/brochure/292421
What services do you provide?
We offer investment management, comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, tax-aware strategies, sustainable monthly income, estate planning coordination, and ongoing guidance to help you make informed decisions.
What is your investment philosophy?
Fintegrity builds disciplined, diversified portfolios grounded in behavioral finance—recognizing that investor psychology can create opportunities beyond fundamentals. We tailor strategies to each client’s goals, rebalance with discretion, and favor high-quality businesses and investment-grade bonds to preserve wealth, manage risk, and achieve lasting growth.
What types of investments do you recommend?
We construct diversified portfolios through a disciplined, evidence-based approach. Your investments are shaped by your personal goals, preferences, risk tolerance, and time horizon—never by commissions or product incentives. We primarily invest directly in individual stocks and bonds to build your portfolio, but may use exchange traded funds and other vehicles, as appropriate.
How do you customize your advice?
We begin by understanding your goals, preferences, and financial situation. From there, we design strategies tailored to your needs—whether that’s preserving wealth, pursuing growth, planning for retirement, or creating a legacy for future generations
How are you compensated?
As a fee-only advisor, our sole compensation comes directly from our clients. This ensures impartiality, as we never earn commissions or receive incentives from external parties. Our fee structure is transparent, determined either as a percentage of assets under management or a flat planning fee, tailored to the specifics of each engagement.
What does it mean that Fintegrity is "fee-only"?
Fintegrity is exclusively paid by clients and accepts no compensation, such as commissions or bonuses, for selling financial products. This removes the incentive to recommend one investment over another and leads to more objective, client-focused advice.
How are fees calculated and billed?
Fintegrity’s Investment management fees are calculated based on the daily value of your assets under management and are billed quarterly in arrears using a tiered fee structure:
- 1.00% annually on the first $1 million
- 0.75% annually on the next $4 million
- 0.50% annually on the next $5 million
- 0.25% annually on amounts over $10 million
For example, a $12 million portfolio would have an effective annual fee of 0.58%.
Our financial planning services are a separate service from investment management and start at $10,000. Investment management clients receive a $5,000 credit toward their investment fees. For ongoing support, continuous planning is available via a monthly retainer, with costs tailored to the scope of the engagement.
What is Interactive Brokers' role as custodian?
Interactive Brokers serves as the independent safeguard of your assets, holding them separate from Fintegrity’s operations and from Interactive Brokers’ own business. The custodian arrangement provides multiple layers of protection:
- Legal segregation of your assets from both the adviser and custodian’s creditors
- Direct quarterly statements sent to you for independent verification
- Annual surprise audits by independent accountants
- Regulatory capital requirements ensuring Interactive Brokers’ financial stability
- Insurance and indemnification protecting against custodian losses. This protects against a custodian’s insolvency, but not clients’ market losses. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal
- Transparent, zero-fee custody services that align costs with your interests
- Automated settlement and clearing ensuring accurate and timely transaction completion
When you work with Fintegrity, your assets are never “in” Fintegrity’s hands—they remain in your possession at Interactive Brokers. Fintegrity manages them as your discretionary adviser, but the ultimate safekeeping and control flow through a qualified custodian designed to protect you if either Fintegrity or Interactive Brokers encounters difficulties.
How can a financial plan help me?
A financial plan brings clarity and organization to your wealth. It helps you evaluate scenarios—such as retiring at different ages, purchasing a property, or changing your investments—and shows how those decisions affect your long-term goals. It turns complexity into confidence.
Can you help with tax and estate planning?
Yes. While we do not prepare tax returns or draft legal documents, we integrate tax-aware strategies into your financial plan and coordinate with your CPA and attorney to ensure a cohesive approach.
How often will we meet?
We typically meet with clients at least annually to review progress and update plans. However, we are available throughout the year upon request and whenever life changes or new opportunities arise.
What technology do you use to work with clients?
We use secure digital platforms for live account access, document sharing, and virtual meetings. This allows us to serve clients seamlessly, whether they are local or across the country.
Do I need to live in New Jersey to work with you?
No. While Fintegrity is domiciled in New Jersey, we serve clients throughout the United States. Meetings can be held virtually or in person, depending on your preference.
How do you protect client information?
We take confidentiality and data security seriously. All client information is safeguarded through secure systems and protocols that comply with regulatory standards.
What happens if I already have accounts elsewhere?
We can transfer accounts for Fintegrity to manage, as appropriate.
What disclosures should I review before becoming a client?
Before becoming a Fintegrity client, prospective clients should carefully review the following key disclosures:
- Form ADV Part 2A (Firm Brochure): Comprehensive information about Fintegrity’s business, services, fees, conflicts, and risks
- Form ADV Part 2B (Brochure Supplement): Background and qualifications of advisory personnel who will serve you
- Investment Management Agreement: The contract establishing the terms of your relationship with Fintegrity
- Privacy Notice: How Fintegrity collects, uses, and protects your personal information
- Interactive Brokers Custodial Documents: Account agreements, risk disclosures, margin disclosures (if applicable), and options disclosures (if applicable)
Taking time to read and understand these documents will help you make an informed decision about entrusting Fintegrity with the management of your assets. If anything is unclear, you should ask questions before signing any agreements or transferring assets.
How do I contact you?
Contact Fintegrity at 201-266-6829, jeff@fintegrity.com, or conveniently schedule an appointment through the Calendly link on Fintegrity.com. We look forward to connecting with you.