The McMurtrey Financial Group

Four Cornerstones of Wealth

We guide and counsel our clients through the accumulation, protection, and distribution stages of wealth by addressing the four cornerstones of wealth. Each cornerstone sets the foundation for an array of subjects, too numerous to list, but which include:

Investment Management

Managing Portfolio Risk
Non-Portfolio Risk Management
Retirement Income Strategies
Alternative Investments
Real Estate, Private Equity & Other Unique Assets

Non-Portfolio Risk Management

Life Insurance for Protection of Family
Life Insurance for Business Succession
Health, Disability and Long-Term Care Insurance
Property & Casualty Insurance
Personal Liability Insurance
Business & Professional Liability Insurance

Borrowing & Liability Management

Secured Lines of Credit
Education Financing
Business Financing
Specialty Financing

Estate Planning Strategies & Fiduciary Services

Legacy Planning with Wills and Trust
Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Planning Services
Titling & Beneficiary Designations
Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Healthcare Powers
Charitable Giving Strategies
Planning for Business Interest and Illiquid Assets

Investing in alternative investments may be speculative, illiquid and not suitable for all clients. They are intended for investors who meet certain criteria and are willing and able to bear the unique economic risks of the investment. Investors should consider whether such investments are suitable in the light of their individual financial situation. nsurance products are designed as long-term vehicles with stated objectives. The insurance product is an obligation of the issuing insurance company and not RBC Capital Markets, LLC nor its RBC Wealth Management division.  Any guarantees, warranties, or product benefits, including benefits allowed by riders, are subject to the claims-paying ability of the insurance company. Insurance products include charges such as administrative fees, annual contract fees, mortality and risk expense charges and may include surrender charges.  Expenses and fees of the product maybe subject to change and may fluctuate during the life of the contract. See contract or prospectus for details. RBC Capital Markets is acting as an agent for the underwriting insurance company. Insurance Products are underwritten by and policy approval is subject to the underwriting standards of the issuing insurance company and not RBC Capital Markets. The insurance company has the right to transfer or sell the insurance product to another insurance carrier, and in so doing, must inform the client at that time of the client’s right as a policy owner. Investments in variable products will fluctuate and values upon redemption may be less than the original amount invested. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of an annuity carefully before investing. Prospectuses containing this and other information about the annuity are available by contacting your RBC Wealth Management financial advisor. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing to make sure that the annuity is appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance.  Trust services are provided by third parties. RBC Wealth Management and/or your financial advisor may receive compensation in connection with offering or referring these services. Neither RBC Wealth Management nor its financial advisors are able to serve as trustee. Neither RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, nor its affiliates or employees provide legal, accounting or tax advice. All legal, accounting or tax decisions regarding your accounts and any transactions or investments entered into in relation to such accounts, should be made in consultation with your independent advisors. No information, including but not limited to written materials, provided by RBC WM or its affiliates or employees should be construed as legal, accounting or tax advice. Tailored loans are offered through Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC’s) New York Branch, an affiliate of RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC. Products and services offered by RBC’s New York Branch are subject to their terms and conditions. RBC Wealth Management and/or its employees may receive compensation from RBC Wealth Management for referring clients to RBC’s New York Branch. Securities-based loans involve special risks and are not suitable for everyone. You should review the provisions of any agreement and related disclosures, and consult with your own independent tax and legal advisors about any questions you have prior to using securities-based loans or lines of credit. Additional restrictions may apply. This material is being provided for educational or informational purposes only and does not take into account any client or prospective client’s objectives or financial situation. Securities-based loans involve special risks and are not suitable for everyone. You should review the provisions of any agreement and related disclosures, and consult with your own independent tax and legal advisors about any questions you have prior to using securities-based loans or lines of credit. Additional restrictions may apply. Subject to credit approval. RBC Wealth Management and/or your financial advisor may receive compensation in conjunction with offering or referring these services. If borrower is an irrevocable trust, the Trustee cannot be RBC or its affiliates. Borrowing against the cash surrender value of an insurance policy may subject the policyholder to financial risk, including the potential loss of policy coverage, in an event of default under the loan agreement. RBC Wealth Management is not a bank. Where appropriate, RBC Capital Markets, LLC has entered into arrangements with the Royal Bank of Canada to help facilitate and service your securities-based line of credit. Neither RBC Wealth Management, nor its affiliates or employees provide legal, accounting or tax advice. All legal, accounting or tax decisions regarding your accounts and any transactions or investments entered into in relation to such accounts, should be made in consultation with your independent advisors. No information, including but not limited to written materials, provided by RBC WM or its affiliates or employees should be construed as legal, accounting or tax advice.

Our Investment Philosophy

We are optimistic about the future – maintaining a strategic mindset, yet tactical when circumstances warrant. We believe successful, long-term investing requires the discipline and self-control to:

• Not chase past performance.
• Not try to time the market.
• Not be influenced by market “noise.”
• Not make rash decisions unduly influenced by emotions.

Our Investment Process

We help a select group of clients build, manage, and protect their wealth by –

• Developing investment plans that serve their unique and evolving needs and ability to assume risks.
• Broadly diversifying portfolios of investments selected through evidence-based research and stringent due diligence.
• Utilizing cost-effective and tax-considerate investment solutions and strategies.
• Reviewing and evaluating the performance of their plans and suggesting adjustments as necessarily based upon material changes in market conditions and material changes in the lives of our clients and their families.
• Our advice is independent and tempered with a conservative, cost-conscious approach.

Our Approach

Personal Communication

Contrary to how many financial firms are delivering their services with increased emphasis on technology, automation, artificial intelligence, and a diminished role for their advisors, we remain steadfast in honoring and strengthening the value of personal relationships with our clients.

Of course, we utilize innovative technology and automation to increase efficiency and productivity; however, the one true differentiator in financial services is personal communication, the cornerstone of all successful relationships. That is something no robo-advisor can emulate, and sadly which too many financial advisors deem unimportant.

Listening

Discussions about money – whether between spouses; parents and their children; adult children and aging parents; business partners and employees; and between people and their financial advisors – can be difficult. Talking about money can be complicated, embarrassing, and messy. The messages sent can be unclear, judgmental, or misinterpreted.

That is why our goals-based financial planning process always begins with humble inquiry, not an interrogation. We are sincerely and genuinely interested in our clients. Understanding each client’s unique situation – their feelings, emotions, and perspectives – is a critical starting point to rendering sound
financial advice and counsel.

Our clients will always find a safe, empathetic, confidential listening space in our offices and in every interaction.

Collaboration

With our clients’ permission, we work closely with their other professional advisors – estate planning and legal counsel; tax and accounting professionals; insurance representatives; and healthcare providers.

Drawing upon the expertise and experience of these individuals, in addition to the specialists on our Client Strategies team, fosters the development and implementation of creative and effective solutions and strategies to complex financial problems.

We are also pleased to provide clients with a select list of professional service providers for their consideration and; if requested, we will assist them in the interview and selection process.

Foundations of Trust

There is nothing more important to us than earning our clients’ trust. It is the foundation of every relationship. Trust emanates from actions small and large, and embodies our guiding principles:

Competency

We bring our knowledge and experience to every client relationship rendering our judgment with care, skill, and caution.

Compassion

Relationships are personal. They are so much more than spreadsheets and net worth statements. We are sincerely interested in our clients’ feelings and emotions about their wealth and what it means to them. We listen to our clients to understand, not to judge or determine if we agree or disagree.

Collaboration

Drawing upon the knowledge, experience, and insights of our colleagues and business advisors, counselors, and subject matter experts outside of the firm helps ensure that we never get complacent or automatically default to the status quo. Collaboration means that we are always challenging ourselves to find better ways to serve our clients.

Character

We know what is right and what is wrong, and that there is no in between. If something is worth doing, we do it well, and we finish whatever we start no matter how hard or how long it takes. We believe the best “things” in life are not things, they are families, friends, the experiences of life, and seeing our clients realize joy, happiness, purpose, and meaning in their lives.

Clarity

Listening to our clients is paramount. Then, when it is time for us to speak, we promise to be clear, concise and speak in plain English without technical jargon.

Consistency

Giving our best efforts is what our clients expect from us and what we expect from each other. Every interaction is an opportunity to make a positive impact on our clients’ lives and leave them feeling better.

Community

We pledge to be respectful and involved citizens in our community fostering the arts and sciences, education, and financial literacy.

Connection

Our practice has grown almost entirely by referral which we believe is a result of the bonds we have forged with our clients. Whether at our clients’ sides in times of celebration or setback, our actions speak for themselves.

Courage

We will always tell our clients what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. We are prudent risk takers, who take responsibility for our actions and learn from our mistakes.

Commitment

Our greatest joy is helping our clients see their goals – their vision – come to fruition. That is what drives us and brings fulfillment and purpose to our work.

Michael McMurtrey, AAMS®

Senior Vice President - Financial Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager

314-410-6915 314-285-5842

Michael serves a select group of clients – individuals, families, business owners, and institutions – helping them build, manage, and protect their wealth. He’s there for his clients through all the transitions of life, planned and unplanned, providing prudent counsel and advice on investment and wealth management issues.

His practice focuses on financial planning; asset management; financing, liability management; non-portfolio risk management; and estate planning and charitable giving servcies.

Listening to his clients is the cornerstone of every client relationship. With a deep understanding of each client’s unique situation, he studies, tests, analyzes, and develops recommendations to help them achieve their objectives.

Michael earned a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.S. in Finance from St. Louis University. He is an Accredited Asset Management Specialist, AAMS®, and has years of experience developing and managing quantitative investment portfolios for institutional investors. While Michael enjoys the technical aspects of financial planning, he has a knack for simplifying complex concepts and speaking in plain English, without a lot of technical jargon.

Michael believes two (or more) heads are better than one, which is why he reaches out to and collaborates with his colleagues on RBC’s Client Strategies Team, in addition to his clients’ legal, tax, and business advisors, to consider the best ways to serve his clients.

With his clients’ permission, he implements solutions and strategies in an objective, tax-efficient, and cost-effective manner. Then, he evaluates the progress of those plans and reaches out to his clients to discuss adjustments when there are material changes in the markets, tax laws, and, of course, whenever there are material changes – those transitions – in his clients’ lives.

The only thing more important to Michael than his clients, is his family. However, they serve as constant reminders of the impact that his work has on his clients and their families – now and for generations to come.

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Four Cornerstones of Wealth

We guide and counsel our clients through the accumulation, protection, and distribution stages of wealth by addressing the four cornerstones of wealth. Each cornerstone sets the foundation for an array of subjects, too numerous to list, but which include:

Investment Management

Non-Portfolio Risk Management

Borrowing & Liability Management

Estate Planning Strategies & Fiduciary Services

Our Investment Philosophy

Our Investment Process

Our Approach

Personal Communication

Listening

Collaboration

Foundations of Trust

Competency

Compassion

Collaboration

Character

Clarity

Consistency

Community

Connection

Courage

Commitment

Michael McMurtrey, AAMS®

Latest Insights

Ten key discussion points for your mid-year review

How my father’s dementia diagnosis woke me up to the real cost of care

American economic milestones: A look back at 250 years of U.S. financial history

Reflecting on America’s 250th: What financial freedom means today and how to achieve it

China’s economy in a time of uncertainties

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The McMurtrey Financial Group difference

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