The McMurtrey Financial Group

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.

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.

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.

We want to know

• Who you are
• Where you are, and
• Where you want to be