FAQ

Independence

What does “independent” mean?

As an independent firm, we own 100% of our business. We are not subject to a corporate agenda and we don’t need to put the concerns of shareholders above the best interests of our clients. To provide our clients with the services we offer, we are Registered Representatives of Sanctuary Securities Inc. (Member FINRA, SIPC) and Investment Advisor Representatives of Sanctuary Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. These two firms are part of the holding company Sanctuary Wealth, and when we refer to Sanctuary Wealth or Sanctuary, we include the complete regulatory platform of these entities. Technically, “JDK Wealth Management” is a DBA, or brand name, of Sanctuary Securities, Inc. and Sanctuary Advisors, LLC; however, we own 100% of our firm.

Why did we choose to be part of Sanctuary Wealth’s elite advisor network?

We are able to leverage the technology, tools, and standardized processes available through Sanctuary that help maximize scalability and manage risk so that we can reinvest time where it matters most—with our clients. Sanctuary is a hybrid platform, that is, it is an investment advisor as well as a broker-dealer, which opens up the range of products we can offer our clients. By partnering with Sanctuary, we will also deliver operational excellence to our clients; have a strong culture of compliance; and offer a robust cybersecurity program, which will safeguard the assets clients entrust to our guidance. Sanctuary also provides us with access to a solid community of like-minded, elite independent financial advisors. Together we share best practices and can tap into the community’s intellectual capital to deliver more specialized expertise to clients.

Why did you choose to go independent and start your own firm?

The primary reason we chose to launch our independent firm was to better serve our clients. Nothing matters more to us than serving our clients, period. Our new model allows us the latitude to streamline our focus and devote all resources towards enhancing the wealth management client experience, free from competing obligations or barriers.

What are the advantages of being an independent wealth management firm?

With the freedom created by launching our own independent firm, we now have:

  • Complete objectivity and freedom to design a truly client-centric service model and experience
  • Full access to the most innovative technology
  • Complete financial control of our business to reinvest capital into solutions and first-class professionals, enhancing the client experience and service model
  • Best-in-class planning and strategic solutions
  • The opportunity to design a goals-based investment approach and strategy that is disciplined yet versatile and dynamic
  • A truly open-architecture platform of client-centric tools, resources, and solutions
  • Strategic partnerships that allow us to build and grow the business around our clients’ needs yet provide the size, strength, and resources required to support our vision

Are there services or solutions that you will be unable to provide in your new firm?

Not at all. In fact, we will be able to enhance the level of service and solutions you have come to expect, as well as expand into additional services, because of our relationship with Sanctuary Wealth. In addition to investment management, financial planning, we can now help our clients access tax planning and preparation, as well as private banking and lending, through the Sanctuary platform.

What will be different at your new firm, and how will I benefit?

Our new structure allows for the expansion of many processes, services, technologies, and solutions. We will be able to offer you an enhanced array of financial solutions – placing your best interests first, in fulfillment of our fiduciary duty. You will benefit from our new model in an abundance of ways, and specifically in these three areas:

  • Access to a Broader Marketplace: Previously, we could only recommend products offered through or approved by our firm, regardless of whether better solutions were offered elsewhere. As an independent firm, we can now provide truly objective and tailored financial advice. Our interests are aligned with those of our clients, so we are now incentivized only to find the best solutions for you and to negotiate the best rates and terms on your behalf.
  • Robust Planning Solutions: As the nature of our wealth management services is to emphasize the important role of sound planning, we now utilize an industry-leading planning tool called eMoney. eMoney has robust capabilities that allow our clients, as well as our team, to incorporate complete financial information in real time into a personalized wealth management plan - including assets held at other firms. Furthermore, eMoney has a secure, user-friendly “Vault” which allows you to safely store important documents, such as trusts, wills, tax filings, insurance documents, titles, etc. You can choose to share the uploaded documents with our team, whenever it is helpful for us to have them.
  • Exceptional Client Service: Our priority is to meet your service needs promptly and professionally. As our clients have come to expect, we personalize and cater to the needs of each specific situation. Given that fact, any proposed change in our approach or your account will be discussed thoroughly in the context of your specific situation. We look to collaborate with you on how to best pursue your financial and investment goals. We will fully support the strategy and approach you are most comfortable with.

Is establishing an independent firm unusual in the wealth management profession?

It is not unusual and is actually more common than you may think. Independence is incredibly appealing to client-centric, fiduciary advisors because it removes corporate barriers that may limit the ability to innovate, enhance, and invest in the client experience. By moving from a "professional seller" to a "professional buyer," more and more advisors are able to deliver on the promises they make to their clients every day. The movement away from a corporate model to a more client-centric model in the independent space is, and has been, a long-term trend.

Why didn't you tell me about this move before you changed firms?

While we wish we could have discussed this decision and received client counsel prior to our transition, the regulations in our industry prevented us from doing so. In order to uphold all regulatory requirements protecting client privacy, we are held to the information confidentiality rules outlined in The Broker Protocol agreement, which includes discussing a pending move. Furthermore, we are also aware that while we see ourselves as accountable first and foremost to our clients, broker-dealers typically see themselves as holding that primary relationship with you. This poses the risk of significant issues in the event that we disclose our intention to bring our clients to a new firm.

Custodian For Your Assets

Will my assets be safe?

The safety and security of your assets is of supreme importance to us. With that in mind, and after a rigorous due diligence process, we have selected Charles Schwab as our Custodian. Charles Schwab's infrastructure, research, technology, and service made it a great fit for our clients. We were incredibly impressed with the measures they take to protect client assets, and we were reassured by their strength, size, and reputation in the industry. One of the largest and most trusted custody firms in the country, they have generated more than $11 billion in net revenues and $3.6 trillion in total client assets. The United States government has deemed Charles Schwab one of the country's nine systematically important financial institutions.

Investing

Will the way you manage money change in any way?

The core philosophy we use to manage your assets as customized to your needs will not change. However, certain capabilities, including enhanced interactive financial planning, as well as a greater availability of investment options and investment strategies created by the broader access of the Sanctuary platform, will improve and will likely result in updated recommendations in the future. Some of the outside asset managers we use will change. However, we will discuss those changes with you before making them, and they will not result in an immediate change to your investments.

Fiduciary Standard

Will you continue to be fiduciaries at your new firm?

Absolutely. We believe that being a fiduciary is not just a legal requirement but a mindset and philosophy that is woven into the fabric of our firm. Our duty to our clients is non-negotiable and sits at the core of who we are as professional advisors. In fact, we believe independence allows us to elevate our duty to the next level, becoming a true advocate and steward with an even deeper level of care and dedication.

Transition

What can I expect during the transition process?

The total process will take approximately two weeks from the date you return our Welcome Packet transition paperwork to our team, and we will do everything we can to ensure the transition is a positive experience. It’s likely you will receive a call from our old firm asking you to initiate a relationship with a randomly assigned advisor, who will claim to be able to serve you better. We sincerely believe that the opportunity to retain a longstanding relationship with proven commitment to your individual needs, combined with the newly available benefits of working with our new independent firm, will outweigh any inconvenience posed by the transition itself.

How can I reach your team?

Our new office is located at:
9830 Colonnade Blvd, Suite 290
San Antonio, TX 78230

Here is our updated contact information: