“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.” – Steve Jobs

Your questions. Our answers.

Here are some of the most frequent questions we hear from prospective clients. You can learn more about Blackhaw Wealth Management, LLC, our founder, the difference between a broker and a Registered Investment Advisor, the significance of the CFA charter, and much more.

Why should I choose you as my investment advisor?

What are Ian McAbeer's investment background, credentials and education that qualify him as a
financial advisor?

What is the difference between a broker and a Registered Investment Advisor?

What is a Chartered Financial Analyst and why should I insist on working with one?

How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services?

What financial institutions do you represent?

If you are going to manage my account, will you obtain my permission every time you buy or sell
an investment?

Do you offer guaranteed results?

Is there a minimum account size for new clients?

If I work with you, where will my investments be held?

Do I need to pay to meet with you?

Have you ever been charged with any breaches or had any regulatory action against you?

What's the story behind the name? What is Blackhaw?

I am interested in working with you, what happens next?

• Why should I choose you as my investment advisor?

You should choose Blackhaw Wealth Management as your financial advisor because we provide the exclusive investment expertise you want and deserve. We aren't distracted by affiliate or referral relationships nor are we in the business of selling high-fee products. Our purpose is to be your chief investment officer and trusted lifetime partner. We have many years of successful professional experience and manage our clients' investments as if they were our own - with diligence, thoughtfulness and professionalism.

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• What are Ian McAbeer's investment background, credentials and education that qualify him as a financial advisor?

Ian McAbeer has many years of professional experience making investments on behalf of- and managing portfolios for high net - worth clients. Prior to founding Blackhaw Wealth Management, Ian was the Director of Research and Investment Management for a family office investment company and private foundation. In this role he was responsible for all investment research and analysis, including fixed income, public equity, private equity, hedge funds, and foreign currency transactions.

Ian holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin (UT), with a concentration in finance and a specialization in investment management and security analysis. While at UT, Ian served as a Portfolio Manager to The MBA Investment Fund, LLC, a private investment company, and was a member of the Venture Capital Fellow. Ian is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) - the most rigorously-focused professional investment credential available.

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• What is the difference between a broker and a Registered Investment Advisor?

Many brokers refer to themselves as financial advisors or financial professionals but these titles are meaningless. Financial professionals are either broker-dealers, or Registered Investment Advisors. Registered Investment Advisors such as Blackhaw Wealth Management have a fiduciary duty to their clients and are legally required to always put their clients’ interests first. Brokers are merely held to a suitability standard; they do not have a fiduciary duty to their clients. Brokers sell financial products and make a commission for doing so. They have no legal obligation to put their clients' interests ahead of their own. Before you hire any financial professional, ask if they are a Registered Investment Advisor and if they have a fiduciary obligation.

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• What is a Chartered Financial Analyst and why should I insist on working with one?

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a professional credential that is awarded by the CFA Institute - a global association of investment professionals. The CFA charter is the most rigorously focused professional investment credential available and is only awarded to those demonstrating a very high level of ethical, educational and professional excellence.

Among other requirements, CFA Charterholders must pass three six-hour examinations over the course of three years, have four years of work experience in a direct investment decision-making role, and an undergraduate degree from an accredited university. The CFA curriculum focuses on economic, financial and quantitative analysis; valuation of equities, bonds and derivatives; alternative investments, portfolio management, and ethical standards of professional conduct.

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• How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services?

We are a fee-only financial advisor. Our clients pay us for the investment management services we provide to them. Our fee is tiered, beginning at 1% and declining thereafter based on the level of assets under management. We do not charge commissions or account fees and we never accept sales commissions, referral fees or any other form of compensation.

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• What financial institutions do you represent?

None. Blackhaw Wealth Management is a product-independent financial advisor and does not represent any other financial institutions. Having complete independence allows us to evaluate a broad range of investment opportunities and create tailored solutions for our clients.

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• If you are going to manage my account, will you obtain my permission every time you buy or sell an investment?

No. Unlike brokers and many other financial advisors, we only manage discretionary accounts. This means that we initiate transactions and manage financial assets on behalf of our clients. However, the decisions to buy or sell an investment within a client's account will be based on the mutually determined investment policy, so each client will always understand the context in which buy and sell investment decisions are being made.

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• Do you offer guaranteed results?

No.

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• Is there a minimum account size for new clients?

All prospective clients are welcome to have an initial conversation with us, but we will generally only engage in relationships with clients whose investable assets exceed $1,000,000.

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• If I work with you, where will my investments be held?

All assets are held at Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles Schwab & Co. Schwab Institutional is a leading custodial firm for independent financial advisors and provides us with access to a vast array of investment options at low cost. Furthermore, it is in our clients' best interest to have a third-party custodian of their assets for independent verification of positions and activity. Blackhaw Wealth Management never holds client assets in its own possession.

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• Do I need to pay to meet with you?

No, we will provide as many complimentary consultations as you need to make an informed decision. We recognize the importance of the decision to hire an investment advisor and encourage prospective clients to spend as much time as necessary to learn about our firm and our investment philosophy.

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• Have you ever been charged with any breaches or had any regulatory action
  against you?

No.

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• What's the story behind the name? What is Blackhaw?

Blackhaw is a small understory tree native to the U.S. In particular, a Rusty Blackhaw is native to Texas and has largely disappeared from the wild. The tree forms a dense, interwoven branch network with a sturdy structure, producing white flowers in the spring, dense foliage during the year, and small blue fruit in the fall. The Rusty Blackhaw is a sought-after ornamental tree among horticulturalists and landscape developers who value its uniqueness, durability and attractiveness.

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• I am interested in working with you, what happens next?

First, you should call, email, or complete the contact form so that we can schedule an initial consultation. We will then meet in person to review your financial situation and determine if there is a mutual fit between your needs and our capabilities.

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