WHAT YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR MAY HAVE NOT TOLD YOU

Independent Financial Advisers are professionals who offer unbiased advice on financial matters to their clients and recommend suitable financial investments.

It is a financial advisors obligation to look at a client's entire portfolio. Per "know your customer" rule, advisors should take the time to understand the client's existing portfolio as well as risk tolerance, time horizons and financial goals and objectives. In a pure, Modern-Portfolio Theory sense, it is accepted that diversification and asset allocation have been proven to increase long-term rewards and reduce short-term risk. Additionally, clients who achieve their goals with limited or manageable risk are happier clients. Therefore, it is important for financial advisors and investors to think outside their routine "box" of investments and be aware of ALL the ways to offer their clients true diversification.

Advisors should recognize that true diversification extends beyond a portfolio that holds even a carefully balanced array of market-traded assets. There are a wide variety of "alternative" investments that include things like mortgage deeds or notes, real property, liens and foreclosures, hard-money lending private equity investments, start ups, to name a few*

Typically, the vast majority of institutions offering IRA services do not allow for their clients to invest in alternative investments, and therefore do not promote the fact that clients can choose from a wide variety of investments options outside of traditional markets for their Retirement Account. Be aware of the large brokerage firms that claim to offer clients "self directed" IRAs. These accounts are typically only self-directed in the sense that clients make the investment decisions and choices independently (e.g. without the advice or discretion by the provider). In these institutions they restrict the "type" of investments to publicly traded investments. Prudent advisors and investors should be aware of the opportunities outside of market-traded assets, opportunities that are available within a self-directed retirement account (SDRA). These assets typically have no or low correlation to the financial markets. This means that they can provide more diversification in a portfolio while giving the client more investment options overall. Many investors have a better understanding of alternative investments and, therefore, may feel more secure in "investing in what they know".

To better serve clients needs and put client's best interest first, if an advisor doesn't actively offer their clients the opportunity to invest in alternative investments, they should at least be aware of other investment options and ideally be able to refer the client to someone who does.

*Some restrictions apply. It is important to consult with a professional regarding IRC Pub 590 regarding regulations before investing.**Securities offered through USWA, LLC, Member SIPC, and advisory services through USFA, LLC, a registered investment advisor.

Capital Market Solutions, LLC ("CMS") is a full service Financial Service Firm who is bridging the gap between traditional and non-traditional investing. They advise investors on ALL the investment opportunities that exist today for their retirement accounts. At CMS (through USWA), clients have the option to invest in tradition investments such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds to name a few. But CMS takes it one step further by also advising clients on non-traditional investments-something most banks, brokerage firms and other IRA sponsors won't permit you to do**.