1.Are you stockbrokers?
No, although we were once licensed as stockbrokers, we learned it is extraordinarily difficult to NOT think about getting a commission. We will NEVER be stockbrokers.

2.How do you get paid?
We are “fee-only”, which means we receive a fee that is based on the assets we manage for you. If the value of your account increases, our fee increases. If the value of your account decreases, our fee also decreases. We receive absolutely NO commissions!

3.Why is it important that you were trained as trust officers?
Several reasons – first, we understand the importance of carefully coordinating your investments with your estate plan. Second, trust officers are trained to always put the best interests of the client first.

4.How can a small firm like Bay Capital compete with the large firms?
Actually, it is the reverse. The large firms find it difficult to compete with Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), like us. They are limited in the “products” they can provide, while we are not. The number of RIAs has increased dramatically in the last few years. Some of the reasons driving this growth are (1) technology has greatly flattened the playing field, putting large firms with older systems at a big disadvantage, (2) the limited offering of the big firms, and (3) the Wall Street/Mutual Fund scandals have caused many private bankers to start their own firms, where they can adhere to higher fiduciary standards.

5.How can you spend more time on each of your clients than the banks or brokerage firms?
Simple – our practice is limited to only 25 clients per advisor. For years, the average private banker had 90-100 clients, while brokers often have over 1,000 clients each. Over the last few years, those averages have increased dramatically, to drive higher profit margins for the banks and brokerage companies. One private banker well known to us recently confirmed that his account load was 443 clients. Again, our practice is limited to only 25 clients per advisor. Our clients get the time and attention they deserve!

6.Why is it so important to coordinate investments with estate plan?
There are several reasons. It is simple to correctly title the investment accounts, but most financial advisors without a trust background don’t appreciate this detail. Doing it right usually makes it possible to avoid probate entirely. Another example is protecting the increasing market value from estate taxes. What is the point is making 10% annually on your portfolio, when estate tax can take as much as 55% of your portfolio, plus everything we earn for you?

7.Are you really available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Absolutely, we provide our clients with our home phone and cell phone. Like anybody, we don’t want to be called at night for a frivolous reason. But, if we are needed, we want the phone to ring.