Individual and Corporate Investment Management
The construction of an individualized investment portfolio has its foundation on our Strategic and Tactical core themes. We believe that incorporating the macroeconomic big picture and independent entrepreneurial thinking together with economic and market analytics produces a more realistic picture of the world we operate in. Our philosophy is shaped by our experience and these critical insights:
The mainstream financial industry:
- Tends to orient to valuation or technical analysis rarely both
- Follows conventional asset allocation models
- Accepts government economic statistics as 100% credible and incorporates them into asset allocation strategies
- Tends to be USA centric
- Accepts Keynesian economics as sustainable
- Is driven by a sales culture instead of a being consultative
- Prefers the safety of the herd
We believe it is advantageous over the long term to stand independent of mainstream behavior.
Macro Perspective
Various big picture views filter into an overall view.
and Analysis Our Perspective
Portfolio Design
Investment
Selection Mason McBride
Capital Advisors
Research & Analysis
We subscribe to several independent research and analytical publications that are outside the mainstream financial media. They cover geopolitical, economic, financial and business topics from both a domestic and international perspective. These analysts have an economic philosophy consist with ours and have demonstrated keen insights over the years on the direction of the macroeconomic forces and developing geopolitical conditions. We aggregate these view to produce a general direction of trends and reconcile differences of opinion.
In addition to the external resources we incorporate our insights and experience to help shape the prospective environment for opportunities and risks. Our clients touch a broad spectrum of industries providing us insight on emerging business trends and real world on the ground feedback on the economy. We believe merging external analysis with front line experience helps provide a more robust picture of business and economic conditions.
The assortment of investment choices available is staggering. The number of funds, individual securities, managed platforms etc creates a near unlimited option of configurations. To effectively filter the options, we utilize a variety of tools including those provided by our broker-dealer to identify best alternatives.
The specific asset allocation strategy and design resides with our team in consultation with the client. We analyse over two dozen factors on a quarterly or as need basis covering technical trends, valuation models, monetary factors and economic conditions. The factors are weighted and distilled into our proprietary model to generate a model portfolio that provides a portfolio structure for a variety of risk appetites.
Micro Perspective
We analyze the smaller trends and identify alternatives to build a model to fit the macro perspective.
Retirement Plans
The consulting services function is designed to listen and learn about what is important to you and your business. Mason-McBride Capital Advisors, LLC will dedicate the necessary consulting services time on issues and concerns surrounding the retirement plan and administration strategy. We will customize a project management schedule to your specific time frame and begin the first step to integrate your retirement plan strategy into a total business solution. Our approach is to rank, in order of importance, what will maximize the value of the retirement plan and administration for the costs incurred and to set forth the goals, objectives and tasks associated with accomplishing what is valuable to you, not just the value added through our services.
Plan Design
Plan Design services may be as simple as purchasing “off the rack” or as complex as purchasing the fabric for a tailored suit and incorporating the following steps:
- Identification and understanding of current plan design features and choices
- Analysis of what you intended to design vs. your actual design and the results obtained
- Diagnosis of the unintended consequences of your plan design
- Assistance with solutions that, provided in the form of alternatives, allow you to move your plan design into alignment with your goals
Vendor Strategies, Analysis and Benchmarking
Vendor strategies are the most intriguing variable in the overall construction of a 401(K) plan. The number of feasible plan providers within a specific market will often reflect their target group demographic. Considerations are given to the Vendor’s ability to deliver:
- Recordkeeping
- Technology Services
- Employee Communications
- Compliance
- Investment Management
- Cost
- Other miscellaneous items
Annual Fiduciary Review
ERISA 404(a) and 404(c) is designed to provide protection for retirement assets. ERISA 404(a) addresses fiduciary duties and 404(c) focuses on protections for plan participant investment decisions. A fiduciary under ERISA includes the Plan Sponsor, Administrator, Investment Advisor and anyone who exercises authority or control over management of the plan or its administration. An annual review of the plan and its assets by the plan sponsor is necessary to help ensure:
- Diversification of investment options
- Fund performance is in alignment with plan goals
- Adequate and effective communication
- Records are adequately maintained
Business Owner and Executive Strategies
Business owners or corporate executives often seek additional retirement vehicles that provide key individuals an opportunity to diversify their retirement assets as well as help reduce asset concentration. Corporations find these strategies helpful as performance incentives as well as assisting their master Human Resource strategy of attracting and retaining key executives.
Typically these strategies utilize a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) and are funded with a variable investment vehicle. We work with you and legal counsel to design a SERP and funding vehicle that helps target your unique objectives.