Case Studies
Successful Entrepreneur Wanted to Focus His Time on Disease Charity
At 53 years old, the owner of a fast-growing small business is looking to spend less time on running his business. He’d like to travel, finance personal interests, and focus on finding a treatment for a disease that affects a family member.
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Initial Situation
Client, 53 years old; spouse, 49 years old
Married with 2 children, 19 and 9 years old
Runs a very successful, fast growing small business valued at roughly $500 million
$2,000,000 investment portfolio (non-diversified)
Life Objectives
Pass maximum amount of accumulated wealth to children and future grandchildren
Maintain $1,000,000 a year in income to travel and finance personal interests in hobbies
Slowly turn attention from running business to finding a cure/treatment for a disease that afflicts a family member
Risks/Problem Identified
Non diversified wealth, 99% of wealth tied up in value of company
No comprehensive wealth management strategy
4 Different Advisory Relationships and 1 “Brokerage” relationships
Needed help in evaluating potential sale of company
Not interested in “managing” investments, but wants to maintain control
Interested to learn about investments, how the capital markets and the world economies interrelate
Wealth Management Process
Completed financial plan to catalogue current assets and asset characteristics
Created a time sensitive plan to withdraw funds from the company to begin to diversify his personal holdings. To date, has re-allocated $225 million after tax from the company while still maintaining 100% ownership and no debt
Created a wealth management strategy that took best advantage of continuous and consistent cash additions to invest in areas of the market that were relatively cheap as compared to others. For example, in mid 2006, began to invest in municipal securities which began to have higher spreads than historical levels
Interfaced with the corporate CFO to create a cash flow plan that addressed client goals and made certain cash was available for taxes. Instituted cash management plan. Worked very closely with his estate planning attorney to draft an estate plan that met client objectives. Established various limited partnerships, statutory trusts and GRAT’s with Trust Co acting in various capacities
Set up 401(k) plan for company
Made introduction to Investment Banking team and interfaced with team to ensure that the client received the best connectivity and advice
Presented asset allocation alternatives with historic modeling to find appropriate portfolio risk/return characteristics based on personal growth and income objectives. This includes not only today’s assets but also takes into account the consistent flow of assets into the future. In this case 15% Domestic Equity: 12% International Equity: 15% Hedge: 25% Fixed Income: 18% Alternative Assets: 15% Cash Benchmark
Provided family investment seminars to educate children about wealth management
Educated spouse on wealth management strategy which includes review of estate plan
Arranged Portfolio Loan Account to allow client access to borrow funds against their securities account at Libor + 2 to fund business opportunities
*This asset allocation was developed based on this clients’ particular circumstances and is not a recommendation.
Next Steps
We’ll continue to…
Manage diversified portfolio for stated growth and income objectives
Money management education for children
Manage banking relationship
Provide advice and leadership on clients professionals team
Work closely with client to help client understand the complex financial markets and the range of financial opportunities available to client
Work closely with clients advisors to ensure that clients interests remain in the forefront of decision making
Client also moved investments from other banks, as we had double the annual return versus the competitors return since inception.
Other Applicable Services for the Entrepreneur
Business valuation services
Comprehensive Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Services
Investment banking
Cash management
Business Owner Sought to Sell Business While Remaining Involved in Investments
While he has a 4-year contract as CEO, this entrepreneur wants to turn attention from managing the day-in, day-out of his business. He’d like to enjoy more leisure time but still wants to be involved in his personal investments.
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Initial Situation
Client, 48 years old; spouse, 46 years old
Married with 2 children, ages 20 and 17
In process of selling business to a private equity firm for $36 million
Is expected to receive cash and notes valued at $20 million
Plans to continue as CEO with 4-year contract
Life Objectives
Earn a high rate of return relative to the financial markets
Maintain $450,000 a year in income
Develop giving plan to donate to favorite charities
Slowly turn attention from running business to enjoying life
Risks/Problems Identified
Non-diversified wealth, 99% of wealth tied up in value of company
No comprehensive wealth management strategy
No advisory relationship
Need personal financial advisor to help evaluate deal terms of sale of company
Not interested in “managing” investments but wants to maintain control
Wants to have interaction regarding both strategic and tactical planning
Wealth Management Process
Interfaced with corporate CFO to create a cash flow plan that addressed client goals and made certain cash was available for taxes. Instituted cash management plan. Worked very closely with his estate planning attorney to draft an estate plan that met client objectives. Established various limited partnerships, statutory trusts and GRAT’s with Trust Co. acting in various capacities
Created format for evaluating terms of deal from client perspective which includes both the legal and tax implications. Answered the self-imposed question, “What is my bottom line once deal is complete?”
Worked with professional team to change structure of deal to benefit the client
Worked with estate planning attorney to create a GRAT prior to letter of intent being offered
Created a wealth management strategy that included a comprehensive financial plan
Presented asset allocation alternatives with historic modeling to find appropriate portfolio risk/return characteristics based on personal growth and income objectives. This includes planning for upcoming tax payments, and additional outflows due to charitable giving, vacation home remodel and private real estate purchase. In this case: 24% Domestic Equity: 15% International Equity: 14% Fixed Income: 28% Alternative Assets: 19% Cash Benchmark
Created a fee-based investment plan utilizing individual investment managers for the equities, created a corporate and government bond portfolio and a well-diversified alternative investments portfolio
Extensively review estate plan and worked with client to help determine the correct amount of life insurance to purchase to satisfy objectives. Worked with an Estate Attorney to create Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust to hold policy
Arranged Portfolio Loan Account to allow client access to borrow funds against their securities account at Libor + 2 to be used as a cash flow tool
*This asset allocation was developed based on this clients’ particular circumstances and is not a recommendation.
Next Steps
Continue to manage diversified portfolio for stated growth and income objectives
Continue to provide leadership and work closely with clients advisors to ensure that client’s interests remain in the forefront of decision making
Continue to work closely with client to help client understand the complex financial markets and the range of financial opportunities available to client
Review on a monthly basis market and economic changes that affect the clients investments by phone
Meet quarterly with client and spouse to review investment portfolio, paying special attention to maintaining agreed upon tactical and strategic asset allocation
Business Owner Was Ready to Spend More Time Creating Music & Giving Back to His Community
At 45 years old, this talented CEO was expected to receive $35 million from the selling of his business. He now not only wants to create a foundation to expand educational opportunity for kids but also devote time to his musical pursuits.
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Initial Situation
Client, 45 years old; spouse, 42 years old
Married with 3 children ages 8, 10 and 14
In process of selling business to a publicly traded company for $99 million
Is expected to receive cash valued at $35 million
Plans to continue as CEO with 1-year contract
Life Objectives
Earn a high rate of return relative to the financial markets
Generate $250,000 a year in income to supplement salary
Create a foundation for giving and educational opportunity for kids
Spend more time creating music and playing in his band
Risks/Problems Identified
Has no investment experience
Wants an advisor to assist team in evaluating deal terms
Wants a comprehensive wealth management strategy & plan – strategic and tactical
Would prefer to pay as little tax on the transaction as possible
Wants to understand investment advice but does not want to manage
Interested in investing in local startup companies to help the ecosystem
Wealth Management Process
Spent many hours educating both spouses on charitable giving, investing and taxation (to name a few topics)
During the educational process, learned about their risk tolerance, their fears regarding money, income needs, both short term and long-term plans and what they liked to do for fun
Developed a Financial Plan that allowed the client to work through various “What If?” scenarios
Created a process and analyzed the deal structure making recommendations that would benefit the clients
Introduced them both to a tax attorney that discussed with them the option of creating a Nevada trust to eliminate state tax on the transaction
Worked closely with attorney to implement Nevada Trust, created an Asset Allocation model across 4 separate entities to accomplish their goals. Nevada Trust also offered asset protection
Sourced a Las Vegas based CPA to manage client tax returns and assist with managing the charitable entity
Post deal signing, structures were funded, and the investment plan was implemented
Clients wanted to spend some of the funds that were received which we accomplished in a tax-efficient manner
Created asset allocation alternatives with historic modeling to find appropriate portfolio
Risk/return characteristics based on personal growth and income objectives. This includes planning for upcoming tax payments, outflows due to charitable giving and building a new home. In this case 35% Domestic Equity: 10% International Equity: 20% Fixed Income: 20% Alternative Assets: 15% Cash Benchmark
Created a fee-based investment plan for the equities, created a corporate and municipal bond portfolio, and a well-diversified private equity portfolio
Worked closely with their insurance agent to properly fund Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
Arranged a security-based loan allowing clients access to borrow funds against their securities account at Libor + 2 to be used as a cash flow tool
*This asset allocation was developed based on this clients’ particular circumstances and is not a recommendation.
Next Steps
Continue to manage diversified portfolio for stated growth and income objectives
Continue to provide leadership and work closely with clients advisors to ensure that client’s interests remain in the forefront of decision making
Continue to work closely with client to help client understand the complex financial markets and the range of financial opportunities available to client
Review on a monthly basis market and economic changes that affect the clients investments over the phone
Meet quarterly with client and spouse to review investment portfolio, paying special attention to maintaining agreed-upon tactical and strategic asset allocation