WHO WE ARE
Christopher Street Financial
Who chooses my advisor? Will I always have the same advisor?
We work as a team. First, a senior manager will evaluate your needs and expectations to determine who on our team may be able to best help you. Every advisor at Christopher Street is a highly trained and qualified financial professional, but each has different professional experience, life experience and interpersonal skills to offer you. Ultimately, the success of your financial partnership will depend on the relationship developed between you and your advisor. If we don’t get the chemistry the first time, all you have to do is tell us. Our advisors are as diverse as our clients. Check out the photos and bios of our team!
I don’t live in New York. Are you able to work with me if I live in California? Florida? New Mexico? Minnesota?
Yes. We are able to work with individuals in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
Am I limited to certain types of investments?
No. Christopher Street Financial is independent but we do align ourselves with products that are tailored to the needs of our clients. We believe this is our major distinction from most other financial services firms and brokerage houses. Our independence enables us to take an open architect approach when selecting and designing the most appropriate plan for your situation. We don’t have any parent company pushing us to offer their own products. We offer various types of securities, including some of the most respected mutual funds in the world. We help you choose what is right for you.
Where do I start?
You start with an evaluation. Although we prefer to meet with you one-on-one, a telephone interview will do. You can start by picking up the phone and calling 1-800-262-6644 or e-mailing us: Contact Us.
How much money do I need to begin? What do your advisory services cost?
An introductory financial consultation can be provided at no cost to you. If we mutually decide that our services fit your needs, a more detailed financial review will be offered. To establish an advisory relationship, a minimum of $500,000 in investable assets or annual fees of $5,000 per year is typically required. If you prefer an hourly fee-based relationship, we can refer you to highly qualified advisors.
How do you get compensated?
A: We get paid in various ways:
Are my investments secure?
The SIPC, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation provides $500,000 of coverage for investment assets, including $250,000 per account for cash awaiting investment. Add to that what the account custodian provides, you have the highest level of coverage in the marketplace today–unlimited account protection for the securities and cash awaiting reinvestment held in custody in your account. The account protection applies when an SIPC member is unable to meet obligations to securities clients, but it does not protect against losses from the rise and fall in the market value of investments.
I have a 401(k) from my previous job. Can you help me roll it over?
Actually that’s where we believe that we excel. We’ve assisted thousands of clients in the transfer and reinvestment of 401(k) plans, retirement plans and employee stock options plans. We offer guidance on the right action for right now. Before rolling assets over from a qualified plan, you should consider various factors. These factors include but are not limited to the following: Investment Choices, Fees and Expenses, Services provided by new option, Penalty-Free withdrawals, Required Minimum Distributions, and Tax considerations. Speak to a tax professional about your individual situation before taking any action.
My sister isn’t gay. Can she invest with you?
Of course. About 25% of our clients are not gay. Our service speaks for itself. The most important requirement for a successful relationship is to feel comfortable with your advisor, to trust him or her, and know the advice you receive is sound. We can do that for anybody’s sister!
With so many on-line investing services, why would I choose Christopher Street Financial over internet trading?
It is a personal decision. Do you have the time, the interest and the stomach to devote to researching investments and avoiding market landmines? If so, an on-line account may be right for you. Or, maybe you want to try your hand at managing a pocket of your money and also work with an advisor to develop a solid strategy for the core of your portfolio. Remember, Christopher Street Financial is more than just stock picking. Let our experience help you look at the big picture.
Where are my investments held?
No investments are held directly with Christopher Street Financial. We use several custodians to fit your different needs. Most of our larger accounts are held at SEI Private Trust Company, a global investment manager which has delivered consistent long-term performance through scientifically constructed asset allocation portfolios. Alternatively, we may elect to custody your funds at Fidelity Institutional℠ through National Financial Services, LLC (NFS), a Fidelity Investments broker-dealer.
Why are you located on Park Avenue if your name is Christopher Street Financial?
Though obviously today we could be just about anywhere, our Park Avenue offices are convenient for our staff and our clients who choose to visit us. The actual “Christopher Street” in Greenwich Village is synonymous with the gay rights movement and the Stonewall riots back in 1969. While some may recognize the name and associate it with the market we serve, gay and lesbians are no longer compartmentalized into a “gay ghetto.”