October Surprise
Jim Stewart October 7, 2020 The news of President Trump and the First Lady contracting COVID-19 late last week along with members of his staff reminded me of the term “October Surprise,” [...]
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Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
We value your privacy, and we want to help make your experience with Carmichael Hill as satisfying and safe as possible. We have established this Privacy Policy to explain how we receive, use, and share information you may provide in connection with your access to this website.
YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Site is intended for use only by individuals over the age of 18 who are accessing the Site from inside the United States. By using the Site or submitting any information to us, you acknowledge that you are over the age of 18, are in the United States, and that you consent to our use and sharing of information collected or submitted as described in this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy is incorporated into and is subject to the Site’s Terms of Use. By using the Site, you expressly consent to the terms of this Privacy Policy and the information handling practices described herein
TYPES OF INFORMATION WE COLLECT
In connection with your use of this Site, we may collect both personally identifiable information (“PII”) and non-personally identifiable information (“Non-PII”). PII includes information such as your name, address, phone number, zip code, email address, and similar information. Non-PII is non-personally identifiable information, and may include, for example, your IP address, browser type, domain names, access dates and similar information. (PII and Non-PII will be collectively referred to as “Information”)
Collection of Information
We may collect information from you through your voluntary submission to receive offers from the Site or access to certain resources on the Site.
We also may collect information from your browser when you use the Site, using a variety of methods. The information that we with these automated methods may include, for example, your IP address, cookie information, a unique device or user ID, browser type, system type, the content and pages that you access on the Site, and the “referring URL” (i.e., the page from which you navigated to the Site). Websites visited before visiting the Site might place Information within the URL of your browser during a visit to that previous website. We may unintentionally collect that information as part of referring URL information. We may also use cookies on the Site to recognize you and to store references to you and session validators on your hard drive. We may use passively-collected information to administer, operate, and improve the Site and our other services and systems, and to provide services and content that are tailored to you. We may combine non-PII with PII.
If we directly combine any Non-PII with PII, we treat the combined information as PII under this Privacy Policy. Otherwise, we use information collected by passive means in aggregated or other non-personally identifiable forms.
Use AND SHARING of Information
We may use the information you provide to us for any purpose, including but not limited to: (1) to provide you with materials that you have requested, (2) to contact you for the potential purchase of insurance or other financial products, (3) to personalize our contact with you, (4) to operate, provide, improve, and maintain the Site, (5) developing new products and services, (6) to prevent abusive and fraudulent use of the Site, (7) to send you administrative messages, content, and other services and features in which we believe you may be interested; and for any other administrative and internal business purposes permitted by law.
We may share your information with third parties that who assist us in operating our business and servicing our clients. We may also disclose Information if, in good faith, it is believed that doing so is required by a subpoena or other judicial or administrative order or otherwise required by law. Additionally, We may disclose Information if, in good faith, we deem it appropriate or necessary to prevent violation of the Site’s Terms of Use or our other agreements; take precautions against liability; protect our rights, property, or safety, or of any individual, or the general public; maintain and protect the security and integrity of our services or infrastructure; protect ourseles and our services from fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful uses; investigate and defend ourselves against third-party claims or allegations; or assist government enforcement agencies.
PERMISSION TO CONTACT YOU AND YOUR RIGHT TO OPT OUT OF FURTHER CONTACT
Your provision of information to us through the Website will be considered a grant of permission for us to contact you through any means provided (including but not limited to mail, phone, text message, fax, etc.). You have the right to opt-out of further promotional contact from us. If at any time you desire to be removed from an email mailing list, please send your request to cha@carmichael-hill.com or at 18 East Diamond Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877. It may take up to 10 days for us to process your request. Please be aware that this opt-out only applies to future messages and that we may still send you messages for administrative purposes as permitted by law.
PROTECTION OF YOUR INFORMATION
We maintain a variety of security measures to protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of Information under our control. Although we make good faith efforts to maintain the security of such Information, we cannot guarantee that it will remain free from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or alteration. Further, we cannot guarantee that our security measures will prevent unauthorized persons from accessing or obtaining this information. We assume no liability to you or any other party in relation to the unauthorized access, use, or alteration of any information provided to us.
If we become aware of a security breach, we may attempt to notify you electronically so that you can take appropriate protective steps. By using the Site or providing Information to us, you agree that we can communicate with you electronically regarding security, privacy, and administrative issues relating to your use of the Site. If you believe that there has been a breach of the Site’s security, please contact us at (301) 217-9300.
Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may update or amend this Privacy Policy at any time. No prior notice of any update or amendment is required, and all updates or amendments are effective upon being posted. We encourage you to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed about our collection, use, and disclosure of Information on the Site. Your continued use of the Site constitutes your agreement to this Privacy Policy and any updates.
Contacting US
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, you may contact us at (301) 217-9300 .
Privacy Policy
REGULATORY DISCLOSURE
Carmichael Hill & Associates, Inc. is a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Registered Investment Advisory firm. Registration does not imply that the SEC has endorsed or approved the qualifications of Carmichael Hill or its respective representatives to provide any advisory services. Advisor does not render or offer to render personalized investment advice or financial planning advice through this medium. Advice can only be given after:
- Delivery of a disclosure statement by advisor to client.
- Execution of our Investment Advisory Agreement between the client and the advisor.
- Initial payment of the planning fee or investment advisory fee by the client to the advisor.
- Advisor will not solicit or accept business in any state in which she or he is not properly registered or otherwise qualified to conduct business by virtue of a state “de minimis” exemption.
DISCLAIMERS
The information in this web site is based on data gathered from what the Advisor believes are reliable sources. It is not guaranteed as to accuracy, and does not purport to be complete and is not intended as the primary basis for investment decisions. It should also not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any investor. The identification of specific funds and model portfolios is being made on the assumption that the investor would participate in that investment or portfolio on a long-term basis and only after consulting with their investment advisor to determine their needs and tolerance for risk. With respect to any such identification, there can be no assurance that the fund or model portfolio will in fact perform in the manner suggested.
The results do not represent actual trading due to the timing of the clients’ trades and their trading costs. They may also not reflect the impact that material economic and market factors might have had on the advisor’s decision making if the advisor were managing the clients’ money. Investment and portfolio results may be different than the results the advisor’s discretionary clients achieve due to the timing of trades and the market conditions.
All references that might be made to an investment or portfolio’s performance are based on historical data and one should not assume that this performance will continue in the future.
LINKS DISCLAIMER
At certain places on this Carmichael Hill & Associates, Inc. Internet site, live ‘‘links’ to other Internet addresses can be accessed. Such external Internet addresses contain information created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of Carmichael Hill & Associates, Inc. CHA does not certify, endorse or control these external Internet addresses and does not guarantee or assume responsibility for the accuracy completeness, efficacy, timeliness, or correct sequencing of information located at such addresses. Use of any information obtained from such addresses is voluntary.
FORM CRS
Form CRS
Conversation Starters
June 2020
Given my financial situation, should I choose an investment advisory service? Why or why not?
It depends. Many people seek out an advisor when there is a big change in their life, such as a new baby, retirement, inheritance, or a job change to name a few. This isn’t an exhaustive list and you may find additional value in other areas. Utilizing an investment advisor can give you greater confidence in your investment plan, potentially reduce your anxiety around market fluctuations and provide you with additional time in your day by performing tasks you would otherwise be required to do.
It is important to understand the fees you will pay, as this is arguably a drawback to utilizing an investment advisory service. Moreover, you should ensure that you trust and have confidence in the advisory service.
We encourage you to take advantage of a complementary first meeting with us to see if we can help in your situation. We believe that there is value added from using a fee only investment advisory service and working with a financial professional.
How will you choose investments to recommend to me?
We gather information on your goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, and tax situation to determine what kinds of investments may be appropriate for you. We then select specific securities from the wide universe of investments offered through our custodian, Charles Schwab & Co. We primarily use fundamental analysis to select the specific securities for you, but also consider charting, technical, and cyclical analysis in making our decisions. We also use third-party investment research providers to help inform our opinions of capital markets and certain individual securities.
What is your relevant experience including your licenses, education, and other qualifications? What do these qualifications mean?
We have over three decades of experience providing retirement planning and investment advisory services as an independent, fee-only registered investment advisor. Our advisors are college educated, hold either the FINRA series 65 or series 66 license, and carry the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation (CFP®).
FINRA is a self-regulatory organization. By law, any individual offering investment advisory services in the United States must hold either the series 65 or series 66 license.
The CFP® certification is awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc, a non-governmental 501(c)(3) non-profit, and is considered one of the highest standards in the industry. It is the formal recognition of expertise in financial planning, including insurance, taxes, estate planning, retirement planning, investment management, and college planning.
Help me understand how these fees and costs affect my investments. If I give you $10,000 to invest, how much will go to fees and costs, and how much will be invested for me?
Our fee schedule is published on our website and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fee for assets under our management that total less than $250,000 is 1.5% of the balance management. For a $10,000 investment, our total annual fee would be $150 (assuming no growth or loss in the account). Our fee does not include other third-party expenses which serve to increase your total cost, such as custodial fees or internal fund management fees.
Our fees are billed quarterly in arrears, which means that we asses fees after the current quarter has drawn to a close. Fees are typically deducted directly from the account and are based on the total value of all your investments under our management on the last day of the quarter. Billing in this way will reduce your amount invested. You may also pay fees out-of-pocket with a check to avoid having them drawn from your account(s).
How might your conflicts of interests affect me and how would you address them?
We are a fiduciary advisor, which means that we have a legal obligation to do what is in your best interest at all times and to put your interests ahead of our own. However no advisory relationship can ever completely eliminate conflicts of interest.
The firm has written policies and adopted a code of ethics to help mitigate conflicts of interest. We take reasonable measures to avoid and/or manage conflicts of interest when they appear. The firm’s Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) regularly reviews and updates the policies to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable state and federal laws. We’ve highlighted several examples of these conflicts below:
- Our advisors are eligible to receive incentive pay above and beyond their regular salaries based on the total amount of money the advisor brings to and subsequently maintains at our firm. This creates a conflict of interest as the advisor may favor and spend more time with clients for whom they receive incentive pay over clients for whom they do not. The CCO monitors this through the prior required approval of all new business and ongoing supervisory reviews of accounts.
- With our billing structure, we have an incentive to encourage you to move your investment accounts to our management as it would increase our revenue. Moving your account to our management may not always be in your best interest, particularly if it would materially increase the total costs you pay and/or would require you to realize a substantial tax consequence. We mitigate this by informing you of this conflict of interest at the time of the recommendation and explaining the alternative options to what we recommend. The decision to utilize our services must ultimately come from you.
- We receive free access to third-party research and technology services from Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. as part of our partnership with them. This could create a conflict of interest if the benefits we receive from Schwab take precedent over your needs, which includes fess and expenses charged by the custodian as well as the overall quality of their platform. We mitigate this through our annual vendor due diligence review, which includes a review of their financial strength, reputation, our historical relationship with them, execution capabilities, pricing, research, and service.
As a financial professional, do you have any disciplinary history? For what type of conduct?
None of the financial professionals at Carmichael Hill have any disciplinary history.
Who is my primary contact person? Is he or she a representative of an investment adviser or broker-dealer? Who can I talk to if I have concerns about how that person has treated me?
We employ a firm-wide, team approach to managing our client relationships. We encourage you to get to know our full team as any employee will generally be able to help you, however the advisor that normally emails you and performs reviews and meetings would generally be the primary contact person. Our back-office team may be the main point of contact for certain perfunctory administrative tasks.
All financial professionals at Carmichael Hill are investment advisor representatives and are not affiliated with a broker-dealer.
We do our best to make sure that our clients feel respected and valued. We encourage open communication and in the unlikely event that you feel you were treated unfairly, please let us know. All concerns should be ultimately directed to James Stewart, who is the owner and CCO at Carmichael Hill.
Important Notice
By clicking on the blue Charles Schwab logo you will leave the Carmichael Hill & Associates (Carmichael Hill) website and enter the Charles Schwab & Co. Inc (Schwab) website. Schwab is not affiliated with Carmichael Hill or any advisors whose names appear on this website. Carmichael Hill is independently owned and operated. (Schwab neither endorses nor recommends Carmichael Hill, unless you have been referred to us through the Schwab Advisor Network®.) Regardless of any referral or recommendations, Schwab does not endorse or recommend the investment strategy of any advisor. Schwab has agreements with Carmichael Hill under which they provide Carmichael Hill with services related to your account. Schwabdoes not review the Carmichael Hill website. The information contained in this site should not be considered a recommendation by Schwab for the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security.
Important Notice
By clicking on the Envestnet Tamarac® logo you will leave the Carmichael Hill & Associates (Carmichael Hill) website and enter the Envestnet Tamarac® Client Portal (Tamarac). Tamarac is not affiliated with Carmichael Hill or any advisors whose names appear on this website. Carmichael Hill is independently owned and operated. (Tamarac neither endorses nor recommends Carmichael Hill). Tamarac does not endorse or recommend the investment strategy of any advisor. Tamarac has agreements with Carmichael Hill under which they provide Carmichael Hill with services related to your account. Tamarac does not review the Carmichael Hill website. The information contained in this site should not be considered a recommendation by Tamarac for the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security.