THE ARMOR PROCESS

STRATEGIC THINKING

As planners, consultants, and buyers’ agents, we begin with a client’s goals and design risk-managed strategies for meeting those goals. Strategic asset allocation decisions are the most important factors in meeting a client’s long-term goals and managing risks along the way. We adhere to asset allocation categories and guidelines that are academically based and time-tested, but our clients’ portfolios each are constructed uniquely to meet the client’s own goals for them.

EFFICIENCY

A criterion that we have for our clients’ investments is that they be as efficient as possible. This means that we emphasize low expenses, minimized tax consequences, and attractive pricing on buys and sells.

AGGREGATION

Most of our clients have many different accounts of different types that are held at a number of different institutions. It is not always possible to eliminate accounts or institutions, although simplification usually is desirable in order to facilitate strategic thinking and decision-making. When accounts and institutions cannot be simplified, it is helpful for strategic thinking to be able to aggregate them in a variety of different ways, for example, by taxability (tax deferred or taxable) and by purpose (lifestyle spending, long-term growth, legacy, charitable, educational, etc.). Our technological and operational capabilities enable us to aggregate accounts as needed, including accounts at many different institutions. Aggregating accounts allows us to view the whole investment picture from client’s perspective, better aligning us to achieve the client’s goals.

RISK TOLERANCE

Building portfolios which are custom to each client requires understanding the client’s unique long term goals, short term income needs, and their risk tolerance.