Transparency
We believe investors should understand all of the investment-related costs they bear, as well as how different types of financial professionals are paid. There are typically three compensation methods:
- Fee-only investment advisor representatives. Our clients pay us an advisory fee which is based on the value of their portfolio. Neither Northland Capital Management nor any of its personnel receive any other forms of compensation from any other financial industry activities. We are required to follow fiduciary principles at all times.
- Fees and commissions (“dually-registered” representatives). Some financial professionals wear many hats including investment advisor representative, broker, and/or life insurance agent. They may receive both fee and commission income. Some of their recommendations may be covered by the fiduciary standard and some may not.
- Commission-only brokers, securities representatives, life insurance agents, etc. These financial professionals are commissioned salespersons. Many of the investment products they may sell, such as annuities and mutual funds, have an imbedded expense from which they derive their commission.
We believe fee-only compensation promotes transparency. It also eliminates a conflict of interest inherent in commission-based investment recommendations.