Those seeking trusted guides for the road to financial freedom can benefit from the diverse backgrounds and unique skill sets of investment professionals at Bischoff Wealth Management in Greenwood.
Brian Bischoff, principal/financial advisor of the firm, started his career as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch in Indianapolis during 1994. In 2007, he obtained his certified financial planner designation and started his own firm, Bischoff Wealth Management, partnering with Wells Fargo.
"I help clients organize their financial portfolios to very efficient levels, through inexpensive fees and effective advice that parallels their best interests. Because we're an independent registered investment firm, it's one of the benefits that allows us to advise our clients for lower fees," says Brian.
Having built his wealth management business mainly from client referrals, Brian says he proactively manages clients' conservative portions of investments in cost-effective manners. Part of his successful formula he says comes from evaluating how best to supplement fixed incomes with diversified streams, such as dividends off stocks, interest payments from bonds, social security, possible pensions or profits from other investment types.
"I thrive on building one-on-one relationships with clients and helping to ensure their financial needs are met," Brian assures, adding he believes communication is key to successful client relationships.
Located at 107 North State Road 135, Ste. 207, Brian says the firm's professionals guide clients through a proprietary, four-step planning process that begins with rigorous client discovery. "We discuss where you want to be financially, your goals, objectives, timeframe and risk tolerance. We go over your financial priorities, including retirement, estate planning and education. Then we create an end goal that's measurable and achievable from the information provided."
The second step involves organizing each client's investments to emphasize the reduction of investment costs and taxes.
For the third step of the investment process, Brian says they begin investing client assets using a mix of low-cost, broad-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds (typically through the Vanguard family of funds).
"In our opinion and experience, we feel the best performing funds or investments over time are the least expensive," he says. "We highly value the certainty of what an index fund or similar based fund will deliver relative to its benchmark. We want assurance that if clients are going to take the risk associated with owning an asset class, they should also get the return. An index fund best delivers that certainty."
The fourth step includes monitoring and managing clients' portfolios. "We stay in touch with clients regularly because goals and objectives change. We want to be aware of any fluctuations professionally and personally, so we can quickly make sure clients are on course to achieve new goals," states Brian.
Brian says he actively manages client portfolios regardless of risk tolerance.
"All investments, both conservative and aggressive, have some element of volatility. We feel volatility creates opportunity. We believe in the cyclical nature of both the market and the economy. No one investment will always do well or poorly. Being disciplined in how we rebalance and invest a client’s portfolio through tax and cost efficiency is what gives our clients the best probability to achieve their financial goals," Brian says.
Handling estate planning with Brian includes parceling financial assets in the most efficient way possible, including heir designations, charitable giving and matters outlined by wills. "I assist clients with getting wills and trusts current, IRA beneficiaries updated and proper titling on their assets. We take care of first things first," he assures.
When it comes to retirement planning, Brian says most clients want the ability to generate the same income range during retirement as they had when working so they can maintain the same or similar lifestyle.
Personalized plans that match clients' goals and investment time horizons in the most cost-efficient and tax-sensitive ways possible is what Brian says he monitors. "And, good financial guidance doesn’t have to be expensive," he asserts. "We know many clients don’t understand what their financial advice is costing them. We take transparency to heart. We charge nominal fees that help us protect clients' investments from erosion that can be caused by paying high fees to an advisor."
Brian is an Indiana native who attended Franklin College. He and his wife, Holly, live in Greenwood with their five children, cheering on his daughters who've been extremely active in local basketball for years, and with their youngest two, a girl and boy twins.
Hours:
Mondays through Fridays: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: By Appointment
317.851.9718
BischoffWealth.com
"Creating a life map involves a close review of personal finances and an assessment of other building blocks."
"Good financial guidance doesn’t have to be expensive."