What should I know about Capital Cities Asset Management (CCAM)?
Capital Cities Asset Management is a registered investment advisor. We are dedicated to helping you achieve your long-term investment goals. We offer personalized investment planning services and actively manage our investment programs in an effort to surpass their market benchmarks with less risk.
Ron Rowland, the president and owner of CCAM, is also the person behind the InvestWithAnEdge.com and AllStarInvestor.com websites. Although they are affiliates of CCAM, the strategies and results portrayed on those websites are not always consistent with the approach taken or the results achieved by CCAM.
Is CCAM a fiduciary?
Yes, at CCAM we put your interests ahead of our own. As a fiduciary, we have a higher standard of disclosure and due care, a commitment to disclose, minimize and resolve conflicts of interest than are often found in a traditional securities brokerage relationship. For more information, see our article “What is a fiduciary?”.
Why should I consider using an investment manager?
While a few investors achieve success on their own, it is challenging to be disciplined enough to do so. For most, it may be beneficial to retain the full-time investment focus of a professional money manager. Benefits include time to spend with other pursuits, expertise in an ever-changing investment environment, and tremendous client service program.
Is there a minimum account size?
The recommended minimum account size is $250,000 per client. Account minimums can be met using a combination of taxable and retirement accounts. Customized accounts can also be accommodated in certain cases. Please call us at (800) 767-2595 for details.
Where are my assets held?
For your safety, CCAM only uses independent third-party custodians. The majority of CCAM managed accounts are custodied with Fidelity Investments. Clients also have the option of using TD Ameritrade ETF for equity-based programs. Variable annuity accounts are typically held at the issuing insurance company.
Regardless of which custodian you select, assets are held in your name, and you retain full control of the account.
How are my assets protected?
Your assets are held by an independent custodian and cannot be withdrawn by CCAM except to deduct management fees with your permission. You have access to your money at all times.
The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) covers each separate customer account up to $500,000. Additionally, Fidelity offers supplemental asset protection, bringing the total amount of coverage up to $100 million.
If CCAM does not hold my assets, how does it manage my account?
When your account is established, you provide CCAM with limited trading authority. This authority allows us to initiate trades among securities within your account.
Are my assets pooled with other investor funds?
No, all investors maintain their assets in individual separate accounts.
In what ways do I receive information about my account?
You will have access to account information through a variety of methods. You will receive monthly or quarterly statements from your custodian and quarterly reports from CCAM. In addition, you will have 24-hour access via the telephone and Internet from your custodian.
On average, what does CCAM charge for its services?
CCAM receives a fee based on assets under management instead of commissions. Clients with more assets under management enjoy a lower percentage fee.
If I have a retirement account, can I have management fees taken from the account? Is this considered a distribution?
You may have your management fees taken directly from your retirement account. This payment is not considered a distribution and is not subject to taxes or penalties.
What types of investment programs are available through CCAM?
Investors can work with CCAM to select from several programs with varied investment objectives. For many of our investment programs, we utilize Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) whenever practical. Other investment programs favor no-load mutual funds, and still others focus on individual securities. Investment objectives range from conservative to very aggressive growth. The planning process will provide key insight to what program would be best for your unique situation.
How does CCAM decide what securities to hold?
We use a unique approach to rank and analyze relative strength, risk, and volatility while assessing global market conditions and other indicators to identify the sectors, investment styles, and countries we believe are the strongest. When indicators are in agreement, the holdings in the investment programs are upgraded by rotating into securities that are believed to be stronger.
What are some of the things that CCAM does not do?
CCAM does not sell insurance or other commission-based securities. We do not receive any 12b-1 fees or other incentives for recommending specific funds. CCAM does not receive any portion of ETF and mutual fund expense ratios. We do not receive any portion of transaction fees assessed by your custodian. Additionally, CCAM and its affiliates do not receive any income for running advertisements of ETF sponsors, mutual fund companies, or recommended custodians on any of our websites. In short, CCAM answers only to you, our client, to help insure there is never a conflict of interest.
How do I go about getting started?
CCAM will assist you in establishing an account with your chosen custodian including limited trading authority. If you already have your assets at one of our custodians, your new account can be funded through an internal transfer.
For 403(b) accounts, assets remain in the account where they currently reside. In order for CCAM to manage your account, you need only give us limited trading authorization.
Call (800) 767-2595 to get started today!
