Frequently Asked Questions

This is a common question. For starters, we are an independent investment firm and have been since 1924. We do not provide bundled solutions--we manage client's assets based on their needs. So, we buy stocks and bonds based on a number of factors important to the investor, such as goals, life stage & lifestyle, risk tolerance among others. Relatively speaking, our investment philosophy is conservative, meaning we do not buy the hottest stocks that are often the subject of popular investment TV shows and similar other media.

We are paid 1.25 percent of assets under management [AUM]. So, if you have $100,000 with us, we earn one percent or $1,250. We offer our investment strategy based on your specific goals and needs. If you need more specific information, you can call and ask to speak with someone from our Client Services Group.

Actually, you may not have an advantage if you're dealing with a national firm based somewhere other than our region: the local rep is exactly that…a representative. With us, you get information directly from the investment directors. With St. Germain, you can discuss today’s holding, our current strategy, and talk directly to the professional making the investment decision.

You can ask your question of our receptionist who will then direct you to the appropriate professional. It is that simple. You won’t be greeted by a computerized voice that gives you a list of touchpad options because we’re convinced that most clients prefer to deal directly with a person, a person that knows how to respond to your specific needs. You can even talk to our investment directors, the very professionals who make the purchase/sell decisions!

No, we do not invest in either auction rate securities or mortgage products. As many have seen, some of these financial instruments take on too much risk. From what we understand, they don't make a lot of sense for any of us or our clients.

The calculators you refer to are good for finding approximate values, but it won’t take into account other relevant details about your total financial picture and some of these details can be rather complex. Many of our clients prefer our hands-on approach to managing wealth and asset preservation. It’s why we provide our Total Financial Advisory service, a service that goes far beyond what an online financial calculator offers.

Yes, it's also a no obligation, no charge service that we provide to prospects as well. Before we even talk about stocks or bonds, we first need to know more about your goals and current investments and debt obligations. All of these are important to crafting your investment strategy. You need to call and speak with Amy Santarelli or one of our account managers if you have more specific questions about our Total Financial Advisory.