Firm Transition

This summer, we’ve had the chance to connect with most of you to discuss our upcoming back office transition from Cambridge to Rossby Financial. We look forward to making this process painless in the coming weeks. This email recaps what we shared with you about the transition and gives you concrete action items to look for in the coming days. Action steps highlighted below if you want to jump to those.

Why Transition to Rossby Financial?

After 9 good years with Cambridge Investment Research providing us with supervision and service, we feel we are outgrowing Cambridge’s technology platform. We hear that clients and staff find it frustrating to log onto multiple platforms to view accounts, statements, tax forms and client performance data.  Toler Financial Group (TFG) is serious about high-touch service and a solid technological interface. On August 16, 2024, we will be moving our client accounts, back office and compliance functions from Cambridge to Rossby Financial – a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA).

After the transition, you will have a single login to a new Client Portal where you will find your accounts, statements, tax forms and performance data. This Portal will be intuitive and easy to access, including from your mobile device.  As a bonus, TFG will be able to serve clients who live outside the US. 

What will stay the same?

TFG will remain a fully independent firm, focused on excellent service for our clients and community. We will continue to offer all types of investments, with specific expertise in socially responsible investing. Our advisory team will stay the same (and we’re growing!), and our office and contact information will remain the same. eMoney will continue to be our platform for financial planning, and all information and work we’ve done together will continue to be available to you. Our investment fees will be nearly the same (click here [https://tolerfinancialgroup.com/planning-3/] for the specifics), with minor changes to keep it simple. Investment accounts will move from National Financial Services (NFS) to Charles Schwab, and the investment approach of your portfolios will remain the same.

What’s Next – beginning August 22:

• Each client household will receive one Advisory Agreement, via DocuSign. This will come from Toler Financial Group
  • If two partners are in your household, each person will sign.
• Each investment account will receive account opening applications, via DocuSign.
  • Each individual account holder will sign (e.g., IRA applications and individual investment accounts signed only by the account holder).
  • Joint investment accounts signed by both account owners.
  • There may be one or more DocuSign documents from Charles Schwab for you to complete.
• Clients with annuities will receive a separate DocuSign to re-register their annuity with TFG – this will likely come somewhat later than the other agreements.
• For financial planning clients who are still in the payment stage; You will receive new invoices through AdvicePay once we transition. If your payment schedule includes a payment in August, this payment will be skipped and made up after the transition.

Over the next few weeks, before your account transfer is complete, your account information will continue to be viewable in Wealthscape. Later in September, we will send an announcement letting you know the Client Portal is live, where you can view all your accounts, along with instructions for accessing it. Although there may be paperwork and technology glitches as a part of this process, we want to assure you that at no time will the security of your accounts be in danger.

If you have specific concerns, please call the office 301-825-8705 or email your advisor.

We thank you in advance for your patience as we make this important change for our collective future. We look forward to working with you!

Warmly,

The TFG team

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FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions 

About the Change

Why is TFG making this change? TFG is outgrowing Cambridge’s technology platform. After we transition, clients will have access to a single, user-friendly Client Portal to access account information, statements, and more.

What are the benefits of this transition for clients? Clients will enjoy a more streamlined experience with a single login for all account information. The new Client Portal will offer enhanced features like mobile access and customization.

Who is Rossby? Rossby Financial, LLC, is a Registered Investment Adviser, which means they will provide compliance and back office support for us. You read more about the role of an RIA here: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/ria.asp

How long will the transition take? We’ve been hard at work on this since June, and we expect to be done by the end the September!

What will change during the transition

Will TFG still be an independent firm? Yes, TFG will remain a fully independent firm. We will continue focus on providing fee-based financial planning and investment management.

Will my investments change? Will there be any tax impact? Your investment accounts will be transferred as they are – no changes – so you don’t have to worry about any tax effects. TFG will continue to offer all types of investments, including socially responsible portfolios.

How will I receive Tax forms? For 2024 only, you will receive tax forms from both NFS and Charles Schwab.

Will my TFG team change? No, the TFG advisory team will remain the same, along with our contact information  and office location.

Will my investment fees change? Investment fees will be similar but simplified. See [https://tolerfinancialgroup.com/planning-3] for the new fee structure.

What will happen to my current financial planning tool? There will be no changes to your financial planning tool. Your access to eMoney will be unchanged.

Will my account information be secure during the transition? Your information and accounts are secure – all data is being kept secure and encrypted, as it is now.

Will I be able to access historical performance data?

Our performance reports will include history back to 2015.

What happens next

What should I expect to receive via email? You will receive several documents via DocuSign, including an advisory agreement, account opening application(s), and possibly annuity paperwork (if this applies to your account).

What if I am not home to receive my DocuSign emails? Is there a time limit for completing the paperwork and making the transition? Please complete your DocuSign applications and paperwork upon receipt, if you are able. If you are out of town, you can complete them when you return. If you are not able to access your email or have any trouble please contact our team at [email protected] or call or text the office at 301-825-8705.

Who do I speak to if I need help with DocuSign? Contact our office at 301-825-8705 or email [email protected]. Any member of the service team or your Financial Advisor can assist.

When will the transition occur? The transition will begin on August 16, 2024, and is expected to continue through mid-September.

What happens to my financial planning payments during the transition? If you are on a payment plan, your August payment will be skipped and made up after the transition.

Once the Transition is Complete

When will I be able to access my account information on the new Client Portal? We are looking forward to introducing you to our new Client Portal! You will be able to see all your accounts, statements, tax forms, performance reports and more with one login. Once the transition is complete, you will receive an announcement with instructions on how to access the new Client Portal.

How will I view my accounts during the transition? You will be able to log into Wealthscape and view your account until the account transfer is in process. After the transfer, we will send you login information for the new Client Portal. There will be a brief period where you are not able to view the new account information, but you can always call us if you are concerned.

How will I know if the transfer was executed correctly? Once your accounts are over, we will let you know! If you have questions please call or text the office at 301-825-8705.

Other Questions

What if I don’t want to do this transition? If you don’t want to move your account, Marcio Silveira, a former TFG advisor who is continuing to work with Cambridge, will become your advisor until you make a transfer plan. You can learn more about Marcio here: https://www.silvergreen.us/

Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns? You can contact your advisor or the Service Team with any questions or concerns, our emails are below

Fran Toler [email protected]

Guli Fager [email protected]

Brandon Clark [email protected]

Anthony Felipe [email protected]

TFG Service Team [email protected]