to May Capital Management, I
generally determine which securities are purchased and sold for client accounts, as well as the
amount. The authorization to make these determinations is typically granted by the client either
while completing the account application or by filling out a separate Limited Power of Attorney
form.
Portfolio management does not include financial planning or non-investment related consultation
services (i.e., insurance, estate planning, etc.). There may be instances where simple projections
or calculations may be used in order to make very basic assumptions about cash flows, savings
rates, spending, etc. This does not in any way take the place of financial planning. Financial
planning is a separate service offered by May Capital Management, which encompasses the six-
step financial planning process and the “Financial Planning Practice Standards”.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Financial Planning Philosophy
Proper financial planning identifies specific goals and objectives. The process requires a
complete review of a client’s assets, retirement benefit programs, insurance contracts, potential
income and estate taxes, wills and trust agreements, and other related matters.
Once the goals and objectives are identified, patience and discipline become very important. I
believe the financial planner must become actively involved in implementing the
recommendations approved by the Client. The best thought-out plan is no more than an
expensive academic exercise unless it leads to action. I take pride in providing high-quality
personal service in helping Clients achieve their financial objectives.
Financial Planning Advisory Services
Financial planning advisory services involve reviewing the Client's financial affairs, creating a
written financial plan, aiding the Client in implementing agreed-upon recommendations and
providing ongoing monitoring of goals and objectives.
As a CFP professional and fiduciary, May Capital Management employs the six-step financial
planning process and the “Financial Planning Practice Standards”. The process begins with an
initial consultation, usually at no charge. The purpose is to determine if the Client can benefit
from financial planning and to what extent my services are needed. Before work begins, the
scope of the work and the fee are agreed upon and the CLIENT AGREEMENT is executed. A
written “scope of engagement” will be created and presented to the client.
Financial planning requires a clear understanding of the Client's current situation. As such, the
Client’s overall personal and financial picture must be known to the investment manager. Areas
of examination include assets, liabilities, income, expenses, potential income taxes and estate
taxes, trust agreements, wills, investments, insurance, personal and family obligations and
employee benefit programs. Careful consideration must be given to subjective factors such as
the Client's prior investment experience, ability and desire to manage assets, comfort with risk
and knowledge of investment vehicles. The Client is expected to provide complete information
in all relevant areas.
The various areas of Client concern and my recommendations are discussed orally and in writing
in a series of meetings with the Client. Clients are then provided with personalized written and
oral financial planning advice designed to help them identify, prioritize and achieve their
financial goals in all areas. Such advice normally involves the development of specific
strategies, alternatives and integrated solutions.
My goal is to determine the optimum course of action for the realization of Client financial
planning objectives, taking into consideration Client needs, earning power, financial resources,
and particular aversion to risk. Upon agreement regarding specific recommendations, an agreed-
upon course of action is implemented.
After the initial planning process, the Client's goals and economic conditions continue to change.
Revisions in the tax law, changes in inflation, fluctuation in interest rates and instability in
investment mediums, combined with changes in the Client's personal situation, require that
financial and tax planning be an ongoing process.
Financial planning does not include the ongoing monitoring, review or surveillance of
investments or other assets. These services are offered separately as portfolio management.
POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The delivery of any professional service involves certain conflicts of interest. It is the duty of the
professional in delivering these services to disclose these conflicts and to minimize them to the
fullest extent possible. The following paragraphs describe some of the potential conflicts of
interest I may face.
• In conducting the financial planning process, I may recommend that I be considered to
manage investment portfolios for my clients. This could result in the Client paying me both
a financial planning fee and an investment portfolio monitoring fee.
• May Capital Management does not buy or sell securities for its clients in any capacity--
principal, agent or broker--and does not affect securities transactions for commission
compensation as broker or agent for Clients. May Capital Management receives no
commission compensation whatsoever for its investment advisory services.
• May Capital Management transacts securities business either through the Client's existing
stockbroker or with various discount brokerage firms such as Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
• Neither May Capital Management nor any of its employees may act as a securities broker
or agent for Clients.
• Associates of the Firm may have positions from time to time in securities that Clients
may also own. Recommendations to Clients may differ from Client to Client due to the
unique circumstances relating to each Client.
BUSINESS CONTINUITY
If Mr. May is unable to continue his work as a financial planner/asset manager, due to
incapacity or in the event of his death, there are options for current clients. As clients have
their assets in custody at Charles Schwab and Co., Inc., they will maintain those institutional
accounts. Client may choose to keep the account(s) at Schwab and find a new advisor.
Alternatively, client may find a new advisor outside of Schwab, and move their respective
account(s) to a new custodian. My suggestion would always be to choose a planner that is
a Certified Financial Planner practitioner®. That being said, I would highly recommend my
mentor and CFP® certificant Patrick Coyne, of Wealth Management Advisors, LLC. He has
been in the business for over 30 years, and has held the CPF® designation for over 25
years. Mr. Coyne would be happy to assist my clients with this transition, and also answer
any related questions that might arise. Clients are under no obligation to begin a business
relationship with him. The Wealth Management Advisors, LLC website is
www.feeonlyinvestmentadvice.com, or you can reach Patrick at (707) 462-9053.
As of March 01, 2024, May Capital Management managed $144,799,000 in assets on a
discretionary basis.