A. Description of the Company
Willow Creek Wealth Management, Inc. (formerly Willow Creek Financial Services, Inc.) is a
California corporation. The firm was founded in 1984 by Bruce J. Dzieza and incorporated in 1999.
Today, Mr. Dzieza serves as the firm’s Chairman of the Board, and remains a Partner. The firm is
proud to be employee owned.
B. Types of Investment and Advisory Service’s Offered
Asset Management
Asset management is an integral component of personalized wealth management and the
financial planning process. Willow Creek Wealth Management, Inc. designs and manages
portfolios utilizing a disciplined long‐term strategy based on sound fundamentals proven
to influence investment success.
We provide investment advisory services to a variety of clientele, such as individuals, families,
businesses, pension and profit‐sharing plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. At the outset of
each client relationship, our professionals meet with each client and create an investment policy
statement (“IPS”) for investing assets and for monitoring and reviewing them on an ongoing basis.
The IPS contains a “model” portfolio based upon your stated investment objectives, risk tolerance
and financial circumstances. The model portfolio serves as a blueprint for allocating assets among
asset classes. Realistic and measurable goals are set and the objectives to reach those goals are
defined. As goals and objectives change over time, recommendations are made and implemented
to reflect any new information.
The foundation of Willow Creek’s investment management philosophy is based on rigorous
academic research and financial science. Studies show that a properly diversified selection of
uncorrelated asset classes, managed with a disciplined rebalancing methodology, may be
the best approach to provide investors with the highest probability of attaining their financial
goals. A number of empirical studies have also proven asset allocation (or asset class selection) –
choice of riskier assets (e.g., stocks) vs. less risky assets (e.g., bonds or cash equivalents), for
instance – is what matters most in determining the risk and return of a portfolio.
A guiding principle of the Willow Creek discipline is keeping investment expenses transparent,
straightforward, competitive, and low, which proportionately increases net returns. We maintain
low portfolio management fees and utilize low‐cost, institutional investment vehicles in client
portfolios that, in most cases, are not directly available to retail investors.
Once established, we will not change the asset allocation risk level within your model portfolio
without consulting you and obtaining your prior approval. We recognize, however, that goals and
objectives change so our portfolio managers do have discretion to change the individual securities
within established asset classes when they conclude that different holdings would better serve
your goals and objectives.
WCWM 401(k) Plan Investment Advisory Service
Our 401(k) Investment Advisory Service provides pension management services to group 401(k)
plans. These services are established in coordination with each plan’s administrator.
We create
an investment policy statement (“IPS”) for each plan which will include a selection of ‘target’
model portfolios, each designed with different financial goals and risk tolerances. In some cases,
a selection of individual funds will also be offered.
The plan’s trustees approve the IPS on behalf of the plan. The selection of an appropriate model
portfolio will be made by each individual plan participant and should be based upon each plan
participant's investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial circumstances.
Financial Planning
Our financial planning professionals provide genuine expertise combined with a uniquely personal
approach to help you make the most of your resources. When the power of our financial planning
service is combined with our asset management service, we call it “wealth management.”
Our financial planning process helps us identify your goals and resources and then establish steps
to harness those resources in pursuit of your goals. Your financial plan may cover cash flow and
tax planning, risk management, retirement and other goal planning, investment planning, and
estate planning. The initial financial plan is developed for you during the first year of the
engagement. Thereafter, the financial plan may be reviewed regularly to help ensure that you
stay on track through changes in your circumstances.
Depending on your circumstances, the financial plan may include, but would not be limited to, a
net worth statement; a cash flow statement; a review of investment accounts, including reviewing
asset allocation and providing asset allocation recommendations; strategic tax planning; a review
of retirement accounts and plans including recommendations; a review of insurance policies and
recommendations for changes, if necessary; one or more retirement scenarios; estate planning
review and recommendations; and education planning with funding recommendations.
General investment advice and asset allocation recommendations are provided as part of a
financial plan. Implementation of the recommendations is at your discretion.
Financial Consulting
For clients who may not need a full financial plan, we offer investment, financial planning, and tax
advice on a more limited basis. This generally includes advice on only isolated areas of concern—
for example, real estate consulting and outside investment portfolio reviews.
C. Scope of Services
We manage client assets under the powers conferred upon us by individual investment advisory
agreements. The investment strategies and objectives of each client account may differ. In each
case, the account is managed in accordance with investment guidelines set forth in the
investment advisory agreement and any other written supplements that may accompany it.
Clients may, and generally do, impose restrictions on investing in certain securities and types of
securities.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
We do not offer wrap fee programs.
E. Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2023, we had $1,712,681,987 in assets under management. This includes
$1,630,184,754 in discretionary assets and $82,497,233 in non‐discretionary assets under
management.