Our Background
Financial Guidance Group, Inc. (hereinafter “Financial Guidance Group,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is an
independent, fee-only investment advisor focused on offering objective, unbiased investment management
and wealth planning, free from industry and product affiliations. We take our fiduciary responsibility
seriously by choosing investments and strategies designed to place our clients’ best interests first.
“Fee only” describes how we are paid for our services. We are paid only by our clients, rather than by
commissions and sales charges. What this means is that we work for the benefit of our clients, rather than
for the benefit of a bank, brokerage company, mutual fund, insurance company or other financial product
vendor. This approach removes compensation-related conflicts of interest and allows us to recommend
whatever strategies and investments we believe are most appropriate for our clients’ needs. Our clients
expect us to care for their money as carefully as we care for our own, and we take this responsibility
seriously. Your goals are our goals.
Our mission is to provide a superior level of coordinated, unbiased advice to help you achieve your financial
goals, simplify your financial life and provide financial peace of mind through professional wealth
management. As fee-only advisors, we are committed to serving as your fiduciary wealth management team,
striving always to put your best interests first.
Financial Guidance Group was founded in 1993 by Carl von dem Bussche, Sr., CFP®, AIF®. The firm is
currently owned by Christoph von dem Bussche, CFP®, who serves as the firm’s Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Compliance Officer, and by Carl von dem Bussche, Jr., CFP®, who serves as the firm’s
President. Please see Brochure Supplement(s), Exhibit A, for more information on individuals who manage
the firm, who formulate investment advice and have direct contact with clients, or have discretionary
authority over client accounts.
As of December 31, 2023, we managed approximately $185,973,890 of client assets on a discretionary
basis. We do not manage client assets on a non-discretionary basis.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Ongoing Investment Management and Guide Map Wealth Planning & Coaching Services
Investment Management Services
As your professional manager, we will manage, monitor and report to you on your investments, endeavoring
to meet your financial goals and objectives in a tax-efficient and risk-efficient manner. Because we believe our
investment management services are most effective when we understand your entire financial situation, we
also provide ongoing customized wealth planning services (described further below) in conjunction with
management of your portfolio. We typically structure client portfolios around one of our four model portfolios
designed to build long-term wealth while maintaining risk tolerance and loss thresholds levels acceptable to
you.
However, the exact composition and allocation of your portfolio will be reflective of your unique investment
parameters. We also manage custom portfolios designed to meet your individual needs and preferences. More
information about our investment methodology and model portfolios may be found in Item 8.
When you hire us to manage your investments, you will give us discretion to select the specific securities and
amount of securities to be bought or sold, as well as the timing of those transactions, without prior consultation
with you. At our discretion, we may delegate certain management and other responsibilities to sub-advisors
or other outside parties who we have retained. Fees paid to such outside parties are paid by us. Information
about sub-advisors used is available in the sub-advisors Form ADV Part 2 Disclosure Brochure which is available
upon request.
At your option, you may impose specified investment constraints on the management of the assets you bring
to us. For example, you may specify that the investment in any particular stock or industry should not
exceed specified percentages of the value of your portfolio or you may prohibit transactions in the securities
of a specific industry. Such constraints must be detailed in writing, either via letter or in a custom
Investment Policy Statement. You should note, however, that certain restrictions may adversely affect the
composition and performance of your investment portfolio. You should also note that your investment
portfolio is treated individually by giving consideration to each purchase or sale for your account. For these
and other reasons, performance of client investment portfolios within the same investment objectives, goals
and/or risk tolerance may differ. Therefore, you should not expect that the composition or performance of
your portfolio would necessarily be consistent with those of similar clients.
Guide Map Wealth Planning and Coaching
We believe our investment management services are most successful when we start out with a clear
picture of your financial needs and objectives. That is why we include ongoing wealth planning advice along
with our investment management services. For you, the quality time we invest on the front-end solving
problems and providing solutions, can help alleviate future concerns and cultivate financial peace of
mind.
The planning process begins by defining your current overall financial circumstances and long-term financial
goals, objectives, and needs. Once this process has been implemented, we will design and propose a custom
goals-based wealth plan using a specialized planning software.
Each plan will be based on the information you provide, and the complexity of your situation. A number of
planning modules (see below) may be utilized to create a thorough plan that addresses your specific needs.
Asset allocation review
Asset allocation recommendations (i.e. Investment advice)
Benefits planning
Budgeting
Cash management
Cash flow analysis
Clear projections and alternative scenarios
College savings planning
Custom designed portfolios
Estate planning
Funding plans, liquidity, and major expense assistance
General financial planning
Insurance review
Legacy planning
Long-term care review
Miscellaneous services
Ongoing financial education and guidance
Retirement planning
Risk management and insurance analysis
Systematic Rebalancing
Tax-efficiency evaluation
Tax planning
Upon completion of your Guide Map plan, we will continue to maintain a dynamic real-time encrypted
client portal for you. The client portal offers many important benefits, including:
Ongoing 24/7 access to your wealth plan via a PC, tablet or Smartphone
Aggregated real-time information for all your financial accounts
Proprietary budgeting and expense
tracking
Interactive charts and customized analysis of your investments and wealth plan
Secure access to your important documents in a digital vault via a client portal
The financial planning tools provided are an intrinsic part of the ongoing wealth planning services that
we offer in conjunction with management of your investment portfolio.
Once your wealth management plan is completed, we will assist you with implementing the plan and
will manage your investment portfolio on an ongoing basis. You should be aware that you are under no
obligation to act upon any of the recommendations made by us in the plan or to engage the services of
any recommended professional.
Standalone Wealth Planning
Financial Guidance Group will also provide comprehensive standalone wealth planning services for
clients who may not require ongoing services. A plan can be broad (a mutually defined review of your
personal financial needs) or segmented (review, analysis and evaluation of a core area of financial
need). In general, standalone planning encompasses one or more of the areas set forth above in
Ongoing Wealth Planning. We prepare the plan in three stages. In the first stage, we engage in a
detailed assessment process with you to define and narrow your goals as well as create a unique picture
of your overall financial personality. In the second stage, a road map is designed to help take you from
your current financial position to obtaining your financial objectives. Finally, we prepare an
implementation schedule that includes a list of tasks and deadlines to assist you with putting the plan into
action.
Although we may use financial planning software to assist us with constructing your wealth plan, our
standalone planning services do not typically include ongoing access to any financial planning software
or online client portals.
Once our planning advice is delivered, you may choose to have us implement your wealth plan and manage
your investment portfolio on an ongoing basis. However, you are under no obligation to act upon any
of the recommendations we make under a planning engagement and/or to engage us or the services of
any recommended professional.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
We will provide Retirement Plan consulting services to Plans and Plan Fiduciaries as described below.
The particular services provided will be detailed in the consulting agreement. The appropriate Plan
Fiduciary(ies) designated in the Plan documents (e.g., the Plan sponsor or named fiduciary) will (i) make
the decision to retain our firm; (ii) agree to the scope of the services that we will provide; and (iii) make
the ultimate decision as to accepting any of the recommendations that we may provide. Retirement
Plan consulting services may be offered individually or as part of a comprehensive suite of services.
Financial Guidance Group typically requires copies of Plan documents and any amendments governing the
operation and administration of the Plan assets. We will not vote proxies for securities held in the Plan
account(s). We also ask that you name Financial Guidance Group as a fiduciary in the Plan’s ERISA fidelity
bond covering the account(s).
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) sets forth rules under which Plan
Fiduciaries may retain investment advisers for various types of services with respect to Plan assets. For
certain services, we will be considered a fiduciary under ERISA. For example, we will act as an ERISA §3(21)
fiduciary when providing non-discretionary investment advice to the Plan Fiduciaries by recommending a
suite of investments as choices among which Plan Participants may select. Also, to the extent that the Plan
Fiduciaries retain us to act as an investment manager within the meaning of ERISA §3(38), we will provide
discretionary investment management services to the Plan.
Fiduciary Consulting Services
Investment Selection Services: We will provide Plan Fiduciaries with recommendations
of investment options and model portfolios consistent with ERISA section 404(c). Plan
Fiduciaries retain responsibility for the final determination of investment options and for
compliance with ERISA section 404(c).
Investment Monitoring: We will assist in monitoring the plan’s investment options by
preparing periodic investment reports that document investment performance, consistency of
fund management and conformation to the guidelines set forth in the Investment Policy
Statement and we will make recommendations to maintain or remove and replace investment
options.
Fiduciary Management Services
Discretionary Management Services: When retained as an investment manager within the
meaning of ERISA § 3(38), we will provide continuous and ongoing supervision over the designated
retirement plan assets. When applicable, we will have discretionary authority to make all
decisions to buy, sell or hold securities, cash or other investments for the designated retirement
plan assets in our sole discretion without first consulting with the Plan Fiduciaries.
Non-Fiduciary Services
Participant Education and Enrollment: We will provide education services to Plan Participants
about general investment principles and the investment alternatives available under the Plan.
Plan Participants are responsible for implementing transactions in their own accounts. We will also
assist with group enrollment meetings designed to increase Plan participation among employees.
With respect to any account for which Financial Guidance Group meets the definition of a fiduciary
under Department of Labor rules, we acknowledge that both the firm and its Related Persons are acting
as fiduciaries. Additional disclosure may be found elsewhere in this Brochure or in the written
agreement between us.
Because Financial Guidance Group is a registered investment adviser, we are required to meet certain
fiduciary standards when providing investment advice to clients. Additionally, when we provide
investment advice related to a retirement plan account or an individual retirement account, we are
considered fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or
the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. As such, we are
required to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours, even though our
compensation creates some conflicts with your interests in that the more you have us manage, the more
we can earn. Our clients however are under no obligation to use services recommended by our associated
persons. Furthermore, we believe that our recommendations are in the best interests of our clients and
are consistent with our clients’ needs.