The strength of the client/advisor relationship continues to be a driving factor in client retention as markets endure volatility and investors seek safe havens for their wealth.

“I believe this is where my firm really shines,” Peter Maller said. “We keep our clients informed.”

Maller is the founder and president of Maller Wealth Advisors (MWA), based in Hunt Valley, Md. Keeping clients informed includes meeting in person for the semi-annual and annual review as well as updating the retirement analysis and overall financial/estate plan to show the effects of the occurrences that have occurred throughout the year.

MWA also has an open door policy encouraging clients to stop by the office – even without appointments – to discuss concerns they may have.

Maller embraces the evolving “therapist” aspect of being a financial advisor. He wants his clients to know they can entrust their hopes and dreams, their aspirations, their concerns and even their family secrets to his confidential approach.

“We create client experience events that facilitate us really getting to know our clients on a deeper level,” Maller said. “Because of all of the proactive communication touches, we experience fewer unforeseen circumstances.”

These strong, honesty-based relationships with clients is the platform on which Maller builds financial plans and their investment portfolios that are customized to reflect how much risk each client will tolerate knowing that increased market volatility this fall is predicted to continue.

“We are due for some choppiness and potentially even a pullback,” he said. “We never define the risk. The client defines how much risk they are willing to assume and it is our job to build a portfolio that is properly asset allocated and diversified so that it falls along the efficient frontier line. This ensures that the client is adequately compensated for the risk they are willing to assume.”

With the goal of protecting the portfolios, Maller has added both equity and fixed income hedges in many of his clients’ portfolios. His investing style being self-described as a bit “on the conservative side” is one in which he prefers to cover all asset classes.

“We use a small degree of tactical allocation in looking at sectors that have been hit a little too hard to see if there now is a value to investing in those areas to be able to produce a little more alpha,” he said. “But we really do prefer to focus on all of the asset classes spreading out the risk.”

Maller’s firm takes on only 12 new clients per year, all stemming from client referrals. The firm minimum is $1,000,000 of investable assets or a combined spousal income of $400,000 per year.
“We feel that if we grow by more than 12 new clients per year, then we are putting everyone else in jeopardy in that we always want to deliver on our promises,” Maller said.

Learn more about Maller Wealth Advisors, Inc., online at www.mallerwealthadvisors.com