FSC Securities Corporation is a large Atlanta-based financial advisory firm. The firm is a network that's made up of independent financial advisor firms. FSC provides these firms with a variety of resources and support to help each individual advisor or firm manage their client's assets. As a result, individuals don't work directly with FSC Securities Corporation, though financial advisors do. However, you can work with one of the advisory firms in FSC's network.
The firm's group of affiliated advisors helps clients with a wide range of finance-related topics, from financial planning to investment portfolio management. The offerings of any particular advisor in the network may vary.
FSC Securities Corporation Background
FSC Securities Corporation was founded in 1958, though it only registered as an investment advisor in 1992. The firm employs over a thousand financial advisors. The firm and its network of advisor firms work with thousands of clients. Jeff Stills serves as the firm's president and CEO.
FSC Securities Corporation Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
FSC Securities Corporation and its advisors participate in two VISION2020 wealth management platforms. The VISION2020 Advisor Managed Portfolios program has a minimum investment of $10,000, while the VISION2020 Unified Managed Account program has a $5,500 minimum, which may vary depending on the specific strategy or advisor. Beyond these two platforms, individual advisors and other third-party advisory firms set their own minimums. Financial planning and consulting services carry no minimum requirements.
The firm works with a variety of clients, including individuals with and without a high net worth, pensions, profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, government entities, banks, corporations and other business entities.
Services Offered by FSC Securities Corporation
As is noted in the section above, investment management services are provided through the VISON2020 Advisor Managed Portfolios and the Unified Managed Account programs. Other investment services are also offered via third-party advisors that are affiliated with FSC.
Outside of investment management, the firm provides clients with financial planning and consulting services. FSC also offers retirement plan consulting services to various types of plan providers.
FSC Securities Corporation Investing Philosophy
Because FSC's advisors each operate independently, there is no single, overarching investment philosophy that every advisor adheres to. However, advisors typically use asset allocation strategies and a variety of software programs to help them process information and manage client portfolios. Advisors primarily use fundamental and technical methods of analysis to help inform their investment decisions.
Fees Under FSC Securities Corporation
The fees for the two investment management programs offered through FSC are not disclosed publicly. However, both programs work on a wrap fee basis. That means all of your investment, custodial and transactional fees are combined into a single rate.
For financial planning services, fixed fees range from $500 to $15,000, and hourly fees range from $50 to $750. Consulting services and non-discretionary investment advisory services utilize the same fee schedule. While the hourly fees for retirement plan consulting are the same, fixed fees range instead from $1,000 to $100,000.
What to Watch Out For
FSC Securities Corporation lists multiple disclosures on its SEC-filed Form ADV. The firm's disclosures include sanctions and repayments for infractions like inaccurate accounting, misreporting expense costs and other compliance violations. The firm has paid various fine amounts in relation to these disclosures.
Some of FSC's advisors can receive commissions from the sale of investment and insurance products to clients. Due to this, the firm is considered to be fee-based. While this is a potential conflict of interest, advisors are bound by fiduciary duty, legally obligating them to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
Opening an Account with FSC Securities Corporation
While you can't open an account directly with FSC, you can get in touch with the firm if you're an advisor or advisory firm looking for support and tools. You can also contact the firm to learn more about their network by calling over the phone.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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