Our Clients
"At Plancorp, we don't sell a product...we teach a philosophy."
For the better part of three decades, clients at Plancorp have all been put through an investment boot camp of sorts. The goal has been to wean them off their life-long belief in the traditional style of investing (i.e. stock picking and market timing) and to convince them, instead, that an investment philosophy grounded in academic research and backed by the principles of Modern Portfolio Theory will serve them in a far better way over time. This is what we teach...this is what we believe in, and for those who do not end up sharing this philosophy, we suggest to them that Plancorp is probably not where they should be.
Regarding our clients, we currently have approximately 450 client relationships (October 2010), representing both individuals and not for profit organizations. Our client relationships include numerous multi generation families.
When working with our clients, we use a team approach, which gives clients access to the expertise of our entire senior management team (which includes 3 attorneys, 2 CPA's, 5 MBA's, 8 CFP's and an MD). In addition, Plancorp often takes on the role of the "financial quarterback" of a client's advisory team. This usually includes the client's attorney and accountant/tax advisor, along with their insurance representative.
Once a relationship has been established, we generally meet with clients 2-4 times per year. Meeting agendas generally include, among other things, discussing any relevant planning issues and reviewing portfolio performance.
We are often asked about the type of people who make up our client list. The answer we always seem to give them is that they are people just like you. They come to us for unbiased advice, they share with us their goals and expectations, they come because they are frustrated by their past experiences in the investment markets, and they come to us because, for many of them, they want to take a more disciplined approach to their financial situation.
And, where do our clients come from? As is most often the case with successful firms, many come to us from referrals from satisfied clients. In addition, we often receive recommendations from many of our contacts in the professional community...attorneys, accountants and others who believe in us and in the approach we take to wealth management. And, finally, many come to us from long established relationships with members of our senior management team.
Finally, is there a common denominator between our clients and us? The answer is yes. Every member of the Plancorp team invests their money in the exact way that we invest our client's money. And why not, we believe in it...and, best of all, it works!