Question 1

Are you a fiduciary?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a Registered Investment Advisor, North Bay Wealth Management owes its clients a fiduciary duty when providing investment advisory services - meaning we're obligated to act in your best interest in that advisory relationship. We're independent and fee-only: we earn no commissions and sell no products, so we're compensated only by the clients we advise.

Question 2

Will I work with the same advisor over time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are a deliberately small firm - two advisors and roughly 130 client relationships - so you work directly with the person who knows your plan. When you call, you reach someone who already understands your situation, not a queue or a rotating service desk.

Question 3

How often will we meet?

Accepted Answer

As often as your situation warrants - typically a thorough review at least once a year, with additional check-ins around life changes, tax deadlines, and major market moves. We also reach out proactively rather than waiting for you to call us.

Question 4

Do you coordinate with my CPA and attorney?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We see that as core to good advice. Your CPA leads on tax filing and your attorney on legal documents; we help align your accounts, titling, beneficiaries, and investments with their guidance - reducing the risk that important pieces are overlooked, so things work as one plan instead of in isolation.

Question 5

How do you charge for advice?

Accepted Answer

We charge one advisory fee based on the assets we manage for you - no commissions and no product sales. Our fees and any material conflicts of interest are disclosed in our Form ADV and your advisory agreement. The annual rate steps down as your assets grow, and the fee covers investment management and ongoing financial planning together. Annual advisory fee: 1.25% on the first $2M · 1.00% from $2M–$6M · 0.90% from $6M–$10M · 0.80% above $10M. Each rate applies only to the assets within that band, so your overall rate is a blend. Fees are billed quarterly in advance, based on the value of your accounts at the end of the prior quarter, and are detailed in your advisory agreement. Comparable services may be available from other providers for lower fees.

Question 6

What does the first meeting cost?

Accepted Answer

Nothing. An introductory conversation is complimentary and carries no obligation. It's simply a chance for both of us to understand whether we're a good fit before anyone commits to anything.

Question 7

Do you charge performance fees?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not charge performance-based fees.

Question 8

Are there other costs I should know about?

Accepted Answer

Beyond our advisory fee, you may pay modest underlying costs charged by the funds we use and any transaction or account fees set by your custodian. We deliberately favor low-cost, transparent investments and will walk you through the considerations so you know what to expect.

Question 9

Where are my assets held?

Accepted Answer

With an independent, third-party qualified custodian - not with us. Your accounts stay in your name at the custodian, and you retain full ownership and access. We do not take physical possession of client funds. Our access is limited to the authority you grant us: to manage the investments under your agreement, to deduct the advisory fee you have authorized, and, where you have given the custodian standing instructions for transfers, to direct those transfers only to the payees and accounts you named. These authorities are disclosed in our Form ADV.

Question 10

Can you withdraw or move my money?

Accepted Answer

Only where you've authorized it. We can debit our agreed advisory fee from your account, and we can move money between accounts or to destinations you've approved in writing. We cannot send funds anywhere else. The only payment to our firm from your account is the advisory fee you have authorized, which appears on your custodian statement.

Question 11

Do you vote proxies on my behalf?

Accepted Answer

No. Proxy materials come to you directly from Schwab, your custodian, so you keep that voice. If you'd like to talk through a particular vote, we're glad to share our perspective, but the decision stays yours.

Question 12

What happens to my plan during a market downturn?

Accepted Answer

It's when our discipline matters most. Your plan is designed with market downturns in mind, so the response is usually to stay the course, rebalance thoughtfully, and look for tax-loss and Roth-conversion opportunities - not to react emotionally.

Question 13

Is there an account minimum?

Accepted Answer

Our stated minimum is $1,000,000 in investable assets, as disclosed in our Form ADV, though we have discretion to make exceptions. We work best with individuals, families, and retirees who want coordinated, ongoing advice rather than a one-time transaction. A short introductory conversation is the easiest way to find out if we're a fit.

Question 14

Do you only work with local clients?

Accepted Answer

We're rooted in Petaluma and serve families across the Bay Area, and we also work with clients in other states. Much of our communication happens by phone and video, so distance is rarely the deciding factor.

Question 15

Can you advise on accounts you don’t manage, like my 401(k)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Held-away accounts such as a workplace 401(k) are part of your whole financial picture, and we'll factor them into your plan and offer guidance on allocation - even when they sit outside the accounts we manage directly.

Question 16

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Reach out for a complimentary introductory call. We'll listen to where you are and what you want, answer your questions, and outline what coordinated advice could look like for you. If it feels like a fit, we'll map out the next steps together. If not, we're happy to point you in a helpful direction.

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