Things You Should Know About Us And Frequently Asked Questions

Spectrum is an independent financial planning and investment management firm that is owned by Bill Elson, CFP®. We provide fee-based financial planning to clients and offer investments and investment advisory services through VSR Financial Services, Inc, a Registered Investment Adviser and Member FINRA/SIPC. You’ll see this referenced on our business cards, stationary, website, reports, and advertisements. All fee-based advisors must be part of a Registered Investment Adviser and all Registered Representatives must have a Broker Dealer, and VSR serves us in this capacity.

Another way we differ from other firms that only provide investment advice is that we counsel clients on other areas such as retirement planning, estate planning, income tax planning, education funding, and risk management. While investments are part of financial planning, we believe that other areas are important as well.

We differ from the large brokerage firms, insurance companies and banks in many ways. Our approach is planning-focused not transaction-based. We do not have sales managers, quotas or a parent company that manufactures and sells insurance products or investment products. However, we likely have access to all those same products and research. Being independent allows us to access and recommend a wide variety of investment tools, regardless of the sponsor company and services from many different companies.

What is Spectrum Financial Services?

VSR Financial Services, Inc is a broker/dealer and register investment advisor that is regulated by FINRA and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA’s mission is to protect America’s investors by making sure the securities industry operates fairly and honestly. Their website is www.finra.orgThe SEC oversees the key participants in the securities world, including securities exchanges, securities brokers and dealers, investment advisors, and mutual funds. The SEC is concerned primarily with promoting the disclosure of important market-related information, maintaining fair dealing, and protecting against fraud. You can find information on VSR at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. VSR’s IARD/CRD number is 14503 and the SEC Number is 801-61672.

What is VSR Financial Services, Inc.?

It depends on the account size, activity, type of investment and style of investing. We will be happy to provide you with the schedule of advisory fees as well as the appropriate prospectuses, Form ADV and/or expense estimates. Our financial planning fees generally range from $250 to $2,000 per year depending on the complexity of the case. Advisory fees generally range from 0.25% to 1.00% depending on assets under management.

How much will it cost me in total to do business

with you?

There are good and bad advisors in both categories. Certified Financial Planners ™ and Registered Investment Advisors who work for a fee have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their clients at all times. Stock brokers who work for a commission generally are not fiduciaries to their customers and are not required to make recommendations that are solely in their customers’ best interests. Fee-based accounts typically pay level compensation to the advisor, instead of a large amount of up-front as some commissionable products do.

What is the difference between a fee-based advisory account and a

commission-based brokerage account?

In conversations with clients, we focus on a few key concepts. We believe long term investors are best served by a well-diversified portfolio strategy. We construct portfolios that may include certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, and exchange-traded funds in addition to various alternative investments to achieve a given risk/reward profile for each client over an appropriate time horizon. By contrast, investors (and brokers) tend to buy (or sell) what they hear is hot in the media and/or performing well right now. We avoid this thinking because we believe it is detrimental to our client’s financial health to chase investment returns.

What is your investment philosophy?

The answer really depends on the client. Risk is relative. Each client has different risk tolerances, goals and objectives. We are always concerned with our client’s money, and our planning recommendations are intended to help you achieve your goals while attempting to minimize the risk you take to achieve those goals. It is important that we continually communicate on risk levels you are comfortable with.

Do you take a lot of risks or are you more concerned about the safety of my

money?

American Heritage dictionary defines investment risk as the variability of returns from an investment or the chance of a nonpayment of debt. We understand that to a client, risk may mean not being able to retire when they desire, or simply seeing their account balance decrease. We believe that the greatest risks to retirees are inflation and health care costs. Whatever the definition, we believe that a client’s portfolio should be diversified among a variety of different asset classes within their own unique risk profile. This may mean adjusting your expectations or goals to accommodate the expected return of your portfolio.

How do you define risk?

Are you registered with our state securities regulator?

Have you ever been disciplined by the SEC, a state regulator, or other organization (such as FINRA or one of the stock exchanges)?No.

Have you ever been disciplined by the SEC, a state regulator, or other organization (such

as FINRA or one of the stock exchanges)?

Bill Elson has a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and is a Certified Financial Planner™. He has been advising clients since 1988, and has built a successful firm with a solid base of loyal clients. Bill has a Series 7 securities license and a series 24 registered principal license. Rachel Wood has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with AIB College of Business. She holds her series 7 securities license, has worked in financial planning since 2002, and has been with Spectrum since 2005.

What level of training and experience do the advisors at Spectrum have? How long

have you been in the business?

Yes, you have a choice, but we prefer a fee-based relationship with our clients. We typically recommend changes in our client’s accounts over the term of our relationship. When we make a recommendation, we do not want the first thought in your mind to be: “why is he trying to sell me this?” In addition, fee-based accounts are more transparent as far as the costs are concerned. Sometimes it is better for the client if the investments or insurance company pays us a commission or servicing fee and we choose that compensation in lieu of a fee.

Do I have any choices on how to pay you? Should I pay you by the transaction? Or a

flat fee regardless of how many transactions I have?

For financial planning services, we typically earn an agreed-upon annual fee. For investment management, we typically are paid a percentage of the assets under our management. We’d be happy to provide a schedule for you. If a commission product fits a client better, we will offer the option for their review and consideration. We are an independent financial planning firm, so we don’t sell any proprietary products for more commission like you might find in an insurance company or large brokerage firm.

How do you get paid? By commission? Based on a percentage of assets you manage?

Another method? Do you get paid more for selling your own firm’s products?

Very few clients choose to leave our firm. We believe the best relationships are open and honest. This is why we prefer a fee-based, transparent advisory arrangement where both of us are free to choose to continue to work together. If you do not feel comfortable with what we are doing, you are free to go somewhere else and generally your accounts can be easily transferred.

What is your client retention?

Anytime your needs change or you have a question, simply contact us. On average, we meet with our advisory clients once or twice a year but some clients prefer to meet quarterly. First year clients typically have a few extra meetings. After that, our frequency of meetings is dependent on your comfort level and the pace of changes in your life. However, we do prefer to see you at least annually.

When do you meet with clients?

As independent advisors, we are free to establish relationships with a variety of account custodians which we feel will best serve the needs of our clients. Depending on your specific situation, we may recommend any or all of the following: a managed account held at First Clearing, a division of Wells Fargo, mutual funds held directly at the fund company; an insurance product to be held by the company; or direct participation programs. This is not a comprehensive list, but an example for illustrative purposes.

Where will my investments be held?

Our advisory accounts typically receive monthly statements. Others may be on a quarterly schedule. Additionally, custodians typically provide online access to your accounts for the most up-to-date information.

How often will I receive a statement on my investments?

3705 Grand Avenue Des Moines Iowa 50312 (515) 255-3306 belson@vsrfin.com sfsplanners.com

We appreciate the opportunity to answer some frequently asked questions for you and invite

you to contact us anytime questions arise.