subject: Arlington Financial Services -- How To Separate The Good From The Bad [print this page] If you're looking to make the most out of your money, there are dozens and dozens of Arlington
financial services to choose from. However, just because you see someone in the phonebook, on a
billboard, or at the top of a Google search doesn't necessarily mean they're the best choice to handle
your money.
So, how do you weed through all of the options and wind up with the very best Arlington financial
advisors managing your investment portfolio?
1. Learn your ABC's
Lots of Arlington financial advisors have designations listed on their business cards or on their
websites, but some of those abbreviations are better than others. Instead of being blindly
impressed with a few letters listed after someone's name, find out what those designations
really mean and which organizations they're associated with. That way, you can see if your
potential advisor really has great credentials -- or if he's just trying to impress you with a bunch of
meaningless letters.
2. Figure out exactly what they do
Some Arlington financial services are well-rounded -- they handle everything from stocks, to bonds,
to insurance, to "non-traditional" investment options. Others claim to be financial advisors, but
they're really just accounts or insurance salesmen offering financial advice to try and broaden their
client base (and their commissions!). If you're looking for someone that can completely handle your
finances, you'll have to make sure they offer all of the services you need.
If you're dealing with a potential financial advisor that offers limited services, that's a red flag.
It could mean that they don't have the knowledge to use a variety of investment tools. That's
something you definitely don't need!
3. Get their thoughts on communication
Your Arlington financial services company may be chock full of money experts, but this is YOUR
money we're talking about. You're the one who's calling the shots. That's why good Arlington
financial advisors will make keeping you in the loop a priority -- both over the phone and in writing.
Before you agree to work with anyone, ask them how their company keeps its clients updated. The
good companies will have an actual communication policy that they apply to all of their clients. For
example, they may send you a written report a few times a year or have special documentation
that they send out on a regular basis. And, of course, that's on top of taking your phone calls and
responding quickly to your emails.
Bottom line -- if you don't think your potential financial advisor seems like a good communicator, it's
time to find another one. The best Arlington financial services understand that you're in charge, so
