Important note: Until further notice, our physical Financial Symmetry office location is closed. We’re able to serve you remotely through email, video conferencing and phone calls. More details are included below
During this uncertain time, we want you to know that the entire team at Financial Symmetry is here to serve our clients.
Overview:
• Our commitment to you.
• We are working remotely and we’re fully operational with a few adjustments.
• You can meet with us in different ways.
• FSI’s Client Center and online resources are available to you.
A personal message from Heather Gudac, Operations Manager at Financial Symmetry:
I’ve been thinking lately of a time that helped shape and prepare the team of Financial Symmetry to respond and navigate through uncertainty. I remember attending our firm-wide economic Outlook meetings and recall how our President and Founder, Bill Ramsay, discussed and led us through to our ‘new normal.’ Looking back, the time leading up to, during and following the Great Recession of 2009 helped us create a team that is ready to serve our clients boldly in times of both calmness and uncertainty.
Financial Symmetry has grown into a very well-connected, cross-trained team that is ready and available to continue serving you.
We’re all experiencing a new way of going about our days. Some of us are pulling double duty as working professional and homeschool teacher. Many of you are putting your own health at risk by serving our communities in hospitals, grocery stores and delivery businesses. Even more are adjusting to new routines and tasks, some are picking up new hobbies or revisiting hobbies we pushed aside when our lives were much too busy.
I know many of us are grateful to have some sense of routine while working remotely. I’ve had many discussions with our team about how we need to support those around us and our clients—those working each day to provide us with food, safety and healthcare. Our team is staying home to help slow the spread of COVID-19 so our families, our clients, and our communities may be safe.
What I hope comes out of this experience is a greater, deeper appreciation for our healthcare professionals, teachers, grocery store and delivery workers. My heart breaks for those in the service industry, many of whom are now unable to work and will later find their restaurants and small shops unable to reopen. May we value our friendships a bit more and find meaning in everyday things.
While we hoped to see so many of you at our 10th annual client appreciation event in a few weeks, we must wait for a better time to reconnect. I’ll be in touch to share all the details at the right time.
We appreciate and look forward to you sharing how you are faring during these challenging times. We’ve already enjoyed hearing from you telling us about your ‘new normal’ and we hope to pick up on a few tips from you, too.
While these conditions are only temporary, our ability to serve you remains committed and strong. Here are some key ways we are continuing to serve you in our current normal:
We are working remotely and we’re fully operational with a few adjustments
Our advisors and staff are working from home for their safety and yours, and we are still available for you during this time. You may reach us via email or phone during the work week for thoughts or questions you may have. Staying connected is very important to us. We are also holding our regular internal meetings virtually to discuss things like our market outlook and regularly reviewing our services for improvements for you.
Account updates, recommendation execution and reviews are still being completed. Our tax team continues to prepare tax returns, and your Advisor will be in touch regarding your personal situation.
A few things have changed however during these conditions. We are sending reviews electronically. When our office reopens, we will send out any postal copies needed. We’re also putting a hold on rollovers being processed via check. With various shut downs and prolonged processing time across different custodians, keeping your portfolio aligned is most important. We will resume account transfers and deposits requiring physical documents and checks as soon as feasible.
We are utilizing electronic signature even more for agreements, paperwork, and tax processing. Our electronic signature procedures have been long in place, and we’re ready to walk you through these as they may be new to you.
You can meet with us in different ways
We are happy to schedule a phone call or to meet virtually via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. If you are new to virtual meetings, we will walk you through the steps to get started. This is a great way to connect when we cannot be together in person.
In addition to email, you may reach our office directly at 919-851-8200 and we’ll get you connected with your Advisor or dedicated service team member.
Though our physical office is currently closed, we will be checking mail on a frequent schedule. We are taking extra steps to protect our team members who may be in the office to complete essential tasks. Please know that we will be back open in full swing as soon as it is safe to do so. We are looking forward to when we can see you again.
FSI’s Client Center and online resources are available to you
Stay connected with us and your finances through Client Center. Recent updates include an online view of your portfolio. If you haven’t had the chance to view the improvements we’ve made lately, we encourage you to check in. Client Center allows you to view and update your net worth, categorize your cash flow transactions and see how you are doing against your plan targets. We’ve recently refined the ability for you to set and update your financial goals and accomplishments as well.
You may also stay connected with us through our blog and podcast. Now may be a good time to listen in as to what we’ve been up to. We’re updating both resources with timely outlooks on COVID-19, market conditions and topics that may help your personal finances. You can also subscribe to get weekly updates.
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Lastly, these are very uncertain and extraordinary times. A sentiment that is shared after many of our team’s meetings is simple: We’re all in this together. Right now, is no different.
We encourage and welcome you to reach out to us with questions, concerns and to simply check in. Our business is very much ‘open’ and we are thankful for the opportunity to serve you.
From everyone here at Financial Symmetry, we look forward to connecting with you very soon. Until then, we wish you and your family good health and wellness.
