SHEARWATER CAPITAL

At Shearwater Capital, we operate as a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent firm. That means:

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• We are compensated only by the clients we serve, not by commissions or product sales.

• We are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest at all times.

• Our advice is objective, transparent, and fully aligned with your success.

 

How Financial Advisors Get Paid

 

Understanding how advisors are compensated is key to understanding where their loyalties lie. The three most common models are:

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Commission-Based

 

Commission-based advisors can earn money by placing trades or selling products on behalf of brokerage firms, mutual fund companies, and insurance companies. These commissions may create incentives to recommend products that benefit the advisor more than the client.

 

Fee-Based

 

Fee-based advisors may sound like they are fee-only, but they also make commissions from transactions and selling financial products, thus placing them at the same risk for conflicts of interest as commission-based advisors.

 

Fee-Only

 

Fee-only advisors are paid only by their clients, typically as a percentage of assets under management (AUM). They receive no commissions, kickbacks, or hidden incentives. Because fee-only advisors are only paid by their clients, their incentives are strictly aligned with yours.

 

Why Fee-Only Matters for Physicians

 

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) considers the fee-only model to be the most transparent and objective in the profession. Here’s why that matters for you:

 

1. Fewer Conflicts of Interest

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Because fee-only advisors don’t earn commissions, their recommendations are based solely on your best interests, not on which product pays them the most.

 

2. Fiduciary Duty

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Fee-only advisors are fiduciaries, legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest at all times, and to fully disclose any potential conflicts.

 

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Why Shearwater Capital Is Fee-Only

 

At Shearwater Capital, we combine our fiduciary duty with a deep understanding of the financial challenges physicians face. From student loan debt and delayed earnings to practice management and retirement planning, we provide transparent guidance tailored to your career stage.

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Our promise:

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• No hidden fees.

• No product sales.

• Just unbiased advice designed to grow and protect your wealth.

 

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

 

Whether you want help with a specific financial concern or a comprehensive wealth management strategy, we are here to guide you.

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📞 Call us at (314) 434-4750
📧 Email us at contact@shearwatercapital.com