A fiduciary is an individual or business that is legally obligated to act in the best interests of a client. This fiduciary duty creates a foundation of trust, requiring honesty, transparency, and the avoidance of conflicts of interest with advice. The exact responsibilities of a fiduciary depend on the profession and the regulatory standards governing their role.
How does MAI Capital Act as a Fiduciary?
MAI Capital Management serves as a fiduciary financial advisor, meaning our advisors’ recommendations are guided by what benefits our clients most. We operate under a legal and ethical standard that prioritizes your financial goals above any external interests. Our advisors must only recommend investments and other financial planning products that they believe are the best fit for their clients.
What is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)?
As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), MAI Capital is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). RIAs are required to act as fiduciaries, offering independent advice and recommending strategies, investments, and financial planning solutions that align with each client’s objectives and best interests.
What are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) Professionals?
Many of MAI’s advisors hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation—a credential that represents extensive financial education, experience, and adherence to a fiduciary Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
When providing financial advice, a CFP® professional must uphold:
- The Duty of Loyalty: Always putting the client’s interests first.
- The Duty of Care: Acting with competence, diligence, and thoroughness.
- The Duty to Follow Client Instructions: Respecting client decisions and objectives at every step.
How Can I Verify if a Financial Professional Is a Fiduciary?
Not all financial professionals are fiduciaries. To determine whether your advisor is a fiduciary, simply ask or verify their credentials. You can check an advisor’s registration using FINRA’s BrokerCheck database or the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
Working with a CFP® professional ensures that your advisor must act in your best interests, rather than being influenced by commissions or firm incentives.
Why Does Working with a Fiduciary Matter?
Your financial wellbeing deserves advice grounded in trust and integrity. Fiduciary financial advisors are legally and ethically required to recommend what’s best for you—helping you to simplify, protect, and grow your wealth with confidence.
MAI Capital Management, built on the mission of taking care of clients first, is a fiduciary financial adviser that aims to empower clients to simplify, protect, and grow their wealth. We take our fiduciary duty seriously. Recommendations, plans, and conversations are guided by a single principle: putting our clients first. To learn more about working with our team, please contact info@mai.capital.
Please send your questions, comments and feedback to: info@mai.capital.
MAI Capital Management, LLC (“MAI”) is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
MAI does not provide legal advice. Please consult your legal advisor, tax or other professional who is licensed in your state before implementing any investment or tax strategies.
This is not an offer to buy or sell any security or interest. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal.
This article is provided for informational purposes only. The opinions and analyses expressed herein are subject to change at any time. Any suggestions contained herein are general, and do not take into account an individual’s or entity’s specific circumstances or applicable governing law, which may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and be subject to change. Distribution hereof does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment or other professional advice. Recipients should consult their professional advisors prior to acting on the information set forth herein.
