Firm Info
Firm Size
Services Offered
- Financial Planning
- Portfolio Management for Individuals & Small Businesses
- Other
Types of Clients
- Individuals (Not High Net Worth)
-
Individuals High Net Worth
*>=750k in Investable Assets or >=1.5m of Estimated Total Net Worth
Available Fee Structures
- Percentage of Assets Under Management (AUM)
- Hourly
- Fixed Fees (Other than subscription)
First Financial Group Overview
First Financial Group is an investment advisory firm based in the heart of Raleigh, NC. Having been in the business since 2018, the firm is relatively new in the financial industry but has made substantial strides in providing excellent investment advice to its clients. The firm operates under a fee-only arrangement, ensuring that clients only pay for the services they receive, without hidden commissions or fees. As an investment advisory firm that offers investment advice only, First Financial Group focuses on providing customized financial planning and portfolio management services for individuals and small businesses. The firm's team of experienced professionals works with clients to create a financial roadmap that aligns with their goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. Portfolio consulting is another service provided by First Financial Group. This service includes market analysis, risk management, and investment strategy implementation. By leveraging their deep understanding of the market trends and applying their analytical expertise, First Financial Group's clients receive a tailored portfolio consultation that is unique to their needs. In summary, First Financial Group is a fee-only registered investment advisory firm that offers financial planning, portfolio management for individuals & small businesses, and portfolio consulting. Since its inception, the firm's commitment to providing excellent investment advice has earned them a reputation as a trusted partner in the financial industry.
FIRST FINANCIAL GROUP is a financial advisory firm that serves a diverse range of clients. The firm offers a wide range of financial services to individuals and high net worth individuals alike. Their services include investment management, financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and tax planning. They work with clients to develop customized financial plans designed to help them achieve their financial goals. When it comes to fee structures, FIRST FINANCIAL GROUP offers several options depending on the service provided. For investment management and financial planning, they typically charge a percentage of the assets under management (AUM). This fee is calculated as a percentage of the value of the client's portfolio managed by the firm. For clients seeking more specialized advice or services, FIRST FINANCIAL GROUP offers hourly fees. These fees are charged based on the amount of time spent on the service provided. In addition to these fee structures, FIRST FINANCIAL GROUP also offers fixed fees for specific projects or services, such as estate planning or tax planning. The firm works with each client to determine the most appropriate fee structure based on their specific needs and circumstances.
Typical Clients, Fee Structures & Investment Minimum
The investment minimum for FIRST FINANCIAL GROUP, as stated in their Part 2 Brochure, is $325,000. This minimum is required to open and maintain an advisory account with the firm. However, the brochure also notes that the firm may waive this minimum account size at their discretion.
How This Office Can Help Huntsville, AL Residents
First Financial Group is a financial consulting firm located in Huntsville, AL that assists clients in achieving their financial goals. They offer a wide range of services such as retirement planning, investment management, insurance and estate planning. Their team of experienced financial advisors is dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of the financial world and providing them with custom-tailored solutions that suit their needs. Huntsville is a growing city that is home to many high-tech companies and government agencies. This can make financial planning for residents in Huntsville more complex due to the unique nature of their income streams and their need for specialized financial products. First Financial Group understands this and is equipped to assist clients with a variety of financial situations, from planning for retirement to managing investments to protecting assets through insurance and estate planning. They strive to provide their clients with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their financial future is secure.
Services Offered by First Financial Group
Core Advisor Services
Financial Planning
Financial planning services encompass the process of devising strategies for your future financial well-being, including preparing for events such as retirement, funding your child's college education, or planning for the transfer of assets.
Portfolio Management for Individuals & Small Businesses
Portfolio management entails the careful selection and strategic management of investment combinations tailored to meet the needs of individuals and small businesses.
Market Timing Services
Market timing services involve the endeavor to generate short-term profits from investments by capitalizing on opportunities to buy at low prices and sell at high prices.
Other Services
Selection of Other Advisors
The firm provides support in selecting and engaging other advisors who possess specialized expertise to complement your financial needs.
Publication of Periodicals or Newsletters
The firm engages in the dissemination of diverse financial educational materials through the publication of periodicals.
Educational Seminars & Workshops
The firm organizes and conducts seminars or workshops aimed at enlightening investors on various financial concepts.
Fee Structures
Financial advisory fees usually are based on the services provided. Fee types charged by First Financial Group most likely consist of the following fee types: asset-based, hourly or fixed. Wrap fee programs, or the practice of bundling services for a single fee, are not offered by the firm.
Available
Percentage of Assets Under Management (AUM)
This fee structure charges a percentage of the assets under management by the firm. Fee structures are often tiered based on the amount of assets managed, with higher AUM often charged a lower rate.
Between 0.50% and 2.00% of assets under management (annually), often lower for a robo advisor. Fees are typically charged quarterly by the firm and will show on your investment statement. View typical advisor costs here.
~96% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you have $1 million managed by a firm at a 1% management fee, you would be charged $10,000/year to manage your assets (or $2,500 per quarter). This would be automatically deducted from your investment portfolio.
Hourly
Similar to an attorney, a financial consultant might charge fees based on hourly rates. This fee structure can be advantageous when seeking specific or ad hoc advice.
Charges generally span from $150 to $400 per hour, depending on the extent of the services required.
~33% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you needed hourly consulting to sell a business or transfer your estate to your children but did not want your assets managed by a firm, you could consult a firm at an hourly rate to answer any questions you may have.
Fixed Fees (Other than subscription)
Fixed fees are a one-time, lump-sum payment rendered for a specific service, such as creating a financial plan without ongoing management or implementation. This option is beneficial if you solely require guidance for a particular objective rather than a long-term consultancy or asset management.
Fixed fees for creating a financial plan often range from $1,000 to $3,000.
~49% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you did not want a firm to manage your assets but needed to create a retirement plan, life transition plan such as divorce or loss of a spouse, estate transition plan, business financial plan, or any other financial planning, you could consult with an RIA firm to help you with the creation of that plan.
Unavailable
Subscription (Newsletter or Periodical)
Commissions
Occasionally, advisors are compensated through commissions by selling certain financial products, such as mutual funds or life insurance policies, or as a broker-dealer by facilitating the buying and selling of securities. Advisors who receive commissions may be incentivized to make specific suggestions to clients in order to secure a commission. Advisors who operate on a fee-only basis do not earn commissions, whereas fee-based advisors may do so.
Often 3% - 6% of the value of the security.
Only ~3% of registered firms say they offer this fee structure, but other advisors may receive “soft dollars”. Many mutual funds charge 12b-1 fees to cover the promoting and selling of the fund’s shares. While your advisor does not charge these fees, they may receive a kickback for recommending the investment.
An advisor selling their client on a life insurance policy and receiving a commission on the sale of that policy, or recommending a specific investment and receiving a kickback for that recommendation.
Performance-based Fees
Advisors typically obtain performance-based fees if a portfolio surpasses a predefined benchmark. This fee is determined through various methods, but is most commonly assessed as a percentage of investment gains. Performance-based fees may incentivize advisors to undertake riskier decisions in pursuit of generating higher returns.
“Two and Twenty” is common among hedge funds with a 2% management fee and a 20% incentive fee above the “hurdle rate,” or performance threshold the fund is compared against.
32% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
A hedge fund earns a 15% return with a 20% performance fee in above the performance of the S&P 500, which grew 7% that same year.
20% of fund growth in excess of S&P 500’s 7% growth for that year = 15% hedge fund growth - 7% S&P 500 growth = 8% difference x 20% = 2% performance fee (in addition to the management fee).
Other
Firms occasionally offer unconventional fee structures when charging clients. For more detailed information about a firm’s specific fee structures, please refer to their Form ADV and Part 2 Brochure.
Types of Clients
*The Securities & Exchange Commission defines someone as “high net worth” if they have $750,000 or more in investable assets or $1.5M of estimated total net worth.
This Office Location
Other Office Locations
Firm Headquarters
This firm has no other locations.
State Registrations
First Financial Group is registered to service clients in the following states:
- California
- Florida
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Virginia
Disciplinary History
First Financial Group does not have any disclosures. Please visit it's Form ADV for more details.