Clarity starts here.
FAQ
Here’s what we’re asked most often.
01
Who is Riverbend Wealth Management?
Riverbend helps people make confident financial decisions through comprehensive planning, investment management, retirement planning, and tax-aware strategies. As an independent fiduciary firm, we're free to recommend solutions based solely on your needs. Our goal is simple: help you align your finances with your values so you can live your best life.
02
How can Riverbend help me?
We begin by understanding your goals, concerns, and vision for the future. Through our Riverbend Bridge Method™, we help bring clarity to your financial situation and identify opportunities to improve it. If we're a good fit, we create and implement a personalized plan designed to help you move forward with confidence.
03
What’s it like to work with Riverbend?
We start by getting to know you and what matters most. From there, we build a personalized financial plan and stay in regular contact to keep everything aligned with your goals. You'll have access to modern planning tools, clear communication, and a trusted team that helps guide financial decisions through every stage of life.
04
What does the Discovery Meeting look like?
First, we ask that before we meet you fill out an intake form and watch 3 short videos. This will help give you more insights into us and help our advisors know more about you. So the discovery meeting can focus around your goals and dreams and not on collecting data.
05
What are our qualifications?
Our advisors hold some of the industry's most respected credentials, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC®). These designations reflect extensive training, experience, and a commitment to serving clients with integrity.
06
What do CFP® and Certified Investment Management Analyst® mean?
CFP® professionals have advanced training in retirement, tax, estate, and financial planning and are held to fiduciary standards that put clients first. The CIMA® designation represents advanced expertise in investment management and portfolio construction. Fewer than 3% of financial professionals hold both credentials.
07
What does it mean to work with a fiduciary financial advisor?
Because we operate as an independent fee-only advisor, we can work for you as a fiduciary. That means we are legally and ethically required to act in your best interest. Every recommendation we make is designed to support your goals, simplify your decisions, and help you move forward with confidence.
08
What is an IA on IAPD or FINRA Broker check?
An Investment Advisor (IA) provides financial advice for a fee rather than earning commissions on products. This structure helps reduce conflicts of interest and keeps recommendations focused on your goals. You can review an advisor's experience, credentials, and regulatory history through FINRA BrokerCheck and the SEC's IAPD database.
09
Is there a difference between fee-only and fee-based advising?
Yes — and it’s a big one. Fee-only advisors (like us) only earn money through the fees clients pay, ensuring the advice you receive from us is always in your best interest. Additionally, fee-based advisors make money from client fees as well as commissions and brokerage fees — which presents potential conflicts of interest.
10
How do I know if I’m a good fit?
Our ideal clients typically have $1 million or more in investable assets and are navigating an important financial transition. This often includes business owners preparing for retirement, individuals approaching retirement, retirees seeking income and confidence, or families looking for comprehensive financial guidance and long-term planning support.
11
What is holistic financial planning?
Holistic financial planning looks at every aspect of your financial life—not just investments. We help align your finances with your goals by considering retirement, taxes, estate planning, insurance, income strategies, and other key factors. The result is a coordinated plan designed to simplify decisions and bring greater peace of mind.
12
Can you help with retirement planning?
Absolutely. Retirement planning is one of our core specialties. We help clients understand how much they can spend, create reliable income strategies, optimize Social Security decisions, reduce taxes, and prepare for healthcare and legacy planning. Our goal is to help you retire with clarity, confidence, and financial security.
13
Do you manage investments in-house?
Yes. We provide personalized investment management tailored to your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance. As fee-only fiduciaries, our recommendations are designed to support your long-term success—not product sales. Every portfolio is built to complement your broader financial plan and adapt as your needs evolve.
14
How do you help with tax planning?
Tax planning is an important part of our process. Working alongside your CPA, we evaluate strategies involving retirement withdrawals, Roth conversions, charitable giving, investment decisions, and other planning opportunities. Our goal is to help reduce lifetime tax liability while supporting your broader financial and legacy goals.
15
How do you work with CPAs—and what if I don’t have one?
We regularly collaborate with our clients' CPAs to ensure tax strategies align with the broader financial plan. This coordination helps improve efficiency and avoid missed opportunities. If you don't currently have a CPA, we're happy to introduce you to trusted professionals or help you evaluate your options.
16
Where is our money held?
Client assets are held at Fidelity Investments, one of the largest and most respected custodians in the industry. Fidelity provides account security, advanced technology, and independent oversight of your assets. This structure helps ensure your money remains protected while giving you convenient access to account information and reporting.
17
Do you work with business owners?
Yes. We help business owners navigate succession planning, business exits, and retirement. Jeremy Finger is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), a specialized credential in exit planning. We help owners maximize business value, prepare for successful transitions, and align their exit strategy with their long-term financial goals.
18
Do you only work with clients in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
Not at all. Our clients are located all across America, we work with individuals and families all across the country. Through video meetings, secure digital tools, and ongoing communication, we're able to provide the same personalized experience regardless of where you live.
19
Does Riverbend track our progress toward goals? Can I see everything in one place?
Yes and yes. Helping you work towards your goals means creating a plan for all your assets, not just the ones inside of your portfolio. As a result we track your goals and your financial information with planning software that also has a portal for you to see all of your information in one place.
20
How does Riverbend charge for its services?
Your initial consultation is complimentary. If we decide to work together, our services are provided through an ongoing advisory relationship, with a fee based on the assets we manage.
21
Does Riverbend track our progress toward goals? Can I see everything in one place?
Yes and yes. Helping you realize your goals means creating a plan for all your assets, not just the ones inside your portfolio. As a result, we track your goals and your financial information with industry planning software that also has a portal for you to see all of your information in one place.
22
What info do you need to make a proper plan for me and my family?
First, we start by understanding your values, concerns, and goals as a starting point. If it makes sense for us to proceed, we may need income, expenses, financial, insurance, and/or tax statements.
23
What tools and resources do you use to help my family and me?
We use technology from RightCapital for our financial planning services and research and allocation tools from leading providers like Blackrock, Morningstar, JP Morgan, and Goldman Sachs, to name a few.
24
What makes Riverbend different from other financial advisors?
Riverbend combines deep financial expertise with a highly personal approach. We take the time to understand your goals, communicate clearly, and stay engaged through life's major transitions. Our clients value not only our guidance, but also the trust, accessibility, and peace of mind that come from having a true financial partner.