Disclosures
This website (“Website”) is a publication of Aviance Capital Partners, LLC (“ACP”), which is a registered investment adviser with a primary business location in Naples, Florida. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that ACP has attained a certain level of skill, training, or ability. This Website is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to ACP’s advisory services, together with access to additional financial planning and investment-related information, publications, and links. The publication of this Website should not be construed as ACP’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice over the Internet. Each user of this Website (“User”) is encouraged to review ACP’s current Form ADV Part 2A describing business operations, services, fees, and applicable conflicts of interest, which is available by selecting “Part 2 Brochures,” or its Form CRS / Form ADV Part 3 Relationship Summary, which are both available by clicking here.
All materials contained in this Website are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published, or broadcast without the prior written permission of ACP. Users may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright, or other notice from copies of the content. Any hyperlinks on this Website are provided as a convenience. ACP does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to the Website or otherwise incorporated into this Website and takes no responsibility for such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience, educational, and informational purposes only. Third-party sites that are directly or indirectly linked to this Website may collect information, including personal information relating to Users’ online activities over time and across different websites and other online services. ACP does not control a third-party’s collection or use of personal information or tracking technologies. If any User accesses any economic calculator or similar interactive device contained within or linked to the Website, the User acknowledges that the information resulting from the use of any such calculator/device, is not, and should not be construed, as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized individual advice from ACP, or from any investment professional.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by ACP), will be profitable or equal any historical performance level. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. Investment strategies such as asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses. There is no guarantee that a portfolio employing these or any other strategy will outperform a portfolio that does not engage in such strategies. Not all services will be appropriate or necessary for all clients, and the potential value and benefit of ACP’s services will vary based upon the client’s individual investment, financial, and tax circumstances. The effectiveness and potential success of a financial plan depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the manner and timing of implementation, coordination with the client and the client’s other engaged professionals, and market conditions. Any target referenced on this Website is not a prediction or projection of actual investment results and there can be no assurance that any target will be achieved. Changes in investment strategies, contributions or withdrawals may materially alter the performance of an individual’s portfolio. Economic factors, market conditions, and investment strategies will affect the performance of any portfolio and there are no assurances that it will match or outperform any particular benchmark. Projections, forecasts, and estimates referenced on the Website are not purely historical in nature and are therefore necessarily speculative and subject to material variation.
Any index performance data appearing or referenced (directly or indirectly) on the Website has been compiled by the respective copyright holders, trademark holders, or publication/distribution right owners of each index. Historical performance results for investment indexes or sectors represented are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent actual portfolio performance. The indexes or sectors represented generally do not reflect the deduction of transaction and custodial charges, or the deduction of an investment-management fee, which would decrease historical performance results. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. ACP makes no warranty, express or implied, for any decision taken by any party in reliance upon such index information.
Certain portions of the Website (e.g., newsletters, articles, videos, audio files, commentaries, indexes, etc.) may describe ACP or other professionals’ recommendations or positions as of a specific prior date. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions, that information may no longer be reflective of current positions or recommendations. While information presented is believed to be factual and up to date, ACP does not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No User should assume that the publication of any of this material serves as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized advice from ACP or from any other investment professional. Users should not use any Website content as the sole basis for any investment, financial planning, tax, legal or other decisions. Rather, a professional adviser should be consulted, and independent due diligence should be conducted before implementing any of the options referenced in the Website content. ACP is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm. The tax and estate planning information provided is general in nature. It is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Users, clients, and prospective clients should consult an attorney or tax professional regarding their specific legal or tax situation.
Except as prohibited by law, and as a condition precedent to accessing this Website, each User agrees to release and hold harmless ACP, its members, managers, officers, directors, owners, employees, agents, and affiliates from all adverse consequences resulting from any actions or omissions related to this Website that are independent of receiving personalized individual advice from ACP. The preceding sentence shall not limit or waive any applicable User rights under federal or state law, including securities laws and fiduciary obligations that cannot be limited or waived.
Professional Designations:
Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®): The AEP® designation is issued by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. To be eligible to be considered for the AEP® designation, the applicant must provide documentation of being licensed to practice law as an Attorney (JD) or to practice as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or of being currently designated as a Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, or Certified Trust & Financial Advisor (CTFA), in any jurisdiction of the United States of America and meet certain educational requirements.
The applicant must be presently and significantly engaged in “estate planning activities” as an attorney, an accountant, an insurance professional and financial planner, or a trust officer. A minimum of five (5) years of experience engaged in estate planning and estate planning activities is required. To be exempt from the required education requirements, an applicant must have a minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience engaged in estate planning and estate planning activities.
AEP® applicants are required to be members of, and continuously maintain membership in, an affiliated local or regional estate planning council where such membership is available. Where no affiliated local council membership is available, the applicant is required to continuously maintain an At-Large individual membership in the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils.
AEP® applicants must continuously be in good standing with the applicant’s respective professional organization and/or license authority (e.g., State Bar Association for attorneys, etc.) and provide three (3) professional references prior to acceptance.
In addition, AEP® applicants must abide by the NAEPC Code of Ethics, acknowledge a commitment to the team concept of estate planning by signing a declaration statement and meet continuing education and re-certification requirements, which include the yearly payment of dues.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®): Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP Board”) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with flame design) logo in the United States (these marks are collectively referred to as the “CFP® marks”). The CFP Board authorizes use of the CFP® marks by individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its (1) high standard of professional education; (2) stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and (3) ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with clients. Currently, more than 90,000 individuals have obtained CFP® certification.
To earn the right to use the CFP® marks, an individual must currently fulfill specific requirements in the areas of education, examination, experience, and ethics. Individuals who become certified must complete ongoing education, ethics, and certification requirements in order to maintain the right to continue to use the CFP® marks. CFP® professionals who fail to comply with the above standards and requirements may be subject to CFP Board’s enforcement process, which could result in suspension or permanent revocation of their CFP® certification.
Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®): The CFA® charter is a globally respected, graduate-level investment credential established in 1962 and awarded by CFA Institute — the largest global association of investment professionals. To earn the CFA® charter, candidates must: (1) pass three sequential, six-hour examinations; (2) have at least four years of qualified professional investment experience; (3) join CFA Institute as members; and (4) commit to abide by, and annually reaffirm, their adherence to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
The CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, enforced through an active professional conduct program, require CFA® Charterholders to:
- Place their clients’ interests ahead of their own
- Maintain independence and objectivity
- Act with integrity
- Maintain and improve their professional competence
- Disclose conflicts of interest and legal matters
The CFA Program curriculum provides a comprehensive framework of knowledge for investment decision making and is firmly grounded in the knowledge and skills used every day in the investment profession. The three levels of the CFA Program test a proficiency with a wide range of fundamental and advanced investment topics, including ethical and professional standards, fixed-income and equity analysis, alternative and derivative investments, economics, financial reporting standards, portfolio management, and wealth planning.
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®): The ChFC® designation has been a mark of excellence for almost thirty years and currently requires nine college-level courses, the most of any financial planning credential. Average study time to earn the ChFC® exceeds 450 hours. Required courses cover extensive education and application training in financial planning, income taxation, investments, and estate and retirement planning. Additional electives are chosen from such topics as macroeconomics, financial decisions for retirement, and executive compensation. ChFC® designees must meet experience requirements and adhere to continuing education and ethical standards. The credential is awarded by The American College, a non-profit educator founded in 1927 and the highest level of academic accreditation.
