Invest with Clarity
Our Approach: Core + Explore™
Your financial and investment goals usually fall into two buckets: a “Core” that focuses on stability, and an “Explore” sleeve that seeks different return opportunities and may involve significantly higher risk. We help you organize your whole portfolio around that idea; pairing more traditional, liquid investments for the Core with carefully selected private/alternative investments for the Explore.
Who Does What
Raintree Financial Solutions (RFS) is registered as an exempt market dealer. Through your RFS Private Wealth Advisor, we directly help with the Explore sleeve by sourcing and distributing private/alternative investments under prospectus exemptions.
- For your Core, we introduce you (when it’s in your interests) to independent, duly registered portfolio managers and other providers (e.g., robo‑advisors or insurance professionals). They give the specific advice and discretionary management for those accounts; we coordinate the relationship so it’s easy on you.
Some Advisors may also offer certain Core‑related services through clearly separated, approved outside business activities (for example, licensed insurance). You’ll receive the appropriate disclosures in those cases. They may also provide you with a financial plan that may support your saving and tax mitigation plans.
How We Work Together
Discovery
Your Advisor gets to know you and your goals, timelines, risk tolerance and capacity; and reviews what strategies you already have in place. This often highlights service gaps we can help fill. It is important at this stage to provide this important information to the best of your ability to let them properly advise you.
Plan the Mix
We discuss a Core + Explore™ allocation that fits your circumstances. We’re candid that Explore assets can impact portfolio diversification and results. There are no guarantees.
Implement
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- We place Explore holdings through RFS.
- If you choose, we introduce approved Core providers and supply a plain‑language Referral Disclosure that names the provider, explains roles/registrations, our compensation, and any relevant conflicts before you open an account. The decision to proceed is entirely yours. Sometimes, a client may only be a Core client, and that’s great – we’re trying to find the best fit for you.
Coordinate
With your direction, we help with paperwork, keep contact details current, and facilitate secure document exchange. We can also relay limited administrative instructions (like funding transfers to/from your designated bank account). The external provider remains solely responsible for Core advice and management.
Stay in Touch
What it Costs
There is no fee to participate in our Portfolio Support Program unless you choose to engage a referred provider. When you do, compensation is disclosed in writing in advance and typically follows one of three models:
- Referral‑Only: The provider pays RFS from its fees (your fee with them isn’t higher because of the referral).
- Directed Service Fee: With your authorization, the provider deducts a service fee from your Core account and remits it to RFS for ongoing support.
- Referenced Service Fee: The provider includes a clearly stated amount for RFS services in the fee you pay them.
When it comes to Alternative Investments, there are generally upfront commissions and/or trailing fees that apply. These will be disclosed to you before you make an investment decision, to inform your approach.
Your Protections & Choice
We have a duty to act fairly, honestly and in good faith, and to address material conflicts of interest in your best interest. Our referral policies standardize services and normalize fees across comparable providers.
You’re never obligated to use a provider we introduce, and you can end your participation in the program with written notice (and you may stop any related service fees by notifying the provider).
What You Can Expect From Us
- A thoughtful Core + Explore™ conversation that meets you where you are.
- Access to an approved roster of registered portfolio managers and other providers, documented with clear disclosure of roles and fees.
- Hands‑on coordination so your Core and Explore pieces work together; and a single Advisor who keeps the moving parts moving.
If you’re curious whether Core + Explore™ fits your goals, we’re happy to talk through your options with plain language, clear steps, and no pressure. If you decide to work with us, you’ll receive significantly more disclosure on all of the above information in our Relationship Disclosure & Information form.
Understanding the Risks
There are risks with every investment that you make. We want to make informed decisions. Private/alternative investments can be illiquid, less transparent, difficult to value between purchase and exit, and are generally considered higher risk than traditional investments. They may diversify a portfolio and can offer the potential for higher returns; but they can also increase overall portfolio risk and are not suitable for everyone. We determine any Explore allocation through a robust suitability process tailored to your situation.