Fiduciary Standard

ZAG firms believe that objective investment solutions will only be found in fiduciary advisors who are both independent and fee-only. Consequently, all member firms function as investment fiduciaries with respect to managing client assets.

An investment fiduciary is responsible for managing the assets of another person and stands in a special relationship of trust, confidence, and/or legal responsibility. As such, fiduciaries are obligated to act on behalf of their clients and must act in good faith and care, candor, and loyalty in fulfilling that obligation.

ZAG members maintain fiduciary standards that exceed those typically governing the investment management industry in the US. These standards cover key activities in the investment process, including:

• Investment review and evaluation
• Planning and client assessment
• Investment policy documentation
• Client service and experience

Member firms are committed to offering quality investment solutions that are efficient, low cost and risk measured. Serving as an advocate, they disclose relevant information, avoid conflicts of interest, and subjugate all other goals to the needs of the client. ZAG’s adherence to academic research, structured “passive” investing, and tenets of Modern Portfolio Theory compliment this fiduciary priority.

Read more about ZAG firms’ fiduciary standards in Fiduciary First.