PARTNERING TO MEET YOUR
INVESTMENT AND STEWARDSHIP GOALS
All Private Client accounts have important updates that take effect January 1st, 2026. Please click here to learn more.
SMI Private Client helps investors manage their portfolios prudently, so they can provide for their families and give more generously to fulfill God’s purposes. We believe Christians are stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them. Our job is to help clients manage money in ways that honor Him.
19
Years of Experience
$1.1B+
in Managed Assets
$9M+
in Donations Processed
975+
Private Client Households
SMI Advisory Services information as of 12/31/2024
Private Client Benefits
creating value for you
Professional
Management
Management
Professional Management
- Expert-Driven Investing — Accounts are actively managed by a team including Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs), leveraging our latest research to guide investment decisions.
- Active Management — Portfolios follow the Sound Mind Investing strategies, allowing you to stay invested with confidence while we handle the details.
- Automated Rebalancing — Accounts are regularly adjusted to maintain target allocations.
- Tax-Efficient Asset Location — Investment strategies are placed across account types to improve after-tax returns.
- Tax Loss Harvesting — In taxable accounts, losses are monitored and may be realized to offset gains, deferring tax liability and compounding growth.
- Wash Sale Monitoring — Our trading software tracks transactions across managed accounts to help prevent wash sale violations.
- Security Guarantee — Schwab will cover losses in any of your Schwab accounts due to unauthorized activity (see Schwab’s website for details and responsibilities).
SMI
Sound Mind Investing
Strategies
Strategies
SMI Strategies
STOCK UPGRADING: The Power of Stock Momentum
Stock Upgrading is based on the observable phenomenon that recent performance tends to persist. This strategy may invest in US Large-Cap, US Small-Cap, International Stock, and Commodity mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, depending on our assessment of the momentum within each group. Each month the strategy evaluates the current holdings and replaces lagging funds with those demonstrating superior leadership among their peers.
JUST-THE-BASICS INDEXING: Simple Excellence
Using index funds, we spread your allocation across the global stock market. This strategy uses low-cost index funds to achieve exposure to US Large, Mid, and Small Cap as well as International Stocks. The funds used and exposure to each will be determined by the portfolio managers. Just-the-Basics is designed to match the performance of the market with minimal trading, so it is well-suited for use in taxable accounts.
SECTOR ROTATION: High Risk, High Reward
Sector Rotation (SR) is a high-risk, high-volatility strategy designed to capture momentum across market sectors. It includes Alpha SR, which uses momentum signals to invest in one or two leading sector funds, and Beta SR, which allocates across all 11 S&P 500 sectors while tactically over- or under-weighting each based on proprietary indicators. In more aggressive standard models, the strategy may also include Crypto SR, allowing limited exposure to cryptocurrency ETFs. Because of Alpha SR's concentration in just one or two sector-focused funds, SR produces higher peaks and deeper drawdowns than other strategies and is intended to make up only a modest portion of a client's stock allocation.
ENHANCED DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION: Winning by Not Losing
Enhanced Dynamic Asset Allocation (EDAA) is an all-weather investment strategy built around the REAL Asset Allocation ETF, which typically represents about 80% of the strategy and provides broadly diversified exposure to stocks, bonds, and commodities. The remaining 20% is invested in one or more asset classes — stocks, bonds, gold, real estate, or cash —based on trend and momentum signals. EDAA is designed to participate in bull market gains while reducing losses during bear markets. In the most conservative models, EDAA also has the flexibility to allocate more heavily to gold or short-term bonds, further strengthening its defensive profile.
ALTERNATIVES: Returns Beyond Stocks
The Alternatives strategy is designed to provide return sources less dependent on traditional stock and bond markets - long/short investing, relative value opportunities, macro positioning, managed futures, and defensive strategies. These strategies seek to draw returns from multiple drivers across different economic and market environments. Their ability to behave differently from stocks and bonds can be particularly valuable when traditional assets move together.
BOND UPGRADING: Flexible Bonds for Changing Markets
Bond Upgrading seeks enhanced returns within the safety and stability of fixed income assets. It combines a core bond index–like foundation with four other actively managed bond funds that vary by duration, credit quality, geography, and structure. Bond Upgrading allows portfolio managers to adjust both fund selection and weightings over time as conditions warrant—adapting to changing bond market opportunities while maintaining a defensive role in the portfolio.
Stewardship
Focus
Focus
Stewardship Focus
- Guided by Stewardship Principles — Our approach aligns with Biblical stewardship principles, helping you manage wealth with wisdom and purpose.
- Fiduciary Commitment — From the beginning, SMI Private Client has chosen to be a fiduciary, putting your financial interests ahead of our own.
- Strategic Giving Support — Extensive experience with Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), donating appreciated assets, and utilizing donor-advised funds to maximize the impact of your charitable giving.
-
Seamless Portfolio Continuity — When one spouse passes away, we assist the surviving spouse with key transitions, including:
- Account title re-registration
- Cost basis step-up on taxable accounts
- Beneficiary updates
- Risk-based investment adjustments
- Privacy & Security Protections — Robust policies and procedures safeguard your personal and financial information.
- Ongoing Account Monitoring — Our team oversees your accounts and assists with contributions, distributions, and other account
- Security Guarantee — Schwab will cover losses in any of your Schwab accounts due to unauthorized activity (see Schwab’s website for details and responsibilities).
Personalized
Portfolios
Portfolios
Personalized Portfolios
- Comprehensive Risk Assessment — We evaluate your risk capacity and tolerance to match you with an appropriate model portfolio.
- Tailored Model Portfolios — Model portfolios are strategically constructed, mixing SMI strategies based on historical correlation, volatility, and performance.
- Customization Options — We can incorporate your preferences to ensure the portfolio reflects your financial objectives.
- Disciplined Portfolio Adjustments — Our team actively monitors and rebalances portfolios as needed to maintain proper investment allocations and risk levels.
- Dedicated Stewardship Advisor — Clients investing $250,000 or more receive personalized guidance from a dedicated Stewardship Advisor.
- Ongoing Reviews & Communication — We provide regular updates and insights to keep you informed.
Transparent
Cost
Cost
Transparent Cost
- Simple, Fee-Only Pricing — Annual management costs are 1.00% for Classic, 0.95% for Select, and 0.85% for Premier, with reduced rates for amounts exceeding $3,000,000.
- Monthly Billing — We serve you first by billing accounts after the end of each month (in arrears) based on the average daily balance.
- Cost-Efficient Funds — When available, we use institutional funds with lower costs to maximize your returns.
- Competitive Costs — Advisory and institutional fund costs are below industry averages, providing excellent value.
- No Trading Commissions — SMI Private Client covers all trading commissions*, assuring no hidden fees.
* SMI Private Client covers all Charles Schwab commissions, but some government fees (such as SEC fees) may apply. Although we almost always avoid them, some mutual funds may charge short-term redemption fees. Health Savings Accounts are established by third-party administrators and may not be eligible for free trades.
Client
Dashboard
Dashboard
Client Dashboard
- View your investment holdings, returns, and financial plan all in one place.
- Monitor portfolio performance by SMI strategy, by account, and by security.
- Access Charles Schwab statements and tax documents.
- Track account activity, including contributions and distributions.
- Schedule services, including contributions and distributions, personal information and beneficiary updates, and opening of new accounts.
- Using the SMI Private Client Mobile App, clients can check balances and transactions, track performance, monitor financial plans, view statements and tax forms, and contact us.
Private Client Tiers
invest with us
Classic
$100,000
minimum investment
minimum investment
- Email Support
1.00%
Annual Management Fee
For clients using standard models, the average management fee is currently 0.90% after fee waivers for affiliated ETFs (subject to change based on affiliated ETF exposure).
Select
$250,000
minimum investment
minimum investment
- Dedicated Stewardship Advisor
- Live Phone Support
- MoneyGuide Access & Assistance
- Social Security Claiming Analysis
0.95%
Annual Management Fee
For clients using standard models, the average management fee is currently 0.85% after fee waivers for affiliated ETFs (subject to change based on affiliated ETF exposure).
Premier
$1,000,000
minimum investment
minimum investment
- Dedicated Stewardship Advisor
- Live Phone Support
- MoneyGuide Access & Assistance
- Social Security Claiming Analysis
- Reimbursement of Transfer Fees from Prior Custodians*
- Tax Return Analysis & Strategies
*reimbursed via billing credits, up to $750 per household
0.85%
Annual Management Fee
For clients using standard models, the average management fee is currently 0.75% after fee waivers for affiliated ETFs (subject to change based on affiliated ETF exposure).
Tax Return Analysis & Strategies
- We use a powerful analytical tool to review your tax return and suggest strategies to improve tax efficiency. We look at ordinary income and capital gain tax brackets, deductions, Medicare premium brackets, and credit phase-out ranges. To view a sample, click here.
- We can model multi-year tax scenarios to view the effects of advanced tax strategies, including:
- Roth Conversions - Converting money from tax-deferred IRAs to Roth IRAs during lower earning years can reduce the total tax liability over an investor's lifetime.
- Tax Gain Harvesting - Selling securities with long-term capital gains to fill up the 0% tax bracket.
- Donation of Appreciated Securities - Identifying appreciated long-term securities that may be donated directly to charities or to Donor Advised Funds, allowing a tax deduction of the full market value and avoiding taxes on the capital gains.
- Aggregating Charitable Deductions - Consolidating multiple years worth of charitable giving into a single year, and claiming the standard deduction in other years, can increase total tax deductions over time. Donor Advised Funds and donations of appreciated securities may be used in this aggregation process.
Portfolios below $100,000 are encouraged to consider the
SMI Funds
, which are run by the same SMI Private Client management team.
Choose SMI Private Client
- Diversified portfolio of Sound Mind Investing (SMI) strategies
- Custom allocations to fit your personal circumstances and risk tolerance
- Advanced SMI-focused online reporting tools
- Support in achieving your financial and stewardship goals
- Select & Premier clients work directly with a dedicated Stewardship Advisor
Contact:
If you have questions or would like to speak to someone about SMI Private Client, reach out to us by phone or email.
800-796-4975