How Ameriprise Financial compares
Not all financial companies are the same. When you're seeking financial advice, it's worthwhile to take a step back in order to evaluate what's available, your financial needs and your preferences. After all, the financial services firm you choose is a big decision.
Compare financial planning and advice
Many firms offer some type of financial advice, but it's important to be clear on what you're looking for as compared to what the firm provides. Often, firms offer advice that focuses only on your investment portfolio and don't take into consideration other aspects of your financial life such as cash and liabilities, protection and taxes.
Compare financial professionals
Financial professionals may be called financial advisors, financial planners, stock brokers, investment professionals, licensed representatives and so on, depending on the firm. Sometimes, financial planners work on a team or with a pool of other representatives in a call center. Not all financial professionals provide the same services.
Consider your personal preferences and financial needs. Would you like to work with someone on an ongoing basis toward your financial goals? Are you more interested in solely getting investment information? Are you self-directed with occasional questions that can be easily answered in a call center environment?
| Compare | Ameriprise Financial | Traditional brokerage/investment firm | Online/discount brokerage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated one-on-one advisor relationship | Yes | May require minimum investment | May require minimum investment |
| Ability to select your own advisor | Yes, approximately 10,000 advisors to choose from³ | Varies; individual or team may be assigned | Rarely |
| Personalized guidance based on your financial situation | Yes | May require minimum investment | May require minimum investment |
| One-on-one meetings | Yes | May require minimum investment | May require minimum investment |
| Personal advisor phone or email provided | Yes | May require minimum investment | May require minimum investment |
| Advisors available over the phone in a call center | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Provides investment advice | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reviews all aspects of finances – cash and liabilities, protection, investments and taxes | Yes | Not generally | Not generally |
| Can place trades and investments | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio review | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| Offers comprehensive financial planning | Yes, for a fee | Not generally | Not generally |
| Held to fiduciary standards for advice | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Compare investments and other products and services
Most financial firms offer access to a wide range of investments, products and services. Some offer accounts as a la carte solutions that you open yourself. Ameriprise generally offers products and services through a financial advisor. Our advisors can recommend the appropriate mix of products and solutions for each individual client's needs and help clients make informed decisions.
| Compare | Ameriprise Financial | Traditional brokerage/investment firm | Online/discount brokerage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investments including stocks, bonds and mutual funds | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online trading through brokerage account | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Retirement accounts (IRA, 401(k)s etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Retirement planning services | Yes | Generally | Rarely |
| Education products (529, Coverdell etc.) | Yes | Varies | Varies |
| College planning | Yes | Varies | Rarely |
| Estate planning | Yes | Varies | Rarely |
| Insurance (life, disability, long-term care etc.) | Yes | Varies | Rarely |
| Insurance (home and car) | Yes, available online or through a financial advisor | Rarely | Rarely |
| Lending needs (home equity, mortgage, loans) | Yes | Varies | Rarely |
| Banking | Yes | Varies | Varies |
| Credit cards | Yes | Varies | Rarely |
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1 Based on the number of financial plans annually disclosed in Form ADV, Part 1A, Item 5, available at adviserinfo.sec.gov as of December 2010.
2 Source: Company data as of December 31, 2010.
3 Source: Ameriprise Financial Third Quarter 2011 Statistical Supplement, September 30, 2011.
Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results.
Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.
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Why Ameriprise
Why Ameriprise
- More people come to Ameriprise for financial planning than any other company1.
- We have more than 2 million individual, business and institutional clients2.
- Ameriprise Financial has approximately 10,000 branded financial advisors3.
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