What is Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc.?
Who we are… is shaped by who you are. We are a full-service team of professional individuals who are dedicated and aligned with your individual and family needs. We are a whole-life planning investment firm committed to identifying opportunities for achieving your goals and creating a plan that will build your legacy. We are a partner in your whole-life planning process.

How did Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. get started and why?
Karen Ellenbecker started Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. in December 1996 as a visionary who wanted to pioneer an approach to investing that would encompass the whole individual. Through her experience as a traditional stockbroker and Bank Trust Officer she created an organization that is able to blend the best attributes from both industries and is the foundation of the company she owns today.

What makes Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. different from other firms?
Time sets us apart from other firms. We recognize that our world is going through a major transformation and that taking the “time” to understand what really matters to our clients is the key to building a strong, trustworthy relationship. Our whole-life approach to financial planning encompasses strategies that allow you to achieve your individual family needs and to create a plan that will build your legacy through wealth protection and growth.

What do our clients say about Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc.?
Many of our clients never realized how stressed they were about money and how it was impacting many of their life decisions. Our balanced approach to whole-life planning gives them the freedom to relax and enjoy life. Our clients are comfortable because we talk with them in plain English and become their translators when things are difficult to understand. We recognize that people are happy when they understand what they own and how their decisions impact their long-term goals. Our clients know they come first.

What can I expect from Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc.?
Getting to know you is very important. You can anticipate spending between four and six hours with us, we want to know what really matters to you. We engage you in the process by asking questions that help define what is important in your life today and in the future. That’s our starting point, from there we develop a written plan tailored to your individual needs. Once that plan is in place we define how we will monitor and fine-tune it as the market and any life changes.

What does Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. expect of me?
Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. encourages their clients to be invested in building and maintaining a strong and connected relationship. It is essential that our clients come in for portfolio reviews, return phone calls and keep us up to date on your life changes.

What role do I play in my investment account?
Each client has different expectations and we find that those expectations change over time. You will determine how involved you would like to be depending on your immediate needs and your future goals.

What is the process if I decide to call Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. for a consultation?
During the initial phone call you will be given the opportunity to talk with a sales associate to ask questions. At that point we will schedule an appointment for you to come to our office for an initial consultation. Because we cannot do our job effectively without creating a safe environment for you to ask all the necessary questions, there is never a charge for any phone calls or appointments. In addition, we typically mail out a “new client” packet for you to review and complete prior to your first appointment. It is helpful for us to have information about your investments and objectives prior to our first appointment in order to make the meeting most effective.

Because Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. is a small business what happens if something prevents Karen Ellenbecker from being involved?
Karen’s dream for her company is that it grows and evolves as an organization. Her company is her legacy and she has put in place a very solid succession plan not only for each client but for each dedicated employee as well.

What is SII Investments, Inc. and what role will it play in my investment account?
SII Investments, Inc. is Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc.’s broker dealer. They provide a variety of compliance, due-diligence and operational support. http://www3.siionline.com

What is Pershing and what role will it play in my investment account?
Pershing is SII's clearing-company. They provide the platform for all trading operations and also all record-keeping activities. Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. does not hold any assets. Because of the third party arrangement, your investments are given an additional level of protection. http://www.pershing.com

Do you market or sell any proprietary products?
No, we are completely independent and have no proprietary products. The fee-based approach to investing allows us to selectively pick the best investments for our clients. We are not tied into any one family of portfolios or product.

What exactly is fee-based and what are the specifics pertaining to your clients?
Most firms compensate their stockbrokers/advisors with commissions based on the products they sell, generally referred to as transaction-based. Our compensation is based on the assets we manage for you and is not dependent on the product or the amount of transactions in your account. This approach to managing assets connects us directly to the performance of your investments. Together we benefit most when your account is actively managed for expenses, fees and as the bottom line grows.

Do you have a minimum dollar amount that is necessary before you accept someone as a client?
Yes, our minimum annual fee is $1,000. This amount is charged on any portfolio that is less than $100,000. For accounts with a value over $100,000 please refer to our complete fee schedule under the Web page - SERVICES.

If I do become a client who will I be working with?
Each client has two registered advisors that are responsible for your account. This is an effective style because no matter when you call with a question, someone will be available to either take your call immediately or return a message in a timely manner. We take pictures of our clients to place in their files so that when anyone in the office speaks with you they can place a face with a name. In addition to your personal advisors, you will be in contact with many other departments depending on your personal plan.

Do you facilitate estate planning, insurance, accounting and mortgage planning with my investment plan?
Yes, we are committed to working with all the appropriate professionals to develop your personalized plan; that could mean advisors you currently are using or organizations we work with. We do not draft estate plans, prepare taxes or refinance mortgages in our office, however, we can coordinate meetings in our office during any of our scheduled appointments.

How do you stay in contact with your clients?
We make an effort to stay in constant communication with our clients. In addition to being readily available for questions and appointments, we also offer the following methods of communication:
· We meet with our clients face to face to evaluate their current investment portfolio.
· We host many client appreciation events and educational programs.
· We offer bi-weekly e-mail blasts providing short and informal updates.
· We have a weekly radio show “Money Sense” that airs on Saturdays and Sundays.
· We mail a quarterly newsletter to all our clients.
· We have regular seminars available to the general public and for our clients.

Do you believe in investment diversification?
Yes, each of our clients has a written asset allocation specifically designed for them. Both the client and the advisor commit to this plan with a signature. Together we decide the proper amount of money to be allocated to each asset class. Our decision is based on risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs and other issues that relate directly to each individual situation. We also are very aware of tax issues and monitor how well you are diversified between taxable, tax-free and tax-deferred investments. We analyze the diversification among asset classes, investment styles and tax status. The constant evaluation, monitoring and rebalancing of the portfolio is what makes it an ongoing process instead of a static plan.