Custodial Fees
PruFid never takes custody of any client assets, except the very limited case of withdrawing fees from your account, and then only if you authorize it in advance.
It is therefore necessary to utilize a third party custodian to handle your assets. PruFid currently utilizes Charles Schwab as its principal custodian, primarily due to their low custodial/brokerage fees.
Unless other arrangements are made, PruFid Portfolio Management Service clients are generally charged for all custodial expenses incurred on their behalf. These fees are levied by the custodian and charged directly to their account. PruFid makes no profits from them. A complete schedule of custodial fees is available on request.
Note that Registered Investment Advisers generally pass on these custodial fees to their clients. The only such services which may not be subject to custodial fees are those designated as "wrap fee" programs (and "wrap fee" programs are generally to be avoided because they actually provide a disincentive to execute beneficial transactions, as well as being generally more expensive than non-wrap fee programs).
Follows is a condensed summary of the custodial fees most relevant to PruFid clients (fees are subject to change; follows are fees beginning 04/01/2024):
- Mutual Fund Transaction Fees. Most mutual fund transactions incur a custodial fee of $24.00 (notable exceptions: DFA funds can be transacted for $9.99/transaction and Vanguard funds for $45/transaction).
- Individual Equity Brokerage Fees. Each individual equity transaction (e.g., buying shares of an Exchange Traded Fund) incurs no custodial brokerage fees. PruFid clients don't typically execute many individual equity transactions—nearly all investment recommendations are in the form of low cost, passively managed, no-load mutual funds or ETFs.
Remember: fee-only investment advisors generally have custodial fees. Not all readily disclose them as we do.
This web page contains the current opinions of Eric E. Haas at the time it is written—and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This web page is intended to serve two purposes:
- To educate the public; and
- To provide disclosure of Mr. Haas' opinions to prospective clients. We believe that prospective clients are well-served by being made aware of what they are buying—and what they are buying is advice that is based on these opinions.
We believe the information provided here to be useful and accurate at the time it is written. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.
No investor should invest solely on the basis of information listed here. Before investing, it is important to consult each prospective investment's prospectus and consider both its risk/return characteristics and its effect on your overall portfolio.
This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal, or investment planning advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, PruFid recommends consultation with a qualified tax adviser, CPA, financial planner, or investment adviser. If you would like to discuss the rationale or support for any particular idea expressed on this web page, feel free to contact us.