Overview
STW Associates provides individuals with personal financial planning and investment
management services. It was organized as a Corporation in 1997. The firm had operated as
a sole proprietorship since it first began business in 1989. Stefan Williams, who owns
100% of the firm, is its sole advisor and investment advisor representative.
STW Associates operates on a strict fee-only basis. As such, it does not sell any products
such as annuities, insurance, stocks, bonds, limited partnership interests, mutual funds or
any other financial product. No commissions or referral fees are accepted.
STW Associates provides clients with individualized personal financial planning and
investment management. It assists clients with organizing financial data and in articulating
current, longer-term and testamentary goals. The firm may provide recommendations as to
various courses of action to undertake and may provide specific investment advice
including asset allocation and specific security selection. Services generally include an
annual tax and financial update as well as ongoing monitoring of the investment portfolio.
Under a limited power of attorney, the firm may execute security transactions on behalf of
a client. Such transactions will only be undertaken subsequent to receiving client approval
of the specific recommendation (i.e. on a non-discretionary basis). All personal financial
planning and investment
management services are tailored to meet individual client needs
based upon the client’s unique circumstances. Referrals to other professionals (e.g. estate
planning attorneys, CPA’s and insurance professionals) are generally made, depending on
client specific circumstances. STW Associates does not accept any form of remuneration
when referrals are made to others.
Investment recommendations generally include construction of portfolios consisting of
mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETF”). Other investment vehicles, including but
not limited to closed end funds, money market accounts, individual stocks, separately
managed accounts, limited partnership interests, annuities, options, warrants, exchange-
traded notes and private investments have been included in client portfolios in the past
although with far less frequency than mutual funds and ETF’s. Clients may impose
reasonable restrictions on the firm to limit recommendations for investing in certain
securities or types of securities. STW Associates does not participate in wrap fee programs.
As of February 29, 2024, STW Associates had $131.0 million of regulatory assets under
management, all on a non-discretionary basis. Although the majority of client investment
assets are custodied at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., STW Associates does not recommend or
require any specific custodian for client assets.