JRM is an independent firm that provides financial advice and discretionary investment
management services for firm clients. JRM was founded in 2006 and is 100% employee owned
by three principals: John R. McDonnell (“Jack”), age 70; Phillip T. McDonnell, age 41; and
Lauren M. McDonnell, age 35.
Our clients are individuals, families, trusts, business entities and retirement plans. We provide
advisory services to meet a wide range of client objectives, typically following the process
outlined below.
Initial Consultation (“Welcome Meeting”) - Prior to engaging in a client-advisor
relationship, we will meet with you to discuss your circumstances, goals, expectations and
investment experience. Wealth is a private matter, and all conversations are strictly confidential.
The purpose of the meeting is to become acquainted and determine how we can add value to
your situation. If appropriate, we will introduce potential strategies to better meet your financial
goals and objectives. We do not expect to be the better solution for every investor.
Investment Objectives Plan (“IOP”) - After becoming acquainted, we will draft an IOP
document to guide our services. The IOP will summarize your circumstances, financial goals and
investment objectives, then offer preliminary recommendations including scope of financial
planning services and investment management strategy. Our process is collaborative, and our
recommendations will always be based upon what we believe to be in your best interests.
Once the IOP is satisfactory to you, we will offer you a formal client-advisor agreement to hire
JRM as your advisor. We will provide full service on boarding to set up your account(s), transfer
assets and introduce you to the firm’s resources and tools. The JRM client experience is
engaging, focused on transparency, communication and service.
Financial Planning - The consultative process often underscores opportunities to improve
client circumstances with financial planning strategies. The scope of opportunities may be as
simple as facilitating more deliberate goal setting and budgeting; or more comprehensive such as
college planning, retirement planning, tax planning, business succession planning and estate
planning. We will collaborate with you and your financial stakeholders, including other
professionals and family members as needed to execute your financial plan.
Investment Management - Your investment portfolio will have a customized asset
allocation
strategy designed to achieve your goals and objectives. If your portfolio has multiple
accounts, each will be managed separately, but typically reported as one comprehensive
portfolio. If appropriate, securities may be strategically located in certain accounts due to their
attributes and your specific tax situation. We will continuously manage your accounts and
provide quarterly portfolio performance reports to track your progress.
As your situation evolves and capital markets change, we will make adjustments to your
portfolio as we deem appropriate. This may include adding or removing investments or
rebalancing your portfolio. In certain situations, it may be appropriate to amend your asset
allocation strategy. Periodically we will meet with you to discuss these adjustments, review your
financial plan and investment portfolio.
As an independent firm there are no structural limitations on the securities we may consider for
your portfolio. Our only objective is to identify the securities that are consistent with your IOP
and in your best interests. The types of securities frequently considered for portfolios include
common stocks, preferred stocks, publicly traded partnerships, real estate investment trusts,
corporate bonds, municipal bonds, agency bonds, treasury bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded
funds, closed-end funds and put and call options. Some of these securities may not be appropriate
for you.
If you prefer to restrict certain types of securities from your portfolio, the restrictions must be
presented by you in writing.
JRM also may provide consulting and investment advisory services to retirement plans on a non-
discretionary and discretionary basis. Services may include fiduciary services as defined in
Sections 3(21) and 3(38) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”). Typical services include assisting the Plan in the preparation of an Investment Policy
Statement (“IPS”), recommending or selecting specific investments for the Plan, preforming
ongoing monitoring of investment options and benchmarking of the portfolio and/or plan
investments. For defined benefit plan clients only, typical services also include rebalancing and
maintaining appropriate asset allocation according to the strategic targets and ranges established
by the Plan.
We do not sponsor or participate in any wrap fee programs.
As of December 29, 2023, JRM has responsibility for 76 client portfolios with $742 million of
discretionary assets under management.