Why Work With a Financial Advisor?

Why Work With a Financial Advisor?

Making Investment Decisions is Tougher Than Ever Today These are exciting and complex times to invest. Today s financial marketplace offers you about 15,000 U.S. stocks, over 14,000 mutual funds and a host of other investments all with varying levels of risk and potential return. With all of these choices, making the right financial decisions isn t always easy. That s why working with a financial advisor is more beneficial than ever. Why Consult a Financial Advisor? A financial advisor can help you develop a sound investment strategy Successful investing involves developing a longterm financial strategy for your individual needs. A financial advisor can help you through every step of the process, including: I Examining your financial goals and risk tolerance, I Reviewing and selecting appropriate investments, and I Monitoring and updating your portfolio as your life changes. 1

A financial advisor may help you increase your returns More than 50% of investors who turn to financial advisors cite portfolio growth as the reason, according to a recent survey. 1 A financial advisor can help you employ a long-term investment strategy based on facts and careful research, rather than on emotions and short-term market swings. A financial advisor can guide you through all types of market conditions Many investors believe that reading financial magazines or watching investment programs on television can help them make wise financial decisions. Others use discount brokers or call do-it-yourself no-load 800 numbers. These investors may be at a disadvantage when financial markets decline and they re unsure what to do. A financial advisor can offer you personal attention and long-term guidance during the good times and the bad when you may need it most. 1 According to the 2004 Certified Financial Planning Board Consumer Survey. 2

Why Choose Raymond James? At Raymond James, we have the knowledge and experience to guide you through every step of the investment process. We can review your financial situation in depth, taking into account your income, assets, liabilities, current portfolio, risk tolerance and investment time horizon in order to help you to define specific financial goals. We ll use leading-edge technology to access and evaluate up-to-the-minute market data, research reports, and other economic and financial information. Our computer-generated models can show you how asset allocation and investment diversification may enhance your portfolio as well as how much time you may need to accumulate a specific amount of money (for example, for retirement). We seek to meet your needs by offering you a variety of investments and services including stocks, bonds, load and no-load mutual funds, CDs, insurance, annuities, trust services, asset management, retirement plans and banking services. And through regular meetings with you, we ll evaluate the performance of your investments to ensure that they remain in line with your goals. 3

We Can Play a Valuable Role in Helping You Plan for Your Financial Future At Raymond James, we offer comprehensive services to guide you through various stages of your life, including retirement planning, education planning, tax planning and estate planning. In addition to our traditional, commissionbased investment accounts, we have a variety of fee-based accounts. Based on the type of account selected, clients can choose between an annual fee or a combination of fee plus flat transaction costs. 2 We can save you time by helping you review investment and financial data and determine what information is relevant to you, as well as assist you with the paperwork that often accompanies investing. We can educate you about changes in market conditions, tax laws, and economic trends and events that may influence the performance of your investments. We can be a partner you can trust and count on in uncertain economic times. 2 In a fee-based account clients pay a quarterly fee, based on the level of assets in the account, for the services of a financial advisor as part of an advisory relationship. In deciding to pay a fee rather than commissions, clients should understand that the fee may be higher than a commission alternative during periods of lower trading. Advisory fees are in addition to the internal expenses charged by mutual funds and other investment company securities. To the extent that clients intend to hold these securities, the internal expenses should be included when evaluating the costs of a fee-based account. Clients should periodically re-evaluate whether the use of an asset-based fee continues to be appropriate in servicing their needs. A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule, is available in the firm s Form ADV Part II as well as the client agreement. 4

Our Services Extend Far Beyond Helping You Select Investments Confidentiality is a top priority in our client relationships We understand the trust our clients place in us, and we don t take that trust for granted. Naturally, any business you do with us is held in strict confidence just as you would expect from your physician, attorney or any other professional. We re on your side At Raymond James, we give our clients objective information and guidance. Unlike some financial advisors at other investment firms, we re not required to sell specific products. That means we can help you select the investments that are right for you. We re with you for the long term Successful investors make decisions based on facts and careful research, not emotions. However, we know that s not always easy to do, especially in an uncertain market. As your financial advisor, we can help you employ disciplined, long-term investment strategies, rather than reacting to short-term market swings. We can also help you set reasonable investment goals and stick to them. 5

We re Ready to Build a Long-Term Partnership With You At Raymond James, we understand how important your financial future is to you. When you choose to work with us, you ll receive financial expertise, personal attention and long-term guidance that you just can t get from magazines, discount brokers and no-load 800 numbers. We believe those are services you can t afford to be without. Your financial future is important Don t trust it to just anyone Raymond James Financial (NYSE-RJF) is a Florida-based diversified holding company providing financial services to individuals, corporations and municipalities through its subsidiary companies. Its three wholly owned broker/dealers, Raymond James & Associates, Raymond James Financial Services and Raymond James Ltd., have more than 4,770 financial advisors serving approximately 1.6 million accounts in 2,200 locations throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. 6

International Headquarters: The Raymond James Financial Center 880 Carillon Parkway I St. Petersburg, FL 33716 727-567-1000 I Toll-Free: 800-248-8863 raymondjames.com 2008 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC 2008 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC 50100308 KK/EN 4/08