“I think people will be surprised how easy we make it for clients; it doesn’t matter about the amount of money made or net worth of the person. We’re very transparent about what the fees are, and how everything is going to work.” —Matthew Delaney, wealth advisor and managing partner, JDH Wealth Management
Preparing for retirement can be daunting, stressful and overcome one with a sense of dread at the prospect of entrusting another with their financial future. JDH Wealth Management eases its clients’ worries with a transparent staff and a Chief Security Officer—a guard dog named Molly. Matthew Delaney, wealth advisor and managing partner, says the “guard dog” helps clients put their guard down and build a relationship of trust; it’s a relationship translated into JDH Wealth Management being named Best Wealth Management Company of 2021 by NorthBay Biz readers.
“I think people will be surprised how easy we make it for clients; it doesn’t matter about the amount of money made or net worth of the person. We’re very transparent about what the fees are, and how everything is going to work,” says Delaney.
JDH Wealth Management started in 2000, with the aim of providing a disciplined, academically-based investment experience tailored to address each client’s distinct willingness, ability and need to accept market risk in the context of their specific situation and goals. The firm offers an advisor relationship built on personal trust and integrity. JDH serves as a Registered Investment Advisor to individuals, businesses trusts, nonprofit organizations and retirement plans. The company has $330 million in assets under management, and 130 clients. A number of those clients are local small businesses that JDH helped navigate through a pandemic with assistance in the PPP loan process, furloughing employees and other financial advice.
Delaney says the pandemic is a reminder of the risk and reward aspect of business and the two are related. “I think many people view risk differently, and until the risk shows up, it doesn’t exist for many people and this has been good reminder for clients who say, ‘That can never happen, ‘or people assuming there’s no risk in opening a new restaurant or business,” he says.
Educating clients on the risks are part of the transparency that JDH provides when handling life savings. Delaney says “trustworthy” is something the firm often hears back from clients. Delaney, who has a background in international business, learned Spanish while building orphanages in Costa Rica and working for the U.S. embassy in Argentina. His Spanish serves him well in an area with a robust agricultural business sector, which employs a large Spanish-speaking population.
“I helped a client who is a Spanish speaker and never had a 401(k). Helping clients like that, to plan a secure retirement in the future is very rewarding,” he says.
Delaney says JDH works to dispel some of the trepidation prospective clients might have about working the firm and feel they might not be in an income-bracket to substantiate the service. “Most people would benefit from having a conversation with someone to getting on the right track towards a solid retirement. We charge a one-time $3,000 fee for a retirement plan for people who don’t meet the minimum.” When asked to describe the community in one word, Delaney chose, genuine. “I feel that our community is who they say they are, and that is represented by the clients we have. People are authentic with the businesses that they run,” he says.
Photos courtesy of JDH Wealth Management
