What is a concierge? Merriam-Webster defines it as “a person or service that provides assistance with personal business (such as making travel arrangements, scheduling appointments, or running errands).” We’ve all heard of a concierge at a hotel, or perhaps even a concierge doctor – but you’ve probably wondered, is a dedicated concierge reserved for only the ultra-wealthy?

Insert our official Client Concierge – Buddy Reisinger.

For as long as we’ve known Buddy Reisinger, we’ve observed him juggling an eclectic mix of questions from clients, friends, and family. The queries range from “any idea who the best plantar fasciitis doctor is in Saint Louis?” to “I’m heading to Santa Barbara and want to impress my in-laws – where do we get dinner?” to “Which organization will benefit most from my charitable gift?” to “Which airport should I fly into when I go to Cape Cod?”.

It seems evident to us, but we want you to know that we’ve crowned Buddy the official HIG Concierge (his new title). As a world traveler, adventure seeker, family man, and lifelong learner, Buddy always has the answer, and if he doesn’t – he sure as heck knows someone who does!

If you’ve been a client for a while now – chances are you know Buddy. If you’re new to the firm or want to learn more about him, please click here.

We encourage you to reach out to Buddy with your strangest request. He’s up for the challenge.

Sometimes you can’t shake a story because it keeps getting replayed in different forms. You might remember a piece in the NYT written a couple of years ago about a woman who stumbled upon gross misuse of her parent’s retirement money. Her parents’ brokers were mishandling the money for years, to their benefit – one stock had even been sold eight times in the same day, racking up enormous trading fees. It sounds shocking, but unfortunately, it’s an old story that bears repeating. Why? Sometimes we need reminding – employing a fiduciary advisor matters. “Fiduciary” means your advisor is legally bound to work in your best interest. Ask if your broker, or your parent’s broker, is held to this standard. Do you have a fiduciary advisor like Hill Investment Group?

One of our team members recently received a check from a past employer. Why? A class-action suit. His former employer was found misbehaving – managing their employees’ retirement plans for their gain rather than for their employees’. As a result, the firm paid up, returning a small portion of inappropriate fees and lost returns. What a joke! This kind of dirty dealing is way too common, and at HIG, we invite you to rage against this machine. Vote with your wallet, choosing ONLY independent, fiduciary advice. Check out this list of the 10 Most-Fined Financial Services Firms. What you see may surprise you!