Guided Wealth Portfolios

BCU Wealth Advisors charges an advisory fee of 0.75% annually. This is in addition to underlying fund expenses.

You may open individual or joint taxable accounts, and Traditional or Roth IRAs.

GWP offers investment recommendations based upon model portfolios generated by LPL Financial.  Typically, the models will be comprised of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETF). An ETF is a type of fund that owns groups of assets, like stocks or bonds, and is designed to provide portfolio returns in line with a particular index, such as the S&P 500. ETFs can provide you a diversified portfolio and are traded like stocks, making it easier to take advantage of market changes. These models are designed to provide ongoing, active management in line with your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a nondiversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.

The minimum starting investment is $5,000. An annual small account fee is applied to accounts with less than $10,000 invested.

The model portfolios are constructed to provide varying levels of exposure to equity and fixed income markets, based on your individual risk tolerance and investment time horizon. More information about the investment process and strategies used can be found here.

You can open your new account by clicking here or the "Start Building Your Plan" link and completing a brief questionnaire regarding your investment goals and experience. An investment model will then be recommended based on your answers to these questions.

When you create your account, you will have the opportunity to set up a one-time or recurring transfer from your bank account. At this time, we cannot accept direct deposit from your paycheck.

You can transfer assets from other brokerage accounts of the same type (e.g., IRA, joint account, etc.). Keep in mind, however, that these assets will be sold and reallocated to the investment model you select when you open your BCU Wealth Advisors account. We recommend that you speak with your tax advisor to discuss any tax consequences that may arise from this activity.

There are several options to deposit checks to your existing account. All checks should be payable to LPL Financial, FBO [Your Name] and reference your account number.

If your check is less than $50,000 you can deposit it electronically to your non-retirement account using your smartphone, with the  Account View mobile deposit feature.

The overnight address for checks is:

LPL Financial
ATTN: Dept. M
1055 LPL Way
Fort Mill, SC 29715

For USPS:
LPL Financial 
Attn: Dept. M
PO Box 6575
Fort Mill, SC 29716

Please note: Cash, traveler’s cheques, money orders, starter checks, and third-party checks cannot be accepted for deposit.

While the Guided Wealth Portfolios Program is designed to provide you with all the tools you need to manage your investments, you will have access to a financial advisor who can assist you with any questions or issues.

It's easy to start achieving your financial goals. Contact us online or call 847-932-8007 and ask for Jamie Hagen.

Investment products and advisory services offered through BCU Wealth Advisors, including Guided Wealth Portfolios are:

• Not NCUA/NCUSIF Insured or otherwise federally insured
• Not Credit Union Guaranteed
• Not Credit Union Deposits or Obligations
• May lose value

You may contact BCU Wealth Advisors, wasupport@bcu.org or 847-932-8007 for assistance.

Guided Wealth Portfolios (GWP) is a centrally managed investment program sponsored by LPL Financial LLC (LPL). GWP generates investment recommendations based upon model portfolios constructed by LPL. LPL is not affiliated with BCU or BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC.  LPL investment advisors are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and LPL is also a Member FINRA/SIPC. 

All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.

Rebalancing a portfolio may cause investors to incur tax liabilities and/or transaction costs and does not assure a profit or protect against a loss. An investment in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), structured as a mutual fund or unit investment trust, involves the risk of losing money. An investment in ETFs involves additional risks such as non-diversification, price volatility, competitive industry pressure, international political and economic developments, possible trading halts, and index tracking errors.