Frequently AskedQuestions
Clear answers about working with Gold Coast, what you’ll pay, where your assets are held and how to get started.
Working With Gold Coast
Who is Gold Coast a good fit for?
Gold Coast works with individuals and families who want a dedicated investment manager and an ongoing strategy built around their lives. Our clients include physicians, corporate professionals, business owners and people approaching or living in retirement.
Whether you manage your investments yourself or already work with an advisor, an introductory conversation can help us determine whether your needs and our approach are a good match.
What is included in your wealth management relationship?
One ongoing relationship brings together investment planning, portfolio management, retirement considerations and tax-aware investing. We build and manage your portfolio around your goals, cash needs, time horizon and comfort with risk, then review and adjust it as your circumstances change.
These areas work together within our wealth management service. Gold Coast does not provide individualized tax or legal advice; those matters should be addressed with your qualified tax and legal professionals.
Who will manage my investments and be my main point of contact?
You work directly with Dragan Mark Filipovic, CFA, Gold Coast’s founder and Chief Investment Officer. The person you speak with about your goals is also responsible for managing your portfolio.
That direct relationship helps connect investment decisions with what matters to you—and gives you someone to ask about what you own, why you own it and how your strategy may need to evolve.
As a fiduciary, what does Gold Coast’s obligation to me mean?
We have an obligation to act in your best interests when providing investment advice. That means seeking to understand your circumstances, providing advice appropriate to your goals and explaining material costs and conflicts of interest.
You should understand the reasoning behind our recommendations and the trade-offs involved.
Fees & Minimums
What does Gold Coast charge, and how is the advisory fee billed?
Our standard annual advisory fee is 0.50% of the assets we manage for you, covering our ongoing wealth management relationship.
Fees are billed quarterly in arrears—at the end of each quarter for the quarter just completed. Charles Schwab, as custodian, automatically calculates the fee under the agreed billing terms and deducts it from your account with your authorization.
For illustration, a portfolio valued at $500,000 throughout the year would incur approximately $2,500 in annual advisory fees.
What investment costs might I pay in addition to your advisory fee?
The advisory fee is one part of your total investment costs. ETFs and mutual funds may have underlying expenses, and certain investments or account activities may involve transaction charges or other third-party fees.
These costs are separate from Gold Coast’s advisory fee. We consider costs when selecting and managing investments and can help you understand how they affect your portfolio.
Is there a minimum investment amount to become a client?
Gold Coast does not require a minimum investment amount. We start by discussing your goals, current investments and the ongoing help you want. The focus is on whether our wealth management relationship is the right fit for your needs and can provide meaningful value over time.
Does Gold Coast earn commissions from the investments it recommends?
No. Gold Coast is paid through the advisory fee clients pay us, not commissions from selling investments. We evaluate investments based on their role in your portfolio, including risk, diversification, liquidity and cost. Underlying fund expenses and applicable third-party charges are separate from our compensation.
Your Accounts & Charles Schwab
Where will my investments be held, and will the accounts stay in my name?
Your accounts remain in your name—or the appropriate ownership registration, such as your trust—at Charles Schwab. Schwab holds the assets and provides account statements, trade confirmations and account access.
Gold Coast manages investments within the authority you authorize. Your assets are held separately from Gold Coast’s business accounts, and you can verify your holdings directly with Schwab.
Can Gold Coast place trades or withdraw money from my accounts?
Gold Coast has authority to buy and sell investments in your accounts, but not to withdraw or transfer your money. Your assets remain in your accounts at Charles Schwab.
The only exception is the quarterly advisory fee, which Schwab deducts with your authorization. This lets us manage your portfolio while keeping custody of your assets separate from Gold Coast.
Can I access my accounts and receive statements directly from Schwab?
Yes. You can view your accounts directly through Schwab’s website or mobile app and receive statements and trade confirmations from Schwab.
You do not have to rely solely on information supplied by Gold Coast to see your holdings and account activity. We can help explain your statements and how the investments fit your broader strategy.
Will I need to sell my investments or move my accounts to work with you?
Moving an account does not necessarily mean selling its investments. Many eligible holdings can transfer to Schwab without being sold, although some investments may have restrictions or require different handling.
If your accounts are already at Schwab, they may be eligible to remain in place while you authorize Gold Coast to manage them. We review existing holdings, potential taxes and transfer considerations before recommending changes.
Ongoing Portfolio Management
How will you tailor my portfolio to my goals, cash needs and comfort with risk?
We build your portfolio around your goals, when you’ll need your money and the level of risk you’re comfortable taking. We review your existing investments, retirement plans and expected withdrawals to develop an investment mix and cash reserves that support those priorities.
We consider diversification, investment costs and relevant tax implications when making decisions, then review and adjust your portfolio as your needs change.
How will we communicate and review my portfolio over time?
You communicate directly with Dragan Mark Filipovic, CFA, Gold Coast’s founder and Chief Investment Officer. Together, we discuss your portfolio and changing priorities. Our ongoing reviews consider whether your investments remain aligned with your goals, cash needs and comfort with risk.
You can reach out with questions or let us know about significant changes, such as a retirement date, business sale or major purchase. Those conversations help us determine whether your investment strategy needs to change.
Do I need to live in Chicago, and how do meetings work?
No. Gold Coast serves clients in Chicago and nationwide, where permitted to provide advisory services. Conversations can take place by phone or video, allowing us to work together without requiring you to travel to an office.
We discuss a meeting format that works for you so that location does not stand in the way of a direct relationship with your investment manager.
What happens if I decide to end the relationship?
You can end the relationship at any time by providing written notice. Your accounts and investments remain yours at Schwab, and ending our management does not require selling your holdings. Advisory fees are payable only for the period we provided services, through the effective termination date.
Getting Started
Which review is right for me: a Complimentary Portfolio Review or a Portfolio Second Opinion?
Already have an advisor? Choose a Portfolio Second Opinion for an independent perspective on your current investments, costs and strategy.
Managing your investments without an advisor? Choose a Complimentary Portfolio Review to explore how your accounts work together and support your goals.
Both reviews are complimentary, with no obligation to become a client. If you are unsure which to choose, contact us and we will help you get started.
What happens during the review, and what should I prepare?
We begin with a conversation about your goals, current investments and the questions you want answered. Recent investment statements and information about expected cash needs help us understand your portfolio.
We then discuss what appears well positioned, what may deserve attention and whether ongoing management could be useful. You do not need everything organized before reaching out, and you should never send account passwords or login credentials.
Is the review complimentary, and am I required to become a client?
Yes—the review is complimentary, and there is no obligation to become a client. You do not need to transfer assets or end an existing advisory relationship to request it.
The purpose is to help you understand your portfolio and evaluate whether working with Gold Coast would be useful. Any paid ongoing relationship begins only after you choose to proceed and enter into an advisory agreement.
What happens if I decide to work with Gold Coast after the review?
We agree on your goals, explain the fees and complete the documents needed to begin. We help coordinate any required Schwab account setup or transfers and review your existing holdings before making portfolio changes.
From there, we put your investment strategy into practice and manage it through one ongoing wealth management relationship, with direct communication as your needs evolve.
Still Have a Question?
Speak directly with Dragan Mark Filipovic, CFA, Gold Coast’s founder and Chief Investment Officer, about your portfolio and goals.
(847) 899-7986Already Have an Advisor?
Get an independent perspective on your current portfolio.
Portfolio Second OpinionDon’t Have an Advisor?
See how your investments align with your goals and cash needs.
Complimentary Portfolio ReviewBoth reviews are complimentary. No obligation to become a client.