What is a broker-dealer?

A broker-dealer is a company that a registered investment professional is required to affiliate with in order to buy and sell investment products on behalf of investors. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) delegates the supervision of financial advisors to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA, in turn, requires us to choose a broker-dealer to partner with on your behalf. We've chosen to work with Commonwealth Financial Network®, an independent broker-dealer.

Why Commonwealth Financial Network®?

The fact that Commonwealth is independent means that Summit remains independent as well. We are free to act solely in your best interest, without bias and without pressure to promote a particular product or strategy. It's a model that differs from that of some other, larger financial firms known as wire-houses, whose financial representatives are accountable not just to their clients, but also to the parent company that employs them.

Commonwealth is also independently owned and managed, which means the firm retains the freedom to allocate resources where they're needed and to act in the best interests of its financial advisors and their clients—not shareholders.

Committed to helping those in need

Commonwealth's commitment to service does not end with its advisors and their clients. For more than three decades, the firm has been dedicated to serving the communities where its employees and affiliated advisors work, live, and visit. Commonwealth Cares, a 501(c)(3) charity, was formed in 2010 to maximize the impact of those efforts. The foundation's mission is to provide contributions of time, talent, and financial support to a wide range of philanthropic efforts aimed at relieving human suffering, promoting social and economic growth, and sustaining and protecting our planet's resources. That kind of dedication to the greater good is just one more reason we're proud to be affiliated with Commonwealth.

What Does All of this Mean to You?

Commonwealth goes far beyond what's required of a broker-dealer; the entire organization is built around doing whatever it takes to satisfy not only the advisors who work with the firm, but the clients of those advisors as well. It's that infrastructure—and the always expanding wealth of resources it provides—that makes it easier for Summit to provide you with the best possible guidance and the prompt, personal service you expect and deserve.

• Investment choice. Your financial objectives, personal investment style, and risk tolerance are the only criteria that influence our recommendations to you. Commonwealth offers us access to a virtually limitless selection of third-party investment vehicles and truly objective, independent research from its in-house analysts, helping to ensure that we have the freedom to operate solely in your best interest.

• Service. The firm's advisor-to-staff ratio is one of the best in the industry. This means staff members answer our calls promptly, execute transactions quickly and accurately, and, in general, offer our firm the same first-class treatment we strive to give you.

• Technology. Commonwealth's technology platform is a critical component in our ability to provide you with first-class service and support. Its integrated web-based systems allow us to more efficiently manage your portfolio and your overall financial picture.

• Security. Commonwealth is second to none in its commitment to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your investment data remains secure. From encryption standards to disaster recovery plans and other measures the firm employs, we are confident that the information our clients entrust us with will remain secure.

If you'd like to know more

We'd be glad to talk with you further or answer any questions you may have about our affiliation with Commonwealth. Please feel free to give us a call. Also, check out the video below if you'd like to know more about the different types of financial advisors and how the choice of who to affiliate with can impact an advisors advice to their clients.