Vistamark Investments Fees: AUM or Flat Fee, No Minimum

Vistamark is flexible on fees. We work with individuals, families and institutions on either an asset-based fee (a percentage of assets under management) or a flat fee, and we structure it around the engagement: the services you need, the complexity of your situation and the assets involved.

Some clients prefer a fee that moves with their portfolio. Others want a fixed, predictable cost billed monthly. We talk through both, agree the structure that fits, and set it out in your advisory agreement before we begin.

Whichever you choose, our only compensation is the fee you agree to. There are no commissions, no performance-based fees, no proprietary products and no minimum account size.

Vistamark’s fees at a glance

Firm: Vistamark Investments, an independent, SEC-registered investment adviser (CRD #335309) with offices in Hinsdale and Chicago, Illinois, and Phoenix, Arizona
Fee structures: Asset-based (AUM) fee, flat fee, or a combination
How the fee is set: Negotiated for each engagement, based on scope, complexity and assets
Who it applies to: Individuals, families, trusts, family offices, businesses, foundations, endowments, retirement plans and other advisers
Billing: AUM fees quarterly in arrears; flat fees on the agreed schedule, which can be monthly
Minimum: No minimum account size or minimum fee
Other compensation: None: no commissions, performance-based fees or proprietary products
Custody: Assets stay with a qualified custodian. We prefer Charles Schwab and can work with other custodians
Full schedule: Form ADV Part 2A, Item 5

How does Vistamark charge?

Vistamark offers two fee structures, and a combination of the two:

Fee structure	How it works	Works well when
Asset-based (AUM) fee	An annual percentage of the market value of the assets we manage, including cash, billed quarterly in arrears on the quarter-end value.	The work centers on ongoing investment management and you want the fee to move with the portfolio.
Flat fee	A fixed amount agreed in advance, billed monthly or on another schedule we agree.	You want a predictable cost, or the work is defined by scope rather than asset size: coordinating entities and advisors, reporting, governance or a project.
A combination	Part asset-based, part flat, or another arrangement agreed in writing.	The relationship spans several services, entities or account types.

Who does Vistamark work with?

The same flexibility applies to every kind of client. We work with:

Individuals and families, including trusts, estates and family offices
Businesses and their owners, including retirement plans, where fees for ERISA 3(21) and 3(38) services can be a percentage of plan assets or a flat fee, paid through the plan or by the sponsor
Foundations, endowments and other nonprofits
RIAs, multi-family offices and trust departments, where for sub-advisory work we are paid by the primary adviser under a negotiated schedule

M&A advisory for business owners is provided through our affiliate, Vistamark Consulting, and priced for each engagement (Form ADV Part 2A, Item 10).

What determines the fee?

Every fee is negotiated. Three things shape it:

Scope. The services you need: investment management, private markets, planning coordination with your attorneys and CPAs, consolidated reporting, committee or board support.
Complexity. How many accounts, trusts and entities are involved; private investments, concentrated positions or unusual tax and reporting needs; how many decision-makers we serve.
Assets. The total market value of the assets we advise on.

How are fees billed?

Asset-based fees are billed quarterly in arrears, on the account value at the end of the quarter or of the agreed billing period. Flat fees are billed on the schedule in your agreement, which can be monthly.
You receive an invoice within the first two weeks after the quarter or billing period ends.
With your written authorization, your custodian deducts the fee and shows it on the custodian’s statement. You can instead pay by other means within 30 days.

What costs are not included in the fee?

Mutual funds and ETFs charge their own internal expenses, and the custodian may charge brokerage and transaction costs. We prefer Charles Schwab as custodian and can work with other custodians. Retirement plans may also pay administrator and custodian expenses. These are separate from Vistamark’s fee, and Vistamark receives no part of them.

What conflict of interest should clients know about?

Because an asset-based fee rises as the assets we manage grow, we earn more when a client adds money to an account we manage. This conflict is described in our Form CRS. As a fiduciary, we must act in your best interest and put your interests ahead of ours.

Can a client end the agreement?

You can typically end the advisory agreement within five business days of signing without paying advisory fees for that period. After that, either side can typically end it with 30 days’ written notice.

Frequently asked questions about Vistamark’s fees

How much does Vistamark charge?

There is no one-size-fits-all fee. Vistamark structures each fee around the engagement: the services involved, the complexity of the client’s situation and the assets we advise on. It can be an asset-based (AUM) fee, a flat fee or a combination. Fees are negotiated and set out in the advisory agreement, and Form ADV Part 2A, Item 5 describes the fee schedule in full.

Does Vistamark charge an AUM fee or a flat fee?

Either, depending on the engagement. An asset-based fee is a percentage of the market value of the assets we manage, including cash. A flat fee is a fixed amount agreed in advance and can be billed monthly. Some relationships combine the two.

Does Vistamark work with individuals as well as institutions?

Yes. Vistamark’s clients include individuals and families, trusts and estates, family offices, businesses, foundations, endowments and other nonprofits, and retirement plans. The fee structure is agreed separately for each engagement.

Is there a minimum account size or minimum fee?

No. Vistamark does not require a minimum asset level or a minimum annual fee.

Does Vistamark earn commissions or other compensation?

No. Our only compensation for investment management is the advisory fee agreed with the client. We do not charge performance-based fees, do not sell proprietary products, and do not receive or share in fund expenses or brokerage costs.

How are Vistamark’s fees billed?

Asset-based fees are billed quarterly in arrears, on the account value at the end of the quarter or of the agreed billing period. Flat fees are billed on the schedule in the agreement, which can be monthly. With the client’s authorization the custodian deducts the fee and shows it on the custodian’s statement; clients can instead pay by other means within 30 days.

What other costs might a client pay?

Mutual funds and ETFs charge their own internal expenses, and the custodian may charge brokerage and transaction costs. These are separate from Vistamark’s fee, and Vistamark receives no part of them. Retirement plans may also pay administrator and custodian expenses.

How are retirement plan fees set?

Fees for ERISA 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary services are negotiated with the plan sponsor based on the size of the plan and the services provided. They can be a percentage of plan assets or a flat fee, paid through the plan or directly by the sponsor.

Can a client end the agreement?

Yes. A client can typically end the advisory agreement within five business days of signing without paying advisory fees for that period. After that, either side can typically end it with 30 days’ written notice.

Where is the full fee schedule?

This page summarizes our fee disclosures. Form ADV Part 2A, Item 5 sets out the complete fee schedule and governs if anything here differs.

Form ADV Part 2A & 2BFirm brochure: fees in Item 5, performance-based fees in Item 6, brokerage in Item 12 · PDF
Form CRSTwo-page client relationship summary, including fees, costs and conflicts · PDF
SEC Investment Adviser Public DisclosureOur current filings on the SEC’s site (CRD #335309)
DisclosuresRegistration, custody, affiliated company and other regulatory information

Flexible fees: AUM or flat fee, built around your engagement

Vistamark’s fees at a glance

How does Vistamark charge?

Who does Vistamark work with?

What determines the fee?

How are fees billed?

What costs are not included in the fee?

What conflict of interest should clients know about?

Can a client end the agreement?

Frequently asked questions about Vistamark’s fees

Where is the full fee schedule?

Further reading

Let’s find the fee structure that fits