Message From the President: Spring 2025

At Affiance Financial, we are committed to safeguarding your financial well-being. You may not realize it, but behind-the-scenes of your advisor relationship is a host of safeguards intended to protect you from financial harm. This includes everything from regular compliance training, to hiring a managed-services provider for our remote desktops, to ongoing asset allocation drift monitoring.

One key safeguard that protects our clients is our Trusted Contact designation form. This important measure allows us to support you even in situations where we may be unable to reach you directly. It is a 2025 initiative to ensure that all clients have the opportunity to implement this document.

What is a Trusted Contact? A Trusted Contact is a person you authorize us to reach out to under specific circumstances. They do not have authority over your accounts, nor do they act as a Power of Attorney. Instead, they serve as a reliable point of contact if concerns arise regarding your health, safety, or financial security.

Why should you designate a Trusted Contact? Life is unpredictable, and unforeseen situations may arise where additional support is needed. A Trusted Contact can help in cases such as: 

• Confirming your well-being in the event of extended unresponsiveness.
• Addressing concerns about financial exploitation or fraud.
• Providing updates on changes in your cognitive abilities.
• Clarifying your current contact information or whereabouts.

Who should be a Trusted Contact? Your Trusted Contact should be someone you trust, such as a close family member or friend. The Trusted Contact form includes space to designate an alternate contact for added security.

What happens if you choose not to provide a Trusted Contact? While providing a Trusted Contact is optional, we strongly encourage all clients to take this proactive step. Without a designated contact, we may have limited ability to verify your well-being or protect your financial interests in times of need.

How do I designate a Trusted Contact? Completing the Trusted Contact form is simple. You will need to provide the name, phone number, and relationship of your primary and alternate Trusted Contacts. If you choose not to designate a Trusted Contact, you must indicate your decision on the form.

Ensuring you are protected is a 2025 initiative. As part of our commitment to your security, Affiance Financial has set a goal to review and complete the Trusted Contact form for clients in 2025. Many clients already have this form on file. For those that do not, we will be sending it to you for completion. If you have not yet completed this form, we will be sending this to you for completion and encourage you to do so to help us ensure your financial safety.

By taking this small but important step, you can help protect yourself and your financial future.

Respectfully, 
Eric Unger, Partner, President, Chief Compliance Officer

The content of this message should not be construed as legal advice. Always consult an attorney regarding your specific legal situation. The trusted contact form is not a substitute for a power of attorney document.