Three Points Financial, Inc. (“TPF”) is a fee-only comprehensive financial planning firm that
specializes in providing comprehensive, tax-focused financial planning and investment
advisory services to individuals and families. TPF was established as an S-Corporation in May
2006 (previous name-Alpers Financial Planning, Inc.)
Firm Ownership
Mary R. Alpers (CRD#4777789) owns 85% and Steven F. Cruice Jr. owns 15%.
Firm Description
TPF offers a wide range of financial services. Specifically, TPF distinguishes itself from
traditional investment advisory firms by providing comprehensive services for clients that
include investment analysis, strategies, and recommendations, retirement planning, tax and
estate planning, risk management, business development, rental analysis, and more. TPF
holds itself to a fiduciary standard, which means we act in utmost good faith in what we
believe is in the best interest of each one of our clients. As fiduciary investment advisors, we
are legally required to put your interests first. We do not sell insurance or investment
products, and we do not accept commissions from any product recommendations we make
to you. We do not pay referral or finder’s fees, nor do we accept such fees from other firms.
As of 2/24/2023, TPF advises on approximately 115,593,365 of investment assets. Of this
total, TPF advises approximately $111,878,922 on a non-discretionary, non-custodial basis
and approximately $3,714,443 on a discretionary basis.
Currently, Mary R. Alpers, CFP® and Steven F. Cruice Jr., CFP®, CPA provide investment
analysis and recommendations. TPF requires non-discretionary authority for new clients.
TPF does have legacy clients that have discretionary authority. Non-discretionary authority
requires TPF to obtain the Client’s prior approval of each specific transaction prior to
executing investment trades, as well as for the selection and retention of sub-advisors to
the account. TPF will act in accordance with a Statement of Investment Policy (or similar
document used to establish the Client’s objectives and suitability) regardless of whether
authority is discretionary or non-discretionary. TPF will only execute transactions for clients
when specifically requested, approved, and authorized by clients in writing (via a fully
executed limited power of attorney “LPOA”) for non-discretionary clients.
TPF and the Client will enter into an agreement which details the scope of the relationship
and responsibilities of both TPF and the Client. Advice and services provided under the
agreement are tailored to the stated objectives of the Client(s). TPF provides the following
three types of services:
1. Open Retainer: An Open Retainer provides comprehensive fiduciary financial planning for
a fixed fee. Clients will have on the average six to seven meetings in the initial year, and two
to four in subsequent years, depending on complexity, tax preparation,
and client
preference. After the first year, we renew the contract with an ongoing renewal automatic
agreement, unless terminated by either the Client or TPF. In addition to scheduled
meetings, additional face-to-face, e-mail and/or phone consultations are included at no
additional charge. Open retainer is defined as ongoing services with reasonable availability
to the Client throughout the year. Additional face to face meetings requested by the Client
beyond regularly scheduled meetings are accommodated into the schedule as needed and
as is reasonable.
Initial Year of Open Retainer - Scheduled meeting topics are listed below. TPF will schedule
meetings to cover those topics relevant to you, such as:
- Tax preparation (if included in contract)
- Budgeting and cash flow
- Goal Setting
- Tax planning
- Inventory/Analysis of client assets, including Rental Property(ies)
- Retirement planning
- Portfolio analysis
- Develop asset allocation strategies/recommendations
- Estate planning review
- Implementation of investment recommendations upon Client request
- Small business analysis
- Insurance analysis
- Education planning
- Analysis of employee benefits
Renewal Years of Open Retainer - Typical topics covered:
- Tax planning & Tax preparation, Including Ongoing Rental Analysis
- Goal setting review (as needed)
- Investment review/Rebalancing/Recommendations
- Retirement plan updates
- Review Estate Planning periodically
- Review Insurance periodically
- Other financial planning topics (namely change of residence, business analysis)
2. Limited Retainer: If an Open Retainer relationship is not desired or practical, Limited
Retainer services are also offered. Limited Retainer services are narrower in scope and
usually focus on one or more of the following areas but without comprehensive retainer
services: goal setting, asset/liability analysis, tax planning, cash flow management,
investment review, retirement planning, risk management, estate planning and record
keeping. The service includes various client consultations as well as written and/or oral
recommendations resulting from such consultations. The Limited Retainer does not
constitute a comprehensive financial planning engagement and follow-up advice and/or
implementation assistance is not provided following the completion of the project. For the
most part, oversight of client’s assets is not included, although there are few exceptions for
long time clients with smaller investment holdings. Additionally, tax return preparation is
not automatically included with the Limited Retainer, but may be purchased as part of this
service, at the Client’s request and based on TPF’s availability during tax season. Clients who
wish to upgrade to the Open Retainer option may receive credit toward Open Retainer fees
for all amounts paid under Limited Retainer agreements for the past six months.