How Your Assets Are Held and Protected
When you work with Vineyard Wealth Group, your assets are not held by us. Your accounts are held at Charles Schwab, an independent custodian. This structure provides an important layer of protection and transparency. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisory firm, we are legally required to act in your best interest at all times, and this custodial structure reinforces that commitment.
You maintain full visibility and control of your accounts at all times, with secure access directly through Schwab. You can view your balances, transactions, and statements independently, whenever you choose.
Clear Separation of Roles
Vineyard Wealth Group serves as your investment advisor. We provide guidance, manage your portfolio, and coordinate your financial plan across investments, taxes, and long-term strategy.
Charles Schwab serves as the custodian. They hold your assets, process transactions, and provide account reporting and security.
This separation is intentional. It ensures independent oversight, transparency, and an added layer of protection for your assets.
Why Schwab?
We chose Schwab as our primary custodian because of their size, regulatory standing, and the strength of their investor protection infrastructure.
Schwab is one of the largest and most established custodians in the country, holding trillions in client assets and regulated by FINRA.
Their platform includes excess SIPC coverage through Lloyd's of London that goes beyond standard protections, and their client-facing technology gives you direct, independent access to your accounts at all times.
Multiple Layers of Protection
Your assets at Schwab are protected by several independent layers of coverage — from unauthorized activity to broker-dealer failure.
Schwab Security Guarantee
Protects against unauthorized account activity. If your account is accessed without your permission and you have taken reasonable precautions, Schwab works with you to make things right. There is no dollar cap on this guarantee.
SIPC Protection
Accounts at Schwab are protected by SIPC against broker-dealer failure. Schwab also carries additional excess SIPC coverage through Lloyd's of London, providing further protection beyond standard SIPC limits.
FDIC Coverage for Cash
When cash is held in bank sweep programs or certain banking-based products, it may be eligible for FDIC insurance through participating banks, subject to applicable limits and program structure.
What This Means For You
You stay in control
You are not handing your assets over to an advisor. Your accounts are held in your name and you maintain full access, statements, and visibility at all times.
Roles are clearly separated
We guide and manage your financial strategy. Schwab holds and safeguards your assets. This independent structure is standard across advisory firms for good reason.
Built-in accountability
As a fee-only fiduciary, we are legally required to act in your best interest. Schwab operates as a regulated custodian. Together, advice, custody, and oversight remain properly separated.
Annuity Custody
A small portion of our client business involves annuity accounts custodied with Nationwide rather than Schwab. Nationwide is an insurance company, not a brokerage firm, and the protections that apply to brokerage accounts described above (such as SIPC coverage) do not apply to annuity accounts. Annuity contract values are obligations of the issuing insurance company, and the protections available to annuity owners depend on the financial strength of the insurer and on state insurance guaranty associations, which provide limited protection that varies by state and product. Clients should review the applicable annuity prospectus or contract for details on charges, surrender provisions, and other contractual features. Annuity advisory services are described further on our Disclosures page.
Ready to simplify your financial life?
Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation with Grant at our Vineyard Haven office or by phone.
We'll review your situation and give you honest guidance on whether working together makes sense.