Choosing the right investment advisor is a critical step in achieving your financial goals. Here’s how to evaluate whether an advisor is truly qualified, trustworthy, and aligned with your needs:

Step 1: Verify Registration and Legal Standing

• Check SEC or State Registration
  Search on adviserinfo.sec.gov using the firm or advisor’s name. 

  
  

• Review Form ADV (Parts 2A & 2B)

• Form ADV Part 2A describes the firm’s services, fees, conflicts of interest, and business practices.

• Form ADV Part 2B shows the individual advisor’s education, background, credentials, and any disciplinary history.
  Ask for both parts before making a decision.

  
  

Step 2: Check Licenses and Credentials

• Required Licensing:
  Look for valid investment advisor licenses such as:

• Series 7 + 66 or Series 65 – Required for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) registered with the SEC or most state regulators.

• CFP® (Certified Financial Planner)

Step 3: Evaluate Experience and Background

• Years in the Industry
  More years doesn’t always mean better—but it does help. Ask about their client base, markets served, and specialty areas.

• Cross-Border Experience 
  For global families or immigrants, choose someone familiar with cross-border planning, immigration issues, and international asset coordination.

  
  

Step 4: Assess Communication and Language Fit

• Bilingual Communication
  For Chinese-speaking families, it’s critical the advisor can explain complex financial concepts in both English and Chinese—not just translate, but truly localize.

• Cultural Understanding
  An advisor who understands your family values, education priorities, and decision-making style will build a more personalized plan.

Step 5: Confirm Fee Structure and Fiduciary Duty

• Fee-Only vs. Commission-Based

• Fee-Only: No hidden commissions. Transparent.

• Fee-Based or Commission: May involve conflicts of interest.

• Fiduciary Standard
  Confirm the advisor is always acting in your best interest—not just when convenient.

Step 6: Meet and Interview the Advisor

• Prepare questions like:

• What is your investment philosophy?

• How do you manage risk?

• How often will we meet?

• What services are included?

• How do you handle market downturns?

• Consider a free discovery meeting to gauge comfort, communication, and trust.

Step 7: Evaluate Technology and Service Model

• Is there an online dashboard?

• Can they work with your attorney, CPA, or overseas family members?

Final Advice: Trust, Transparency, and Long-Term Fit

• The right advisor should make you feel heard, understood, and respected.

• This is a long-term relationship—look beyond investment performance to values, service, and integrity.

 At GSME Wealth Management, we take a collaborative, transparent, and personalized approach to every new client relationship. Our onboarding process is fully aligned with regulatory requirements and is designed to foster informed decision-making, long-term partnership, and the development of a strategy aligned with your goals.

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Discovery Meeting – We begin by getting to know you—your values, priorities, financial objectives, and life vision.

2. Data Collection – We gather and review relevant documents to gain a comprehensive understanding of your financial landscape, including investments, income, expenses, and estate planning documents.

3. Evaluation – We assess your current financial position, including asset allocation, tax exposure, insurance needs, and potential risks or gaps.

4. Strategy Development – Based on your goals and preferences, we design a tailored financial and investment plan using our proprietary models and planning tools.

5. Implementation – Once we align on your strategy, we help you open accounts—typically through Charles Schwab, our custodian—and begin managing your assets accordingly.

6. Ongoing Support – We continuously monitor your portfolio and hold regular review meetings to ensure your plan remains aligned with your evolving needs and market conditions.

Required Documentation and Disclosures:

As part of our fiduciary responsibility and in compliance with regulatory requirements, GSME will provide and execute the following documents during onboarding:

• Form ADV Parts 2A & 2B – Our firm brochure and advisor disclosure documents outlining our services, fees, and background

• Advisory Client Agreement – A written agreement defining the scope of services and terms of engagement

• Custodial Agreement with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. – Establishing your account and custody relationship

• Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA) – Authorizing GSME to manage your accounts on your behalf, subject to agreed-upon terms

• Privacy Policy – Describing how we collect, use, and protect your personal information

We ensure that all documents are reviewed and signed transparently, with full opportunity for your questions and understanding.

Our mission is to help you build, preserve, and grow your wealth with confidence, clarity, and purpose—every step of the way.

At GSME Wealth Management, our investment strategies are built around diversification, disciplined risk management, and long-term growth. We construct portfolios tailored to each client’s unique goals, values, time horizon, and tax profile.

We primarily utilize:

• Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

• Mutual Funds

• Individual Stocks and Bonds

• Government and Corporate Fixed Income Instruments

Our portfolios are designed using rigorous, research-driven processes and proprietary investment models, ensuring each strategy is aligned with your objectives. We prioritize liquidity, transparency, and cost-efficiency, and we deliberately avoid speculative or illiquid investments.

Whether you're focused on capital preservation, income generation, or long-term appreciation, our goal is to help you stay invested with clarity and confidence—no matter where you are in your financial journey.

At GSME Wealth Management, maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of your information is central to our fiduciary duty and client relationship. We collect personal information solely to provide financial planning and investment management services and to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

We do not share your data with unaffiliated third parties for marketing purposes. We only disclose your information under limited circumstances, including:

• With service providers who help us manage your account (e.g., custodians, technology vendors etc.)

• With professionals you’ve authorized (e.g., your attorney or accountant)

• As required by law or regulation

• With your explicit consent

To protect your information, we implement strict physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards. Access to client data is limited to authorized personnel, and we require confidentiality agreements with any external partners or vendors.

Even after our relationship ends, we continue to treat your information with the same level of confidentiality and maintain it in accordance with legal record-keeping requirements.

You will receive a copy of our Privacy Policy at account opening and annually thereafter. If you have any questions, please contact our Chief Compliance Officer.

GSME Wealth Management is a New York–based Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) dedicated to serving clients with integrity, clarity, and purpose. As a fiduciary firm, GSME is regulated under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and adheres to all applicable U.S. laws and regulations governing investment advisory firms. This means we are legally and ethically obligated to always act in your best interest, with full transparency and accountability.

What truly sets GSME apart is our founder’s over 20 years of global financial leadership across the United States, China, Hong Kong SAR, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. With senior experience in global banking, investment management, and capital markets, he brings a rare, real-world understanding of the financial systems and cross-border challenges that affect global families and high-net-worth individuals.

We specialize in working with immigrant families, international professionals, and global entrepreneurswho need strategic, culturally attuned, and tax-efficient financial solutions across borders. Our team understands the legal, regulatory, and planning complexities of international wealth—and we help you navigate them with clarity and confidence.

Unlike large institutions, GSME is a boutique, independent, fee-only firm, which means:

• No product sales. No commissions. No hidden agendas.

• Every plan is crafted specifically for your goals, values, and long-term success.

• We provide access to proprietary investment models designed to support long-term planning objectives, customized portfolio strategies, and disciplined risk management.

• We offer both discretionary asset management and consultative planning engagements, tailored to your needs.

Whether you’re preparing for the US Immigration, U.S. education funding, international relocation, business development and succession, retirement, or charitable giving,  GSME delivers holistic, values-driven strategies that evolve with your life.

Trust, transparency, and consistent results are the core of our approach—and why GSME is more than just a wealth manager. We are your long-term partner in building a global legacy.

GSME offers a full suite of financial advisory services for individuals, families, and business owners navigating complex cross-border needs. We work with:

• New U.S. clients entering the wealth management space

• Existing clients seeking to consolidate or transfer accounts

• International clients requiring global perspective

For private clients, our services include:

• Comprehensive wealth planning

• Investment management

• Estate and trust advisory

• Education and immigration financial planning

• Values-based investing

For business owners and executives, we provide:

• Cross-border financial consulting

• Global investment advisory

• Investment Management advisory 

• Succession planning

With deep expertise in international finance, we help clients navigate multi-jurisdictional challenges with discretion, insight, and strategic clarity.

• Fiduciary commitment: Always acting in your best interest

• Multilingual expertise: Clear communication across cultures

• Global perspective: Deep understanding of cross-border finance

• Integrated planning: Coordinated investment, tax, and estate strategies

• Boutique attention: Personalized service and relationship-based advice

• Institutional quality: Proprietary models and disciplined risk management

GSME Wealth Management provides specialized, culturally aware financial planning to help international families and Asian immigrants successfully navigate education, immigration, and wealth-building in the U.S. and globally.

We understand that education and immigration decisions are deeply tied to your family’s long-term financial goals. That’s why we offer comprehensive, cross-disciplinary support—not only through investment advice, but also by collaborating with immigration attorneys, university advisors, and education experts to deliver holistic, customized solutions.

For U.S. College Planning (International Families):

• Full cost breakdowns (tuition, fees, housing, and hidden expenses)

• Scholarship and merit aid guidance

• Cross-border funding strategy and currency considerations

• Tax-efficient gift planning and reporting

• Use of U.S.-based trusts or custodial accounts for education savings

We help you design an education plan that supports your child’s academic future without compromising your long-term financial strategy.

For Asian Immigrants Managing U.S. Wealth and Business:

• U.S. business formation, succession planning, and compliance

• Global investment strategies and cross-border tax planning

• Credit, banking, and liquidity management in the U.S.

• Multi-generational trust and estate planning

• Coordination with legal, tax, and immigration professionals across jurisdictions

Our bilingual team bridges the gap between your home country and U.S. systems—delivering strategic guidance that respects your values, supports your family’s transition, and positions you for long-term success.

At GSME, we don’t just manage assets—we help build and protect cross-border wealth with clarity and care.

GSME Wealth Management is a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). This means we are compensated solely by our clients—never through commissions, product sales, or referral fees. Our fee-only structure helps eliminate conflicts of interest and ensures that the advice we provide is always objective, transparent, and aligned with your best interests.

We offer both:

• Investment Management Services, typically based on a percentage of assets under management

• Financial Planning and Advisory Services, available on a flat-fee or hourly basis depending on the scope of the engagement

Fee schedules may vary based on client needs and service scope. All fees are clearly outlined and fully disclosed in our Client Brochure (Form ADV Part 2A), which is provided to every client before the start of a formal engagement.

We do not receive compensation from third parties, custodians, or investment product providers. Our only incentive is your long-term success.

The fee-only model is central to our fiduciary responsibility, giving you the confidence that every recommendation we make is designed solely to serve your goals.

At GSME Wealth Management, the security and integrity of your assets are fundamental to our fiduciary responsibility. To ensure your investments are held safely and independently, we partner with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. as our primary custodian.

Charles Schwab is one of the largest and most trusted custodians in the United States, serving millions of investors and independent advisors. As a publicly traded company, Schwab is regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and other federal and state regulators.

Schwab provides:

• Custody and safekeeping of your securities

• Trade execution, clearance, and settlement

• Real-time online access and transparent reporting

• SIPC insurance and additional asset protection coverage (Note: SIPC protection applies to custodian failure, not investment losses)

Importantly, GSME does not take custody of client assets directly. All accounts are held in your name at Schwab, and you retain full access and control at all times. This separation enhances transparency, oversight, and protection, giving you peace of mind.

This custodial arrangement allows Schwab to focus on the safekeeping of your assets, while GSME focuses exclusively on providing independent, conflict-free advice in your best interest.