"Paladin supplies the most detailed biographies of any of the sites we reviewed, all in a quick reference format that makes for easy comparisons. In addition to the advisor's contact info, specialities and certifications, it details their fee structures, tells you how many years of experience they have, and outlines their investment philosophy in a simple yes-or-no, Q&A format." Awarded Four-Stars by Kiplinger.com, December, 2004

Paladin uses a proprietary methodology to rate the quality of financial advisor credentials, ethics, and business practices one to five stars. Paladin only profiles five star rated advisors in the Registry.

Paladin ratings are based on data that are submitted by advisors. We validate the accuracy of certain data if advisors subscribe to Paladin's Financial Advisor Due Diligence (FADD) service. If advisors do not subscribe to the FADD service Paladin publishes data as submitted by advisors.

Paladin's five star quality rating and FADD service do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, guarantee, or favoring by Paladin of any advisor and do not constitute a claim by Paladin, whether explicit or implicit, that advisor credentials, ethics, business practices, products, services, opinions, advice, recommendations, or claims are reputable, honest, competent, or will result in exceptional financial returns. Investors are solely responsible for advisor selection decisions that may be based on information that is published in the Paladin Registry. Investors are encouraged to request additional, current information from advisors that validates their competence, ethics, business practices, and services.

Most planners and advisors use sales pitches to sell investment services and products to consumers. They make a lot of claims in the pitches that are designed to build consumer confidence and gain control of consumer assets. Less ethical advisors make false claims because they know very few consumers will commit the time to verify the accuracy of their claims.

Paladin's FADD service conducts background checks to verify the accuracy of advisor information. Our service focuses on claims that impact advisor competence (education, experience, certifications) and ethics (compliance record, criminal record, consumer complaints). Advisors who successfully complete the FADD certification process display a FADD icon on their Registry documents.

Consumers can select advisors with greater confidence when the professionals' backgrounds have been FADD Certified.

This advisor may have a minimum net worth requirement for consumers who are seeking one or more planning services (financial, college, retirement, tax, estate). This is an important number because you do not want to waste your time talking to advisors who have minimum requirements that exceed your net worth.

Please DO NOT contact this advisor if you do not meet his or her minimum net worth requirement for planning services.

Net worth is all of your assets minus any debt you may have.

This advisor may have a minimum asset requirement for consumers who are seeking investment advice and services. This is an important number because you do not want to waste your time talking to advisors who have minimum requirements that exceed your available assets.

Please DO NOT contact this advisor if you do not meet his or her minimum requirement for available assets.

Available assets are liquid and currently invested in money market, CDs, mutual funds, ETFs, and other types of securities. Some assets may be illiquid, for example real estate and annuities with penalties for withdrawal.