The Same Orchard. A New Chapter.
Step-by-Step Transition Information
Your accounts did not move when we did. They’re still at Ameriprise, and they stay there until you tell us you want them moved. Nothing happens automatically. Here’s what it takes.
Step 1:
Tell Us
A conversation with our team starts the process and addresses any questions you might have.
Step 2:
Send us a statement
Provide a recent Ameriprise statement to the Orchard Financial Group team. We can help you access these online.
Step 3:
We prepare the forms and you review & sign
We build the forms and prefill them—all you have to do is review and sign. Most can be signed electronically and those that cannot will be sent to you.
Transition FAQs
The move
Nothing happens automatically. Your accounts stay where they are until you decide to move them and sign transfer paperwork. If you move with us, your investments generally transfer in kind — as they are, rather than being sold — so your cost basis, tax lots, and scheduled instructions come with them.
Because nothing about the relationship starts over. The team that picks up the phone knows your family, your history, and what you’re working toward. That understanding took years to build together, and we would like to keep building on it.
What’s new is what stands behind it: a wide range of investment options, a set of planning tools, and specialists we can bring to the table when your situation calls for it.
It’s your decision. We want you to understand what’s changing, what isn’t, and what your options are before you make it.
We didn’t make it lightly. We thought about it for a long time.
What decided it was you. The situations you bring us have grown more complex, and we wanted the resources behind our advice to keep pace.
Yes. Every advisor and every member of our service team made the move together.
We do. Orchard Financial Group is an independently owned practice, and always has been — our own business, our own team, our own advice.
What changed is what we can reach on your behalf: a wide range of investment options, a set of planning tools, and specialists we can bring to the table when your situation calls for it. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (WFAFN) is our broker-dealer.
Your accounts
Three things: a recent statement, your signature on transfer paperwork we pre-fill for you, and a short call to go through your current accounts — balances, beneficiaries, and anything running on a schedule.
There are no fees or costs from Orchard associated with this transition. We will review the next steps specific to your accounts.
They come with you. Distributions, contributions, required minimum distributions, the annual check that pays an insurance premium, anything else on a schedule — we’ll go through your account specifics and work to reestablish them on the new side.
If there’s something you want to be sure we catch, mention it.
Yes. New accounts mean new numbers. We’ll give you the new numbers as soon as the accounts are open and help you update anything tied to the old ones — direct deposits, bank transfers, and bill payments.
No. You can leave your accounts where they are.
We’d like to keep working with you. Before you decide, we’d like the chance to talk it through.
The firm behind us
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network — a broker-dealer within Wells Fargo & Company dedicated to independent advisors and their clients.
We keep control of how we operate and who we hire. They provide the platform and back-office support. Orchard Financial Group is a separate entity.
Your assets will be held at Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, member SIPC.
No. Your current fee schedule should carry over.
You’ll have a new client portal and we’ll walk you through setting it up — including how you’d like your statements and tax documents delivered and your communication preference. If you’d rather do it together, we’re happy to.
The people don’t change. Same team, same understanding of your goals, your history, and your family.
What’s added is what stands behind us. To support your financial needs we can assemble a team of Wells Fargo specialists that will work with you and your attorney, accountant, and other outside advisors. They are an available resource, but they are not members of the practice nor can they make securities recommendations.
Reaching us
(310) 299-1040. One number for the whole practice — please save it.
No. They stopped working when the affiliation ended, and we can’t see anything sent to them. If you emailed us and didn’t hear back, please send to any of our team members.
Call us at (310) 299-1040. We can set up some time to review any questions you may have.