Many clients come to us during their due diligence phase with excellent questions – about our firm, how we work, how their accounts are set up, and how we’re different from the competition. To help answer all of your questions, we have constructed a list of questions that are often asked during our meetings with prospective clients, and compiled answers to them. Please feel free to contact a Regatta Research representative to discuss any of the questions below, or to have any additional questions answered. Regatta is here to serve you.

I. Introduction

1. What is Regatta Research & Money Management, LLC?
   
   Founded in 1997, Regatta Research & Money Management, LLC is a private fee-only money management, research, and financial planning firm serves individuals, advisors, and institutions throughout North America and the world. Through guidance from the firm's founders, Eric Greschner, Rudy Blanchard, and George Greschner, Regatta Research has become a highly respected comprehensive wealth management firm.
2. What are Regatta Research & Money Management, LLCs core services?
   
   Regatta Research & Money Management, LLC is a discretionary, fee-based financial planning and portfolio management services firm. Regatta is not a broker/dealer and derives no revenue from transaction charges or commissions. Instead, Regatta charges a percentage of assets under management. Our incentive to perform well and to manage volatility is directly aligned with clients' investment objectives. Regatta also has no involvement in investment banking activities, an area often presenting numerous conflicts of interest.
3. As a client of Regatta, what services will I receive?
   

   For one fee, an annual percentage of assets under management, Regatta provides all of your financial planning and active management of your portfolio.

   Our financial planning services are comprehensive. We offer comprehensive financial planning, including educational and retirement planning, as well as money management services. We advise on specific situations like rollovers, divorce, widowhood, sale of a business, "suddenly wealthy" situations, budgeting, required minimum distributions, etc.

   Our considerable research and portfolio management experience is brought to bear on the management of your accounts. We provide our expertise on large number of different account types such as taxable investment accounts, 401(k) investment selections and rollovers, IRAs, annuities, and college savings plans.

   Our team can analyze your current portfolio at no charge and help ascertain the asset allocation that may be right for you.

   To receive a free portfolio review, click here.

4. My former broker told me that he/she managed my portfolio. How is Regatta different?
   

   Regatta is a true, full time professional money management and research firm. Many brokers or financial planners claim they are managing your portfolio. In actuality, they really aren't actively monitoring or managing it. Changes may be made perhaps once a quarter or yearly, if at all. They are generally trained in sales, not managing portfolios.

   Your portfolio management team has members who have worked on Wall Street as an institutional market strategist for Fidelity, Oppenheimer, T. Rowe Price, etc. We have been interviewed by national magazines like Money Magazine, Wall Street Transcripts, etc.

   Regatta also manages money for brokers and their clients for several brokerage firms across the nation. Stockbrokers and financial planners outsource their clients' money management needs to Regatta.

   Always, before investing with anyone, whether it’s a broker, a mutual fund, or a money management firm like Regatta, ask for an independently audited track record. Make sure it is with real money over multiple market environments. Moreover, make sure that the track record is based on an actual account or accounts where actual, not hypothetical, dollars were put to work. We’ll gladly provide you with ours.

   Oftentimes, a broker or financial planner will screen databases and show you the funds or the money managers that had the highest returns on a trailing basis. In reality, none of their clients were in these funds or with these money managers. Unfortunately, many investors consistently fall prey to this sales pitch.

5. How does Regatta Research & Money Management, LLC get paid?
   

   Many investment advisers are commission-based or make money on transactions, which may create an incentive to increase turnover or even "churn" your portfolio.

   Not Regatta Research. Regatta is a fee-based financial planner and comprehensive wealth manager. Our fees are based on a percentage of clients' assets under management, making our incentive to perform well directly aligned with our clients'. If you make more money, we make more money, and vice-versa. The annual percentage fee varies based on the underlying investments, strategy, account size, etc. Our fee structure and other expenses is detailed in Regatta’s Disclosure Document (Form ADV).

6. What is the frequency of Regatta’s fees? Is it a large one time fee or a small amount spread out over the course of time?
   

   Our fee structure is one where we earn our money in small amounts over the course of time. This is a critical distinction from how most firms operate.

   Often they may make 90% of their fee or commission, the day they sell you something. Their incentive is to jump to another client in order to get another quick commission, and on and on. The distorted financial incentives that large, one time commissions can create is one of the reasons that investor’s nest egg are often invested in a mutual fund, stock, annuity, or separately managed account and never re-balanced or changed out for years in spite of constantly changing market conditions.

   Regatta’s payment structure creates a mutually beneficial situation. The performance of your portfolio directly impacts how much we are paid, every quarter, for the entire time you are with us. You better believe we are watching, growing, and protecting your portfolio every day.

7. Who pays Regatta for their services? Directly by clients or from a company?
   
   We do not accept fees from anyone except our clients. This has been our policy since our founding. This is our policy as we feel that commissions and hidden back door fees create an unacceptable conflict of interest. Like you, we believe in full transparency, independence, and loyalty only to our clients. Being paid only by you and not by any company insures your best interests are our only interests.
8. I live thousands of miles away from one of your office. Can I still do business with you?
   
   No problem. Regatta has clients all over the country and overseas. You can receive all the benefits of our services from a consultation with one of our investment advisors. Regatta possesses the latest technology to do business with virtually anyone around the world.
9. How do I know my investments are safe?
   

   Regatta does not take custody of your assets. Your assets are custodied at well known custodians such i.e. Fidelity, TD Waterhouse, Jefferson National, CNL, MAN, Wells, etc.

   Regatta has limited discretionary trading authority, which means we only have trading authorization for your accounts.

   If you have any questions about your account, you can also call the custodian directly yourself.

10. Is Regatta independent from the custodians used like Fidelity, TD Waterhouse, Jefferson National, etc.?
    
    Completely. The beauty of working with an independent firm like ourselves is that either of you are we becomes dissatisfied with the custodian, together we can make the decision to move your account to another custodian.
11. What are the total assets under management at Regatta?
    
    As of October, 2007, assets under management exceeded $170 million and growing rapidly.
12. What is the expected rate of return?
    
    Many variables affect the rate of return: the product, selected strategies, risk tolerance and market conditions. Our goal is to limit your risk. You can view the most recent updated historical returns for our flagship account, the Clipper portfolio/ (Insert a click here to a PDF of our returns.
13. What happens if I’m not pleased with Regatta’s performance?
    

    We have a "contract at will", which means that either party can terminate the relationship at any time. The relationship must work for both parties.

    If either party elects to terminate the relationship, it is very easy to transfer the account to another firm.

14. What vehicles does Regatta use in its portfolios?
    

    We use a variety of different vehicles depending on variables such your risk profile liquidity needs, size of your portfolio.

    Vehicles typically found in our portfolios include stocks, ETFs, no-load mutual funds, commission free annuities, structured notes, non-publicly traded REITs, bonds, cds, etc.

15. Can you manage my IRA, which is now at another company?
    
    Regatta can manage existing accounts by transferring them to our preferred brokerage custodian, Fidelity Investments. We also offer the service of filling out all the paperwork and preparing them for signature. All we need is a copy of the most recent statement.
16. Can Regatta set up or take over corporate retirement plans?
    

    A large portion of our services are dedicated to assisting companies with setting up or taking over existing 401k and profit sharing plans, SEP-IRAs, Keoghs, uni-401ks, Roth 401s, SIMPLE-IRAs.

    We offer all of our corporate retirement plan clients the same financial planning and active money management services within their plan.

17. What can Regatta with 401k plans?
    

    Regatta can help you set up or take over an existing 401k plan and provide all your and your employees with our financial planning, and active money management services inside your 401plan.

    We can also provide comprehensive financial planning seminars to your employees.

    Moreover, we can work with nearly every Third Party Administrator.

18. If I decide to work with Regatta on our company’s 401K plan, what money management options do we have?
    

    Regatta offers two options in your company’s retirement plan:

    1) Fixed Menu of Mutual Fund Options Provided by Regatta/Participant makes all Investment Decisions

    Regatta screens, presents, and then monitors a fixed number of mutual funds for inclusion in your mutual funds.

    2) Access to over 3,500 No-Load Mutual Funds/Regatta Actively Switches Funds for Employees/Employees Select from Different Profiles Based on their Risk Tolerance

    Regatta provides an aggressive, growth, conservative, and fixed income portfolio to plan participants. Regatta actively trades no-load, no transaction fee mutual funds within each of these models.

    Plan participants can select either Option 1 or Option 2, or both.

19. My 401K at my company is with Brokerage Firm X. My company is staying with Brokerage Firm X. I need help knowing which funds to choose and when to sell them? Can Regatta help me?
    
    Yes. We can actively manage your 401(k) or 403(b) plan at your current employer. Just provide us with your user name and password, and we’re ready to go.
20. Can Regatta help me with my IRA rollovers and variable or fixed annuities?
    
    Yes.
21. Does Regatta manage trusts and institutional funds?
    
    Yes.

II. Account Setup

1. How do I establish an account with Regatta?
   

   Simply contact us at 504.831.4636 or email us at .

   If you were referred to Regatta through a Financial Advisor at another firm, contact your Financial Advisor.

2. What is the minimum I need to open an account?
   
   Our account sizes run from accounts in the multi millions to portfolios for the everyday American. There are no $500,000 or $1,000,000 account limitations like some firms. We want to work with you to help you create a fortune, not be there only once it’s built. As a result, we have no account minimums.
3. What is your fee schedule?
   

   Our fee schedule varies with the size of your portfolio, the allocation between fixed income and equities, and the amount of financial planning involved.

   Click here to see our current fee schedule.

4. How are management fees billed and collected?
   
   Management fees are calculated and accrued daily. Each day, 1/365 of the annual management fee rate is applied from the amount of assets under management.
5. Where do my statements come from?
   

   Your statements will be mailed directly from the custodian directly to you.

   Regatta will also mail you a statement every quarter showing the amount of your portfolio value for each quarter and the amount that we billed you on.

6. How frequently often do I receive statements?
   

   If your assets are custodied at Fidelity or TD Waterhouse, you will be mailed a statement every month. The statements will show you any gains, or losses, change from the prior month, etc. They will also send you your 1099's, transaction confirmations, etc.

   If your assets are custodied at Jefferson National, American Skandia, Wells, Behringer Harvard, CNL, or MAN, all of the important account information will be mailed directly to you from these custodians as well. These custodians mail statements quarterly.

   You also have access to your accounts online.

III. Account Maintenance

1. Can I see my account balance and transactions on the Internet?
   
   Yes, you can keep up to date by having your account set up online through your respective custodians. Once you get our account set up, we will send you step by step directions to access your accounts online.
2. In case of an emergency, can I get money out of my account quickly?
   

   Unless it is invested in an illiquid, niche investment such as a non-publicly traded REIT, managed timber, or a hedge fund of hedge funds, Regatta can you get your money at any time. All we need is the proper forms to be completed that can be faxed in and the proceeds will be sent to you via your preferred method.

   However, we strongly recommend keeping emergency money separate from your investments. We can easily set up an emergency savings account for you with checks and debit cards if you wish.

3. One of my financial needs is for quarterly income. Can I make systematic withdrawals without incurring a fee?
   
   Yes, we can easily set up a monthly or quarterly systematic withdrawal service. The money can be sent either electronically or through paper mail. This service is free of charge to our clients.
4. Can I have duplicate statements sent to my accountant?
   
   Yes, we will happy to assist you with making sure the other parts of your financial circle are being sent the appropriate statements.
5. How do I pay you for your services?
   

   We charge a fee that is a percentage of assets under management. The fee is automatically deducted from your account on a quarterly basis. We send you a billing statement every quarter for your records. The deduction of the fee is also reflected in the respective custodians statement.

   All of our performance reflects net performance after all fees paid.

   A very small percentage of clients request that we send them a bill rather than deduct our fees from their account. We will accommodate your request.

6. Can I combine account balances to get lower fees, or does each account size count separately?
   
   Accounts can be aggregated for multiple accounts of related parties, as determined by Regatta.
7. Are the fees I pay Regatta deductible on my tax return?
   
   Our fees may be deductible. However, we don't give tax advice, and you should see your tax advisor for the details.
8. I was referred to Regatta by my Financial Advisor. When do I call Regatta and when do I call my Financial Planner?
   
   If you did not go to Regatta directly yourself, but through a Financial Advisor, your Financial Advisor is the most familiar with your overall financial plan. When questions arise, it is advisable to contact your Financial Planner first and they will contact Regatta as needed.

IV. Portfolio Management

1. What is Regatta Research & Money Management, LLC’s track record?
   
   Regatta is widely considered a leader in the management of investment risk and returns. Regatta constantly uses stop losses in our stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs. As a result, many of our portfolios dramatically reduced or completely sold off many of our Technology positions soon after the NASDAQ peaked out on March 10, 2000, keeping the bulk of our large profits. We did not ride the market down.
2. Are your personal accounts at Regatta invested in the same investments as I am?
   
   Our personal accounts are invested in the same investments, as our clients, that have similar personal risk profiles and the same custodian. We "eat our own cooking."
3. What investment vehicles does Regatta utilize?
   
   We have portfolios that invest in stocks, ETFs, bonds, cds, no-load variable annuities, REITs, as well as registered hedge funds of hedge funds.
4. In your mutual fund portfolios, does Regatta use no-load mutual funds or loaded (sales charge) mutual funds?
   

   Regatta invests only in no-load mutual funds.

   The only time Regatta will invest in an A share mutual fund is if the normal sales charge is waived for our clients.

5. Will Regatta contact me every time a buy and sell decision needs to be made?
   
   No. Regatta's buy and sell decisions are usually made on a completely discretionary basis, based on your risk profile, specific goals, etc.
6. I want to work with Regatta, but I have a certain investment, such as a stock or a fund, that I do not want to sell?
   

   No problem. All you need to do is to indicate on Regatta’s Client Investment Policy Statement (CIPS) form that you do not want us to sell a stock, bond, fund, etc., and it will not be sold.

   Please keep in mind that investments transferred over and held at client’s request are not subject to Regatta's oversight and negative developments in these issues can materially affect your returns.

7. I have a smaller account size. Will my portfolio be neglected?
   

   No. Based on your goals and risk tolerance levels, you will usually be assigned to a model along with other clients who have similar needs. Everyone who is assigned to a similar portfolio will usually buy or sell the same positions in the same funds on the same day, regardless of account size. Our software doesn’t discriminate between a $25,000 and a $25,000,000 account. A $25,000 account will usually have the same funds, in the same percentages, with the same trade dates as a $25,000,000 account, assuming the clients are in the same model and with the same goals.

   The lack of distinction between managing accounts of dissimilar dollar amounts is a distinctive feature of Regatta's services. Generally, an investor does not have access to the services of a true money manager until their account reaches about $500,000 plus. We believe that everyone should have access to professional money management services, not just the affluent. Your account size may be small now, but it can grow to a very large size over the course of time. We do not want to turn clients away with a g "Come back and see me in 10 years when your account is big enough" attitude.

8. I’m concerned about taxes, and I’m conservative. Does Regatta have a portfolio strategy that can fit different situations?
   

   Yes. We have several portfolios to meet your objectives from conservative buy and hold strategies to more dynamic asset allocation models.

   We also offer custom tailored options to meet your specific goals.

9. What are the variables Regatta utilizes to manage my portfolio?
   

   We apply our proprietary Wall Street Advantage^TM methodology to research, screen, and manage the mutual funds, stocks, annuity sub-accounts, ETFs, bonds, and cds in our clients’ portfolios on a daily basis.

   If any of these investments no longer meet our high standards, they are often sold off and replaced with those that do.

10. What are some of the variables we use to try and grow and protect your nest egg?
    

    We constantly monitor:	We constantly utilize:
    Money supply growth Insider buying and selling Impacts of currency moves Commodities Fundamentals Yield curves Etc.	Business cycle analysis Sentiment analysis Fundamental industry and sector analysis Proprietary trading models Cutting edge artificial intelligence and neural networks Post Modern Portfolio Theory Risk reduction techniques Etc.

11. What might Regatta do to help protect my portfolio in a bear market?
    

    Trying to proactively limit large losses is a signature goal of our money management philosophy. If we believe the risk levels in the market are becoming dangerous due to political instability, terrorism concerns, currency devaluation, excessive valuations, Fed activity, etc., we frequently enact defensive strategies to attempt to “hedge” portions of your portfolio with the goal of reducing the downside risk.

    At our discretion, Regatta may shift a portion of your portfolio into investments that are not as highly correlated (i.e., does not usually move in the same direction as the overall market).

    We may also buy funds and ETFs that "short" the market. A mutual fund or ETF that shorts the market makes money when the index it is inversely correlated with, drops in price. Thus, these funds can theoretically make money when the market drops.

    Most importantly, we do not believe in the currently prevailing dogma of buying and holding an investment even when market conditions have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. At certain times, like most of the 1990's, this is the preferred strategy. However, in other markets, like after the Tech Bubble burst in March 2000 to the market bottom in 2003, Regatta feels that a strategy based on buying low and selling high on a continuous basis often has a better chance of making money.

    Many investors and their advisors have made what is, in our opinion, the fatal mistake of not taking profits in their portfolio and of allowing their portfolios to drop by huge percentages before trying to stop the bloodletting. A loss of 50% will require a return of 100% to break even! One of the basic tenets of Regatta's money management philosophy is to attempt to limit excessive losses. Based on simple mathematics, it is generally better to cut your losses short and to let your profits run. Thus, Regatta will generally sell funds, stocks, etc. that drop by a certain percentage from our initial entry point. We will also frequently sell a fund and re-allocate it even if it is going up, but less than the benchmark. We believe that constant vigilance is one of the "secrets" of our success.

    Keep in mind, of course, that investing always entails risk, and there is no guarantee that these hedges will be effective or that they will be employed at all times. Past performance is also no guarantee of future success, and you can have a gain or a loss when selling any investment. Nevertheless, it provides peace of mind to know that a professional portfolio management team is watching over your portfolio everyday.

12. How often do you review my investments?
    
    Regatta conducts daily research, analysis, and monitoring in order to position our clients according to their risk characteristics. Regatta screens thousands of mutual funds, stocks, ETFs, bonds, etc. for performance and risk on a daily basis.
13. Who decides on what investments to purchase and to sell?
    
    Regatta depends on its in-house investment committee made up of four well-qualified investment professionals.
14. Are there any transaction fees incurred when Regatta re-allocates one of my mutual funds from one fund family to another (e.g. from a PIMCO Fund to an American Fund)?
    
    No. We invest our clients’ portfolios only in no transaction fee funds. We can invest in over 350 mutual fund families and have access to more than 4,000 mutual funds to select from. We can switch from one mutual fund to another or from one mutual fund family to another with no penalties and with no transaction costs. Since we do not receive any money when a fund or stock is bought or sold, there is no incentive to “churn” a client’s account to generate commissions. Thus, you can be assured that when we trade in your account, your interests are our only interests.
15. What is considered normal account activity?
    
    Regatta is an active, full time manager. Trades are made when our analytical process and evaluation indicates it’s the appropriate time to reposition assets based upon each strategy’s investment objectives.
16. How concerned do I need to be with market volatility?
    
    Market volatility is an ongoing investment concern. However, Regatta’s Wall Street Advantage^TM methodology and stop management system is an integral part of our investment philosophy, as is daily monitoring of market dynamics and repositioning of assets as appropriate.
17. Will you manage a new product?
    
    Regatta is always looking for new product opportunities; however we have a specific evaluation process we review prior to opening a new product. If you are interested in having Regatta manage a new product, please contact Eric Greschner at .
18. "I have been with Regatta nine months. I am so thrilled that I found Regatta. You are amazing. How do you do it?" Or, "I have been with Regatta for nine months. I was hoping that the returns would have been higher by now."
    
    A new account’s performance will be largely tied to the market during the first 6 - 12 months with Regatta or any other money manager. A client’s new account can come on at a market low and has the potential for a sizeable gain right at the start. On the other hand, just as easily, a new account can come on at a market high with the possibility to be in a loss position over the next six months. Emphasis must be placed on the fact that we have little control over the market in the short-term. It is over the long-term we add value. This requires setting the right expectation from the beginning with clients so each remains patient enough to allow us to do our job and achieve the long-term success they seek.