An asset manager focuses normally on managing the bankable assets or parts thereof. A Family Office offers in addition comprehensive services catered specifically to needs arising from financial and succession planning and the structuring and consolidation of all asset classes. The client deals with one contact in all such matters (or in the case of Cottonfield with 2 partners). These contacts act independently in the client's interests vis-à-vis all other parties. The result of which provides extensive relief to the client.

Family Offices do not „filter" but rather optimize the involvement and use of specialists so as to provide relief to the client. Since most specialists address questions from their field of expertise only, often the overview and coordination is missing, something a Family Office provides for.  Normally, any related additional costs are compensated for by overall better results and solutions.

Cottonfield has negotiated with many custodian banks highly favorable terms for securities transactions, custody and other services. Such discounted fees are passed on to our clients. The optimized use of external specialists leads to better quality results including lower costs. Decision making is better prepared, wholesome (when needed) and sustainable. Clients find relief and may use their time to pursue other interests. Therefore, any additional costs are well worth the while.

It is less the asset size but rather the complexity of assets / liabilities and family structures that must be considered. It is rather the needs of a client that make advisable the use of a Family Office.

Many banks employ tax and estate specialists. Some of them also offer financial planning services for private clients. Other banks do offer so called "Family Office Services". Their incentive to do so, however, lies more in their attempt to attract new clients and to also retain existing clients. Rarely do they offer neutral advice. Cottonfield is independent and works for the client, only. We are not subjected to product sales budgets and do not operate on the basis of profit center thinking. The Cottonfield partners offer continuity.

All our partners are shareholders in Cottonfield. They pursue a long-term professional horizon. Their retirement is planned to occur in steps and is not tied to a specific age limit.

Client assets are held at one or several of a selection of high quality banks. Cottonfield has access to such assets by way of a limited power of attorney.  Such power of attorney authorizes us to conduct securities transactions. But we may not initiate the transfer or withdrawal of any securities or cash.

Our fee schedule provides for transparency and traceability. Fees are clearly related to meetings, dates and work delivered. We invoice as per agreement and at market rates.

Most of our clients origin from entrepreneurial families or are wealthy Private Clients. They seek independent advice as well as an experienced and professional asset manager or a professional to coordinate all of their wealth components.

These two asset classes are important to many investors.  For this reason investments in these classes are included in the overall assessment of the entire wealth situation. However, the complexity of such investments usually requires the involvement of external specialists (eg "M REL Real Estate Leverage" for real estate matters, or "AquilaDirekt" for the supervision of direct investments).