meet: Duncan White
For nearly a decade I recruited Certified Financial Planners and saw firsthand the powerful impact thoughtful financial planning can have on people’s lives. Over time, I realized that I wanted to move from supporting advisors behind the scenes to working directly with clients myself, helping them navigate life’s financial complexities and plan for a confident future.
While I had an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, my passion for finance began at Grand Valley State University, where I initially studied business management before discovering my true interest in finance. After taking an introductory finance course with Professor Vijay Gondhalekar I was hooked. I went on to take every class he taught, even advanced courses beyond my degree requirements, in order to deepen my understanding of markets, investments, and personal finance.
Growing up, my family experienced both financial comfort and hardship. Those experiences taught me early on how unpredictable money can be and how much peace of mind comes from having a plan. That perspective drives the way I work with clients today. I view financial planning as a puzzle where every client’s situation is unique, and it’s my job to put the pieces together to create a clear, confident path forward. Whether it’s taking a dream vacation, pursuing a hobby, or completing a home renovation, I want clients to feel confident about the financial decisions that bring them joy and purpose.
While I work with clients from all backgrounds, I particularly enjoy helping young professionals lay the foundation for long-term success. Establishing good habits early and leveraging the power of compounding interest, which is often called the “eighth wonder of the world”, can make all the difference in achieving both short and long-term goals.
My wife and I live in Grand Rapids with our german shepherd, Tali, and our cat, Winston. Outside of work I enjoy staying active by walking the golf course and lifting weights, traveling with my wife, and cheering on the Detroit Lions. In a full-circle moment, I now work alongside a mentor I first met almost ten years ago, a CFP who I once tried to recruit. I’m proud to carry forward the same dedication to service and impact that inspired me from the start.
FAQs:
Q: What is a Fiduciary Advisor?
A: A Fiduciary is legally and ethically required to act in their client’s best interests at all times, prioritizing the client’s well-being over the advisor’s own compensation.
Q: How is a Fiduciary Advisor compensated?
A: As a flat-fee, fiduciary advisor, I offer comprehensive services to my clients for an annual retainer fee or a fee based on assets under management (max annual fee of 0.95% AUM). Fees are negotiable and depend on assets under management and the complexity of the client’s circumstances. At no time do I receive commissions or kick-backs.
Q: What services does a Fiduciary Advisor offer?
A: My services are comprehensive and are all included with your fee:
Financial planning
Investment strategy and portfolio management
Tax planning and projections (not tax returns)
College planning
Retirement planning
Managing student loans and other forms of debt
Insurance coverage gap review
Special needs planning
Collaborating with your accountant and attorney
Miscellaneous personal finance topics
Q: What is your investment management philosophy?
A: My belief is that “time in the market” will always be greater than “timing the market”. For that reason, I believe strongly in a buy-and-hold/rebalancing approach paired with broad diversification. Each client portfolio allocation is carefully tailored to their goals, risk tollerance, and time-horizon. If you’re looking for someone to tell you about the next “hot stock”, I’m not your guy.
Q: Do Fiduciary Advisors sell insurance products?
A: I have chosen to remove the inherent conflicts of interest that commissions and kick-backs create, and therefore I do not sell any insurance products. I frequently evaluate my clients’ insurance needs and can help uncover gaps in coverage. I have also developed relationships with trusted independent insurance professionals outside of Fiduciary Financial Advisors in an effort to leverage their expertise for my clients’ benefit.
Q: Do Fiduciary Advisors prepare personal or business tax returns for clients?
A: I do not, but I do frequently run tax projections for clients to ensure that we’re being mindful of the tax implications of any changes to their plan and strategy. I also partner with my clients’ accountants and attorneys to ensure tax efficiency and that all aspects of the financial plan are in alignment.
Q: Do I have a client niche?
A: I enjoy working with a variety of clients and currently serve a mix of high-earning young professionals, middle-career professionals, as well as pre-retirees and retirees. As a recovering sales professional, I am also well versed in helping my clients navigate the uneven cash flows that a career in sales can bring.
Q: Do you need a Financial Advisor?
A: The answer is, it depends. I like to compare being an Advisor to being an auto mechanic. Armed with YouTube, many people are smart and handy enough to change their own oil or brakes, but many choose to take their car to the mechanic. Why? Because the mechanic does these actions every day, they have specialized training, tools, and knowledge, and they know how to identify and prevent future catastrophic failure.
