Once a family’s financial records are organized and flowing smoothly, we shift our focus to what matters most: to evaluate the portfolio and ensure the investments are doing their job.
Often, the issue isn’t a lack of effort—it’s a lack of visibility. Holdings are spread across institutions, account types, and asset classes, with no unified picture of performance or risk. Decisions get made based on instinct or outdated advice, and no one’s quite sure what’s working and what’s not.
This is where we come in.
Creating a Clear, Consolidated View
At Markdale, we consolidate all holdings into a centralized reporting environment. This gives us—and the family—a full picture of:
- Total portfolio value
- Income generation (dividends, interest, distributions)
- Fees paid to advisors or fund managers
- Asset allocation and exposure by geography, sector, and asset class
- Liquidity and maturity timelines for private investments or fixed income
We don’t just gather this data—we present it in a way that’s readable and relevant. Whether it’s a one-page summary or a multi-tab report, our goal is to make complex portfolios easy to understand.
Identifying Gaps and Opportunities
Once we have the full picture, we can start to evaluate the portfolio:
- Are we earning enough income to meet current needs?
- Are fees eating into performance?
- Are there underperforming or redundant holdings we should trim?
- Do the current investments reflect the family’s values and goals?
We often uncover issues that have flown under the radar:
A high-fee fund that hasn’t outperformed.
An account sitting idle, not generating yield.
A portfolio overexposed to a single region or sector.
With data and context, we can suggest changes that improve outcomes—without disrupting what’s already working.
Putting Strategy in Writing: The Investment Policy Statement (IPS)
To bring clarity and structure to the investment process, we draft a personalized Investment Policy Statement (IPS). This document outlines the family’s:
- Long-term financial goals
- Risk tolerance
- Liquidity needs
- Time horizon
- Values or mission-based investment preferences
The IPS serves as a reference point for decision-making. It helps the family evaluate new opportunities, say no to distractions, and stay grounded when markets get noisy.
Why This Step Matters
Without this step, families often rely on assumptions:
“We’re probably doing fine.”
“Our advisor said this fund is good.”
“I think we’re making income from this account?”
That’s not confidence—it’s guesswork.
By evaluating the portfolio with fresh eyes and clear reporting, we help families understand exactly where they stand—and how to move forward with intention.
Next up: Step 3 – how we involve the next generation and build continuity across family leadership.
For a full look at the transformation, see our case study: From Paper Trails to Peace of Mind.
