“Pure” Fee-Only Fiduciary Financial Advisor for Santa Barbara & Los Angeles
At Montecito Capital Management, we provide personalized financial advisory services for individuals and families in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. We operate as a fiduciary, pure fee-only practice, which means we are compensated solely by our clients and do not receive commissions or incentives from selling financial products.
Our fees are tied to the assets we manage on a sliding fee percent scale, so the percentage rate decreases as your portfolio grows, keeping costs fair and aligned with your success.
Fee-only fiduciary practice
Initial portfolio review
A “Pure” Fee-Only Practice With a Declining Advisory Percent Rate Schedule
It is our goal to keep our “pure” fee-only practice competitive, and we have found that our clients understand the value proposition between fees paid and the comprehensive financial, portfolio, retirement and estate planning services we continually provide.
We also very much hope to have an opportunity to convey the value of our services to you through a complimentary initial portfolio review.
Pure fee-only practice
Declining advisory percent rate schedule
Free complimentary initial portfolio reviews
No commissions or product incentives
Transparent Fee Model
Costs decline as portfolio size grows.
Review the Fee Model
Use these sections to review the sliding fee schedule, value proposition, retiree rates, comparison points, disclaimer, reviews and contact details.
Sliding Scale Fee Schedule
Our active advisory fees start at 1.0% of assets managed, declining to a low of 0.6% of assets for the highest net worth bracket of actively advised accounts.
Actively Advised Assets
Fee as % of Portfolio Size
$250,000* – $750,000
1.00%
$750,001 – $2,500,000
0.90%
$2,500,001 – $4,500,000
0.80%
$4,500,001 – $7,500,000
0.70%
$7,500,001 – $10,000,000
0.60%
Family Office Rates
0.60% – 0.45%
*The minimum asset value of $250,000 is largely driven by the diversity of asset classes and individual holdings employed for portfolio risk management, along with the respective purchase minimums for select mutual fund investment vehicles when applicable, as portfolios also include individual stocks, individual bonds and exchange traded funds.
Under certain circumstances, our advisors have the discretion to waive the minimum account value.
Advisor Value Extends Beyond Investment Management
It is important to recognize that industry research has shown that professional advisory services add value to client portfolios.
Two different studies by both Evestnet and Vanguard found advisors beat market benchmarks by an average of +3% a year, with Evestnet finding tax benefits alone add up to more than +1% annually over the broad market for the 1995-2014 period.
Similarly, the Vanguard study found advisors overall added +3% each year with portfolio construction, behavioral coaching, and wealth management.
Recent research underscores the value of professional guidance. According to Escalent, trust in the financial investment community is highest among investors who work with a traditional financial advisor, 73% in 2025, up from 64% in 2023 and 70% in 2024. By contrast, only 50% of self-directed investors reported the same level of trust.
Areas Where Advice Can Add Value
Portfolio construction
Behavioral coaching
Tax-aware planning
Retirement income strategy
Wealth management coordination
Ongoing confidence and support
Guidance for Ultra-High-Net-Worth Families
For ultra-high-net-worth families with assets in excess of $10,000,000, we provide independent, future-oriented financial guidance.
Advisor Oversight
Oversight of professional advisors and asset managers.
Wealth Transfer
Wealth transfer and philanthropic planning.
Real Estate Strategy
Strategic guidance around real estate decisions.
Investment Guidance
Independent investment guidance and asset coordination.
Lifestyle Management
Guidance that supports lifestyle, family priorities and long-term planning.
Family Office Rates
Family office fee rates may range from 0.60% to 0.45% depending on assets and circumstances.
Reduced Fee Schedule for Many Retirees
We offer a separate, lower fee schedule for many retirees. This reduced fee is specifically designed for clients who are living primarily off their portfolio income and have limited resources, rather than abundant assets.
For these clients, we customize portfolios to generate the income needed to support their lifestyle expenses.
Because these portfolios focus on income rather than growth, and growth typically helps offset our standard fees, the traditional fee structure is not appropriate.
In such cases, we accommodate with a needs-based, reduced fee schedule to ensure our services remain fair and accessible.
Designed for Income-Focused Portfolios
Please contact our offices to learn more about the qualified retiree fee rates and see if you may be eligible.
Lower fee schedule for many retirees
Designed for portfolio-income needs
Focused on lifestyle expense support
Needs-based accommodation where appropriate
Why Lofty Industry Fees Deserve Scrutiny
The source page notes that a 2017 Financial Advisor IQ article identified several large firms as having among the highest advisor fees in the nation.
High Fee Examples Cited
The source page lists broad ranges such as Ameriprise 1.75%-3.00%, UBS 2.5%, Morgan Stanley 2.0%-2.5%, and Wells Fargo 1.5%-2.0%.
In the firm’s view, these types of lofty fees cannot be justified.
Montecito’s Declining Fee Structure
Montecito’s active advisory rates start at 1.00% and decline as advised assets increase, reaching 0.60% for the highest listed net worth bracket.
This fee structure is designed to be transparent, competitive and aligned with client success.
Fees Are Justified by Depth, Breadth and Measurable Value
Financial advisor fees are justified by the depth, breadth, and measurable value of the services provided, which is far beyond simple investment management.
Our skilled advisors deliver comprehensive financial planning and extensive portfolio management, including retirement readiness, robust investment plan, tax optimization, estate structuring, risk management, and behavioral coaching.
Moreover, our advisory fees align interests between clients and our financial professionals to promote fiduciary care, personalized advice, and proactive financial oversight.
Morningstar’s 2024 study found that clients with a holistic advisor relationship reported 25% higher financial confidence and 40% better goal attainment compared to self-directed investors.
From portfolio management and retirement planning to estate strategy and wealth transfer, we combine disciplined, evidence-based investment practices with a client-centered approach.
What Clients Receive
Comprehensive financial planning
Extensive portfolio management
Retirement readiness review
Tax optimization strategy
Estate structuring guidance
Behavioral coaching
Proactive financial oversight
Contact Us for a Complimentary Consultation
Telephone: (805) 965-7955
Email: ContactUs@McapitalMgt.Com
Contact us to discuss the fee schedule, complimentary portfolio review, retiree fee rates, or family office guidance.
*PriceMetrix Insights (2011), “Fee & Managed Asset Pricing,” examines key metrics and trends in the pricing of fee and fee-based accounts. The analysis is based on the PriceMetrix aggregated North American database representing 15,000 advisor books, 2.3 million investors, 380 million transactions, $1 million fee-based accounts, and over $850 billion in investment assets.
The website provides general information regarding our business along with access to additional investment related information. Material presented on this website is believed to be from reliable sources and is meant for informational purposes only.
The intent is to provide helpful information, which should not be construed as investment advice. We do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness, and it is not intended to be the primary basis for investment decisions.
We do not make personal investment recommendations to people or entities except to those who have engaged us expressly for professional investment advisory services.
Montecito Capital Management Group’s ADV filing is available online at adviserinfo.sec.gov, and current FORM ADV Part 2 is available upon request free of charge.
We are limited in our fiduciary capacity by the firm’s non-discretionary client relationship, whereby the client dictates the investment parameters and contractually agrees to accept sole responsibility for their choices.
Trusted Guidance for Long-Term Financial Success
We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon
Hours: M-F: 6:30am-6:00pm
Telephone: 1-805-965-7955
Email: contactus@mcapitalmgt.com
Serving Santa Barbara County & Ventura County
Address: 225 East Carrillo Street, Suite 203
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Serving Los Angeles County & Orange County
Address: 522 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 207
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Understand the Value Before You Choose an Advisor
Schedule a complimentary portfolio review to discuss fees, value, portfolio strategy and whether Montecito Capital Management is the right advisory fit.