Take a look at Loring Ward. They have a similar investment philosophy (DFA funds and ETFs, managed portfolios, serve as a TAMP for advisors), but have a more conservative public presence and a long history (the firm was previously known as Assante and before that it was owned by John Bowen of now-CEG fame). They are a stable, large firm with 8 Billion AUM and one of DFA’s largest clients. I know the executives personally and they all have high integrity.

“More conservative pubic presence” or not, if your money is with a custodian like Charles Schwab I wouldn’t worry about a B. Madoff situation. Matson’s strategies and execution has been superior for all my clients. I know the executives of the firm personally and they too have high integrity. If you have money invested with them-you had to of gone through an adviser/coach to get there. Where is that person in relationship to you now?

Sunlight: I have personally invested my money with Matson Money since about 1997. As one who studies these things, I believe them to be the most well researched and ethical firm available. I have met the company founder Mark Matson on several occassions. He is extremely smart, bright, and full of integrity. I frankly cannot think of a better firm to manage my money. As for Bernie Madoff, Matson protects their clients by using outside custodians such as Charles Scwhab (Madoff did not). Every quarter I receive a report from both Matson and Scwhab. The numbers match every time.

You should contact your Matson Money Coach immediately and tell him/her exactly what you said here. If something has happened to your coach you may contact Matson’s Home Office directly at 513.204.8000. Good Luck.

You should take knowledge about stocks, mutual funds etc. and in which plan you invest your money. Contact with Matson Money Coach to get detailed information about all these things. They are always feel happy to provide information to clients.

There’s a fairly significant problem with the approach of both Matson and Loring Ward. In both cases the underlying investments are DFA, whose sole value is offering extremely low cost index investments. However, both of these firms take the lose cost funds and…add about a percent. So viola, you’ve got an index under-performance lock down. Then, advisors are asked to take these programs and…add another 1% fee. Investors get a virtual guarantee of 2% under performance annually. This could be fine if there was some risk management or other value being added, but these are just index products. In a perfect world either the investor will go straight to Vanguard, or the advisor will go direct to Vanguard, and these types of firms can be skipped, netting investors 1% or 2% better returns.

Anyone has any useful info on Matson Money? I have a few dollars invested with them but I am a little worry about scams especially after B. Madoff - i dont know much about stocks, mutual funds etc but i am considering changing from Matson to another institution…any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

I will echo the sentiments of most others here on Matson. I am very familiar with them, the principals involved, their work, process, etc. – and I am very comfortable and impressed with all of the above and more.

That said, I don’t know how or who through you accessed Matson, but start there. Talk to them. Use them as a resource – and that’s what they are there for.

I took my money out of Matson money after watching it plateau for about 5 years when accounts in other places were growing a lot. I had the same concerns. If you find anything out let me know.

Matson money offers 2 day seminars which are incredible. They teach investors what investing really is and how markets and more how the industry works. No other firm will spend this amount of time with you. They have a board full of academics who support their cause and really believe in the what Matson and their advisors are creating. Also once you meet a Matson advisor ask for an mri this puts you in the drivers seat and gives you all the info you need to understand what is really going on.

Those of you who have invested with them, how long have you been with them? These 18 month, or 5 year reviews aren’t an acccurate gauge of how Matson Money is doing with your portfolio. If you think it is, then you don’t understand their money management philosophy. Of course the investments aren’t going to strictly follow the volatile ups and downs of the typical stock market strategy, they’ve got them so broadly invested nationally and globally that the climb is more steady and secure. You won’t get the highest return percentage, but you won’t get dinged with the lowest either and over a period of time, that means better overall returns. That’s the way they planned it to be. It’s in the long term that your investments show a significant positive return. So no, if you’re in it for a stock picker’s return that claims “high return, short term”, Matson Money is not going to work for you. But if you are looking at a long term investment strategy, Matson has an academic approach that eliminates emotional stock jumping and therefore creates a better established and secure way to invest your money and establish a better future. Don’t get hung up on the 2000-2002 periods of investing (for those of you that don’t know, the market was sucky during those years) because there’s always a rebound in the positive. Matson Money is reliable.