Faggio Financial in Baltimore: Fee-Only Advisory for Households Under $5 Million

Faggio Financial is a fee-only independent financial advisory firm serving Baltimore-area households and small-business owners, with a focus on clients managing $500,000 to $5 million in investable assets and those planning across multiple life transitions.

What Faggio Financial actually is

Faggio Financial operates as a fiduciary advisor registered with the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The firm is structured as fee-only, meaning advisors earn income directly from client fees rather than commissions on products sold. This structure eliminates the incentive to recommend higher-cost or less-suitable investments. The practice is independent, not affiliated with a bank or insurance company, which allows advisors to recommend solutions from any provider without proprietary bias. The firm works primarily by appointment from a Baltimore office location, focusing on comprehensive financial planning alongside investment management.

Fee structure and service offerings

Faggio Financial charges for advice using an assets-under-management (AUM) fee, typically scaled between 0.75% and 1.25% annually depending on account size and service scope. For a household with $1 million in investable assets, the annual fee would fall in the $7,500 to $12,500 range. The firm does not charge by the hour or accept flat-fee engagements; you pay annually as a percentage of assets managed. Services include investment portfolio construction and rebalancing, retirement account planning and rollover evaluation, tax-loss harvesting, college savings strategy, insurance needs analysis, and estate planning coordination (the firm works with separate estate attorneys rather than providing legal drafting). Verify current fee tiers directly with the firm, as AUM rates can shift with market conditions or service structure changes.

How Faggio compares to other Baltimore financial advisors

Baltimore hosts several models worth distinguishing. Merrill Lynch and Edward Jones operate as broker-dealers in the region, using commission-based or fee-based structures; advisors earn partly from products sold, which creates a conflict of interest even when they hold fiduciary licenses for certain transactions. Both firms carry brand recognition and access to research, but costs are often higher and incentives skew toward proprietary funds or higher-margin products.

At the opposite end, Vanguard Personal Advisor Services offers low-cost AUM fees (0.30% annually) but requires a $500,000 minimum and uses model portfolios with limited customization. Faggio's mid-range fees and customized planning suit households wanting personalized service without the conflicts of commission-based advisors, or those with less than $500,000 who don't qualify for Vanguard's program.

Many solo fee-only planners operate in Baltimore and surrounding counties; these individuals may charge $150 to $350 per hour or offer flat-fee planning ($2,000 to $5,000 for a comprehensive plan). Solo advisors often provide deep relationships but less institutional capacity for complex situations or estate coordination. Faggio operates as a small firm, offering more structure than a sole practitioner while maintaining the independence and fiduciary standard of a fee-only practice.

Who it suits and who it does not

Faggio works best for professionals and business owners in Baltimore earning high household income, those with inheritance or sale proceeds to invest, couples managing overlapping retirement timelines, and families navigating tax-efficient gifting or education funding. The firm's $500,000 starting point is a natural fit for households above that level but below the ultra-high-net-worth threshold where advisors typically charge flat annual retainers ($10,000 to $25,000+) or percentage fees on incremental assets.

Faggio is not suited to investors with less than $500,000 in assets, those who want hourly-rate-only advice without ongoing portfolio management, or anyone seeking investment products bundled with insurance. If you need commission-based term life insurance or annuities as part of a broader recommendation, this firm will advise on the need but cannot sell you the product directly.

What the first visit involves

Initial consultations are typically 60 minutes and cover goals, current assets and liabilities, income sources, existing investment accounts, insurance coverage, and major life changes on the horizon (retirement date, children's education timeline, inheritance timing, property ownership). The advisor will outline how the firm works, discuss whether the $500,000 minimum and fee structure fit your situation, and explain the difference between fiduciary service and what other advisors may provide. If you move forward, you will provide access to account statements and tax returns, sign an advisory agreement, and establish a timeline for the comprehensive plan.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Faggio Financial operates by appointment during standard business hours Monday through Friday. The firm's Baltimore office is accessible by car; confirm specific address and parking details directly, as office location and lot availability can change. Most advisory work happens in-person at the outset (initial meeting, plan presentation, account setup) with follow-up meetings typically annual or as needed for major life changes. Clients can manage ongoing account access and questions through a client portal and phone; some firms in this category now offer limited phone or video meetings for routine check-ins, though direct contact is best for planning conversations.

Why Faggio deserves a place in the Baltimore financial-advisory landscape

The firm fills the gap between low-cost index robo-advisors and high-minimums institutional advisories, offering transparent fee alignment and fiduciary service to Baltimore households with meaningful assets and complex lives.