XYPN Sapphire

What is XYPN Sapphire?

XYPN Sapphire is a SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. This corporate affiliation model allows fee-only financial planners to enjoy the freedoms of independent firm ownership without the tech, compliance, and back office burdens. XYPN Sapphire is a separate membership from the standard XYPN Emerald membership.

Benefits of XYPN Sapphire

Focus on What Matters Most

Get the support you need with an RIA affiliation model that frees you up to focus on what’s important to you. With our team behind you, access to all of XYPN’s Member Benefits, and the autonomy to build the firm of your dreams, your best life starts here.

Sapphire Makes it Possible

Enjoy the control and flexibility of independent RIA ownership without the constraints, asset minimums, or complicated fee structure of traditional firms.

Experience the Difference

Pricing

As a member of XYPN, you’ll have access to all of the benefits membership offers as well as exclusive, members-only discounts with XYPN partners. As an affiliate of our SEC-Registered RIA, you’ll receive all of the additional compliance, tech and administrative support you need to run a successful RIA and live your best life — all priced to provide the best ROI for fee-only advisors.

That’s right. Simple, transparent pricing with no setup costs or additional fees for employees, extra seats, or advisors operating under your DBA/Brand.

FAQ's

General

Why has XYPN added this path to membership?

For several reasons:

It’s aligned with our mission to help fee-for-service financial planners live their great lives by serving whom they want, how they want.
Corporate RIA membership frees member advisors from compliance burdens, regulation complexities, multiple-state registrations and audit risk.
Increasing regulatory pressures at the state level are impeding some independent RIAs from serving who they want, how they want. As a Corporate RIA registered with the SEC, its IARs are not subject to state-level jurisdictions and their regulations.
Feedback from members. It’s been expressed that the burdens of independent RIA ownership (running a business, managing compliance, and growing a practice) take time away from doing what they love. By having a partner who manages those burdens for them, they would be freed up to serve whom they want, how they want with a higher chance of success.
It helps us grow the base of fee-for-service planners we can help by adding ways XYPN provides turnkey support that makes “Your business, your way” possible while owning 100% of your business and clients.

What is the difference between Emerald Membership and Sapphire Membership?

Emerald Membership (our standard membership) is for those who prefer more flexibility and control over their firm and its operations - a "do it yourself" or "do it with me" model. Sapphire Membership is for those who prefer an RIA affiliation model with more plug-and-play support or who experience complexities that impede them from having the firm of their dreams - a "do it for me" model.

Application Process

How can I join Sapphire?

First, fill out an interest form to confirm we’re a mutual fit. Our team will be in touch to learn more about you and answer any questions you may have. After confirming we're a mutual fit, we'll establish your ideal onboarding timeline.

Do I need to be a member of XYPN before I can apply for Sapphire affiliation?

You do not need to be an XYPN member to express interest. XYPN now offers two ways to join membership: Emerald Membership (our standard membership) for those who prefer more flexibility and control over their firm and its operations, and Sapphire Membership for those who prefer an RIA affiliation model with more plug-and-play support or who experience complexities that impede them from having the firm of their dreams. Those who currently enjoy all of the benefits Emerald Membership offers are also welcome to apply to transition their membership to Sapphire.

Benefits

What are the benefits of affiliating with a Corporate RIA instead of launching my own?

Some benefits include:

Without a lengthy registration process, clients can quickly transition with you
As an IAR of our RIA, you are no longer a CCO and don’t have to manage your own compliance or solve for complexities that keep you from doing what you love
Sapphire members receive full back-office support
This model provides support for living your great life, including vacation support and succession planning

What makes Sapphire unique?

Your brand and your business 100% belong to you. Our guarantee states: If you’re not satisfied, you can transition at any time with your clients, your data, and your revenue.
As an independent contractor, rather than a W-2 employee, you act as your own entity and run your business as your business.
If you decide you’d rather own your own RIA, we’ll assist you with transitioning to Emerald XYPN membership and registering at the state or SEC level.

Who is a good fit for Sapphire?

Sapphire is a great fit for fee-only advisors who want to focus on what’s most important to them—their clients, their family, growing their business, or any other priority.

You’re a good fit if you:

Want to add value for your clients
Want to outsource investment management
Want to be freed from compliance burdens, complexities, or audit risk
Are an established or new firm owner who wants an outsourcing partner for your business, client, and compliance management
Are registered or need to be registered in multiple states and want centralized, simplified compliance management
Enjoy the support and structure your Broker-Dealer or Affiliate model offers but prefer the autonomy XYPN offers
Prefer to adopt a plug-and-play tech stack
Need to transition clients quickly to a new RIA
Are impeded by State-level regulations over financial and investment planning
Are looking for a support team so you can stop doing everything and take time off
Want to be multi-custodial (Coming soon!)

What support can I expect during and after onboarding?

Your dedicated Transition & Onboarding Manager will be your point of contact during the onboarding and transition period, including:

Developing a transition plan
Preparing client forms
Completing advisor tech migration
Sending client form packets via DocuSign
Tracking signed paperwork submissions and account openings
Assisting with advisor brand setup

Once fully on the platform, you can reach the team for assistance at support@xypnsapphire.com Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM MT, or by phone

Additionally, you will have access to an XYPN Sapphire advisor platform where you can submit requests and track completion status

How does Sapphire help advisors transition to a fee-only model?

Many advisors join XYPN with the goal of transitioning to a fee-only model, so we've had a lot of practice!

Your Sapphire Onboarding & Transition team will assist you with:

setting up your technology stack
creating your billing infrastructure
executing client agreements that reflect your new fee structure

Our Compliance Team and Executive Business Coaches are also available to answer questions and guide you at any point during that transition.

Custodianship

Will Sapphire offer custodianship outside of Schwab?

We are exploring partnerships with Altruist and Fidelity. Those who fill out the interest form will receive updates about these explorations.

Marketing

How can advisors market themselves as a Sapphire member?

All Sapphire member firms control their own business and brand, so you are in charge of your branding and marketing activities. We provide compliance guidance, review and archiving support. We also provide business coaching that can be utilized for marketing support
After the Compliance Team reviews and approves your firm's website, your firm's profile will be listed on Sapphire's Find An Advisor Profile Page as a "Member Firm" of XYPN Sapphire.
You may also display an XYPN Sapphire Member Firm badge on your website.

How will Sapphire support my marketing activites?

Members are supplied with a comprehensive Advertising and Social Media Compliance Guide and specific compliance course training.
Sapphire’s Chief Compliance Officer is also available to answer questions via email or 1:1 calls.
Members have unlimited access to Branding and Marketing Guides, Courses, Learning Sequences, Office Hours and webinars where experts and peers provide insights and tools to help you grow your business
You may also choose to leverage your time with our Executive Business Coaches for marketing or business growth consulting
In addition to listing as a member firm on Sapphire's Find An Advisor Profile Page, Individual members may also be listed on XYPN's Find An Advisor Portal if they are a CFP®. NAPFA membership is also included in XYPN membership and you may add your profile on their Find an Advisor portal.
As a member of XYPN, you have access to media requests from a variety of national outlets that can boost your visibility in the marketplace

Technology

Do I have to use Sapphire's tech stack or can I customize my own?

Wealthbox, Orion, Finpace, and Box.com are required. Details can be found on your Tech Menu.
You will have a choice of planning software platforms.
You will be asked to submit any technology that you choose to use that’s not included in the platform for approval. The approval process ensures that any additional technology you utilize is compliant. You are responsible for tech costs that you opt for in addition to the included tech stack.

Contact

Please contact membership@xyplanningnetwork.com for any questions.