Montecito Capital Management

03/23/12

rewarding experience

by David339

though they have a la and sb office, i met in the downtown santa barbara location. i had three consultations (free) and felt very comfortable. they keep their assets at charles schwab institutional, where i already have my accounts. my portfolio has been steady results with conservative holdings. i am pleased with their services.

12/08/11

They provide the sleep at night factor

by RA2

I have been with them for a couple years and I feel protected. My first misconception was that private investment advisors have discretion to do anything they want with my money. But, in fact, they keep the assets at Charles Schwab Institutional and I have all the authority. They can only make allocations that I agree with, which has been pretty much everything they suggested.

I also like getting statements directly from Charles Schwab and I can login to track everything – that is the other misconception I had. I thought these advisors just create their own statements, which I would have been uncomfortable with anyway.

What I can say is that when the market was down about 9% at one point, I was still up about +3%. And when the markets overall are back in the positive, my portfolio has higher returns (than when the markets were down), so my portfolio continues to move up. Finally, the fees are lower than other advisors as I pay about 0.90% and the competitors were charging between 1.25%-1.5%; not bad, since Montecito Capital Management always returns my call or Email same day.

10/02/10

Hands-on and happy with advisory firm

by JF33

Montecito Capital Management has been a comfort during this zig-zag market time period (past few years). They give me updates on the markets, economy and portfolio direction, while my assets seem to just grow even when the markets fall. I am a layperson, but getting better on knowledge since they spend time teaching me. For example, I know that my portfolio has low correlation to many asset classes and the diversification insulates me from market fluctuations. Again, very pleased.

01/31/10

Very Personable Experience

by jbaflyer

Having minimal investment background, and not really knowing Kip Lytel other than being recommended as a sound investor, I am happy to share I am very pleased with the service he and his firm has provided me. Kip has always afforded me the respect to participate in my financial decisions, help me to learn how to maximize my investment, and not over charge for the services I receive. I can, and do sincerely recommend him as a fund manager.

• Pros: Thorough, Helpful, Personal Attention to Everyting
• Cons: None

04/23/07

affordable, responsive & great results

by consumer20

i referred a friend to this investment group and he mentioned these reviews, one of which was average. i completely disagree with jsb1952 review and concur with the outstanding personal service and performance testimonials of the other three reviewers. montecito capital & their principal, Kipley (Kip) Lytel, have gone beyond my expectation with their advisory service. i am delighted and would not have written this review otherwise. i also found them to be the lowest fee structure of any competitor I interviewed. this is surprising since their approach is very sophisticated, unique and time-consuming. Also, reviewer sjb1952 pushed brokers instead (is he one)? I have been through three and finally learned to save my portfolio by using professional wall street guys who manage the 'fund managers' money. i really wanted endowment type returns without the risk of the nasdaq or s&p. the founder has been referenced as an expert by wall street journal, barons, financial planning magazine, forbes, etc. That is the advice I get and the proof is in the pudding - historical 14% annual returns for me with no down year!

• Pros: attentiveness, expertise & results
• Cons: smaller firm - but better service