Services
RFA translates investment philosophy, fiduciary responsibility, and research capability into concrete advisory services spanning portfolio management, market analysis, and structural advisory.
Portfolio Management
Portfolio management is the intellectual center of RFA's operations. Each portfolio is constructed through systematic security selection, active risk management, and continuous performance evaluation against agreed benchmarks.
Bespoke Construction
Portfolios are designed individually based on client constraints, objectives, and risk tolerances. No model portfolios. No pre-packaged solutions. Each mandate reflects specific parameters defined collaboratively at inception.
Security Selection as Primary Driver
Returns are generated through disciplined security selection informed by proprietary research. Asset allocation provides structure; security selection delivers alpha. Position sizing reflects conviction and risk budget.
Active Decision-Making
Investment decisions are made actively within defined risk parameters. Portfolios are adjusted in response to market conditions, valuation changes, and emerging opportunities. Passivity is not the default.
Global Asset Class Deployment
RFA deploys capital across equities, fixed income, ETFs, and alternative strategies. Geographic scope includes Sub-Saharan African capital markets and global developed markets spanning the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Benchmark-Relative Evaluation
Performance is measured against benchmarks agreed at mandate inception. Alpha is defined as excess return above benchmark, adjusted for risk. Tracking error and information ratio are monitored continuously.
Ongoing Oversight and Accountability
Portfolios are reviewed systematically. Risk exposures are measured across volatility, correlation, and concentration. Rebalancing and optimization occur within governance frameworks established with each client.
Research
RFA's research function serves as the decision-support engine for portfolio management. Research output is curated, rigorous, and actionable—designed to inform positioning, not to publish commentary.
Investment Recommendations
Research produces specific, curated recommendations grounded in valuation analysis, market positioning, and risk assessment. Recommendations precede execution.
Global and Local Macroeconomic Analysis
Coverage spans developed and emerging market developments. Analysis incorporates monetary policy, fiscal dynamics, currency movements, and structural economic shifts relevant to portfolio positioning.
Thematic and Asset-Specific Insights
Research identifies thematic opportunities and evaluates individual securities across sectors and geographies. Depth varies by client mandate and market opportunity.
Tailored Research Upon Request
Clients may request focused research on specific securities, sectors, or market developments. RFA provides tailored analysis aligned with portfolio objectives and client interests.
Quality as Alpha Driver
Research quality underpins alpha generation. Rigorous analysis, proprietary models, and disciplined evaluation separate signal from noise and inform high-conviction positioning.
Market Intelligence
As an independent firm with a proprietary investment desk, RFA maintains a broad perspective across capital market structures, operators, and investment offerings. Market intelligence provides contextual insight that complements research and informs portfolio decisions.
Cross-Market Perspective
RFA monitors developments across asset classes, geographies, and market structures. Intelligence spans equity, fixed income, currency, and alternative markets relevant to client portfolios.
Capital Market Operator Evaluation
RFA evaluates capital market operators, intermediaries, and service providers for capability, reliability, and structural integrity. This informs counterparty selection and execution strategy.
Investment Offering Assessment
RFA assesses investment products, structures, and offerings for suitability, cost, and alignment with client objectives. Independence ensures judgment is uncompromised by distribution incentives.
Informed Opinion Grounded in Context
Market intelligence reflects understanding of market structure, participant behavior, and regulatory environment. Opinions are informed, contextual, and actionable.
Private Wealth Management
RFA advises clients on wealth structuring considerations that support portfolio longevity, tax efficiency, and control. This service is advisory and strategic, focused on aligning wealth structure with investment objectives.
Estate Planning Prioritization
RFA assists clients in identifying and prioritizing estate planning objectives including succession, distribution, and continuity. Advice is tailored to jurisdictional context and family structure.
Tax Planning Alignment
Tax considerations are integrated into wealth structuring and portfolio decisions. RFA advises on structures that optimize after-tax returns while maintaining compliance with applicable tax regimes.
Trust Structure Advisory
RFA advises on the use of trust structures as part of broader wealth strategy. Trust recommendations are aligned with estate, tax, and asset protection objectives.
Wealth Structuring Supports Portfolio Strategy
Structuring decisions are made with portfolio implications in mind. Entity selection, jurisdiction, and governance frameworks support effective asset management and long-term capital preservation.
Advisory on Trust Services
RFA provides specialized advisory on trust structures, governance, and implementation. This service focuses on technical trust structuring aligned with estate planning, asset protection, and tax efficiency goals.
Trust Structuring
RFA advises on trust formation, jurisdiction selection, and structural design. Recommendations reflect estate planning objectives, tax considerations, and asset protection requirements.
Governance and Control Frameworks
RFA advises on trustee selection, governance protocols, and distribution policies. Frameworks balance control, flexibility, and fiduciary compliance.
Asset Management Compatibility
Trust structures are designed to support effective asset management. RFA ensures trust frameworks enable portfolio flexibility, reporting transparency, and investment execution.
Suitability Evaluation
Not all situations require trust structures. RFA evaluates whether trust formation serves client objectives or introduces unnecessary complexity and cost.
Advisory on Custody Services
RFA advises clients on custody arrangements, counterparty selection, and operational execution. This service demonstrates operational sophistication and ensures assets are held and traded with appropriate safeguards and efficiency.
Safekeeping and Custodian Selection
RFA advises on the selection of custodians, prime brokers, and capital market operators appropriate to asset class, jurisdiction, and portfolio complexity. Recommendations consider counterparty risk, operational capability, and service quality.
Over-the-Counter Trading and Settlement
RFA supports clients in establishing arrangements for OTC trading, settlement, and arbitrage. Operational frameworks are designed to facilitate execution while managing settlement and credit risk.
Counterparty Risk Management
RFA evaluates custodians and market operators for financial stability, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience. Custody arrangements are structured to mitigate counterparty exposure.
Commercial and Operational Terms
RFA advises on negotiation of custody fees, margin requirements, and operational protocols. Terms are evaluated for competitiveness, transparency, and alignment with portfolio requirements.
Execution Integrity
Custody and execution arrangements are designed to ensure trade accuracy, timely settlement, and secure asset holding. RFA understands that execution integrity supports portfolio performance and risk control.
Integration and Cohesion
RFA's services are integrated, not siloed. Portfolio management anchors the firm's operations. Research and market intelligence inform positioning. Private wealth management, trust advisory, and custody services structure the operational and legal framework within which portfolios function. Each service exists to support portfolio performance, control risk, and enable effective execution. Advisory depth spans strategy, structure, and operational execution—delivering cohesive capability across the full investment mandate.
RFA Capital Advisors partners with clients who expect discipline, transparency, and performance. If this aligns with your investment philosophy, we welcome the conversation.
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