DeafInvest
DeafInvest (Schwarz Financial Services LLC) is a fee-only registered investment advisory firm delivering portfolio management, financial planning, tax preparation, and estate planning in American Sign Language to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersBethesda, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What DeafInvest does
DeafInvest (legally Schwarz Financial Services LLC) is a privately held, fee-only registered investment advisory firm founded in 1971 and reorganized under the DeafInvest brand in 1983, specializing in investment management and related financial services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. The firm operates two primary advisory platforms: a full hands-on portfolio management service using Altruist Financial LLC (and historically Pershing LLC) as broker/dealer and custodian, and a robo-advisor offering powered by Betterment LLC. Service tiers include an all-inclusive bundle at 2% to 1% of AUM through Pershing, an investment-management-only tier at 1.5% to 0.70% of AUM through Pershing, and a Betterment-based ETF portfolio at 1% to 0.70% of AUM with no minimum fee. Additional offerings include 401k administration, family/estate planning, financial planning, investment research and consulting, and educational workshops, with tax preparation delivered through DeafTax, a 2016 spin-off partner.
Revenue is generated primarily through recurring AUM-based advisory fees billed monthly or quarterly in arrears, supplemented by hourly professional services at $100/hour for financial planning, investment research and consulting, and workshops/presentations. Charles R. Sterling (Series 7 and 65), who took over from founder Louis J. Schwarz in 2016, is the firm's principal investment advisor representative; co-advisor Joshua R. Beal retired in 2020. The firm is registered with the SEC and state regulators in VA, DC, MD, and FL, with exempt registered advisor status in 13 additional states; no institutional outside equity ownership is disclosed. GTM is sales-led via direct advisor-to-client relationships delivered through video calls, email, and limited in-person engagements in VA, MD, and DC, supplemented by community workshops, a website, Facebook presence, and video content. ASL-native service delivery and four-decade brand heritage as the first deaf-owned independent RIA are the core differentiators; no proprietary technology is built in-house, with all investment infrastructure sourced from third-party platforms.
DeafInvest firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DeafInvest
- Legal name
- Schwarz Financial Services LLC
- Website
- https://deafinvest.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DeafInvest (Schwarz Financial Services LLC) is a fee-only registered investment advisory firm delivering portfolio management, financial planning, tax preparation, and estate planning in American Sign Language to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DeafInvest industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Investment Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Special Needs & Supplemental Needs Trust Services (FSAAANAJ)
Keywords
Where DeafInvest is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bethesda
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DeafInvest business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- AUM-Based Advisory Fees: DeafInvest charges advisory fees based on assets under management (AUM). Three service tiers exist: (1) All-inclusive service through Pershing LLC at 2% to 1% of AUM, including all services with no additional charges; (2) Investment management only through Pershing LLC at 1.5% to 0.70% of AUM with additional services billed separately; (3) Investment only service through Betterment LLC at 1% to 0.70% of AUM including Betterment's 0.25% platform fee. Fees are billed monthly or quarterly in arrears.
- Financial Planning Services: Hourly-rate financial planning services at $100/hour plus federal standard mileage for in-person meetings in DC, MD, or VA. Service includes analysis of family/individual finances, goal feasibility assessment, and a financial plan report delivered via video call, email, or in-person.
- Investment Research & Consulting: Hourly-rate investment research and consulting at $100/hour. Provides analysis, assessment, and advice on specific investments, securities, or projects requiring financial commitment. Deliverable includes a written report with advisor's analysis.
- Workshops and Presentations: Hourly-rate workshops and seminars at $100/hour plus travel expenses (lodge, meal, flight). Flat fee available for multi-day engagements. Covers financial or investment topics presented to various audiences including students, senior citizens, and organizational members.
- Tax Preparation Services: Tax preparation through partner firm DeafTax. Free for all-inclusive investment clients. Portfolio and robo-advisory clients pay 50% of DeafTax published price for accounts up to $500K AUM, and 25% of DeafTax published price for assets over $500K. Covers federal and state income tax returns for individuals, married, trust, estate, and business clients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | All-Inclusive Service (Pershing LLC): 2% to 1% AUM |
| Subscription | Monthly | Investment Management Only (Pershing LLC): 1.5% to 0.70% AUM |
| Subscription | Monthly | Robo-Advisor (Betterment LLC): 1% to 0.70% AUM |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Financial Planning: $100/hour |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Investment Research & Consulting: $100/hour |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Workshops and Seminars: $100/hour |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Tax Preparation (via DeafTax partnership) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
DeafInvest product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DeafInvest is a registered investment advisory firm that provides portfolio investment management, financial planning, investment research and consulting, tax preparation, workshops, 401k administration, and estate planning services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. All advisory services are delivered in American Sign Language (ASL) through direct advisor relationships, with execution supported by Betterment (robo-advisor), Altruist Financial LLC (broker/dealer/custodian), and Pershing LLC platforms.
Product overview
DeafInvest is a registered investment advisory firm serving the Deaf community. The company operates two core investment service platforms: Full Hand-On Portfolio Management (powered by Altruist Financial LLC as broker/dealer and custodian, offering both all-inclusive and portfolio-only services) and Robo-advisor Advisory Portfolio Management (powered by Betterment LLC for lower-fee automated investing using ETFs). Additional services include Financial Planning, Tax Preparation (via partner DeafTax), Investment Research & Consulting, Workshops and Presentations, 401k Administration, and Family Services (estate planning). All services are delivered with American Sign Language (ASL) communication.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Full Hand-On Portfolio Management Fee-based, comprehensive investment advisory service providing hands-on portfolio management through Altruist Financial LLC (broker/dealer/custodian) and Pershing LLC. Offered in two tiers: (1) all-inclusive service bundling tax preparation, tax planning, financial planning, wealth management, and personal finance consulting for a single fee; and (2) investment-management-only service for clients needing only portfolio management. Designed for Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients seeking fiduciary advice delivered in ASL.
- Robo-advisor Advisory Portfolio Management Automated investment advisory service using Betterment LLC's robo-advisor platform technology for medium- to long-term portfolios using exchange-traded funds (ETFs) only, with no minimum fee. Supports taxable, IRA, ROTH, SEP IRA, joint, and trust accounts and includes Betterment checking with debit card and money market account. Designed for Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients preferring lower-cost, digital-first investment management with advisor support for ASL communication.
- Financial Planning
Companies that use DeafInvest
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
DeafInvest technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
DeafInvest partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Betterment LLCcoreBetterment LLC serves as the robo-advisor platform partner for DeafInvest's self-service investment management offering. DeafInvest uses Betterment's technology platform to provide lower-fee investment services to clients who want an ease of use, full viewing of information, and easy visual explanation. The partnership enables accessibility through computer and phone while advisors focus on communication with clients.
- Altruist Financial LLCcoreAltruist Financial LLC serves as the broker/dealer and custodian for DeafInvest's full hands-on portfolio management services. Altruist is a Texas-based firm that handles multi-billion dollar trading per day for institutions, clients, advisors, and firms. DeafInvest uses Altruist to buy and sell stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds for clients.
- Pershing LLCcorePershing LLC is one of two platform options available for DeafInvest's advisory services. Pershing serves as the platform for both all-inclusive service (2% to 1% AUM) and investment management only service (1.5% to 0.70% AUM).
- DeafTaxcoreDeafTax is a subsidiary that was spun off from Schwarz Financial Services LLC in 2016, specializing in tax and bookkeeping services for the Deaf community. Now an independent company, DeafTax partners with DeafInvest to provide tax preparation services for investment clients. DeafTax became independent with a partnership from CSD Social Venture Fund. Tax preparation rates are discounted for DeafInvest investment clients.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DeafInvest competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wealthfront: Leading robo-advisor offering automated, low-fee portfolio management for individual investors. Directly comparable on the automated investment management tier DeafInvest offers through Betterment.
- Personal Capital (Empower Personal Capital): Hybrid digital wealth management platform combining free robo-advisor tools with access to human financial advisors. Direct overlap in tech-forward wealth management for HNW and mass-affluent individual investors.
- Betterment: Robo-advisor platform that is both DeafInvest's technology partner and a direct competitor for digitally served individual investors. Overlaps on automated ETF-based portfolio management, no-minimum-fee tiered pricing, and target clients seeking low-cost, technology-enabled investment management.
Others
- Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD): Nonprofit organization providing services to the Deaf community and operator of the CSD Social Venture Fund (which invested in DeafTax, DeafInvest's tax partner). Sits in the Deaf community ecosystem but does not directly compete; relevant as a community peer and potential ecosystem partner.
- GreenPath Financial Wellness: Nonprofit financial counseling and education provider serving consumers including underserved communities. Comparable to DeafInvest on the delivery of financial education workshops and seminars to community audiences, though focused on credit counseling rather than investment management.
Broad incumbents
- Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice: Incumbent wealth management offering combining digital planning tools with dedicated advisors and broad custody. Competes broadly for HNW individual investors including those seeking accessible, low-fee advisory.
- Vanguard Personal Advisor Services: Large incumbent offering hybrid robo-advisor and dedicated human advisor services at scale. Competes for HNW individual investors and offers one of the lowest-fee hybrid advisory models in the industry, with broad brand recognition that DeafInvest cannot match.
- Charles Schwab Wealth Advisory: Major incumbent RIA with hybrid digital and full-service advisor model, broad product shelf, and brand reach. Competes for the same mass-affluent and HNW individual investor segments that DeafInvest targets.
Emerging players
- Ellevest: Mission-driven wealth management firm historically focused on women investors, with explicit focus on underserved demographics and culturally relevant financial planning. Most directly comparable to DeafInvest on the underserved-community, mission-driven RIA axis.
- Facet Wealth: Digital-first financial planning firm offering remote, flat-fee access to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals. Comparable to DeafInvest on the 'accessible expert advice at lower AUM thresholds' positioning, and on the delivery of remote, video-based advisory services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DeafInvest social profiles
Digital presenceDeafInvest compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
DeafInvest financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DeafInvest leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
DeafInvest subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
DeafInvest funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DeafInvest M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DeafInvest
What does DeafInvest do?
DeafInvest is a registered investment advisory firm that provides portfolio investment management, financial planning, investment research and consulting, tax preparation, workshops, 401k administration, and estate planning services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. All advisory services are delivered in American Sign Language (ASL) through direct advisor relationships, with execution supported by Betterment (robo-advisor), Altruist Financial LLC (broker/dealer/custodian), and Pershing LLC platforms.
Is DeafInvest a public or private company?
DeafInvest is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DeafInvest founded?
DeafInvest was founded in 1971. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DeafInvest based?
DeafInvest is headquartered in Bethesda, United States, in the North America region.
How does DeafInvest make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. AUM-Based Advisory Fees are the primary driver. The others are financial Planning Services, investment Research & Consulting, workshops and Presentations and tax Preparation Services.
Who are DeafInvest's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wealthfront, Personal Capital (Empower Personal Capital) and Betterment. Others are Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) and GreenPath Financial Wellness. Broad incumbents are Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice, Vanguard Personal Advisor Services and Charles Schwab Wealth Advisory. Emerging players are Ellevest and Facet Wealth.
Does DeafInvest have an API?
No public API is recorded for DeafInvest.
What industry is DeafInvest in?
DeafInvest's product category is Investment Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of FSAAANAJ, Special Needs & Supplemental Needs Trust Services. Its NAICS code is 54 and its SIC code is 8700.