FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The San Francisco Mint at Fifth and Mission Street was opened in 1874 and produced coins until 1937. The “Old Mint” turned $4 million in gold bullion into coins during its first year.  

Here are answers to some of the questions we frequently receive. If you don’t see your question here, please contact us at 415.543.8500. You can also send us an e-mail.

About Portsmouth Financial Services

What type of brokerage firm is Portsmouth Financial Services?

Portsmouth Financial is a full-service brokerage firm. As such, we offer you one-on-one access to a personal advisor who will offer investment choices, advice and research, and be available with a single phone call or e-mail to discuss your account or answer any questions that you may have. This is different from a discount brokerage, which is most often geared to the do-it-yourself type of investor and does not generally offer access to a personal advisor or offer investment advice.

Who is Pershing LLC?

Pershing LLC (member FINRA/NYSE/SIPC) is a leading global provider of financial business solutions to more than 1,500 institutional and retail financial organizations and independent registered investment advisors who collectively represent more than five million active investors. A subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, Pershing LLC has offered execution, clearing, data processing, and financial products and services to broker dealers since 1939. Through this clearinghouse relationship with Pershing LLC, Portsmouth Financial Services is able to offer a broad spectrum of financial solutions. For more information, see our Products and Services page.

What products and services do you offer?

As a full-service broker/dealer, Portsmouth Financial Services offers a wide array of products, including insurance, annuities, money market funds, individual K plans, retirement products, margin and trading accounts, and more. For more information see our Products and Services page.

Your Account

How do I open an account?

To open a new account, download and complete the New Account Form and provide us with a current form of ID such as a driver's license or passport.

Can I have online access to my account?

Yes! With a personal ID  you can view your account activity. Call 1.415.543.8500 or e-mail us to get set up for this service.

Are my investments insured?

Yes, your investments are insured for the total value of your account through the combination of SIPC coverage and commercial insurance provided by Pershing. Accounts are not protected against losses from the rise and fall in market value of investments.

How often will I receive confirms and statements?

You will receive a confirmation whenever you make a trade in your account. Statements are sent monthly or quarterly, depending on your account activity. You can also sign up for e-delivery of all of your documents and statements.

Can I get checking with my investment account?

Yes. We offer a wide variety of Corestone cash management solutions for your account. Please contact us to discuss which is the right choice for you.

Can I have money sent directly to my bank account?

Yes. We can wire funds directly to your account on request, or arrange to have automatic deposits made on whatever periodic basis meets your needs.

I have different mutual funds. Do I have to bring them into my investment account?

No, however it may be to your advantage to do so. By bringing them into Portsmouth Financial Services, all of your assets will appear on a combined statement.

Can I phone an order to trade directly to you?

Yes. Call 415.543.8500 to speak to a representative. To protect your privacy, please have personal identification ready.

How can I donate stock to my favorite charity?

We can have shares of stock sent electronically to your designated charity. Please provide us with a letter of authorization (LOA) from you and delivery instructions for your charity.

If I create a Trust, can I change my account?

Yes. If you notify us that you would like to have your account brought in under the name of your Trust, we will open a new account and have your assets transferred over to it. To do this we will send you a new account form and a letter of authorization to sign. We will also need a copy of the Trust.

What happens with an account when the account owner dies?

Upon the death of an account owner, the administrator or family member should notify us and forward a death certificate as soon as possible. In general, all activity will cease in the account until further direction from the account's beneficiaries.

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