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Our Story

Founded with
principle.

A different model for individual investors — built on independence, research, and alignment.

Most individual investors are underserved — paying far too much for advice shaped, too often, by conflicts of interest rather than their actual goals. Convexity Wealth Management was founded to be different. We are fee-only, independent, and accountable only to our clients. There are no commissions, no proprietary products, and our fee structure is designed to align our incentives with yours.

We bring a research-grade investment process — anchored in academic work on convexity and portfolio construction — to every client relationship, regardless of account size. The tools, the research, the discipline that were once reserved for institutions are now applied directly to your wealth.

Leadership

Our Team.

Institutional research depth paired with direct, personal advisory service — analytical rigor informed by endowment-level experience, applied to your personal wealth.

James Petricciani
James
Petricciani
15 years experience Principal Member
M.B.A., Finance
Santa Clara University,
Leavey School of Business

B.A., Economics
Gonzaga University
15 years experience
M.B.A., Finance
Santa Clara University,
Leavey School of Business
B.A., Economics
Gonzaga University
15 years experience
M.B.A., Finance
Santa Clara University,
Leavey School of Business
B.A., Economics
Gonzaga University

"I started this firm to help people — because the average investor deserves far more than this industry gives them."

James built his career at the intersection of investment management and client advisory — as a Portfolio Analyst at Square 1 Bank and later as Managing Partner at 2nd St Capital Management, where he focused on optimally diversified portfolio construction.

That background shaped a practice centered on one commitment: personalized advice for every client, with a structure designed to reduce conflicts of interest.

By maintaining focus on efficiency, Convexity is able to deliver sophisticated portfolio strategy - not a cookie-cutter product designed to maximize the firm's revenue - at a fraction of the cost.

James holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business and a B.A. in Economics from Gonzaga University. He is a registered investment adviser representative and serves as the firm's chief compliance officer.

George Chacko
George
Chacko
36 years experience Member
M.A., Ph.D., Business Economics
Harvard University

M.B.A., Accounting & Finance
University of Chicago

B.S., Electrical Engineering
MIT
36 years experience
M.A., Ph.D., Business Economics
Harvard University
M.B.A., Accounting & Finance
University of Chicago
B.S., Electrical Engineering
MIT
36 years experience
M.A., Ph.D., Business Economics
Harvard University
M.B.A., Accounting & Finance
University of Chicago
B.S., Electrical Engineering
MIT

George brings more than three decades of senior-level experience across institutional finance. His career has included managing director roles heading fixed income sales and trading at State Street Bank and pension asset management at IFL, service as Chief Investment Officer at Auda Alternative Investments, and a partnership at HNC Advisors AG from 2010 to 2024. Earlier in his career he worked at Accenture and Prudential Investments. He has also co-founded financial services businesses that were subsequently acquired by financial institutions.

That professional record is grounded in original, peer-reviewed academic research. George's doctoral work at Harvard focused on asset pricing, derivatives, and the mathematics of portfolio construction — research that informs the theoretical foundation of Convexity's investment process and the convexity principle itself: that a well-constructed portfolio may seek to generate more return per unit of risk than conventional approaches typically achieve.

For Convexity's clients, that combination — decades of institutional experience and original academic research — is what shapes every portfolio decision.

Journal Articles
Books
Transparency

What we charge.
What you get.

We believe complete transparency about fees is not a courtesy — it is an obligation. Below is exactly what our clients pay and how their assets are held.

Fee Structure
Average advisory management fee ~0.41%
Average fund expense ratio ~0.08%
Total annual cost ~0.50%

Convexity charges two advisory fees, differentiated by account type. Post-tax accounts are managed at 0.50% annually. Pre-tax accounts (traditional IRAs, 401(k) rollovers, and similar retirement vehicles) are managed at approximately 0.32% — a 37% reduction reflecting the maximum federal income tax bracket, because those dollars will be taxed upon distribution and Convexity does not charge a full fee on assets the client will not fully receive.

The industry average for a full-service wealth manager runs between 1.75% and 2.25% annually.* Our clients pay approximately 75% less.

* Industry cost estimate includes average advisory fees of approximately 1%–1.25% (source: NerdWallet 2024 industry survey), active mutual fund expense ratios averaging 0.59%–0.70% (source: ICI 2025 Investment Company Fact Book), and estimated transaction costs of 0.12%–0.20% including bid-ask spreads and internal fund trading costs (source: Morningstar research). Total estimated range: approximately 1.75%–2.25%. Convexity's total cost of approximately 0.50% reflects our advisory fee plus underlying fund expense ratios. Actual costs may vary based on portfolio composition and account size.

Our Commitment

Fee-only means we are compensated solely by our clients — never through commissions, referral fees, or product revenue. Our incentives are structurally aligned with yours.

Custodians
The Vanguard Group

Founded in 1975, Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment managers with over $12 trillion in global assets under management. Client brokerage assets are held by Vanguard Brokerage Services, a division of Vanguard Marketing Corporation, member FINRA and SIPC. SIPC protection covers securities up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for cash claims). Vanguard also carries additional insurance through Lloyd's of London, with an aggregate limit of $250 million and up to $49.5 million per customer for securities.

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab is one of the most trusted names in financial services, serving millions of clients with brokerage, banking, and advisory services. Schwab brokerage accounts are protected by SIPC up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for cash claims). Schwab also carries additional insurance through Lloyd's of London, with an aggregate limit of $600 million and up to $150 million per customer for securities.

Registrations & Memberships

Convexity Wealth Management, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) in the following states, and is registered with FINRA.

Washington Oregon Texas California
FAQs

Good questions.
Honest answers.

The questions we hear most — answered directly, without jargon.

About Convexity

Convexity refers to the performance profile of a portfolio. A convex portfolio is designed to limit exposure on the downside when markets fall, while still seeking to participate in the upside when markets rise. The intended result is a return profile that curves favorably relative to a linear benchmark — hence the term convexity.

In practice, that means pursuing a more stable, consistent, and deliberate trajectory toward your financial goals — with the potential for meaningful protection during downturns and participation in recoveries. A convex portfolio seeks to generate more return per unit of risk than a conventional approach. Learn more about our strategy →

Our clients come from a wide range of professional and financial backgrounds. We do not require a minimum account size and are committed to helping anyone who is serious about building and preserving their wealth thoughtfully.

Convexity holds limited agent authorization on client accounts. This authorizes us to purchase, sell, and rebalance investments within your account on your behalf. We cannot withdraw assets, transfer funds to third parties, or take possession of client money. All account activity is visible to you at all times through your custodian's online portal.

Safety & Custody

Client assets are held in custody by The Vanguard Group and Charles Schwab — both members of SIPC, which protects securities up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for cash claims) in the event of a brokerage failure. Both custodians carry additional insurance through Lloyd's of London: Vanguard provides up to $49.5 million per customer for securities ($250 million aggregate), and Schwab provides up to $150 million per customer for securities ($600 million aggregate). It is important to note that SIPC protection does not cover market losses. Convexity has limited agent authorization on client accounts, meaning we can execute investment transactions on your behalf but cannot withdraw or transfer assets.

Convexity uses both The Vanguard Group and Charles Schwab as client account custodians. Vanguard was founded in 1975 and is one of the world's largest investment managers. Schwab is one of the most established and trusted names in financial services. Both are independent third parties — your assets are held in your name, and Convexity never takes possession of client funds.

There is a balance between holding enough cash and holding too much. As a general rule, having 3–12 months of living expenses in liquid reserves is prudent — the right amount depends on your personal situation and risk tolerance. Any cash above that level should be working for you. During inflationary periods, a money market fund or short-duration investment earning near prevailing interest rates is typically a better home for idle cash than a standard savings account.

Fees & Costs

Approximately 75% less than a typical full-service wealth manager, based on industry cost estimates.* Our advisory management fee averages approximately 0.41% annually. Combined with fund expense ratios of approximately 0.08%, our clients pay roughly 0.50% per year in total. See the fee comparison above for sources and methodology.

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, investment advisory fees paid from non-retirement (taxable) accounts are no longer deductible as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. Fees paid from IRAs or other retirement accounts are handled differently — please consult your tax adviser for guidance specific to your situation.

No. Convexity does not charge any fees to help you transition from your current advisor. We are happy to guide you through the process and handle the paperwork on your behalf.

Getting Started

The best time to invest was, almost always, in the past. Which means the second best time is usually now. That said, timing and sequencing matter — we help clients think through how to position capital given their specific circumstances rather than applying a one-size-fits-all answer.

It helps to have a sense of your short- and long-term financial goals. Information about your current financial picture — assets and liabilities, income, insurance policies, and any existing budget or savings plan — will allow us to make the most of your initial conversation. That said, we are happy to start from wherever you are.

The first step is a conversation — no obligation, no pressure. We'll discuss your financial situation, your goals, and what you're looking for in an advisor. If it's a good fit, we'll outline a recommended approach and walk you through the account-opening process with your custodian. Most clients are fully onboarded within a few weeks.

Schedule a Conversation

Let's talk about
your portfolio.

A straightforward conversation about where you are and where you want to be.

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