A strong emphasis on time-tested investments and nothing speculative.
No sales pitches, commissions, upselling, and no hidden agendas.
While the industry average fee is approximately 1.02% annually, my standard fee is 0.50%.
Industry average based on 2025 AdvisoryHQ and Kitces Research studies. Lower fees do not guarantee higher investment returns. All investing involves risk.
First Shelbourne safeguards the wealth of individuals navigating major life transitions. I provide portfolio management for retirement assets, business proceeds, insurance payouts, and more, prioritizing portfolio stability and tax-efficient growth.
Many firms make it hard to understand what you’re really paying. At First Shelbourne, fees are simple and fully transparent. I charge a flat 0.50% annual management fee and primarily use low‑cost index ETFs, keeping overhead lean so more of every dollar you invest works for you.
Sources and notes: Estimates reflect typical ranges reported in third‑party research and industry surveys for U.S. investors as of 2024–2025 (including SmartAsset and custodian fee studies for advisor fees, consumer and actuarial analyses for insurance and annuity costs, and private‑fund research for private credit). Actual fees and expenses vary by product, provider, and client situation. These figures are provided for general education and illustration only and are not a guarantee of any specific product’s cost or performance. Lower fees alone do not ensure better investment results.
CHRIS WARGAS
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
First Shelbourne was built around a simple idea: investing should be clear, disciplined, and entirely in your best interest. I founded this firm to bring independence and transparency back to an industry that has lost both. There are no sales pitches here, no commissions, and no layers of unnecessary cost.
My transition from law enforcement as a police officer after twenty years to financial services was driven by a single mission: Protection. For over two decades, I served the public by upholding the law and ensuring community safety. Today, I apply that same fiduciary dedication to protecting my clients' financial futures. I don't just manage assets, I provide a shield against high fees and conflicted advice, bringing the same level of integrity to your portfolio that I brought to my years in service.
I hold a Series 65 license and the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE®) credential, reflecting my commitment to professionalism, ethics, and trust in every client relationship.
© 2026 First Shelbourne LLC, All rights reserved.
First Shelbourne LLC is a registered investment advisor in New York. Financial advisor services are offered through First Shelbourne LLC, an investment advisory firm domiciled in the State of New York. The presence of this website on the Internet shall not be directly or indirectly interpreted as a solicitation of investment advisory services to persons of another jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by statute. Follow-up or individualized responses to consumers in a particular state by our firm in the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation shall not be made without our first complying with jurisdiction requirements or under an applicable state exemption. This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research, or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy.
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