These are the references we use for the tasks below. Government records, commercial comparisons, and community discussions serve different purposes; each group explains what you will find.
Pathfinder does not control these sites. Links are provided for convenience and general education, not as individualized advice.
Check an advisor
Use these regulatory records to check an advisor, including one recommended by someone you trust.
- Investment Adviser Public Disclosure provides registration records, Form ADV filings, and disclosures for SEC- and state-registered investment advisers.
- FINRA BrokerCheck provides employment history and disclosures for brokers and brokerage firms.
Credit reports, comparisons, and discussion
These sites offer different kinds of help: access to credit reports, commercial research, and community discussion.
- AnnualCreditReport.com is the authorized site for free credit reports.
- DepositAccounts is a commercial site that compares rates on savings accounts, checking accounts, and certificates of deposit.
- Fairmark is an independent publisher of tax explanations.
- Bogleheads hosts community discussions of investing and personal-finance questions. Posts reflect participants' views and should be checked against the relevant source.
Retirement and care
Official benefit information and state-specific planning documents.
- Social Security Administration provides benefit estimates, applications, and account access.
- CaringInfo Advance Directives collects healthcare-directive information and forms by state.
Charitable giving
Starting points for researching a charity or a Hawaii-based giving program.
- Charity Navigator publishes nonprofit ratings and financial information.
- Hawaii Community Foundation offers donor-advised funds and information about local giving.