Join Sam McGee, CEO of Crestmont Private Wealth, for a comprehensive overview of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and how they differ from traditional mutual funds.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ What ETFs are and how they work

✅ The evolution from mutual funds to ETFs

✅ Key differences: intraday trading vs. end-of-day pricing

✅ Tax efficiency advantages of ETFs

✅ Lower costs and broader access

✅ Important factors to consider when evaluating ETFs

Whether you're a beginner investor or looking to understand modern investment vehicles, this educational guide breaks down the complex world of ETFs into easy-to-understand concepts.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Consult with a qualified financial advisor and CPA for personalized guidance.

Timeline with Chapters

0:00 - Introduction & Welcome

Welcome to The Ascent podcast with Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth

0:31 - What Are ETFs?

Overview of Exchange Traded Funds and why this topic matters

0:57 - History of Investment Evolution

How the financial services industry evolved from the 1920s to today

2:01 - The Rise of Mutual Funds

How mutual funds provided access to diversification for average investors

3:43 - Tax Inefficiency of Mutual Funds

Understanding the pass-through taxation problem with mutual funds

5:02 - Birth of the ETF Industry

How the 1987 crash and tech bubble led to ETF development

5:41 - How ETFs Work

Exchange trading and intraday pricing explained

6:38 - ETFs vs Index Funds

How ETFs mimic indexes like the S&P 500

7:42 - Cost Advantages of ETFs

Lower costs and broader access compared to mutual funds

8:33 - Tax Efficiency of ETFs

How ETFs provide better tax treatment than mutual funds

9:04 - Free Trading & Lower Costs

How custodians now offer commission-free ETF trading

9:56 - Book Recommendation

CFA Institute's comprehensive guide to ETFs

11:23 - What to Consider When Choosing ETFs

Evaluating liquidity, market cap, track record, and costs

13:14 - Closing & Contact Information

How Crestmont evaluates ETFs for clients and final thoughts

Original Air Date: February 14, 2026 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact:  www.crestmontpw.com 

Alec Walker in Houston:  831-280-5288 

Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

Join Sam McGee, CEO of Crestmont Private Wealth, for a comprehensive overview of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and how they differ from traditional mutual funds.
In this episode, you'll learn:
✅ What ETFs are and how they work
✅ The evolution from mutual funds to ETFs
✅ Key differences: intraday trading vs. end-of-day pricing
✅ Tax efficiency advantages of ETFs
✅ Lower costs and broader access
✅ Important factors to consider when evaluating ETFs
Whether you're a beginner investor or looking to understand modern investment vehicles, this educational guide breaks down the complex world of ETFs into easy-to-understand concepts.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Consult with a qualified financial advisor and CPA for personalized guidance.
Timeline with Chapters
0:00 - Introduction &amp; Welcome
Welcome to The Ascent podcast with Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth
0:31 - What Are ETFs?
Overview of Exchange Traded Funds and why this topic matters
0:57 - History of Investment Evolution
How the financial services industry evolved from the 1920s to today
2:01 - The Rise of Mutual Funds
How mutual funds provided access to diversification for average investors
3:43 - Tax Inefficiency of Mutual Funds
Understanding the pass-through taxation problem with mutual funds
5:02 - Birth of the ETF Industry
How the 1987 crash and tech bubble led to ETF development
5:41 - How ETFs Work
Exchange trading and intraday pricing explained
6:38 - ETFs vs Index Funds
How ETFs mimic indexes like the S&amp;P 500
7:42 - Cost Advantages of ETFs
Lower costs and broader access compared to mutual funds
8:33 - Tax Efficiency of ETFs
How ETFs provide better tax treatment than mutual funds
9:04 - Free Trading &amp; Lower Costs
How custodians now offer commission-free ETF trading
9:56 - Book Recommendation
CFA Institute's comprehensive guide to ETFs
11:23 - What to Consider When Choosing ETFs
Evaluating liquidity, market cap, track record, and costs
13:14 - Closing &amp; Contact Information
How Crestmont evaluates ETFs for clients and final thoughts
Original Air Date: February 14, 2026 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM
Contact:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.crestmontpw.com">www.crestmontpw.com</a>&nbsp;
Alec Walker in Houston:&nbsp; 831-280-5288&nbsp;
Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

Host:  Sam McGee, MBA, CFA

Founder/Owner of Crestmont Private Wealth.
604 S. Main St. Boerne TX 78006
(830) 368-2898
www.crestmontpw.com

Host:  Sam McGee, MBA, CFA
Founder/Owner of Crestmont Private Wealth.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=604%20S.%20Main%20St.,%20Boerne,%20TX,%2078006">604 S. Main St. Boerne TX 78006</a></li>
<li><a href="tel:8303682898">(830) 368-2898</a></li>
<li><a href="http://crestmontpw.com/">www.crestmontpw.com</a></li>
</ul>

The Ascent With Crestmont Private Wealth

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth 

Host: Sam McGee

Houston Office: I Riverway, Suite 470 Houston, Texas 77056

(832) 280-5288

Boerne Office: 604 South Main Boerne, Texas 78006

Office (830) 368-2898

About Sam McGee

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

Sam McGee is the founder and owner of Crestmont Private Wealth. As CEO, he believes that to lead well you must have a servant heart. His day-to-day role with Crestmont is to lead and learn from a group of talented professionals who have high character qualities and initiative. His vision is to steer a mission led company that changes lives through financial stewardship, engagement with clients, and fiduciary style education.

Sam has 26 years in the financial industry and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. The CFA Program is a rigorous three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, wealth planning, with an emphasis on ethics and quantitative analysis.

Sam is passionate about volunteering his time to the community. He founded the Texas Hill Country Mustang Club (501c7), is a board member for Hill Country Family Services, was appointed by the Texas Governor to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, is a volunteer firefighter with the Boerne Fire Department, a trained SkyWarn Weather Spotter, and a Boerne Little League head coach, and involved with many charitable causes.

When asked what is most important to him, he said “Faith, Family, Community, & Friendships”

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth 
Host: Sam McGee
Houston Office: I Riverway, Suite 470 Houston, Texas 77056
(832) 280-5288
Boerne Office: 604 South Main Boerne, Texas 78006
Office (830) 368-2898
About Sam McGee
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER &amp; CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Sam McGee is the founder and owner of Crestmont Private Wealth. As CEO, he believes that to lead well you must have a servant heart. His day-to-day role with Crestmont is to lead and learn from a group of talented professionals who have high character qualities and initiative. His vision is to steer a mission led company that changes lives through financial stewardship, engagement with clients, and fiduciary style education.
Sam has 26 years in the financial industry and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. The CFA Program is a rigorous three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, wealth planning, with an emphasis on ethics and quantitative analysis.
Sam is passionate about volunteering his time to the community. He founded the Texas Hill Country Mustang Club (501c7), is a board member for Hill Country Family Services, was appointed by the Texas Governor to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, is a volunteer firefighter with the Boerne Fire Department, a trained SkyWarn Weather Spotter, and a Boerne Little League head coach, and involved with many charitable causes.
When asked what is most important to him, he said “Faith, Family, Community, &amp; Friendships”