How do I know if I'm a good fit?

We won't really know if we're a fit until we talk about your goals and how we might be able to to help. Choosing a financial advisor is an important decision. Here are some independent ideas to consider during the selection process:

We also understand it can be an intimidating process to choose a financial advisor and you have so many options. At Glownia Financial Group, we want to provide all the resources you would need to make an informed decision.

Here is what you can expect from an introductory meeting:   

What to Expect


Why should I partner with Glownia Financial Group?

We're a multigenerational, family-based team. In other words, we plan to be around for you and your children. 

We've also been independent since 1991. That means we work for YOU, not a branch manager in some ivory tower.

Lastly, we've dedicated our entire careers to continuing education. Many advisors claim expertise, but you'd be surprised at how many outsource the management of your money to people they've never met.

See the full list of our differentiators here:
How we're different


What are your qualifications?

At Glownia Financial Group, we work to ensure we are qualified to meet your financial needs. In addition to our experience, our staff holds the following credentials:

  • FINRA licenses held with LPL Financial: FINRA SERIES 3,7,24,63,65, 66
    • James Glownia – FINRA Series 3,7,24,63,65
    • Rob Glownia – FINRA Series 7,66, 24
    • Tyler Finney – FINRA Series 7, 66
       
  • Certifications and Designations:
    • James Glownia – Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)
    • Rob Glownia – Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
    • Tyler Finney – Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and holds his certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM®)


Did you know there are more than 100 different financial advisor certifications and designations? It can be overwhelming to understand the differences and not all are created equally.

You can learn more about our credentials from the 3rd party links below:


Where are your offices? Do you offer virtual meetings?

We have clients all over the country and we have offices in Western New York, Central Virginia, and Southwest Florida. Therefore, we offer virtual meetings and leverage technology to make it possible (and secure!).

That said, we always enjoy meeting our clients in-person, whether to discuss their financial questions or to do something more social.

Our physical office locations are as follows:

  • 8340 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221
     
  • 4312 Grove Ave Suite B, Richmond, VA 23220
     
  • 22988 Lone Oak Dr, Estero, FL 33928


Curious to see how we might fit into your financial planning needs? You can schedule a complimentary meeting (virtual, or in-person) here:

 Book a Meeting


Why should I pay for advice?

Most of our clients agree that their most precious resource is time. How much is your time worth?

Do you enjoy spending countless hours researching the stocks? How often do you find yourself worrying about the market or checking your phone for stock quotes?

Financial security and free time comes at a price. We believe our services are worth every penny!


Can I do this myself using index funds?

Maybe! We think index funds are great tools for suitable investors. 

The reality is that there are many resources available online and elsewhere for do-it-yourself (DIY) investors. Furthermore, technology has made investing accessible to almost anyone regardless of account size. However, DIY investing doesn't always equate to being the less expensive option. 

Consider the example of a home renovation project: There are enough resources online to learn how to renovate a kitchen without the help of a construction professional. Furthermore, most of the materials would be available at your local hardware store or could be purchased online.

If you’re somewhat handy and determined, everything would probably function. However, it would have taken time, been stressful, and the crown molding joints for the kitchen cabinetry might not be cut to perfection. 

On the other hand, there are instances that the DIY homeowner only hires a professional after they make a big mistake or get stuck! Instead, many folks hire a contractor that charges a 20% markup and they specialize in kitchen renovations.

Our Value Proposition: Our goal is to think of ourselves like your general contractor: one that shows up on time, is trustworthy, and wants to help achieve your unique goals! As an advisory client, we would coordinate all the other professionals involved in your financial life, such as your accountant, estate attorney, and other consultants. 

With the rare combination of CFP® and CFA® designations, we have expertise in structuring portfolios aimed at working towards your specific goals. We would be intentional about the amount of risk you were taking, and your investment mix would be carefully determined by your cash flow needs and risk tolerance.

Summary: We work with people who understand the value of their time, and our expertise. Our clients are people that want to delegate the management of their investments so they can focus on the things that matter most to them.

In our opinion, your retirement and family’s legacy shouldn't be in the hands of a fintech app or call center. Instead, you should have a customized financial plan tailored around the things that are most important to you and your family.  


Do you charge a fee for the initial meeting?

No. We offer complimentary meetings and want you to understand the value we can provide before paying us a single dollar. 

Financial planning can be extremely complex. Just like you would get a second opinion regarding a health issue, we think you should do the same for your investments.

We offer a free consultation if you’re unsure about the services of your current advisor.

You can schedule your complimentary review here: 

Book a Meeting


Do you have account minimums? Who is your typical client?

As mentioned above, there are many variables to consider when choosing a financial advisor. Similarly, there are many variables that we consider when accepting new clients.

Therefore, we do not have an account minimum. Instead, we work with a wide variety of clients in varying financial circumstances that:

  • Understand the success of their retirement is too important to manage on their own
     
  • Want a trusted partner to give comprehensive advice for all aspects of their financial life
     
  • Understand the value of their time, and our expertise  

We usually work with individuals that have diligently saved at least $500k of investable assets but each situation is unique. 

Importantly, we will meet with the friends and family of existing clients regardless of their account size or needs. It's an honor to do so and we are always grateful for client referrals.

For additional information, you can see our typical client here: 

Who We Serve


How do you get paid?

We offer multiple pricing options to accommodate our variety of clients and services. We will always be transparent about our fees and always want you to agree we’ve earned them.

We believe our qualifications and emotional intelligence help us provide our clients with a premium service and experience. We work with a select group of clients that recognize the value of their time, and our expertise.

For more information, you can see our transparent pricing here:

Our Pricing

We believe fees are important, but never at the expense of good advice!


Will I be able to view my accounts online?

You will have convenient online access for all of your accounts.

Specifically, you will have access to the LPL Financial AccountView system, where you can track account values, trading activity, and find relevant tax documents. It also provides a modern and informative app available for Android, Apple, tablets and desktop computers.

Furthermore, our financial planning software allows you to link your other outside assets such as 401ks, 403bs, and other employer-sponsored retirement accounts. This provides a real-time combined view of your investments and net worth.


What are your historical returns?

We are a boutique private wealth management firm, not a mutual fund company. Our client portfolios are customized based on their specific needs and risk tolerance. As such, we do not publish a track record or market our investment returns.

In general, our firm’s investment philosophy goal is to grow wealth while focusing on risk management and downside protection. The specific investment mix is ultimately a function of the client's financial plan, goals, risk tolerance, and cash flow needs.

Lastly, client portfolios are typically diversified through the use of ETFs and mutual funds. 


Who is LPL and why have you partnered with them?

LPL Financial (Nasdaq: LPLA) was founded on the principle that the firm should work for the advisor, and not the other way around. Today, LPL is a leader in the markets we serve,* supporting nearly 20,000 financial advisors, and approximately 800 institution-based investment programs and 500 independent RIA firms nationwide. We are steadfast in our commitment to the advisor-centered model and the belief that Americans deserve access to personalized guidance from a financial advisor. At LPL, independence means that advisors have the freedom they deserve to choose the business model, services, and technology resources that allow them to run their perfect practice. And they have the freedom to manage their client relationships, because they know their clients best. Simply put, we take care of our advisors, so they can take care of their clients.

*Top RIA custodian (Cerulli Associates, 2020 U.S. RIA Marketplace Report); No. 1 Independent Broker-Dealer in the U.S (Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine 1996-2021); No. 1 provider of third-party brokerage services to banks and credit unions (2020-2021 Kehrer Bielan Research & Consulting Annual TPM Report); Fortune 500 Company as of June 2021. LPL and its affiliated companies provide financial services only from the United States.


Is my account with LPL protected?

LPL Financial is a member firm of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Membership provides account protection up to a maximum of $500,000 per client, of which $250,000 may be claims for cash. For an explanatory brochure, please visit http://www.sipc.org/

Through London Insurers, LPL Financial accounts have additional securities protection to cover the net equity of client accounts up to an overall aggregate firm limit of $600 million, subject to conditions and limitations.

London Insurers rely on SIPC to determine the extent of losses incurred by individual LPL account holders. This additional protection covers losses above limits available from SIPC and would be payable up to a total of $600 million.

The account protection applies when a SIPC member firm fails financially and is unable to meet its obligations to securities clients, but it does not protect against losses from the rise and fall in the market value of investments. This extensive coverage reflects a strong commitment to serving your investment needs.

Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial. A registered investment advisor. Member FINRA & SIPC. Glownia Financial Group is not an affiliate company of LPL Financial. The LPL Financial representative associated with this website may discuss and/or transact securities business only with residents of the following states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, D.C., FL, GA, IL, ME, MD, NV, NY, NC, OH, SC, TX, VA, WA, WV

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