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:
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
- Certifications and Designations:
- James Glownia – Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)
- Rob Glownia – Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
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:
- The Top 3 Financial Advisor Credentials (investopedia.com)
- Why Choose a CFP® Professional | CFP - Let's Make a Plan
- Why Hire a CFA® Charterholder? (cfainstitute.org)
- Certified Fund Specialist (CFS) Definition (investopedia.com)
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.
Curious to see how we might fit into your financial planning needs? You can schedule a complimentary meeting (virtual, or in-person) here:
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: We like 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 meeting 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:
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:
How do you get paid?
Who is LPL and why have you partnered with them?
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.
