Affiance Financial: Fiduciary Planning for Investment & Retirement
Affiance Financial: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Financial Future
In a world of financial complexity, finding a trusted partner to navigate your journey to financial independence is paramount. Affiance Financial, a name synonymous with integrity and personalized financial planning, has been guiding individuals, families, and businesses toward their goals for decades. This in-depth look into AffianceFinancial.com will explore the firm’s history, services, and unwavering commitment to its clients, providing you with the essential information you need to make an informed decision about your financial future.
Company History: A Legacy of Client-First Financial Guidance
The story of Affiance Financial is rooted in a simple yet powerful vision: to create a financial planning firm that prioritizes the client’s interests above all else. This vision was brought to life by founder Steve Lear, who, after a decade in the financial industry, established Lear Financial in the 1990s. His goal was to build a practice where transparency, trust, and a genuine commitment to client success were the cornerstones.
In 1995, Andy Fishman joined Steve, sharing his passion for a client-centric approach. Together, they began to assemble a team of dedicated professionals who shared their values. This collaboration and shared vision culminated in the year 2000 with the official launch of Affiance Financial.
A significant milestone in the firm’s history occurred in 2022 with the expansion of its partnership group to include a second generation of leaders. This strategic move ensures the longevity and continuity of Affiance Financial’s mission, guaranteeing that clients will receive the same high level of service and dedication for generations to come. This multi-generational team reinforces the firm’s commitment to being a long-term partner in their clients’ financial lives.
Comprehensive Financial Services for Every Stage of Life
Affiance Financial offers a wide array of services designed to address the diverse and evolving needs of their clients. Their holistic approach ensures that every facet of your financial life is considered and integrated into a cohesive and effective plan.
Personalized Financial Planning: Your Roadmap to Success
At the core of Affiance Financial’s offerings is their personalized financial planning service. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution but rather a bespoke roadmap crafted to your unique circumstances and aspirations. Their team of experienced financial planners works closely with you to understand your goals, whether it’s planning for a comfortable retirement, funding your children’s education, or leaving a lasting legacy.
Investment Management: A Disciplined Approach to Growth
Navigating the complexities of the investment world can be daunting. Affiance Financial’s investment management philosophy is built on a disciplined and evidence-based approach. They focus on creating globally diversified portfolios tailored to your risk tolerance and long-term objectives. By utilizing a mix of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), they aim to build resilient portfolios that can weather market fluctuations and deliver consistent growth over time.
Retirement Planning: Securing Your Golden Years
Retirement planning is a cornerstone of Affiance Financial’s expertise. They understand that a successful retirement is about more than just accumulating wealth; it’s about creating a sustainable income stream that allows you to live life on your terms. Their retirement planning services encompass everything from 401(k) rollovers and IRA management to creating tax-efficient withdrawal strategies.
Estate Planning and Legacy Services
A well-crafted estate plan is crucial for ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes and that your loved ones are provided for. Affiance Financial’s team works in concert with estate planning attorneys to help you develop a comprehensive plan that minimizes estate taxes and ensures a smooth transfer of wealth.
Risk Management and Insurance
Protecting your financial well-being from unforeseen events is a critical component of any sound financial plan. Affiance Financial offers robust risk management services, including a thorough review of your insurance needs. They can help you identify potential gaps in your coverage and recommend appropriate life, disability, and long-term care insurance solutions.
Tax Planning Strategies
Tax efficiency is woven into the fabric of Affiance Financial’s planning process. Their team proactively identifies opportunities to minimize your tax burden throughout your financial journey. This includes strategies such as tax-loss harvesting, asset location, and optimizing charitable giving to ensure you keep more of your hard-earned money.
The Affiance Approach: A Fiduciary Commitment to You
What truly sets Affiance Financial apart is their unwavering commitment to acting as a fiduciary. This means they are legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest at all times. This commitment to transparency and integrity is the bedrock of their client relationships.
Their process is collaborative and educational. They take the time to explain complex financial concepts in a clear and understandable way, empowering you to make confident decisions about your money. Regular communication and ongoing portfolio reviews are standard practice, ensuring your financial plan remains aligned with your changing life circumstances.
This client-centric approach is encapsulated in their core values, which emphasize care, support, and a relentless focus on delivering results. They believe that by putting their clients first, the rest will follow.
Strategic Partnerships: Expanding Expertise for Your Benefit
Affiance Financial understands that comprehensive financial planning often requires expertise beyond their core competencies. To provide a truly holistic service, they have cultivated a network of trusted professionals in related fields. These strategic partnerships include:
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs): For specialized tax advice and preparation.
Estate Planning Attorneys: For the drafting of wills, trusts, and other legal documents.
Insurance Specialists: To provide in-depth knowledge of complex insurance products.
By collaborating with these external experts, Affiance Financial ensures that all aspects of your financial life are handled by knowledgeable and experienced professionals, all working in concert to achieve your goals. This collaborative approach provides a seamless and integrated experience for their clients.
Awards and Recognition: A Culture of Excellence
While Affiance Financial doesn’t actively seek the limelight, their commitment to excellence and their advisors’ expertise have not gone unnoticed. Many of their financial planners hold prestigious designations such as the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), and Certified Life Underwriter® (CLU®). These certifications require rigorous study, extensive experience, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
The true measure of their success lies in the accolades they receive from their clients: the referrals of friends and family, and the long-standing relationships they have built over the years. This client loyalty is the most meaningful form of recognition they can achieve.
A Dedicated Team at Your Service
Affiance Financial boasts a dedicated and growing team of financial professionals and support staff. Their website showcases a team of experienced financial advisors, each with a unique set of skills and a shared commitment to the firm’s client-first philosophy. This is complemented by a robust support team that ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the firm, allowing the advisors to focus on what they do best: serving their clients. The size of their team is a reflection of their continued growth and their ability to attract and retain top talent in the financial services industry.
Affiance Financial it’s a gateway to a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about helping you achieve your financial goals. From their principled history to their comprehensive services and unwavering fiduciary commitment, Affiance Financial stands as a beacon of trust and expertise in the financial planning landscape. If you’re seeking a partner to guide you on your journey to financial independence, Affiance Financial is a name you can trust.
Affiance Financial Leadership & Teams
Andy Fishman – Founding Partner, Financial Planner
Eric Unger – Partner, President, Chief Compliance Officer
Marc Usem – Chief Investment Officer
Megan Pace – Partner, Director of Client Support
Marcia Zappa – Partner, Director of Marketing & Business Development
Steve Lear – Founding Partner, Financial Planner
Keely Matis – Marketing & Communications Manager
Headquarters: 600 Highway 169 S., Suite 1750 St. Louis Park, MN 55426 USA
Phone: 952-544-9818, 800-570-2941
Number of employees: 11-50
Website: www.affiancefinancial.com