TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--INVEST Financial Corporation (INVEST) today announced five of its bank and credit union program managers were recognized by Bank Investment Consultant (BIC) in its annual “Top 20 Program Managers” ranking. INVEST provides broker-dealer services, including customized practice management support and innovative technology platforms, for all five firms.
The recognized program managers include:
- #1: Paul Restante of Community Bank in Syracuse, New York
- #9: Bob Carr of Central Bank in Jefferson City, Missouri
- #23 (Honorable Mention): Jack Nelson of Johnson Bank in Racine, Wisconsin
- #32 (Honorable Mention): Melissa Ekeberg of United Community Bank in Blairsville, Georgia
- #40 (Honorable Mention): Todd Phillips of Bethpage Federal Credit Union in Bethpage, New York
BIC determines the top 20 ranking using a weighted average of six different factors, including total team assets under management, growth of team assets, growth of team annual production, average production per advisor, number of full-time advisors the program manager directly supervises and the number of licensed brand employees under his or her supervision. According to BIC, half of these variables do not depend on size, but rather on efficiency and growth, which are representative of quality management.
“These five program managers represent what this industry is all about — helping clients achieve their personal financial goals,” said Steve Dowden, president and chief executive officer of INVEST. “It is an honor to work with a group of selfless managers who strive to develop their staff and create a better financial future for the communities they serve.”
Securing the top ranking this year, Paul Restante discussed the looming issue of robo-advisors with BIC. Although it’s a popular topic, he believes the threat is small. “Maybe I’m dead wrong, but I don’t think our industry has boiled down to a commodity,” he said. “I could have said the same thing 15 years ago when they began selling our products on the Internet. Everyone thought the industry would go backward. But it hasn’t.” Paul reiterated the best approach for advisors is to toe the line between digital and face-to-face communication. While investors desire more digital product options online, they still crave a human connection.
Bob Carr told BIC that his background as a producing advisor allows him to recognize and address the issues that are most important to his team. He is dedicated to ensuring new clients feel comfortable following the onboarding process, and told the magazine referrals are a two-way street — the way to get more is to give more.
For the past few years, Jack Nelson has been recognized as a top program manager. Ranked number 23, he focuses on building a fully-integrated team by working with all business units at Johnson Bank. He has more than 30 years of experience as a financial professional and holds the Certified Financial Planner and Certified Retirement Counselor designations.
Ranked number 32 on the list, Melissa Ekeberg makes it a priority to communicate daily with advisors to discuss how they are performing relative to their peers as well as to update them on their progress toward achieving their overall goals. Her dedication to transparency has consistently earned her a spot as a top program manager.
Todd Phillips has worked in the wealth management industry for more than eight years. At Bethpage Federal Credit Union, he oversees a team of eight advisors with more than $487 million in assets under management. Ranked number 40, Todd’s management style is tailored to the unique needs of each of the advisors he oversees, with a focus on both personal and professional development.
For more information about all of the INVEST program managers recognized, the full list can be viewed on the Bank Investment Consultant website: http://www.bankinvestmentconsultant.com/news/bank_channel/top-20-program-managers-how-they-made-the-cut-2692764-1.html?zkPrintable=1&nopagination=1. Financial institutions interested in learning more about INVEST can contact the firm’s Business Development Team at (800) 245-4732, option 2, or visit https://www.investfinancial.com.
About INVEST Financial Corporation
Founded in 1982, INVEST Financial Corporation (www.investfinancial.com) is a full-service broker-dealer that provides investment products and services to independent advisors and financial institutions nationwide.
INVEST’s mission is to help make its clients’ lives easier by providing exceptional service, award-winning technology and a variety of resources that enable profitable growth.
INVEST is a subsidiary of National Planning Holdings, Inc.® (NPH) — one of the largest independent broker-dealer networks in the U.S. NPH is an affiliate of Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (Jackson®, www.jackson.com), a leading provider of retirement solutions.
INVEST Financial Corporation, member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Broker-Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor, and its affiliated insurance agencies offer securities, advisory services, and certain insurance products. Products are: Not FDIC or NCUA insured; Not deposits of, obligations of, or guaranteed by any bank or credit union; Subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal amount invested.
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