The financial planning process entails much more than simply providing excellent vehicles for investment and insurance. Although we are a Broker/Dealer, we believe very strongly in the total process. Some of our representatives are Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), and others are currently enrolled in the College for Financial Planning or in the American College at Bryn Mawr (to become Chartered Financial Consultants). We assist them in this effort.

Above and beyond investing, the Financial Planning process attends to risk management. Each representative is encouraged to obtain an insurance license from his/her home state. You may not represent this firm in the sale of insurance without proper licensing . The licensing examinations can usually be taken in Europe; however, regulations vary from state to state. As with securities licenses, home study courses can usually fulfill any requirements for the state licenses. We can recommend several reputable companies to obtain the necessary materials for these courses. Be certain to secure a VA supplement to any Life license.

We strongly encourage all of our registered representatives to pursue the courses of study from either the College for Financial Planning or The American College. Anyone can call himself or herself a "Financial Planner;" but only those who have fulfilled the certification requirements may use these marks of quality to indicate successful completion of those requisite courses of study. CFP stands for Certified Financial Planner from the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado, and CLU/ChFC stands for Certified Life Underwriter/Chartered Financial Consultant from the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. These marks of quality used by a Financial Planner are an encouraging sign for a potential client that the representative has met the rigorous requirements to practice sound financial planning, and has agreed to adhere to the college’s strict Code of Ethics.

In an effort to keep current with trends in our industry, we encourage our representatives to become members of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) from Atlanta, Georgia. We expect you to abide by their Code of Ethics in dealing not only with clients but also with other members of the financial planning profession.

Barry E. Swanson, CFP^®

President