Company Announcements

• BEST-IN-BUSINESS IMPACT AWARD ™ - Sequoia Financial Group, LLC
• PACESETTER IMPACT AWARD ™ - AdvicePeriod, LLC
• TRAILBLAZER IMPACT AWARD ™ - Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo, LLC
• BEST-IN-RETIREMENT BUSINESS AWARD ™ - PCS Retirement, LLC

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2019-- Schwab Advisor Services™ announced the recipients of the 14th annual IMPACT Awards^® for independent investment advisor firms. Four firmsare being recognized today at Schwab IMPACT^®, the largest and longest-running annual gathering of independent advisors in the nation. The winning firms for 2019 are: Sequoia Financial Group, LLC; AdvicePeriod, LLC; Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo, LLC; andPCS Retirement, LLC.

The IMPACT Awards are given each year to firms that have advanced the industry through their demonstrated leadership and business practices. Schwab honors each of the winning firms by donating $15,000 to a charity of their choice. Since the debut of the IMPACT Awards in 2006, Schwab has recognized 52 firms and donated more than $800,000 on behalf of the award winners. Winning firms were selected by a panel of independent judges from across the industry.

“We’re proud to recognize the high standard that these IMPACT Award-winning firms set,” said Jonathan Beatty, chief operating officer, Schwab Advisor Services. “They exemplify the best qualities of independent investment advisors, and their dedication to serving their clients and communities continues to drive the ongoing success of this industry.”

BEST-IN-BUSINESS IMPACT AWARD: Sequoia Financial Group, LLC

Awarded to a firm that has been in business for at least 10 years, has a track record of growth and excellence, and uses technology solutions to help expand market reach, responsiveness, and operational efficiencies as well as safeguard client assets and information.

Founded in 1991, Akron, Ohio–based wealth management firm Sequoia Financial Group, LLC, has offices in Ohio, Michigan and Florida, and offers services in three segments: wealth management, family wealth, and financial advisory. The firm’s assets under management (AUM) have increased by 160% over the past five years to nearly $4 billion.

Sequoia focuses their energies on the success of their employees and clients. They seek to attract and retain the highest quality personnel by creating a culture of collaboration and teamwork. The organization demonstrates the value they place on their employees by investing in their individual development and by building an enduring firm for team members who are willing to work together for the benefit of the client.

Sequoia uses technology to create a cohesive experience for internal operations and for clients. Beyond efficiency, technology has been used to provide a comprehensive view of the client’s individual circumstances and goals, helping advisory teams create a consistent, high-quality client experience. Sequoia leverages twelve different technology platforms to drive innovation and support the firm’s client experience and introduced integrations to gather business intelligence and provide advisors with daily reports, helping to focus client service and strategic business development efforts. The firm uses marketing AI that allows advisors to identify areas of increased prospect engagement and engage in targeted follow-ups to win new business.

Schwab will donate to Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank on behalf of Sequoia Financial Group, LLC.

PACESETTER IMPACT AWARD: AdvicePeriod, LLC

Pays tribute to a firm in business 10 years or less that has shown initiative, growth, and promise, as well as a focused use of technology to extend its reach, responsiveness, and growth of its business.

Los Angeles–based AdvicePeriod, LLC, combines an integrated set of advice and asset management services to address the financial needs of clients. The company, founded in 2014, offers tailored solutions to individuals and family offices through a specialized team called the “Lab,” led by industry veteran Steve Lockshin. AdvicePeriod’s AUM has increased by almost 400% in the past five years to over $3 billion.

AdvicePeriod for Advisors (AP4) was created in 2016 to attract underserved and planning-centric advisors to the firm. AdvicePeriod provides everything the advisor needs to run his or her business. Since launch, AP4 has attracted more than 20 advisors, opened 10 new offices, and seen AUM increase by several billion dollars.

Schwab will donate to Harlem Lacrosse on behalf of AdvicePeriod, LLC.

TRAILBLAZER IMPACT AWARD: Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo, LLC

Recognizes a firm that is forging new ground in the independent advice space by combining entrepreneurial spirit with a drive to advance the industry’s interests.

Based in Florida, with offices in Orlando and Melbourne, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo, LLC, has $625 million in AUM, and offers integrated advice and asset management services to address clients’ financial needs. The firm works to advance the profession by advocating within industry groups, as well as to government, media, and the public. They do this in several ways:

• The firm’s principals have been deeply involved in industry organizations for over 20 years. Their efforts include writing the original set of Practice Standards for the CFP Board, serving on the Board of Directors for CFP Board, leading local and state chapters and the national board of the Financial Planning Association, and sitting on the Board of Trustees for the Foundation for Financial Planning as well as the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Financial Planning.
• The firm is actively working with industry organizations to expand the ranks of the financial planning profession. The firm’s professionals are active participants in the lobbying efforts of FPA of Florida to promote financial literacy and members of the Advisory Council for the Personal Financial Planning program at University of South Florida.

Schwab will donate to the Foundation for Financial Planning on behalf of Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo, LLC.

BEST-IN-RETIREMENT BUSINESS AWARD: PCS Retirement, LLC

The Best-in-Retirement Business Award honors an independent record keeper or advisor that focuses on retirement plans, understands the unique needs of plan sponsors and/or participants, and has developed an innovative approach to serving them.

Based in Philadelphia and founded in 2001, PCS Retirement, LLC, oversees more than $23 billion in retirement plan assets. PCS Retirement offers a high-touch, comprehensive qualified retirement plan program with cutting-edge technology in a low-cost, independent, and conflict-free package. The firm provides advisors with the ability to create customized programs and offers innovative tools and fiduciary support. Relying heavily on technology, PCS is innovating in the retirement industry in the following ways:

• The firm’s proprietary software helps financial professionals operate more efficiently. The Advisor Lab 401(k) Toolkit ^SM help advisors identify prospective clients, generate insight reports, and prepare effective sales quickly and affordably.
• PCS launched a “no funds to push or hidden agenda” unlimited funds list, building it to a diverse menu of more than 21,600 funds. If a fund pays revenue, the firm recaptures it and offsets it dollar-for-dollar against fees or rebates it to participants.
• The firm created the only industry benchmarking report designed to assist independent advisors in transitioning commission-laden plans to the fee model.

Schwab will donate to American Cancer Society on behalf of PCS Retirement, LLC.

About the IMPACT Awards

Independent investment advisors have fundamentally changed the financial services landscape by providing client-centric, independent advice to investors. Established in 2006 by Charles Schwab, the IMPACT Awards honor firms that have advanced the industry and have achieved success through exemplary business practices.

Winning firms were selected by a panel of distinguished financial services leaders. Schwab donates $1,000 to nonprofit organizations selected by each of the judges in appreciation of their efforts.

This year’s panel of judges included:

• Blaine Aikin, CEO, Fi360 and CEFEX
• Geoffrey E. Brown, CEO, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
• Julie Littlechild, President, AbsoluteEngagement.com
• Kevin Keller, CEO, CFP Board of Standards, Inc.
• Thomas Robinson, President and CEO, AACSB International
• Sean Walters, Executive Director and CEO, Investments & Wealth Institute

In addition to the IMPACT Awards, Schwab engages in a range of efforts to advance the independent advisory industry. Initiatives include supporting nonprofit organizations and universities as well as amplifying the voice of independent advisors in Washington, D.C., on regulatory and public affairs issues. Schwab also maintains a national TV, print, and digital advertising and educational campaign that aims to increase awareness of the independent advisory model among high-net-worth investors.

For more information about the IMPACT Awards program, visit impact.schwab.com/awards.

Follow @Schwab4RIAs and #SchwabIMPACT on Twitter for news and updates from Schwab IMPACT^® 2019.

About Charles Schwab

At Charles Schwab we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients’ goals with passion and integrity.

More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Disclosures

Through its operating subsidiaries, The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money management and financial advisory services to individual investors and independent investment advisors. Its broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (member SIPC, www.sipc.org), and affiliates offer a complete range of investment services and products including an extensive selection of mutual funds; financial planning and investment advice; retirement plan and equity compensation plan services; compliance and trade monitoring solutions; referrals to independent fee-based investment advisors; and custodial, operational and trading support for independent, fee-based investment advisors through Schwab Advisor Services. Its banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides banking and lending services and products. More information is available at www.schwab.com and www.aboutschwab.com.

Brokerage Products: Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value

The above mentioned firms and their employees are not affiliated with or employees of Schwab, unless otherwise noted. This should not be construed as a recommendation, endorsement, or sponsorship by Schwab. The views expressed are those of the third party and are provided for informational purposes only. Experiences expressed are not guarantee of future performance or success and may not be representative of your experience.

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support of Schwab.

Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab. For informational purposes only.

©2019 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

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Source: The Charles Schwab Corporation

Meredith Richard
Schwab Corporate Public Relations
646-343-7419
meredith.richard@schwab.com

Travis Fishstein
The Neibart Group
718-801-8205
sas@neibartgroup.com