| XML Financial group is a wealth management firm. Our clients are families and business owners predominantly of the “Baby Boom” generation. We work closely with our clients and their other professional advisors to address all facets of their financial lives. |
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In 2004 three established Financial Advisors from a large Wall Street firm set out on a mission to create a boutique independent financial services firm they could be proud of. They sought to provide advice and guidance to their clients without the questionable pressures a large firm may bring. They looked for a platform that offered products for no other reason than because they were best in class.
The partners also knew that as entrepreneurs, they’d be able to relate better to their clients, many of whom run successful companies and built their wealth through their own hard work. They knew that they could differentiate themselves from the herd of advisors that aren’t willing to step away from big brands because they believed in themselves and the quality of advice and guidance they brought to each client relationship.
Most importantly, they could build an infrastructure that served their needs, which ultimately allows them to serve their clients needs. On that foundation, the XML Financial Group was born.
| Committed to our independence every step of the way |
| Superior technology, support and service were our priorities when selecting a broker/dealer. We knew that in order to deliver a first class client experience, our professionals needed to affiliate with a broker/dealer that is reputable and cutting–edge. After an extensive due diligence search, LPL Financial was the standout broker/dealer of choice. While the XML Financial Group continues to monitor and analyze the independent broker/dealer industry, LPL Financial continues to deliver their part of the equation with high standards. Most importantly, however, is how LPL Financial is different. It is not an investment bank. It does not provide loans to hedge funds or other speculators. Unlike other types of brokerage firms, LPL Financial does not maintain an inventory of investments, which means that their liquidity does not decline with the decrease of securities’ values. Simply stated, their platform is a technology and service partner to advisors and financial institutions as opposed to a traditional wirehouse business model that takes on additional risks. Formed in 1989 through the merger of two smaller, but successful brokerage firms, Linsco (established in 1968) and Private Ledger (founded in 1973), LPL Financial sought to create a formidable alternative to Wall Street firms, one in which financial advisors could build highly competitive businesses while always doing what was right for their clients. Today, LPL Financial is the largest independent broker/dealer in the country*, ser ving approximately 16,000 Financial Advisors with nearly 2,700 employees. * As reported in Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2010, based on total revenues. |
| LPL Account Protection |
| LPL Financial’s SIPC membership provides account protection up to a maximum of $500,000 per customer, of which $100,000 may be claims for cash. For an explanatory brochurevisit www.sipc.org. Additionally, through London Insurers, LPL Financial accounts have additional securities protection to cover the net equity of customer accounts up to an overall aggregate firm limit of $575,000,000, subject to conditions and limitations. The account protection applies when a SIPC member firm fails financially and is unable to meet 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. |
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Brett Shane Bernstein, CFP® Managing Partner |
| Brett Bernstein is a Managing Partner and co-founding Partner of the XML Financial Group. Mr. Bernstein serves as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, head of operations, and leads the firm’s estate and trust transactions. Previously, he was a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, where he was designated Sales Manager for a complex that managed over $5 billion in assets. Education & Philanthropy Mr. Bernstein received a bachelor of science degree in finance from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and continued his education at Georgetown University where he completed his Certified Financial Plannertm designation. He is a volunteer for the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Board of Examiners. Brett serves as the membership chairman and is the Vice President of the Board of Directors for Lakewood Country Club; he is a member of the EagleBank Foundation Golf Committee; and he is Vice Chairman of the GW Cancer Institute Advisory Board. |
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Michael Patrick Jacobs, CFP® Managing Partner |
| Michael Jacobs is a Managing Partner and co-founding Partner of the XML Financial Group. Mr. Jacobs serves as the firm’s Chief Financial Officer and plays a pivotal role in its merger and acquisition activity. Previously, Michael was a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch. Mr. Jacobs also served as Vice President of Classic Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of precision medical devices. Education & Philanthropy Mr. Jacobs received a bachelor of science degree with a dual major in finance and accounting from Loyola College in Baltimore and furthered his education at the College for Financial Planning where he earned his Certified Financial PlannerTM designation. He is also a graduate of Gonzaga College High School. Michael holds several board seats for organizations including: the Mental Health Association of Montgomery County, Gonzaga College High School Development Committee, and the Planned Giving Council for Catholic University. He is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery and an active parishioner at Blessed Sacrament in Chevy Chase. |
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Robert D. Kantor, ARPC Managing Partner |
| Robert Kantor is a Managing Partner and co-founding Partner of the XML Financial Group. Mr. Kantor serves as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. He also serves as the head of the firm’s investment committee, which drives asset allocation strategies and investment securities selection. Previously, he was a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, where he specialized in custom retirement plan design. He also served on the Advisory Counsel to Management and was a founder of the Charity Giving Committee. Education & Philanthropy Mr. Kantor received a bachelor of science degree in business management from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and continued his education through the Society of Administrators and Record Keepers earning the title of Accredited Retirement Plan Consultant. Rob serves as the Golf Chairman for both the Amity Club of Washington and Lakewood Country Club. He has served as a Lakewood Country Club board member and sits on the Board of the National Capital Area Alzheimer’s Association. |
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Kevin Patrick Peters Financial Consultant Managing Partner XML Insurance Group |
| Mr. Peters has been in the financial services industry for the past ten years, specializing in Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Long-Term Care and Estate Planning, as well as a variety of Business Insurance Planning. While working at one of the industry’s largest insurance companies, Mr. Peters hired, trained, and developed new insurance professionals and assisted them in growing their businesses and becoming financial advisors. During that time, Mr. Peters also helped small and medium-sized local businesses develop design comprehensive benefits plans. With a strong desire to provide his clients with independent insurance planning recommendations, Mr. Peters established his own independent insurance company in 2003, Benefits Insurance Group, Inc., which would eventually merge with XML Financial Group to become XML Insurance Group. Mr. Peters is one of the founding members of the Washington, DC metropolitan chapter of the National Aging In Place Council (NAIPC), which assists in providing education and resources to the local aging population. Additionally, Mr. Peters serves as the President of the Board of Directors for a local non-profit organization in Washington, DC, the Kingman Boys and Girls Club. | |
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Jason Elliot Klopman Senior Financial Consultant |
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| Mr. Klopman is a Senior Financial Consultant with XML Financial Group and has been in the financial services industry for the past five years. His specialty revolves around financial planning and asset allocation strategies. Through his training with one of Wall Street’s largest financial institutions and then XML Financial Group, Mr. Klopman acquired the necessary skills to help continue to build XML Financial Group’s practice. He is a key component to the analysis, preparation and implementation elements of the financial planning process. Education & Philanthropy Mr. Klopman graduated from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of business with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. He then went on to continue his education with Kaplan University, completing requirements to sit before the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards to obtain his CFP® designation. Mr. Klopman volunteers at various food drives for MANNA Foodbank and supports the American Diabetes Association. |
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Jonathan C. Lowe Senior Financial Consultant |
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| Mr. Lowe has been in the financial services industry as a financial consultant for the past twelve years. Jon’s primary responsibility at XML is managing client risk through asset allocation. He currently sits on the Executive Board for a local charity benefiting The American Diabetes Association, and volunteers regularly for groups such as the JUST TRYAN IT (helping kids with Cancer), SOME (so others may eat), and the Joslin Diabetes Center. Jonathan attended East Carolina University, where he concentrated his studies in Business and Finance. Originally from Kensington Maryland, Jon currently resides there now with his wife Grace and son Max. | ||
| Committed to our independence every step of the way |
| XML Financial Group is an independent financial services and wealth management firm. After nearly forty years of combined experience with one of the largest financial services firms, the founders of XML deliver a first class experience that addressesasset titling and estate planning needs, philanthropic planning, tax planning,comprehensive insurance planning, retirement planning (including plan design and forecasting), and traditional investment management.Using an open architecture allows the team at XML Financial Group to reach across product platforms and address the most unique financial circumstances with unbiased advice. Guidance is built on a disciplined foundation that incorporates three key cornerstones and philosophies: |
| DISCIPLINED |
| At XML Financial Group our professionals do not trade stocks, time the market, or waiver from recommended allocations and managers. As financial advisors affiliated with LPL Financial, we generate most of our revenue from asset management fees rather than commissions, thus many potential conflicts of interest are removed. While there are always appropriate times to reevaluate portfolios and other plan strategies, the XML philosophy is designed to address long-term objectives taking into account a practical approach to the client’s day-to-day needs. |
| INTERLOCKED |
| Understanding that additional advisors in your life are beneficial to the overall process and success of a plan, the XML Financial Group encourages and often facilitates collaboration with your CPA, attorney and other trusted advisors. Creating a strong line of communication between all parties greatly improves the experience for the client and, more importantly, the chance of successfully reaching realistic goals. This comprehensive approach begins with: |
| PRINCIPLED |
| The XML Financial Group does not sell proprietary products: ever.Consistently keeping the client’s best interests first, regardless of potential financial gain, is our number one priority. Our use of an independent broker/ dealer compliments that philosophy and translates to the delivery of:
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