AKRON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Valmark Advisers, Inc., a subsidiary of Valmark Financial Group, LLC, celebrates achieving $10 billion in assets under management and advisement through its SEC-registered investment adviser. As one of the country’s top back-office firms supporting multi-disciplinary wealth management practices, Valmark traces its beginnings to 1963 as a life insurance general agency and producer group.
In 1997, Valmark expanded its offerings through the additions of Valmark Securities (a FINRA-registered broker-dealer) and Valmark Advisers, Inc (a SEC-registered investment adviser). Today, Valmark is uniquely positioned to offer its Member Firms and clients a platform of products, services, and advice that seamlessly integrates insurance, investment advisory and broker-dealer solutions. As a result of continued strong growth over the last two decades, fee-based investment advisory is now the largest portion of Valmark’s revenue, followed closely by the company’s life insurance business.
“I joined Valmark in September 2003, when we only had about $150 million in AUM, with only about $5 million of that managed internally,” said Michael McClary, Chief Investment Officer, Valmark Financial Group. “Over the past two decades, our team has done an unbelievable job in growing our firm in partnership with our Member Firms and institutional customers. Further, we have been able to grow our assets organically without a single acquisition, building one account at a time.”
Valmark estimates its assets under management and advisement rank it near the top 50 RIAs in the country, most of which have grown by acquisition (Source: Financial Advisor Magazine RIA Survey & Ranking 2024). Valmark believes there are only a handful of firms in the U.S. who have grown organically in the way that it has.
“This is a testament to our investment offerings, culture, and the amazing people we serve,” said McClary.
The Valmark Portfolio Management Team focuses primarily on asset allocation, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), fixed income, and derivatives. However, they support a wide portfolio of offerings designed to serve investors with a well-rounded offering. Launched in 2002, Valmark’s TOPS® ETF portfolio offering is one of the longest running and largest ETF portfolio offerings available. Likewise, Valmark manages investment assets for about 20 different life insurance companies and several derivative-based strategies (involving both futures and options).
In 2021, Valmark launched its innovative TOPS® Global Equity Target Range™ Index, which serves as the reference index for the WisdomTree Target Range Fund, an options-based ETF pairing diversified underlying global exposure with options-based risk management.
“As we celebrate this significant milestone, the majority of the credit belongs to our dedicated employees and Member Firms,” said Lawrence J. Rybka, JD, CFP®, Chairman & CEO of Valmark Financial Group. “While ETFs are now firmly established as a low cost, transparent building block at many asset management firms, we were pioneers in this space. Michael has done a tremendous job of helping our firms lead this part of the business. We continue to be ahead of much larger players when it comes to innovation in this space.”
David McKechnie, Founder of Beauport Financial Services in Gloucester, MA, a Valmark Member for 20 years, has experienced the benefits of partnering with Valmark. “It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to partner and grow alongside Valmark,” said McKechnie. “From Day 1, we have been growing together in unison. We have pushed each other to improve our businesses, our communities, and ourselves.”
Frank Bevilacqua II, President of W3 Wealth Management in Akron, OH, another Valmark Member for 20 years, reached out to congratulate Valmark stating, “W3 would not be where it is today if it were not for my dad’s decision to partner with Valmark in 2003. Congratulations to Larry, Caleb, Michael and the entire Valmark team on this significant milestone.”
As Valmark continues to build on its legacy of excellence, Caleb Callahan, CFP®, President of Valmark Financial Group, shares his optimistic outlook for the company’s future. "Valmark has a storied history and a legacy of excellence that is truly unmatched. Our firm has never been stronger or better positioned to serve our partners and clients than we are today. As we look toward the future, we are more committed than ever to upholding our tradition of innovation, unwavering support for those we serve, and sole purpose to Bring the Golden Rule to Life."
About Valmark Financial Group, LLC
Valmark Financial Group is a holding company of several subsidiaries, including Executive Insurance Agency, Inc., a national producer group; Valmark Securities, Inc., a broker-dealer and member of both FINRA and SIPC; Valmark Advisers, Inc., a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser; and the Valmark Policy Management Company, LLC, which provides ongoing policy management and monitoring services for life insurance policyholders. With a proud history of working with independently owned financial services firms committed to high ethical standards in over 30 states throughout the United States, Valmark offers a wide range of insurance and investment solutions for high net-worth clients. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio with operations in St. Paul, Minnesota, Valmark, through its affiliated entities, has helped its member firms place over $60 billion of life insurance death benefits and manage insurance policies with a cumulative cash value of over $8 billion dollars. Valmark’s affiliated RIA, Valmark Advisers, has an estimated $10 billion in assets under management and advisement, including approximately $1.2 billion in variable sub-account assets within its TOPS® funds. To learn more about Valmark Financial Group, visit www.valmarkfg.com. To learn more about the TOPS® program, visit www.topsfunds.com.
Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory services offered through Valmark Advisers, Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisor.
