Image of Ryan, Financial Advisor

Ryan Bond

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West Chester, PA

Quotation marks

I'm committed to fostering genuine friendships with my clients, moving beyond a transactional or rigid professional relationship. I want my clients to consider me a friend they can grab a drink or dinner with.

Philosophy

Committed to providing a personalized and holistic financial planning approach to his clients. He aims to establish a strong, enduring partnership with clients, focusing on financial coaching, goal tracking, and legacy planning.

Expertise

Estate planning, legacy planning, options packages, and alternatives investing. Employs low-cost strategies, often utilizing index funds and structured products to benefit his clients' portfolios.

Client Range

Works with clients in the technology sector, particularly CEOs, CTOs, and CIOs, and serves clients in multiple states across the United States. His average client holds invested assets ranging from $1-3 million.

How did you become a financial advisor?

I am a senior financial advisor and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ at Savvy. My journey into the financial advisory field began about eight years ago. I initially launched my career as an intern at Morgan Stanley during my college years. Subsequently, I transitioned to a position at Pennington Partners, a smaller firm, where I managed SMA (Separately Managed Accounts) portfolios. I oversaw several hundred million dollars on their platform for a couple of years.

My commitment to advancing my expertise led me to Vanguard, where I achieved the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation. Over the next three years, I worked as an advisor on their platform. More recently, I spent a couple of years with Personal Capital, which was later acquired by Empower. In the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving as an advisor with both firms.

Now, I am excited to be part of the Savvy team. In just a few months, I have been able to rapidly grow my client portfolio, thanks to a supportive team that has assisted me with all operational aspects, ensuring a smooth transition and onboarding process.

What types of clients do you work with?

I primarily work with clients from the tech industry, often holding executive roles like CEOs, CTOs, and CIOs in various tech companies nationwide. My client base is diverse and spans multiple states, including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, and California. On average, my clients are in their 50s or early 60s, approaching retirement, with an average assets under management (AUM) ranging from one to three million dollars. I maintain a high-touch approach with my clients, preferring to engage in four to six conversations annually, focusing on fostering a collaborative partnership.

My expertise lies in holistic financial planning, working to help that clients' financial goals are met and that family legacies are well-preserved for future generations.

Is there a unique approach you take?

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, I hold one of the highest designations in the financial planning field. Additionally, I am a relatively young professional, with eight years of industry experience. While some may have concerns about working with a younger advisor, it's important to note that many advisors in the industry are in their 50s or early 60s, with the average age of an advisor being around 58 years old.

Looking ahead, there is expected to be a significant turnover in the advisory industry over the next seven to ten years as many advisors retire. I understand the apprehension clients may have about their advisors retiring at the same time they are planning their retirement. Working with a younger advisor like me offers the advantage of long-term continuity. I am committed to guiding you through your retirement journey and potentially assisting the next generation, including your children, as they inherit and manage funds. This continuity and long-term commitment are key benefits of collaborating with a younger advisor who has a promising career ahead.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Is there a typical area of expertise that you have?

I have a range of areas of expertise in my financial advisory practice. While I do engage in alternatives investing, including structured notes and products, and some market-linked CDs, I primarily focus on keeping investment costs low and utilize index funds to optimize returns for my clients.

In addition, I specialize in estate planning, offering extensive experience in reviewing documents and assisting clients in developing comprehensive estate plans to ensure the security and preservation of their legacies for future generations. Another area of specialization involves working with clients who have complex options packages, such as RSUs, ESPPs, and ISOs. Together with these clients, I navigate the intricate process of option liquidation, with a focus on tax minimization, while achieving a well-diversified portfolio that avoids overexposure to any single stock within the market.

How do you advise clients on trust, estate, and legacy planning?

When it comes to planning for retirement, my approach varies based on the individual's proximity to retirement. For those in their 20s and 30s, the emphasis is on aggressive growth since time is on their side. However, it's crucial to balance this by avoiding the pitfall of being "retirement rich" and struggling day-to-day, considering that most assets can't be accessed until after 59 and a half.

In their 40s, the strategy maintains a balance, leaning slightly towards ensuring that their retirement assets are robust and ready when needed. As clients enter their 50s or 60s, a more conservative approach is adopted. This stage involves preserving, growing, and generating income. The focus shifts from aggressive growth to maintaining a stable financial foundation while still incorporating some equity exposure to outpace inflation.

When it comes to wealth generation, many individuals use model portfolios, funds, and similar instruments. My approach involves a diversified mix, incorporating mutual funds, alternative investments such as real estate investment trusts, and blue-chip stocks. While mutual funds and alternative investments may offer stability over the long term, integrating quality stocks introduces the potential for higher returns. However, the addition of stocks requires careful selection, seeking blue-chip stocks with the worst-case scenario being a flat performance while continuing to generate dividends.

Working with Savvy

Working with Savvy has been a great experience. The team's dedication and hard work are truly remarkable. They are fully committed to ensuring the best possible experience for both our advisors and clients. What sets Savvy apart is their focus on developing technology for advisors, which is a refreshing approach. While many companies prioritize client-facing solutions, Savvy recognizes the importance of creating tools and a platform that enhances advisors' efficiency, allowing us to dedicate more time to our clients.

I have the privilege of working with a dedicated support staff. My direct assistant, Shelby assists me with various tasks, including transfers, money movement, and account setup. Additionally, my hiring manager, Alice, has played a crucial role in helping me organize my marketing efforts, outreach, and prospecting for new clients. Their support has been invaluable in getting me up to speed quickly.

The team's relentless work ethic is striking. They embody a New York mentality, consistently putting in long hours and effort to ensure success. It's a testament to their commitment that even late in the evening, when I've encountered issues or found bugs in the platform, the tech team responds within minutes, actively working to address these concerns. Everyone at Savvy is deeply invested in the platform's success, and I'm confident that their collective efforts will help us achieve our goals.

Neither Savvy Wealth nor Savvy Advisors compensates directly for testimonials provided by advisors. However, advisors may have an indirect financial incentive to provide testimonials.

What's your favorite part about working with clients as a financial advisor?

My favorite aspect of working with clients is the diverse range of conversations we have, from discussing their upcoming vacations to deepening our connections. I'm committed to fostering genuine friendships with my clients, moving beyond a transactional or rigid professional relationship. I want my clients to consider me a friend they can grab a drink or dinner with. Fortunately, many of my clients live nearby, allowing me to meet with them in person frequently. This face-to-face interaction helps strengthen our relationships, fine-tune our strategies, and provides a level of personal engagement that wasn't as feasible in my previous roles. Savvy has equipped me with the tools and framework to offer this personalized, in-person touch, enhancing the client experience.

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