News from FPA of Minnesota

Your Partner in Planning

September 5, 2023

September Chapter Meeting: Rethinking 60/40 asset allocation

Joint Meeting with the CFA Society of Minnesota

Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 7-10 a.m.

Chapter meetings are held at Golden Valley's beautiful

Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom. You are also welcome to attend remotely.

ASCEND Conference: Register now for our biggest event of the year!

Tuesday-Wednesday, Nov. 7-8

Sign up now for the 2023 ASCEND Conference, one of the most enlightening financial conferences in the country, and earn up to 14 hours of CE credits!

Conference information:

• Agenda
• Speakers
• Cost
• Partners
• Scholarship Application

ASCEND Conference speaker spotlight: Dr. Michael Thomas

Keynote Speaker Tuesday, Nov. 7

Our ASCEND Conference welcomes some fantastic presenters - including opening keynote speaker Dr. Michael Thomas.

Dr. Thomas is the founder of Modom Solutions and serves as a lecturer at the University of Georgia. His research focuses on understanding empathy and self-compassion’s impact on financial well-being, and how data visualization influences financial behavior. 

Dr. Thomas's presentation, "Financial Empathy: Understanding Story Truth," sheds light on the growing importance of empathy in financial planning beyond portfolio design. This concept is explored through three key empathy constructs: cognitive, emotional and compassionate.

The benefits of financial empathy extend to improved decision-making aligned with clients' emotions and values, reduced client stress during financial turbulence, increased trust in recommendations and heightened professional satisfaction for advisors.

ASCEND Conference information.

Not to miss: September's social events

DEI Book Club Meeting

Thursday, Sept. 14, from 4-5:15 p.m.

FPA MN's next book club meeting is at the Scout Workshop in Minneapolis, where we'll discuss The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap by Mehrsa Baradaran. This book studies the crucial role that financial structures have played in creating and maintaining racial inequalities in the United States.

If you can't access The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap, email [email protected], and you'll be provided the necessary resources for full participation.

More information and registration.

New Member Networking Breakfast and Bingo

Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 7:30-9 a.m.

Let's do it again! FPA MN is thrilled to announce the second gathering this year for new members. We're confident that you'll thoroughly enjoy it!

For those who have become part of our community since 2022, we extend an invitation to join us for an entertaining networking event. In addition to Bingo and a complimentary breakfast, you'll have the chance to connect with board members, officers, partners, and former presidents who are enthusiastic about embracing you into our chapter.

The networking event takes place at the Egg and I restaurant in St. Paul and comes at no cost to all our new members.

Secure your spot by registering today!

Member shoutout: Greg Goin

In September, we're celebrating Greg Goin, a three-year FPA MN and ASCEND Committee member. Greg, the regional vice president of Equitable Distributors, is deeply committed to advancing the field of financial planning and fostering meaningful connections.

"Receiving my CFP® certification in 2012 was a milestone that was both a personal and a professional development goal. Over the years, I've used the power of financial planning to enhance my own life and financial professionals lives. Financial planning brings clarity, coordination and commitment to aspirations. Because of advanced software, the accessibility to dynamic planning tools empowers me to deliver even greater value, enabling me to forge deeper relationships with financial professionals."

Greg's involvement in FPA MN has grown throughout the years. He attended the 2018 Symposium, an experience that provided industry insights and valuable networking opportunities. Subsequently, in 2019 he became increasingly involved through the Allianz sponsorship. Greg spent the last three years contributing to making the ASCEND Conference the outstanding event it is today.  

"Having the opportunity to build local connections is my purpose for being part of FPA. I've met so many wonderful people. It's inspired me to become more involved and find a way to give back, which I've been able to do by volunteering my time on the ASCEND Committee. The conference is so well-run and always has excellent attendance; I'm grateful to have a hand in shaping it every year!"

Learn more about the ASCEND Conference Committee.

Equitable Distributors and the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota are not affiliated companies.

Variable Annuity products are issued by Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (NY, NY) or Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America, an Arizona stock company and are distributed by Equitable Distributors, LLC.

For Financial Professional Use only/Not for Distribution to the public

Upcoming events and deadlines

• DEI Book Club Meeting - Sept. 14
• Chapter Meeting - Sept. 19
• ASCEND Conference Scholarship deadline - Sept. 30
• New Member Networking Breakfast - Oct. 3
• NAPFA DEI Certificate & Training Program - Oct. 11
• NexGen Casual Coffee Social - Oct. 26
• 2023 ASCEND Conference - Nov. 7-8

Partner spotlight: September 2023

Founded in 1997, Stonebridge Capital Advisors is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisor with an established focus on customized investment management services. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, we partner with financial advisors to help them meet their clients’ individual investment goals through customized SMA strategies.

As an independent investment manager, we are passionate about creating an environment where our advisors can focus on growing their business, while utilizing Stonebridge as their third-party asset manager.