The Incredible Rise Of Independent Financial Group
A conversation with IFG’s Managing Director, David Fischer
Q: Take an existing independent rep looking to make a switch. Why should they choose Independent Financial Group, LLC (IFG) as their broker-dealer?
A: Making Waves with A Fresh Approach is what we do best. We’re able to operate small while still competing with the big names. We maintain a very personalized approach to service; carefully attuned to the needs of our advisors based on their business models as well as their personal goals. All this comes with a big payoff. We’ve built a strong reputation based on relationships, one advisor at a time. It sounds cliché to say that we’re unlike anyone else, but we are.
Q: What was your goal in starting a new broker-dealer?
A: Thirteen years ago, the original vision developed organically out of a feeling of growing disillusionment with broker-dealers in general. At the time, we were all working for big brokerdealers. Frustrations with the way they were doing business led to the discovery that we could only actualize change by taking a risk and creating something new. In essence, our goal was just to be better and together – we’ve accomplished just that.
Q: We’ve seen IFG a lot in the news lately. Of all the accomplishments, which one are you the most proud of?
A: Every time we’re recognized for our success, it’s an honor. Nothing is more satisfying than knowing our advisors are happy here. We’ve consistently scored highly (last year 9.7 out of 10 in rep satisfaction2) according to our reps themselves. We’re not only succeeding financially but we’re making a positive impact on the individuals we work so hard to support. That kind of reward is the most profitable.
Q: What does Independence, Perfected mean?
A: It means we do business every day with you, the advisor, in mind coupled with a simple, consistent, common sense approach to business. We foster an environment free from quotas, bias, proprietary products, corporate influence. After years of working with huge b-ds, we’re done with all that. We keep an open line of communication with our advisors, an open door policy.
Q: IFG has caught up - surpassed in some instances, its competition out there. How have you done this in such a short amount of time?
A: We continue to stay true to the fundamentals. We provide a down-to-earth and personalized approach to back office support and make sure our advisor needs always come first. The formula works for us and we’re sticking to it.
IFG’s corporate office supports more than 600 independent registered representatives across the country, with offices now in Puerto Rico and Israel. IFG has been named locally by the San Diego Business Journal as one of San Diego’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies for the past several years. Their notable success has been recognized in numerous financial services industry publications. Independent Financial Group has also gained Inc. Magazine’s Honor Roll status for multiple consecutive mentions on their annual Inc.500|5000 list.
2Ranked by Wealth Management Magazine’s 2015 Independent Broker-Dealer Survey
CONTACT: David A. Fischer, Managing Director | Independent Financial Group, LLC
www.ifgsd.com | 12671 High Bluff Dr., Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92130 | 800.269.1903 | [email protected]