Northwestern Mutual, a financial services company based in Milwaukee, has opened two new offices in the New York City metropolitan area staffed with advisors who reflect the communities they serve, according to a news release.

“This exciting expansion is an opportunity to deliver financial planning solutions to historically underserved communities,” said Tim Gerend, chief distribution officer of Northwestern Mutual, in a news release. “We’re looking forward to developing deep community relationships in both Harlem and Cedarhurst—providing meaningful financial guidance to clients and offering rewarding career opportunities to current and future advisors.”

Financial advisor Anthony Williams, who graduated with a major in finance from Howard University, will lead the firm’s new Harlem office. His team will include several financial professionals who grew up in the neighborhood or nearby in the Bronx. 

The Harlem team will draw on their understanding of area residents to identify opportunities for financial education and support of businesses owned by Black, Latinx and other historically underrepresented groups, the news release said. As the team works to grow its presence in the area, it will focus recruiting efforts locally and within historically Black colleges and universities. 

Financial advisor Moshe Alpert, who majored in finance at Touro College, will oversee the firm’s new office in the predominately Orthodox Jewish Five Towns community of Nassau County, Long Island. 

Williams and Alpert will work in close partnership with Steve Abbass, a managing partner who collaborated with Northwestern Mutual’s new Distribution Growth Ventures group to identify the opportunities in Harlem and Cedarhurst, the news release said.

Northwestern Mutual Distribution Growth Ventures is focused on underpenetrated market expansion, competitive recruitment and other innovation within the company’s distribution system.