BOSTON, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Client 1st Financial, LLC, a financial services firm based in Fogelsville, PA, led by President & CEO Michael Fischer, CLU, ChFC, CASL, was named by John Hancock Financial Network (JHFN) as its Practice of the Year for excellence in several key areas of practice management and client service as judged by an independent panel of experts.
"Two things come to mind when I hear Michael Fischer say that his firm's top priority is helping clients achieve the life, prosperity and legacy they desire – one is that he really means it, and the second is that they're really good at it," said Brian Heapps, president, JHFN. "I congratulate Michael and would say that it's not a surprise that Client 1st Financial has captured the top spot in our independent review of practice management and client service."
As part of the selection process for the award, sponsored by National Financial, the correspondent clearing business unit of Fidelity Investments, Client 1st Financial, an affiliate of Keystone Financial Management, underwent a rigorous assessment conducted by international management consulting firm Business Health, which reviewed client management, internal planning and structure, external relations, staffing and technology capabilities, and overall practice performance.
"In what was an extremely tight competition the external judging panel has awarded the 2012 Practice Of The Year to Michael Fischer on behalf of Client 1st Financial," said Rod Bertino, principal, Business Health Pty Ltd. "Michael was a finalist in 2011 and using the insights gained through the rigorous judging process last year has been able to take his business to the next level."
Added Christopher Maryanopolis, president, Signator Investors Inc, JHFN's broker dealer, "While all of our Practice of the Year finalists have been able to grow their business in spite of the difficult external market conditions recently, the principals of these practices have remained committed to their client-centric business models and continued to invest heavily in developing both the people and the processes that underpin their operations. I commend Michael for leading our field and his firm's outstanding work."
"National Financial is proud to be a sponsor of the John Hancock Financial Network Practice of the Year award," said Sanjiv Mirchandani, president of National Financial®. "A competition that rewards excellence in practice management and client service is recognizing the values that can help drive the future of the advice business. We should all pay attention to leaders in this area."
To be considered for Practice of the Year, JHFN's financial professionals and advisors registered and completed Business Health's HealthCheck, a web-based business assessment tool that benchmarks a practice in several areas. Among all the HealthCheck submissions received, 5 semi-finalists were selected to receive a site visit from Business Health. Business Health and a panel of outside experts selected the winner.
About National Financial
John Hancock Financial Network's Practice of the Year Award is made possible in part due to its relationship with National Financial®the correspondent clearing business unit of Fidelity Investments®. National Financial, a Fidelity Investments company, offers broker-dealer firms a comprehensive clearing platform that includes a dedicated service model, a powerful global trading platform, and a source of leading investment solutions, all designed to help them grow confidently. A leading clearing provider in the U.S. for over 30 years, National Financial leverages the strength, resources, and experience of the Fidelity organization, one of the world's largest providers of financial services. As of September 30, 2012, National Financial serves nearly 270 broker-dealers representing nearly $425 billion in assets under administration. For more information about National Financial, please visit www.nationalfinancial.com.
National Financial and Fidelity Investments are registered marks of FMR LLC.
About Client 1st Financial
With over 24 years of experience in the financial services industry, Mike Fischer has earned a reputation among his clients as someone who listens to his clients and keeps their interests first. Joined by an experienced team of six other professionals, Client 1st Financial continues to separate itself from the herd in the financial services industry by providing focused planning services that provide straight forward answers in a fashion that's easy to understand. Visit www.client1stfinancial.com.
About Business Health
Business Health is an international consulting firm specializing in the financial services industry. Business Health has developed and marketed a suite of unique and exclusive business diagnostic tools which are supported by a range of specialized consultancy services.
About John Hancock Financial Network
John Hancock Financial Network is a national network of independent firms with approximately 1,900 financial professionals across the U.S. A leader with the stability and scale to offer an innovative business model, John Hancock Financial Network gives entrepreneurial financial professionals the power to effectively build unique businesses, based on their own vision and market opportunity. For more information on John Hancock Financial Network and its national network of independent firms, visit https://www.johnhancockfinancialnetwork.com.
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Signator Investors, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, a registered investment advisor. 197 Clarendon St., Boston, MA 02116.
SOURCE John Hancock Financial Network