HOOVER FINANCIAL NEWS: THOMAS BALIS EARNS APMA® DESIGNATION

Thomas Balis

Malvern, PA – Thomas Balis, an investment manager with Hoover Financial Advisors, PC, recently earned the College for Financial Planning designation of APMA® (Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor). The two-part 150-hour program includes a self-study course, proctored exam and an online graduate course.

To hold the APMA designation, Balis completed a curriculum, which features client assessment and suitability, risk/return, investment objectives, bond and equity portfolios, modern portfolio theory and investor psychology. In addition, hands-on practice elements achieved during the program are analyzing investment policy statements, building portfolios and making asset allocation decisions, such as sell, hold and buy decisions within client portfolios.

“The most important part of the course for me,” says Balis, “is an enhancement of my Investment Policy Statement (IPS) knowledge and how to use its elements as a governing tool while developing client relationships. I now have an academic foundation to help me understand why we, as financial analysts and planners, do what we do. I learned the proper questions to ask to allow us to build right kind of IPS and better understand why we choose one equity index over another. As a result, I feel more qualified to make more effective recommendations for our clients and advance their level of involvement in the investment process,” he concludes.

Hoover Financial Advisors, PC, which is headquartered on Moores Road in Malvern, was launched in 2005 by Pete Hoover, who has been an independent financial advisor for more than 30 years. Earlier this year, HFA was named to the Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers. Since its inception, HFA has quadrupled in size. Staff members include certified financial planners, financial advisors, investment analysts, insurance and tax specialists, attorneys, a certified portfolio manager, and an information services manager. In 2012, HFA was selected as Small Business of the Year by Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry. For more information, visit its website at www.http://petehoover.com or call 610.651.2777.

Hoover Financial Advisors’ Philip Gagliardi Earns Prestigious Destination

Philip A. Gagliardi

Malvern, PA – Philip A. Gagliardi, a planner with Hoover Financial Advisors HFA), recently became one of only 350 individuals in the U.S. to earn the Certified Portfolio Manager® designation. This prestigious program is presented by the Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers and was completed at Columbia University in New York.

The designation, which was created five years ago, is the first of its kind for portfolio managers. To qualify, Gagliardi successfully fulfilled course studies in advanced concepts of Fundamental Analysis, Option Valuation, Foreign Currency Exchange, Credit Default Swap Strategy and Valuation Analytics. He and other designees explored cutting-edge issues in finance and investing with internationally recognized Columbia professors. The program was developed to meet a missing need among money managers enabling them to achieve the highest level of expertise in all facets in an ever-changing global economy.

Gagliardi joined HFA in 2011. Prior to that, he was a trust officer with Charles Schwab Bank in Wilmington, Delaware. Before that he held a similar position with Wachovia Bank in Wilmington. He holds a master’s degree in taxation and financial planning from Widener University, Chester. His Bachelor of Science degree from Cabrini College is in accounting.

“I am now better able to enhance portfolio models for our clients,” says Gagliardi. “The CPM program expanded my practical and pragmatic skills through in-depth theory and insight.” “We are very proud of Phil,” adds Peter K. Hoover, CFP, founder of HFA. “Achieving such a high-level designation is an excellent asset to the firm. Phil’s dedication to serving our clients is evident and testament to his commitment to the industry, as well.”

HFA, which is headquartered on Moores Road in Malvern, was launched in 2005 by Hoover, who has been an independent financial advisor for more than 30 years.  Since its inception, HFA has more than tripled in size. Employees include client relationship managers, financial planners, insurance and tax specialists, investment analyst and an information services manager.  HFA selected as 2012 Small Business of the Year by Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry. For more information, visit its website at http://www.petehoover.com or call 610.651.2777.