Top Financial Advisors in Hartford, CT

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Bradley, Foster & Sargent (BFS) comes in first on our list of Hartford's top-rated financial advisor firms, as well as our list of the top financial advisors in Connecticut.

BFS employs a large team of financial advisors, who work mainly with individuals with and without a high net worth. The firm also maintains relationships with pension plans, profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, businesses, a pooled investment vehicle and an investment company. 

There isn't a specific minimum account size at BFS, but the firm does charge a $5,000 minimum annual fee. Additionally, if you're referred to the firm through either the Schwab Advisor Network or the Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions Program, you'll need a balance of $500,000 or $250,000, respectively.

BFS is a fee-only firm, so it only receives income from client-paid fees. That means that it does not, for instance, accept third-party commissions for insurance sales. The financial advisors at BFS hold a number of certifications, including the chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified financial planner (CFP) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations.

Bradley, Foster & Sargent Background

Bradley, Foster & Sargent was established in 1994. The firm currently has 13 principal owners, all of whom are employees of the firm. Robert H. Bradley acts as chairman, and he's the only principal to own more than 25% of the firm's shares. 

BFS focuses mainly on investment advisory and portfolio management. While it does provide financial planning and consultation services, this accounts for a relatively small part of the firm's overall business.

Bradley, Foster & Sargent Investment Strategy

Bradley, Foster & Sargent makes an effort to create investment plans that fit the specific needs of each of its clients. To effectively do so, advisors use a wide range of strategies, investments and methods of analysis. The firm places significant emphasis on determining an effective asset allocation that incorporates strong diversification.

Since capital preservation is one of the primary goals of the firm, it typically invests according to long-term strategies that incorporate equities, fixed-income securities and cash. That being said, the firm believes that equities are the best way of crafting an effective client portfolio. The firm does not look to utilize market-timing strategies, though.

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Next on our Hartford list is HFM Wealth Management, a fee-only firm. HFM does not have a minimum account size for its advisory services, but it does require a $7,500 minimum annual fee (which may be cost-prohibitive for smaller account sizes).

Most of the firm's clients are individuals without a high net worth, but it also works with high-net-worth individuals, banking institutions, pension plans, profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charities and businesses. HFM's team of financial advisors includes the certification of chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and certified financial planners (CFPs).

As a fee-only firm, HFM doesn't earn any income outside of its standard advisory fees.

HFM Wealth Management Background

HFM Wealth Management has been in business since 1989. R. Dario Quiros, the firm’s founder and sole principal owner, currently serves as president. Quiros has more than 50 years of experience in the financial services industry.

HFM provides a wide variety of in-depth financial advisory services that are centered around portfolio management and financial planning. These could include cash flow and debt analysis, estate planning, retirement planning and more. When it comes to investment management, the firm manages almost all of its assets on a discretionary basis, meaning HFM advisors have full control over client accounts and do not need to consult clients when making individual transactions. 

HFM Wealth Management Investment Strategy

HFM Wealth Management looks to match its investment strategies to the individual needs of each client, and it particularly considers its clients' risk tolerance. The firm also takes into account each client's time horizon, income needs and financial goals. Based on this information, the firm will look to create a diversified asset allocation plan that's focused on long-term investments and capital preservation.

Portfolios typically comprise individual securities, including stocks, bonds and other fixed-income securities, money market funds and, to a lesser extent, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). When deciding which investments are best suited for your portfolio, advisors rely on fundamental and cyclical analysis far more than technical analysis and charting.

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3D/L Capital management rounds out our Hartford List. The firm offers advisory services of investment management, financial planning, pension consulting and sub-advisory. The firm provides services to investment advisers, corporations, institutions, individuals and other legal entities. The firm is a fee-only advisor which means it doesn't receive any commissions for the sale of securities and the minimum account requirement to open an account varies by account type. 

3D/L Capital Management Background

3D/L Capital Management was founded in 2006 by Joseph L. Demmler and John O'Connor. Today the firm boats 10 advisors who collectively manage more than $650 million in assets under management. 

3D/L Capital Management Investment Strategy

The firm looks to create investment strategies that align with the individual needs of each client, especially when it comes to its clients' risk tolerance. The firm also provides portfolio modeling to its clients in order to base investment decisions. The firm typically uses some or all of these types of investments in its portfolio decisions: 

• U.S. and non-U.S. securities
• No-load mutual funds
• Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
• Certificates of deposit
• Bonds
• Interval funds
• Group annuity accounts