Steve Eckroth

I have always been passionate about helping families navigate complex financial issues. Growing up, I spent countless hours watching CNBC with my dad, sparking an early interest in the financial world. As my career progressed, I found immense satisfaction in guiding clients through complex decisions, translating intricate financial solutions into clear, actionable strategies. This ability to simplify the complex is my greatest strength, empowering wealthy clients to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.

My journey into financial planning was profoundly influenced by a pivotal moment during my college years. I sat in on a meeting with a financial advisor from a local bank, my grandmother, and my dad. My grandfather had passed away, leaving my grandmother with $1 million in BP stock, which she lived off of through dividends. The advisor recommended selling the stock to reinvest in mutual funds, which would have incurred a $200,000 capital gains tax. The BP stock could’ve been protected using options, allowing her to live off the dividends for the rest of her life. Further, my family would’ve avoided the capital gains tax entirely due to the step up in basis when she passed. Selling the stock was a poor recommendation, driven by the advisor's potential commission rather than my grandmother's best interests. This experience exposed me to the greed and misguided advice prevalent in the industry and solidified my commitment to doing right by my clients.

Before founding my own firm seven years ago, I spent 20 years as a Private Banker at Wells Fargo and Bank of America. I love solving problems every day, and each client's situation is unique. After 27 years in the field, I've encountered countless challenges, but a truly great day is when a client presents a new one. Despite the differences, all families share a common goal: preserving the wealth they've worked hard to build for future generations. My passion lies in helping clients navigate the burden of passing wealth across multiple generations without disrupting family dynamics—in our opinion this is a skill that few advisors master as effectively as we do.

On the personal front, I am blessed with a wonderful family. My wife, Chrissy, has been a pillar of support throughout my career, enduring long hours and frequent travel during my years as a private banker. Our son, Steven III, is a junior at West Chester, aspiring to become a math teacher while minoring in finance. He’s also an honors student and a basketball referee. Chrissy is a dedicated cytotechnologist at Chester County Hospital, helping pathologists identify cancerous cells. My nephew, Christopher, recently married and coaches baseball while pursuing his passion for the sport.

In our free time, we enjoy basketball, baseball, and working out together. I love spending time at the shore, playing golf, pool, and cards, and walking the boardwalk in Wildwood Crest, NJ. I'm also a Jeep enthusiast and enjoy DIY construction projects and woodworking.

As an independent advisor with a Series 65 license and life, health, and accident certifications, I am committed to the fiduciary standard, always prioritizing my clients' best interests. My journey has been shaped by a love for problem-solving and a dedication to integrity and honesty in every client relationship.