Financial Planning for Every Stage of Life

Christopher Financial Group LLC
161 Washington Street, Suite 225
Conshohocken PA 19428
(610)897-2713
Thomas.Christohper@raymondjames.com

Christopher Financial Group is an independent company. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial
Services Inc. member FINRA/SIPC

Disclaimer
This document is neither a solicitation nor an offering to sell securities of any kind.
On the contrary, this document is designed to acquaint you with the credentials, background and
beliefs of Thomas V Christopher and his team.


WHAT CAN A FINANCIAL PLAN ACCOMPLISH?
An airplane cannot leave the runway without a flight plan; a ship cannot sail without a plotted
course—and a family cannot contemplate a successful financial journey, especially across more
than one generation, without a comprehensive financial, investment and estate plan. Our job—
indeed, our mission in life and business—is to help people make such a comprehensive plan, and
then guide them through the completion of that plan, year after year.
This process is always less complicated and easier than folks expect. We start by assessing:
 Where you are: This means examining what you own, what you earn and what your
expenses are. This is information gathering. It doesn’t address where you’re going or how
you’re going to get there. But it does provide a clear and shared understanding of the very
first thing you have to know when starting any journey—exactly where you’re starting
from.
 What you would do if you could: This objective is quite straightforward because it
usually focuses on very few threshold issues. What are your hopes and dreams? What
you would like to accomplish financially for yourself, and the people you care about? At
what age do you want to retire? What are you going to need to do or want to do for your
parents as they grow older? Do you want to provide for your children’s educational
needs?
With that information, we calculate—can we get there? We help you turn those resources, needs
and dreams into concrete financial goals by addressing such questions as:
1. What will things you want to do cost?
2. What’s the gap between where you are now and where you want to be? And how much
time do we have to close that gap?
3. Are you willing and able to commit to putting enough money away, and give those
monies a chance to earn a potential return, to close the gap in the allotted time?
If we find that we can reach your needs and dreams, you’ve already got the foundation and the
framework of a sound financial plan. If we find that we cannot fund all your needs and dreams in
the time we have, then we have to reexamine and consider putting some items on stand-by. There
will be decisions to make, but once the process has a clear destination, we will have laid out a
plan for your life’s goals.
We will work to insure the plan and its outcome against the risk such as disability, loss of life,
career changes, relocation and other life circumstance that affect us all.


WHY WORK WITH A FINANCIAL ADVISOR?
A financial advisor can take a “big picture” view of your financial situation and make
financial planning recommendations that are appropriate for you no matter the market’s
current performance.
There are three primary reasons for having a financial
advisor: expertise, time and emotion. Smart, successful people hire
There are thousands of investment alternatives. The rules for coaches all the time. Tiger Woods,
investing are complicated. Just as you do not fill your own who is arguably the greatest golfer
cavities or perform your own physical exams, it makes sense ever, still works with a golf coach.
to have a seasoned professional help with your “financial He doesn’t say, “Oh, I know
physical.” everything there is to know about
golf, I’m done learning.” He uses a
Then there is the issue of time. Do you have the time to golf coach to keep getting better.
evaluate the investment alternatives? Study your portfolio to Academy Award-winning actress
see when investments should be changed? Helen Hunt still works with an
Finally, consider emotion. Countless studies have shown that acting coach. Some of the world’s
investors tend to buy high and sell low. As the markets heat most successful CEOs have
up, they hear about the gains their friends are making and business coaches. Because they
they invest…often just before a market top. They buy high. know that to achieve extraordinary
Then when the market drops, they panic and sell. They sell results you’ve got to keep learning,
low. A financial advisor helps you resist these financial and a good coach teaches you
mood swings and follow a disciplined plan. through honest feedback and
objective criticism; and can often
A financial advisor can help you find the appropriate see or anticipate things you cannot.
financial products for you.
David Bach,
While you may have started planning using financial software
packages, magazines or self-help books, we have the Smart Couples Finish Rich
expertise to help you evaluate your level of risk in your
portfolio and adjust your plan due to changing family
circumstances. What you’re paying for when you hire an
advisor is not information—you can get that from anywhere.
You’re paying for experience—the difference between
information and wisdom.


Thomas V Christopher, CEP®, AWMA®, CRPC®

PERSONAL DETAILS
Full name Thomas V Christopher

Email Thomas.Christopher@raymondjames.com

Phone (610)897-2698

Address 161 Washington Street, Suite 225
Conshohocken, PA 19428

Website www.christopherfinancialgroup.com

FaceBook www.facebook.com/ChristopherFinancialGroupLLC

PERSONAL STATEMENT
Christopher Financial Group Founder and President Tom Christopher manages and coordinates
the financial affairs for a select group of families and business.
Thomas V Christopher CEP®, AWMA®, CRPC® is Founder/President of Christopher Financial
Group and a registered investment advisor representative with Raymond James Financial
Services. I am also the Founder and CEO of Tower Financial as well as a Branch Manager with
RJFS. I have been designing and implementing portfolios for over seventeen years.
Prior to forming Christopher Financial Group I was a Managing Director of Investments with
Wachovia Securities. I have been an active figure in the financial services industry for over
seventeen years during which time I have obtained the Certified Estate Planner (CEP®),
Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA®) and Chartered Retirement Planning
Counselor (CRPC®) designations.
I understand the multiple roles clients expect their advisors to play, I strive to provide the “360
degrees of financial coverage” clients desire.


MISSION STATEMENT

As independent professional advisors, we can offer you a personalized financial strategy, not a
generic investment program. Your individual portfolio will be based on your unique situation,
your attitudes, preferences and goals. It will be designed to account for change, both in the
market and in your circumstances, so that it can work with you and for you at every stage of your
life.

Our approach to investing is straightforward: we focus on becoming your partner in building the
future you desire. As we work together, our advisors will thoroughly explain the investment
strategies recommended, so that you'll be fully comfortable with all aspects of your investment
program. Every decision we make will be focused on achieving the results you want. Our
mission is to help our clients achieve financial independence through professional advice, sound
risk management, quality investment products, and personal, efficient service.

EXPERIENCE
President 2009-NOW
Christopher Financial Group LLC
Investment Executive and Branch Manager RJFS
Managing Director Investments Wachovia Securities 1994-2009

EDUCATION
Certified Estate Planner 2010
National Institute of Certified Estate Planners, CEP®
Accredited Wealth Management Advisor 2007
College for Financial Planning AWMA®
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor 2006
College for Financial Planning CRPC®


INDUSTRY HONORS
Raymond James Executive Council 2011, 2012, 2013
Executive Council is awarded to advisors for achieving production levels along with a
commitment to excellent customer service. (Membership is based mainly on assets under management,
education, credentials and fiscal year production. Requalification is required annually.)
Premier Advisor 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Premier Advisor Program- To qualify for the “Premier Advisors Program” at Wachovia
Securities, Financial Advisors must be in the firm’s top 15 percent of advisors and a commitment
to professional service. Requalification required annually.

CHRISTOPHER FINANCIAL AND RAYMOND JAMES
In July of 2009, Christopher Financial Group LLC was founded when Thomas V. Christopher
decided to start his own Family office style firm. We searched for an NASD (now FINRA)
broker/dealer that had their same philosophy of providing superior client service and putting
client’s needs first. We decided on Raymond James Financial Services Inc., a broker/dealer firm
specializing in working with independent financial planners. With help from our first-class team,
we are able to help clients turn financial goals and objectives into realities.
A key member of our team is our broker/dealer, Raymond James. You can read more about
Raymond James on their website at www.RaymondJames.com. The following is quoted from
their site.
All financial plans are not created equal. At Raymond James, each financial advisor has the
unique freedom to offer objective, unbiased advice. Which means everything we do is client
focused. Not transaction focused.

It all starts by taking the time to fully understand your personal circumstances, and then building
a one-on-one relationship. Your advisor can then meticulously tailor a long-term plan based
solely on your financial well-being and your specific goals. And as your needs evolve, your
advisor will monitor, manage and adapt your portfolio along with them.


CHRISTOPHER FINANCIAL GROUP

Our Clients
Christopher Financial Group’s President Thomas V Christopher helps those who want their
money to work as hard as they do.
Typically, our clients are families, business owners or professionals, and what we call hard-
working Middle Americans.
We help investors with a wide range of investment needs, from clients investing $25 per month
in college accounts to investors with million dollar portfolios. Each gets individual
recommendations and attention because we know advice is personal. Many clients come to us
when they are retiring for help with their retirement plan choices. We have developed a specialty
in pension-distribution.
Our clients want help and advice in choosing the right investments and strategies for their
situation. Our clients want those investments monitored in accordance with their objectives and
goals. Our clients want to be updated and informed of new alternatives and changes in the
economy or tax laws.
Some of the ways we keep our clients informed are through monthly letters that can be sent by
mail, fax or email, semi-annual portfolio reviews and quarterly calls. We also host workshops
throughout the year as well as provide meetings for our client’s and their businesses or for
client’s employers. We offer some seminars that are open to the public and we are available as a
program speaker for clubs and organizations.
We work with clients who lead busy lives. Our job is to make sure their money enables them to
continue to do all the things they enjoy and to provide for current and future needs.


CHRISTOPHER FINANCIAL GROUP TEAM MEMBERS

We believe very strongly that this
industry requires a team approach.
The information to absorb is
massive. Certainly, clients require
quick response to their questions
and problems. Only through a
dedicated team can the information
Thomas V Christopher CEP®, AWMA®, CRPC® be absorbed, appropriate
President/Branch Manager recommendations made and prompt,
efficient service given to you—the
Tom understands the multiple roles clients expect their client..
advisors to play. With experience and certifications in
personal banking, retirement planning and wealth
management, I strive to provide the "360 degrees of
financial coverage" clients desire.

For over 17 years, Thomas has helped individuals, families, and organizations plan and manage
their financial worlds to achieve their short and long term goals. Tom resides in Gladwyne, PA
with his wife and 10 year old son.

Sandra Ley- Service Associate

Sandra specializes in streamlining and improving existing programs and systems. With an
extensive background in problem solving and management, she will truly excel as the firms
Operations Manager.

She is a self motivated individual who possesses a strong work ethic with proven abilities in
administrative, organizational and technical support.

Richard Woodville - Relationship & Planning Associate
Richard joined Christopher Financial in 2012 and brings with him a depth of experience and
knowledge of the highest level. Richard holds has a BA in economics from the University of
Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Richards’s career started wtih
IBM in sales and marketing and most recently with UBS Financial and Wells Fargo Advisors.
Additionally Richard was an officer in the US Navy.


REFERENCES
We can provide a list of folks, similar to you that we have assisted with their financial goals
These individuals have kindly consented to answer questions about the character and expertise of
Thomas V Christopher, CEP®, AWMA®, CRPC® and his company, Christopher Financial
Group LLC. The clients listed have not been selected on the basis of investment performance,
but rather on the basis of either the length of their client relationship, their reputation and
creditability or both. We do not know if the clients listed approve or disapprove of our services.


OUR CORE BELIEFS
We believe the primary risk of life in the 21st century will not be market risk, but outliving
ones money.
Risk has changed, because life has changed. Our goal is to help our clients retire without
compromising lifestyle, or any real concern about outliving one’s income.

We believe that inflation is a long-term constant.
Inflation is a silent compounding tax. From 1950 through 2010, the cost of living increased every
year but one.1 Investments have to deliver an after tax return better than the cost of living. At
just an average annual inflation rate of 3% over the last 20 years $50,000 would need to grow to
$109,000 to provide the same standard of living.

We know that selling at the bottom and buying at the top is natural, that is why it is so
important to have an advisor.
Investors are emotional. These emotions can lead investors to freeze from fear at the bottom and
have greed become uncontrollable at the top.

We believe that there is a time to have your financial offense on the field and a time to have
your financial defense on the field.
Which is why we employ a Technical Trend based portfolio management style with an emphasis
on risk avoidance. (Please Request a copy of our white paper for full details)

Your Rights as a Client:

Courteous service
 A trustworthy and competent financial advisor
 Suitable recommendations
 Timely transactions at the best available prices
 Full disclosure of costs and risks
 Clear communications
 Comprehensive statements and trade confirmations
 Prompt error and complaint resolution
 Strict confidentiality

1
Bureau of Labor Statistics, ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/special.requests/cpi/cpiai.txt

Financial Planning for Every Stage of Life

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