Buckingham, the St. Louis-based wealth management firm, has expanded its regional presence and depth of talent through the addition of Bill Bender, of St. Louis, Mo., and his team.

Like Buckingham, Bender provides investment management and comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, families and businesses. In addition to being a CPA, Bender started and ran his own business for nearly 40 years. This holistic professional background has long guided his commitment as an advisor to think about all aspects of his clients’ financial lives.

Bender, as well as his team, have been associated with Buckingham for more than a decade, due to their longtime membership in The BAM ALLIANCE, a nationwide community of like-minded advisory firms that engage BAM Advisor Services, Buckingham’s sister company.

“Joining Buckingham was a natural decision, and is fulfilling on both a personal and professional level. The whole Buckingham team is devoted to helping clients make smart, sound investment decisions, just like we have been since the beginning,” Bender said. “In addition, this move allows me to dedicate my full time, attention and energy to working with clients to help them achieve financial peace of mind.”

The transaction, which closed on Nov. 1, 2016, also brings Portfolio Advisors Jeff Bender and Alison Lynch to Buckingham and approximately $310 million in assets under management (as of Oct. 31, 2016). Bender and his team will keep their West St. Louis County location as they transition more permanently to Buckingham’s St. Louis office.

“We share a common belief in doing the right thing and acting in our clients’ best interests at all times. We have the same core values and evidence-based investment philosophy,” said Buckingham CEO Adam Birenbaum. “Aligning our efforts will allow us to better serve clients, helping them reach their most important financial and life goals through holistic financial and wealth planning that not only focuses on highly engaged and profoundly personal relationships but truly connects their money and values.”

Adding Bender and his team brings the total number of transactions completed by the firm to 24 since its first acquisition in Santa Rosa, California, in 2010. Buckingham now operates from 13 offices located across the United States. “This transaction is a huge win for everyone involved, and it continues our strategic effort to deliver ever deeper, more comprehensive wealth management solutions to our current and future clients all over the region and country,” Birenbaum said. “Our St. Louis team is now able to offer an even greater level of service to our clients as we continue to add to our exceptional talent base.”

Buckingham is a partner firm within Focus Financial Partners and home to BAM Advisor Services and The BAM ALLIANCE, a community of more than 140 independent, like-minded advisory firms throughout the country that collectively manage or administer more than $27 billion (as of Oct. 31, 2016).

The opinions expressed by featured authors are their own and may not accurately reflect those of the BAM ALLIANCE. This article is for general information only and is not intended to serve as specific financial, accounting or tax advice.

Wealth Advisor Bill Bender Joins Buckingham

Category