Junior Financial Advisor

Description

The Junior Financial Advisor is responsible for supporting the delivery of investment, financial planning, and wealth management services to existing and prospective clients. This role assists with client relationship management, financial planning, investment research, account servicing, and business development activities while working closely with senior advisors and investment team members. The Junior Financial Advisor develops the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to progress into a full Investment Advisor role while ensuring all activities comply with Bank policies, Broker-Dealer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards. The position requires proficiency with financial planning, CRM, and investment management platforms, including ClientWorks and Redtail, as well as Microsoft Office applications.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Duties/Responsibilities:

Client Relationship Management

• Assist with client meetings, annual reviews, and portfolio discussions.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Respond to client inquiries regarding account activity, investment performance, and service requests.
• Maintain ongoing contact with clients to provide reviews, address changing financial needs, and deliver exceptional customer service.
• Maintain complete and accurate client records and documentation.
• Send personalized acknowledgments and follow-up communications to new clients and account holders.

Investment and Financial Planning Support

• Gather client financial information and assist in the preparation of financial plans utilizing approved planning software.
• Assist in developing recommendations based on client goals, objectives, risk tolerance, and suitability requirements.
• Research investment products, market trends, economic conditions, and industry developments using approved research resources.
• Prepare portfolio reviews, performance reports, investment proposals, and client presentations.
• Monitor accounts for suitability, rebalancing opportunities, and ongoing service needs.
• Collaborate with the investment team in evaluating mutual funds, ETFs, annuities, and other investment solutions for client portfolios.

Account Administration and Operations

• Process account openings, transfers, maintenance requests, investment transactions, and other account service activities.
• Ensure all applications, supporting documentation, and required disclosures are complete, accurate, and submitted in a timely manner.
• Maintain client information within CRM and portfolio management systems.
• Perform administrative duties including correspondence preparation, record maintenance, document filing, and follow-up on outstanding requirements.
• Coordinate with operations, compliance, custodial, and support teams to resolve client service issues.

Business Development

• Develop new client relationships through referrals, networking activities, walk-in traffic, phone contacts, and internal bank referrals.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen existing client relationships and expand services.
• Participate in marketing initiatives, community events, networking opportunities, and client appreciation activities.
• When appropriate, identify opportunities to introduce clients to relevant Bank products and services.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Adhere to all Bank, Broker-Dealer, FINRA, SEC, State of Wisconsin, and other regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all recommendations and transactions meet established suitability standards.
• Demonstrate awareness of and support for Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) initiatives.
• Protect confidential client information and maintain privacy standards.
• Promptly report compliance concerns, customer complaints, and risk-related matters to management.
• Complete all required compliance training and continuing education requirements.

Professional Development and Teamwork

• Pursue ongoing professional growth through training programs, industry publications, seminars, licensing, and professional development opportunities.
• Maintain a high level of ethical conduct and professionalism.
• Contribute positively to team objectives and foster a collaborative work environment.
• Actively support departmental goals and organizational initiatives.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner that promotes effective relationships with clients, coworkers, and management.
• Be aware of and support the Bank’s efforts in meeting the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

Required Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Knowledge of investment products, financial planning concepts, and financial markets.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to interpret business, regulatory, and financial information.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where limited standardization exists.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business publications, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, colleagues, and the public.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of financial planning, CRM, and investment management systems preferred.
• Proficiency with standard office equipment and technology.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations involving rates, ratios, percentages, and statistical information.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality.
• Commitment to ethical conduct, professional development, and client-focused service.

Education and Experience:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance, or a related field.

Experience: One to three years of experience in investments, banking, financial services, sales, client service, or a related field preferred. Previous experience supporting financial advisors or working in a customer-facing financial services role preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• SIE, Series 7 and Series 66 (or Series 65, where applicable) preferred, or ability to obtain within an established timeframe.
• Wisconsin Life Insurance License required or ability to obtain within an established timeframe.
• Willingness to obtain CFP designation within an established timeframe.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of those jobs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Use hands and fingers to operate office equipment and computer systems.
• Communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically.
• Frequently walk and occasionally stand, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, climb, or balance.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to maintain close visual attention and adjust focus as required for computer and document review.

Travel Requirements: Occasional travel may be required for client meetings, training programs, networking events, business development activities, and visits to other Bank locations.

BNG provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.