In The News

Partner, Michelle P. Cooper, has written a book, I’ve Still Got Me — A Widow’s Journey to Love, Happiness and Financial Independence. By sharing my story and bringing my challenges out in the open, I hope to draw attention to the common life events that we, as women, face along our life journey.
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Brett Bernstein was ranked #9 in Maryland in the Forbes 2018 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors List. The list spotlights over 2,000 top-performing advisers from across the U.S. who were nominated by their firms. The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by independent SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years’ experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends,  assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying  client objectives and lack  of audited data. Neither Forbes or SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.

Rob Kantor was named to the Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisers, in 2016 and 2013. Eric Wightman was named to the list in 2015. The list recognizes top financial advisers at traditional broker-dealer firms from across the U.S.  The Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors is an independent listing produced by the Financial Times (March, 2016). The FT 400 is based on data gathered from firms and verified by broker-dealer home offices, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflects each advisor’s performance in six primary areas, including assets under management, asset growth, compliance record, experience, credentials and accessibility as identified by the FT. Neither the brokerages nor the advisors pay a fee to The Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 400.

Eric Wightman was named to the list of Barron’s “Top 1200 Financial Advisors” in 2016 and 2015. Barron’s Top 1200 Financial Advisors Award is based on data provided by over 4,000 of the nation’s most productive advisors. Factors included in the rankings: assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance.

Eric Wightman was recognized by Washingtonian magazine as one of “DC’s Best Financial Advisers” in April 2016. Award recipients are selected by their peers. The Washingtonian editorial team sends out a survey at random with its peer nomination. Financial advisors who receive the most peer votes are listed in the award publication. Advisors do not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this awarded.

Brett Bernstein, CFP® and Rob Kantor, ARPC, were selected as 2017 Washington D.C. Five Star Wealth Managers. They also received the award in 2015 and 2016. The award is based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as assets under management, client retention rate, regulatory record, number of households served, education and professional designations, among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list.

XML Financial Group made the 2014 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for the fourth consecutive year. This award is based on several factors, including revenue growth as well as internal employee growth. A $125 application fee was paid to be considered for the list.

XML was recognized as one of the National Association of Board Certified Advisory Practices (NABCP) Premier Advisors for 2014 and 2011. The announcement was published in the Washington Business Journal. NABCAP is an unaffiliated, nonprofit organization created to identify top practitioners and through the process help reform the public’s perception of the industry and its professional membership. Advisors are invited and/or nominated to participate by submitting an online questionnaire. The multi-step verification process utilizes independent resources to assess the accuracy and truthfulness of the information submitted by participating advisory practices. NABCAP attempts to identify top advisors regardless of size, firm or affiliation.