San Diego-based Independent Financial Group (IFG) added Makino Financial and advisor Karen Brelsford. Collectively, they oversee approximately $175 million in client assets. Both are based in the Baltimore area and join from Commonwealth Financial Network, which earlier this year was acquired by LPL Financial.
Makino Financial is led by Founder and President Frances Makino, who has 36 years of experience, and includes her children Bernard and Gloria Makino. Brelsford has 22 years of experience, and operates JK Associates, a tax practice, alongside providing wealth management and planning services. Brelsford and Makino have a history of collaboration.
“Frances, Bernard, Gloria and Karen exemplify the kind of client-focused, service-driven advisors who thrive at IFG,” said IFG Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer David Fischer. “Their commitment to putting clients first aligns perfectly with our values and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the IFG family.”
The announcement comes as IFG has beefed up its leadership and recruiting teams. Recent appointments include Chad Cristo as Head of Business Development, West Region; Bruce Levitus as Regional Business Development, East; Kelsey Hasterlik as Regional Business Development, Mountain; and Steven Gensler as Senior Vice President of Advisor Growth and Development.
"For more than three decades, our focus has been on providing families with guidance that is personal, thoughtful and free from outside pressures," said Frances Makino. "When it came time to evaluate our future, independence was non-negotiable. After months of careful consideration, we chose IFG because it shares our belief that clients deserve advice tailored to their individual needs, free from the influence of corporate interests or priorities under a large publicly held or private-equity-owned firm."
James Miller, Contributing Editor and Research Analyst at Wealth Solutions Report, can be reached at ContributingEd@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
