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Michael Brooks

Advisor at Founders Financial Securities LLC

Updated today

Location

Ramrod Key, FL

Credentials

ChFC®, Series 63

Industry experience

31 years

About

Michael Brooks is a ChFC® with 31 years of industry experience, currently serving at Founders Financial Securities LLC since 2006. He is also the Chairman and CEO of Brooks Financial Group LLC, a financial planning firm he has led since 1996. Brooks is involved in several nonprofit foundations focused on community support and conservation, and he engages in writing and strategic business consulting. Founders Financial Securities serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing various investment platforms and model strategies, and employs innovative delivery methods such as subscription-based retirement education and co-advised private wealth solutions.

Client services

Based on Founders Financial Securities LLC

Financial planning Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers

Expertise

Based on Founders Financial Securities LLC

Business exit / sale strategy

Occupation focus

Based on Founders Financial Securities LLC

Founder/Business Owner Retired

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Fee options

Fixed

Flat fees possible for financial planning; also $500 annual subscription fee for TheFreedomStrategies.com

Percentage

$0 - $25,000: up to 2.50%; or $125 minimum annual fee prorated monthly, whichever is greater (Independence Advisory at Pershing) $25,000+: up to 2.50% (Independence Advisory at Pershing) $0 - $4,999: N/A (minimum not met; exceptions possible) $5,000 - $24,999: up to 2.50% plus custodial fee ($50 annual, charged quarterly) (Independence Advisory at Axos and Schwab) $25,000 - $99,999: up to 2.50% plus custodial fee ($75 annual, charged quarterly) (Independence Advisory at Axos and Schwab) $100,000+: up to 2.50% plus custodial fee ($100 annual, charged quarterly) (Independence Advisory at Axos and Schwab) $10,000+: 1.65% annually (Managed Portfolio Program) $0+: no account minimum for FCMS Managed Accounts, fees typically up to 2.75% annually $0 - $1,000,000: up to 1.70% annually (FCMS Private Wealth Solutions) $1,000,000+: up to 1.40% annually (FCMS Private Wealth Solutions) $0+: up to 2.00% annually or flat fee for Freedom Independence Plan (retirement plan advisory) $0+: $500 annually (quarterly installments) for TheFreedomStrategies.com subscription

Commissions

Commissions possible if IAR is also a Registered Representative; separate from advisory fees

Project-based

Financial planning fees up to $500 per hour, negotiable

Subscriptions

TheFreedomStrategies.com subscription fee is $500 annually, paid quarterly in arrears

Other

Account minimum: $5,000 Minimum fee: $125 minimum annual fee for some Independence Advisory accounts opened below $25,000 Fee-only: Financial planning fees up to $500 per hour or $30,000 per year, negotiable; flat fees or hourly rates possible

Location

Ramrod Key, FL

Most active in

Florida · Maryland

Work history

Founders Financial Securities LLC

2006 - Present (20 years)

Brooks Financial Group LLC

1996 - Present (30 years)

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

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Darcy W

CFP®, Series 63, Series 66

Summerland Key, FL

Intelligence Driven Advisers, LLC

Darcy Wadsworth is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving at Intelligence Driven Advisers, LLC since 2018. His prior experience includes roles at Ocean Equity Partners, LLC, Labrum Wealth Management, LLC, and as president and owner of EZ DZ IT, Inc. He is also involved in community activities as a board member of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce and secretary and board member of the Rotary Club of Big Pine & Lower Keys. Intelligence Driven Advisers, LLC is an SEC-registered multi-team advisory firm managing approximately $882 million for a diverse client base, including individual and institutional investors. The firm employs an investment process overseen by an Investment Committee, focusing on low-cost institutional funds, risk management, and fundamental analysis, and offers a range of services including financial planning, discretionary investment management, retirement plan solutions, and consulting.

Annuities Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Real estate investing Founder/Business Owner
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John G

Series 63, Series 66

Big Pine Key, FL

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John Gingas is a financial advisor at Commonwealth Financial Network with 35 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked with Commonwealth Equity Services, Inc. since 1997. Gingas is also president and co-owner of Financial Technology, Inc., a company involved in securities business and TPA services since 1990. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients, offering a range of advisory programs and services including wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party asset managers. The firm provides operational, technology, compliance, and investment management support to affiliated advisors while maintaining discretionary model portfolios through its Investment Management and Research team.

Passive / index investing Active portfolio management Tax-loss harvesting Wealth management Retirement income strategy Founder/Business Owner Executive Retired
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James S

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Summerland Key, FL

Edward Jones

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Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Multi-generational wealth transfer Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Jeffrey S

Series 63, Series 65

Summerland Key, FL

Morgan Stanley

Jeffrey Stewart is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 40 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Morgan Stanley in various capacities since 2014. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a wide range of advisory programs to both individual and institutional clients, including tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and investment modeling techniques. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides services through financial advisors and estate planning specialists.

General estate planning guidance
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Todd G

Series 66

Cudjoe Key, FL

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Todd German is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in a small political consulting business focused on local politics and serves as a member of the Circuit Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee for The Florida Bar. LPL Financial provides advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm offers a variety of investment delivery options supported by an in-house research team and accommodates both advisory and brokerage needs through a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Founder/Business Owner Retired
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William R

Series 66

Summerland Key, FL

LPL Financial

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Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Founder/Business Owner Retired
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