Client 1st Financial
Client 1st Financial is a privately held, founder-led financial advisory firm in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, providing retirement, estate, legacy, and charitable planning to individual and family clients in the Lehigh Valley region, operating through Osaic Wealth, Inc.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersFogelsville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Client 1st Financial does
Client 1st Financial is a privately held, founder-led financial advisory firm headquartered in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, serving individual and family clients primarily in the Lehigh Valley region. Founded in 2011 by President and CEO Michael J. Fischer, the firm offers four core service lines: Legacy Planning, Charitable and Philanthropic Planning, Estate Planning, and Retirement Planning, with a fiduciary-first operating model and additional services such as Private Wealth Consulting for high-net-worth clients through Envestnet | PMC. The firm also operates the Client 1st Foundation, a donor-advised fund managed by the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation since February 2012, which underpins both its community presence and its philanthropic advisory practice. Securities and advisory services are delivered through a partnership with Osaic Wealth, Inc. (a broker-dealer and RIA supporting 11,000+ advisors and $500B in assets under advisement), with Keystone Financial Management serving as Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction and National Financial Services as clearing custodian.
The firm's technology stack is entirely third-party with no proprietary development. Client engagement is supported by MoneyGuidePro for financial planning projections and the eQuipt client portal for consolidated account access, which integrates with 13+ custodians and fund families including Wealthscape, SEI, SIA, Fidelity, American Funds, Invesco, Franklin Templeton, John Hancock, Jackson National, Prudential, Lincoln Financial, AIG, and TransAmerica. Advanced estate planning is delivered through specialized strategies (SLATs, GRATs, Charitable Remainder Trusts, Family LLCs, ILITs) in collaboration with Highland Capital Brokerage, while Premier Trust provides trust administration. Educational content includes a resource center with financial calculators, a blog, video content, and the 'Everything but the Money' webinar series.
The business model is fee-based with three pricing tiers: transactional commissions or implementation fees for specific product solutions; complexity-and-time-based fees for focused planning engagements; and multi-year contracts for comprehensive financial planning. Compensation is also generated through commissions on recommended insurance and investment products. Distribution is relationship-led and primarily regional, with licensed operations across 20 states (AZ, DC, DE, FL, ID, IN, MA, MN, MD, NC, NJ, NM, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA), though actual client activity is concentrated in the Lehigh Valley. The team consists of 1-10 employees, with Fischer as the sole producing advisor supported by a Business Administrator and an Administrative Assistant.
Client 1st Financial firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Client 1st Financial
- Legal name
- Client 1st Financial
- Website
- https://client1stfinancial.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Client 1st Financial is a privately held, founder-led financial advisory firm in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, providing retirement, estate, legacy, and charitable planning to individual and family clients in the Lehigh Valley region, operating through Osaic Wealth, Inc.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Client 1st Financial industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Financial Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Financial Planning & Goals-Based Advice (Mass Affluent) (FSAAAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Broker-Dealer Affiliated Wealth Advisory (FSAEABAB), Fee-Only Advisory (FSAEAAAL)
Keywords
Where Client 1st Financial is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fogelsville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Client 1st Financial business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Financial Advisory Fees: Client 1st Financial is compensated through ongoing fees or commissions depending on the scope of work. For specific product advice and transactional needs, compensation is typically a commission or implementation fee. For comprehensive financial planning covering multiple objectives, fees are based on complexity, objectives, and time spent in meetings. For focused planning on specific concerns, fees are based on complexity and time with potential additional implementation fees.
- Commission-based Product Sales: When specific product-based solutions are recommended and implemented, the firm receives commissions. This includes insurance products, investment products, and other financial instruments where product recommendations are appropriate for client needs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Focus on Specific Solutions - Transactional product advice |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Focus on Specific Concerns - Limited financial plan |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Focus on Comprehensive Financial Planning - Full-service planning |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Client 1st Financial product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Client 1st Financial is a financial advisory firm that delivers personalized retirement, estate, legacy, and charitable/philanthropic planning services to individual and family clients. Services are offered under a fiduciary standard through Osaic Wealth, Inc. and include comprehensive plan creation, advanced estate strategies, and ongoing client care. Clients access accounts and planning tools through the eQuipt client portal integrating multiple custodian platforms.
Product overview
Client 1st Financial is a financial advisory firm offering four core services: Legacy Planning, Charitable & Philanthropic Planning, Estate Planning, and Retirement Planning. The firm provides a unified client experience through the eQuipt Portal for consolidated account access across multiple financial institutions. Additional offerings include fiduciary advisory services following AIF standards, financial planning calculators, and the 'Everything but the Money' educational webinar series. The firm also operates Client 1st Foundation, a donor-advised fund managed through the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, supporting community charitable initiatives. Advanced estate planning is delivered through specialized strategies including SLATs, GRATs, CRTs, Family LLCs, and ILITs, with high net worth clients served through partnerships with Envestnet | PMC, Highland Capital Brokerage, and Premier Trust.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Legacy Planning Comprehensive legacy planning services helping clients define the lasting lessons, traditions, and character traits they want to pass to future generations; includes guidance on wealth transfer, family meetings, and building a living legacy beyond assets.
- Charitable & Philanthropic Planning Strategic charitable giving planning including donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, and approaches to maximize charitable impact while providing tax benefits and personal fulfillment for individual and family clients.
- Estate Planning Estate planning services covering basic estate documents and advanced strategies including SLATs, GRATs, Charitable Remainder Trusts, Family LLCs, ILITs, and gifting trusts for asset protection and tax minimization.
- Retirement Planning Comprehensive retirement planning services for all life stages including savings management, growth opportunities, lifetime income strategies, and customized solutions for clients in their 20s/30s, 40s/50s, approaching retirement, and already retired.
- Fiduciary Services Registered investment advisor services operating under fiduciary duty to act in clients' best interest with full transparency, no hidden commissions, and commitment to ethical practices following Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) standards.
- Private Wealth Consulting High-net-worth solutions delivered through Envestnet | PMC providing comprehensive investment research, consulting, and portfolio management with rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis for sophisticated advisor and institutional requirements.
- Client Care Program High-level client care program focused on keeping financial plans up to date and on track, with a dedicated client support team and regular check-ins to maintain long-term advisory relationships.
Quantifiable outcome
- Client testimonials highlight financial security and retirement planning success through trusted advisory relationships
Companies that use Client 1st Financial
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Client 1st Financial technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration17 records
Client 1st Financial partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Osaic Wealth, Inc.coreIndependent broker-dealer and Registered Investment Advisor providing back-office technology and regulatory assistance. Through the partnership, Client 1st Financial grants clients access to vast array of financial strategies with unbiased, independent investment advice. Osaic supports over 11,000 financial professionals managing $500 billion in assets under advisement.
- Keystone Financial ManagementcoreOffice of Supervisory Jurisdiction that has supported Financial Professionals since the 1950s. The team supervises client interactions, acting as liaison between the broker-dealer and industry regulators. Staffed with experienced administrative professionals for compliance and quality oversight.
- National Financial Services, LLC (NFS)coreClearing firm member of NYSE and SIPC handling confirmation, delivery, and settlement of financial transactions. As custodian of brokerage accounts, NFS is responsible for executing, clearing, settling securities transactions, sending statements and confirmations, safeguarding funds and securities, and extending margin credit.
- Envestnet | PMCmajorOffers comprehensive investment research, consulting, and portfolio management. Their disciplined process incorporates extensive research, qualitative review, and quantitative analysis for selecting models, strategies, and portfolios to meet sophisticated advisor and institutional requirements.
- Highland Capital BrokeragemajorAssists agents, advisors, and financial planning representatives in finding sophisticated solutions to unique financial situations. Works with legal, tax, family office, and wealth advisors for comprehensive and informed approach toward case design with advanced tailored planning strategies.
- Premier TrustmajorTrust administration company chartered in Nevada focusing exclusively on administration of trusts and estates in collaboration with client's existing legal, accounting, and financial professionals. Does not manage investments or provide legal or accounting services.
- Lehigh Valley Community FoundationcoreManages the Client 1st Foundation as a donor-advised fund. Partnered with for charitable giving discussions and donor-advised fund strategies. Michael Fischer appeared on PBS39 Leadership Society discussing charitable giving and donor-advised funds with foundation representatives.
- PBS39 Leadership SocietyminorMichael Fischer appeared discussing charitable giving and donor-advised funds on PBS39 Leadership Society program, providing media visibility and thought leadership in philanthropy and financial planning.
- MoneyGuidePromajorFinancial planning software used for client plan creation and projections. Part of the eQuipt client portal ecosystem for comprehensive financial planning.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Client 1st Financial competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Edward Jones: Large U.S. financial advisory franchise with a regional, relationship-driven mass-affluent model. Highly comparable to Client 1st Financial in target client segment (mass-affluent individuals/families), planning-centric service offering, and advisor-led local presence.
- Cetera Financial Group: Independent broker-dealer and RIA platform supporting independent financial advisors in retail wealth management. Highly comparable to Client 1st Financial's IBD-affiliated independent practice model through Osaic Wealth, including similar compliance, technology, and product access layers.
- Cambridge Investment Research: Large independent broker-dealer supporting thousands of independent financial advisors with planning, brokerage, and advisory services. Directly comparable as an IBD-affiliated RIA operating model similar to Client 1st Financial's Osaic Wealth affiliation.
- Commonwealth Financial Network: Independent broker-dealer/RIA serving independent financial advisors focused on holistic financial planning for individuals and families. Comparable as another independent practice model offering comprehensive planning services through an IBD-affiliated structure.
Broad incumbents
- Ameriprise Financial: National diversified financial services company with a large advisor franchise serving mass-affluent and HNW clients with comprehensive financial planning, wealth management, and insurance. Overlaps significantly with Client 1st Financial's planning-led, multi-product offering.
- Raymond James Financial Services: Major diversified financial services firm with an independent advisor channel serving mass-affluent and HNW clients with planning, investment, and wealth solutions. Comparable in offering breadth and advisor-led delivery model.
- Robert W. Baird & Co. Privately held diversified financial services firm with a strong retail wealth management arm serving individuals and families with comprehensive planning and investment advisory services. Comparable regional mass-affluent positioning and advisor-led relationship model.
- Stifel Independent Advisors: Stifel's independent advisor channel serves mass-affluent and HNW clients through affiliated advisors offering planning, brokerage, and advisory services. Comparable in delivering comprehensive wealth services through an advisor-led, IBD-affiliated structure.
Emerging players
- Hightower Advisors: Fast-growing RIA platform aggregating independent advisor teams serving HNW and UHNW clients with comprehensive wealth management. Comparable as an independent advisory model, though at materially larger scale and with stronger HNW orientation than Client 1st Financial.
- Creative Planning: Large independent RIA offering comprehensive financial planning and wealth management to mass-affluent and HNW clients nationwide. Comparable in fiduciary-led, planning-centric service offering and national reach via virtual delivery.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Client 1st Financial social profiles
Digital presenceClient 1st Financial compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Client 1st Financial financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Client 1st Financial leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Client 1st Financial subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Client 1st Financial funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Client 1st Financial M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Client 1st Financial
What does Client 1st Financial do?
Client 1st Financial is a financial advisory firm that delivers personalized retirement, estate, legacy, and charitable/philanthropic planning services to individual and family clients. Services are offered under a fiduciary standard through Osaic Wealth, Inc. and include comprehensive plan creation, advanced estate strategies, and ongoing client care. Clients access accounts and planning tools through the eQuipt client portal integrating multiple custodian platforms.
Is Client 1st Financial a public or private company?
Client 1st Financial is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Client 1st Financial founded?
Client 1st Financial was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Client 1st Financial based?
Client 1st Financial is headquartered in Fogelsville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Client 1st Financial make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Financial Advisory Fees are the primary driver. The others are commission-based Product Sales.
Who are Client 1st Financial's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Edward Jones, Cetera Financial Group, Cambridge Investment Research and Commonwealth Financial Network. Broad incumbents are Ameriprise Financial, Raymond James Financial Services, Robert W. Baird & Co. and Stifel Independent Advisors. Emerging players are Hightower Advisors and Creative Planning.
Does Client 1st Financial have an API?
No public API is recorded for Client 1st Financial.
What industry is Client 1st Financial in?
Client 1st Financial's product category is Financial Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAAAAF, Financial Planning & Goals-Based Advice (Mass Affluent), with a secondary code of FSAEABAB, Broker-Dealer Affiliated Wealth Advisory. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.