Tired of the financial roller coaster? Investment firm offers alternatives
Published on Wed, Sep 9, 2009 by Beckye RandallRead More Business
Retirement plans on hold, assets liquidated to cover dropping equity, fear and anxiety standing center stage. Welcome to the 2008-2009 stock market.
The past year has devastated many investment portfolios and wreaked havoc on the dreams and plans of countless families. With many Americans dependent on stocks and mutual funds, the market's recent tumble has had a negative effect on many local households.
The good news, according to financial adviser John McKeon, is that there are avenues of investing that are not directly tied to stock market performance.
John McKeon of McKeon Financial, located at 1507-172nd St. NE in Smokey Point/N. Lakewood, is one of only a small percentage of financial planners who can offer direct participation programs and other specialty investments, primarily through smaller, independent broker dealers. McKeon's broker dealer is Independent Financial Group, LLC, headquartered in San Diego, CA, which currently serves approximately 250 registered representatives throughout the U.S.
"The old accumulation theory of buying and holding stocks or bonds for 15 or 20 years has not been turning out the way people expected," explained McKeon. "Last year hit the stock and bond markets like a hurricane, with many retirement plans severely damaged and many people seeing considerable losses."
John McKeon has a long history of working with those in or nearing retirement. When he began his career 13 years ago following his service in the Navy, he initially focused on long-term care insurance. For five years, John was the number one producing agent with GE Financial, now Genworth Financial, for the entire Northwest region of the U.S.
"Then in 2002, after the 9/11 tragedy, our clients were hit hard by that market crash," McKeon said. "I began looking for niche investment opportunities for my retired and retiring clients that could help fill any gaps between bank products, which provide minimal risks but low interest, and the stock market's wild rides."
"Many of our clients are in the sandwich generation," added office manager Jennie Cooney. "They're dealing with the issues of aging parents while still helping to support their grown children, and at the same time trying to grow and protect their nest egg. They are being squeezed in the middle."
The opportunities McKeon offers are thoroughly researched and examined. "We look for stability and transparency," he said. "I'm fully aware that I'm working with my client's money that they worked hard for. The majority of my clients do not have the time it will take to recover from a big loss, nor can they go back to work again, so it's really important that we have available a highly diverse portfolio with quality investments, that we make suitable recommendations for our clients, and that we thoroughly educate our clients on these investments."
McKeon, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former nuclear submarine officer, sees a clear parallel between his previous career and his current one. "Just like when I trained and served aboard submarines in the Navy, I've worked very hard in this field to build our company," he explained. "The responsibilities you have as an advisor is just as great as the responsibilities you have standing the watch on a submarine. You have to be competent and confident enough to provide suitable recommendations for your client's hard-earned money, yet remain humble enough to pick up the phone and get the right answer to a question. Never assume that you know everything."
So exactly what is different about McKeon Financial and what they offer? Few financial planners between Seattle and Bellingham have access to many of the products and companies that McKeon Financial uses on a daily basis in their retirement portfolios. Additionally, for these investments, the general public has to work with an advisor; they do not have access to these programs on their own.
McKeon Financial tailors investment programs to their client's needs and risk tolerance, primarily using two different but complimentary strategies.
First, depending on a client's suitability and financial needs, McKeon Financial can offer a number of investments that do not trade on the stock market. While past performance is not indicative of future results, these investments have typically done well. These direct participation programs include offerings in commercial real estate, equipment leasing, and oil and gas, among others. Their primary disadvantage is that they are not very liquid, so while they may be suitable for many investors in appropriate amounts, they are not the best option for everyone.
Second, McKeon Financial invests differently in the stock and bond markets than many financial planners do.
"It's called tactical money management," McKeon explained. "These investments tend to be more responsive to ever-changing conditions, and they offer liquidity for our investors."
The market-tied investments are designed to provide steady and consistent growth with less volatility than experienced with a traditional buy-and-hold investment strategy. Some of these strategies are designed to make money even in a down market. The overall goal is to have investment programs that can provide returns that are largely independent of market movements.
McKeon Financial makes it easy for clients to learn more about the various products that they offer, along with their risks and potentials, by hosting monthly seminars on topics of interest.
"Our seminars are a great introduction to our firm," said Cooney. "The atmosphere is low-key and social, with lots of food."
McKeon added, "I grew up in Hawaii, so I know you can't do anything without plenty of food! There's absolutely no pressure to invest with us. It's an opportunity for people to get to know us and to learn about possible alternatives."
The next seminar, "Opportunities in Today's Stock and Bond Market," will be presented Tuesday, September 15, at 12:15, 3:15 and 6:15 p.m. at their office in North Lakewood. A conference call option a week later is also provided to registrants. Upcoming seminars address non-stock market traded commercial real estate and equipment leasing investment opportunities.
For information about an upcoming seminar, or to schedule a free private appointment, call (360) 652-4244. You can also visit their website at www.mckeonfinancial.com.
John McKeon is a Registered Representative offering securities and advisory services through Independent Financial Group, LLC, a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. Independent Financial Group, LLC and McKeon Financial are not affiliated. Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction: 12636 High Bluff Dr. Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92130.
The past year has devastated many investment portfolios and wreaked havoc on the dreams and plans of countless families. With many Americans dependent on stocks and mutual funds, the market's recent tumble has had a negative effect on many local households.
The good news, according to financial adviser John McKeon, is that there are avenues of investing that are not directly tied to stock market performance.
John McKeon of McKeon Financial, located at 1507-172nd St. NE in Smokey Point/N. Lakewood, is one of only a small percentage of financial planners who can offer direct participation programs and other specialty investments, primarily through smaller, independent broker dealers. McKeon's broker dealer is Independent Financial Group, LLC, headquartered in San Diego, CA, which currently serves approximately 250 registered representatives throughout the U.S.
"The old accumulation theory of buying and holding stocks or bonds for 15 or 20 years has not been turning out the way people expected," explained McKeon. "Last year hit the stock and bond markets like a hurricane, with many retirement plans severely damaged and many people seeing considerable losses."
John McKeon has a long history of working with those in or nearing retirement. When he began his career 13 years ago following his service in the Navy, he initially focused on long-term care insurance. For five years, John was the number one producing agent with GE Financial, now Genworth Financial, for the entire Northwest region of the U.S.
"Then in 2002, after the 9/11 tragedy, our clients were hit hard by that market crash," McKeon said. "I began looking for niche investment opportunities for my retired and retiring clients that could help fill any gaps between bank products, which provide minimal risks but low interest, and the stock market's wild rides."
"Many of our clients are in the sandwich generation," added office manager Jennie Cooney. "They're dealing with the issues of aging parents while still helping to support their grown children, and at the same time trying to grow and protect their nest egg. They are being squeezed in the middle."
The opportunities McKeon offers are thoroughly researched and examined. "We look for stability and transparency," he said. "I'm fully aware that I'm working with my client's money that they worked hard for. The majority of my clients do not have the time it will take to recover from a big loss, nor can they go back to work again, so it's really important that we have available a highly diverse portfolio with quality investments, that we make suitable recommendations for our clients, and that we thoroughly educate our clients on these investments."
McKeon, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former nuclear submarine officer, sees a clear parallel between his previous career and his current one. "Just like when I trained and served aboard submarines in the Navy, I've worked very hard in this field to build our company," he explained. "The responsibilities you have as an advisor is just as great as the responsibilities you have standing the watch on a submarine. You have to be competent and confident enough to provide suitable recommendations for your client's hard-earned money, yet remain humble enough to pick up the phone and get the right answer to a question. Never assume that you know everything."
So exactly what is different about McKeon Financial and what they offer? Few financial planners between Seattle and Bellingham have access to many of the products and companies that McKeon Financial uses on a daily basis in their retirement portfolios. Additionally, for these investments, the general public has to work with an advisor; they do not have access to these programs on their own.
McKeon Financial tailors investment programs to their client's needs and risk tolerance, primarily using two different but complimentary strategies.
First, depending on a client's suitability and financial needs, McKeon Financial can offer a number of investments that do not trade on the stock market. While past performance is not indicative of future results, these investments have typically done well. These direct participation programs include offerings in commercial real estate, equipment leasing, and oil and gas, among others. Their primary disadvantage is that they are not very liquid, so while they may be suitable for many investors in appropriate amounts, they are not the best option for everyone.
Second, McKeon Financial invests differently in the stock and bond markets than many financial planners do.
"It's called tactical money management," McKeon explained. "These investments tend to be more responsive to ever-changing conditions, and they offer liquidity for our investors."
The market-tied investments are designed to provide steady and consistent growth with less volatility than experienced with a traditional buy-and-hold investment strategy. Some of these strategies are designed to make money even in a down market. The overall goal is to have investment programs that can provide returns that are largely independent of market movements.
McKeon Financial makes it easy for clients to learn more about the various products that they offer, along with their risks and potentials, by hosting monthly seminars on topics of interest.
"Our seminars are a great introduction to our firm," said Cooney. "The atmosphere is low-key and social, with lots of food."
McKeon added, "I grew up in Hawaii, so I know you can't do anything without plenty of food! There's absolutely no pressure to invest with us. It's an opportunity for people to get to know us and to learn about possible alternatives."
The next seminar, "Opportunities in Today's Stock and Bond Market," will be presented Tuesday, September 15, at 12:15, 3:15 and 6:15 p.m. at their office in North Lakewood. A conference call option a week later is also provided to registrants. Upcoming seminars address non-stock market traded commercial real estate and equipment leasing investment opportunities.
For information about an upcoming seminar, or to schedule a free private appointment, call (360) 652-4244. You can also visit their website at www.mckeonfinancial.com.
John McKeon is a Registered Representative offering securities and advisory services through Independent Financial Group, LLC, a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. Independent Financial Group, LLC and McKeon Financial are not affiliated. Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction: 12636 High Bluff Dr. Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92130.
