Cetera has welcomed Pillar Financial Group to its community, a significant move that highlights the growth and strategic acquisitions within the financial advisory sector. Pillar Financial Group is led by a strong team of seven partners, including CEO Luke Madsen, who holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations. The firm features a dedicated advisory team of 34 professionals, all focused on delivering exceptional financial guidance.
Based in Seattle, Pillar Financial Group manages an impressive portfolio of approximately $1.8 billion in assets. Of this, over $500 million is allocated to retirement plan assets, underscoring the firm’s commitment to facilitating secure and comprehensive retirement planning for its clients. This transition to Cetera Advisors marks a significant shift for Pillar Financial Group, as it previously operated under Northwestern Mutual Investment Services.
Pillar Financial Group prides itself on being a multigenerational, planning-centric fiduciary firm. This means that they focus on creating personalized financial plans that cater specifically to the unique needs and goals of each client. Their holistic approach ensures that individuals, families, and businesses receive tailored financial solutions that align with their long-term objectives.
The team at Pillar Financial Group has experienced substantial growth, driven by both organic development and targeted acquisitions. This strategy not only reinforces their commitment to serving their clients effectively but also enhances their capacity to bring diverse financial expertise to the communities they serve. By joining Cetera, Pillar Financial Group is poised to amplify its impact further and continue its mission of providing high-quality financial planning and advisory services.
KEY QUOTES:
“We wanted a firm we could grow with, and Cetera’s leadership team not only shares our vision but has the scale and focus on technology to support our growth for the long term. While many large broker-dealers are navigating mergers and acquisitions, Cetera’s measured approach to growth ensures we’ll receive the personalized attention we need to focus on our clients. For us, that was the deciding factor.”
“Our focus is putting highly credentialed, sophisticated advisors in front of clients – not chasing transactions. Pillar is a place where younger advisors can learn, grow, and ultimately become partners. We also believe we are a perfect destination for advisors in the twilight of their careers and have built our firm to provide the resources clients expect from advisors that always have the support they need.”
Luke Madsen
“With advisors ranging from their 20s to their 60s, we can provide retiring advisors with a thoughtful succession plan while ensuring their clients are supported by trusted next-generation professionals. We want advisors to know they don’t have to fully retire to transition their business. They can sell their book sooner and still control their timeline for client handoffs.”
Partner and Wealth Management Advisor Keith Foe, CFP, CPA, CLU, CFA, QPFC
“Luke and his team are deeply principled and client-first. They value independence and want the flexibility of an open architecture, which Cetera provides in contrast to the more restrictive insurance model. We’re eager to support Pillar Financial Group as they expand capabilities and serve a growing base of high-net-worth clients.”
Cetera Advisor Channel Leader Tom Halloran
