Leaders in Providing Big Company Benefits for Small Busines Owners in Financial Services: Chalice Financial Network™

Founded in 2017, Chalice Financial Network was built to solve the issues of running a small business in Financial Services, and to provide small to mid-size business the economies of scale and operational efficiency of a much larger company. The company achieved this by aggregating and integrating everything the business owner needs to run their business into a single sign-on shared services FinTech platform. Through its digital marketplace, Chalice Advisor Exchange™, the company provides access to best-in-class products, services, tools, and technology a business owner in pursuit of the economies of scale and operational efficiencies advisors want and need to succeed. Its community comprised of some 45,000 Members also provides unique peer-to-peer networking and collaboration opportunities creating a forum for sharing ideas and best practices to help strengthen its members collectively. The company is located in San Diego, California.

Chalice Financial Network was created by true industry veterans that understand the needs of today’s independent financial advisor.

Converting Challenges into Success

Although Chalice is in its infancy, it is still growing at an exponential rate. However, slow adoption was one of the major challenges the company faced during its initial days. The company believes that persistence and patience is the key to move with a longer run rate. Initially, it underestimated the price sensitivity of its members. Until they realized the benefits, they were reluctant to spend the money for the price of Membership, so Chalice offered 100% money back guarantee if it could prove to them that the company can save them more than the price of admission/Membership. Now it’s a no brainer!

Building trust, as per the company, is another challenging task. It can take years to build trust and can be lost in seconds if one fails to deliver on promises. Chalice has three key operating principles to help build trust: Open, honest, and frequent communication, Transparency, and Accountability. In order to build trust, the company has active and frequent conversations with its clients and is very engaged in industry events and conferences.

Delivering Financial Solutions at the Best Price

Comprehensive, Turnkey Employee Benefits: Irrespective of the size of clients’ business, the Chalice membership can instantly position them to have the depth and breadth of a Fortune 500-caliber benefits package. Through its comprehensive PEO partnership, clients get access to large group medical plans, helping them design an employee benefits portfolio that will enable them to compete with Fortune 500 companies for recruiting and retaining their biggest asset i.e. their team. All while meeting their financial and business objectives.

Free 401(k) Plan for clients and their employees: Membership has its privileges, one of which is access to a $2 billion dollar 401(k) plan for clients and their employees through Chalice’s PEO partner Oasis. Participants may elect to contribute a portion of their salary in a tax-deferred vehicle to save for their future. The plan can be setup as either a traditional 401K or a Safe Harbor.

Payroll Processing and Professional HR Guidance: Chalice’s PEO partnership provides payroll processing and HR administration so clients can pay their employees correctly, on time, every time. Clients gain access to a state-of-the-art, web-based Human Resources Information System (HRIS) to relieve the administrative burden of managing human resource functions.

Free Employment Practice Liability Insurance (EPLI): Chalice understands the responsibilities of running one’s own business. Membership includes Free Employee Practice Liability Insurance (EPLI) via its PEO partnership.

Bookkeeper Services: Compass CFO Solutions’ Bookkeeper Services model is geared toward the small or mid-sized advisory firm looking to outsource their bookkeeping and accounting needs. Many advisory firms handle these functions internally at high opportunity costs. Its services allow firms to spend more time growing their business.

Pioneers in Investment Solutions

Boutique Investment Bank & Advisory Services: VENTURE.co Brokerage Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, is a broker-dealer registered in all fifty states with solutions tailored for how securities professionals, advisers, issuers, and sponsors attract and retain investors. It’s business and technology platform enables clients to launch and distribute deals on demand to qualified investors while maintaining key elements of compliance across a distributed network.

Digital Retirement Platform for Small Business Owners: Chalice believes that technology plays a vital role in helping advisors better deliver financial planning and advice, so it is providing a platform to assist clients in selling, managing, and ultimately growing their retirement business. Vestwell’s digital platform makes it easier to offer and administer 401(k) plans. Removing traditional friction points through streamlined administration, fiduciary oversight, and flexible investment strategies, all at competitive pricing.

Meet the Torchbearer

Keith is a Financial Services and FinTech Executive, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of San Diego-based FinTech Company Chalice Financial Network, a member benefit organization for independent wealth advisors that delivers a fully integrated suite of technology tools, products, and services through a single sign-on shared services technology platform – Chalice Advisor Exchange™. He has three decades of executive leadership and financial services experience. Prior to founding Chalice Financial Network™ he was Founder &CEO of Innovation Equity Partners, CEO of Capital Guardian Securities and First Allied Securities. Keith also served as Senior Executive for Wachovia Securities, GE Capital, and Prudential Investments.; and has built a reputation as a Business Acceleration Executive.

Keith is the author of Do Well by Doing Good: The Complete Guide to Charitable Remainder Trusts and is a certified planned giving specialist. He holds FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, 65 registrations and is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School. Keith was the founder and Chairman of the Wealth Advisor Institute, past President of the Institute of Investment Management Consultants Association Chapters, and Chairman of the Membership Committee for the Investment Management Consulting Association. Keith lives in San Diego, CA with his wife, Catherine, and their two sons. He served honorably in the US Marine Corps and is a recipient of the Presidential Service Award from President Ronald Reagan for his loyal service aboard Marine One.

“It all starts with doing what you say you’re going to do – and taking accountability for your actions.”