Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, CFP® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
A team built to be there
when you need them
Ralph started his business and became a financial advisor in 1993. Five years later the business was incorporated. Then in 2001, he decided to associate the business with LPL Financial, a relationship that continues to this day.
In 2011 the business’s name officially became Enduring Wealth Advisors®
In 2012, Mark joined the team. He was followed by Rose, Mona, Jackie, and Simone.
From left to right: Mark, Mona, Dale, Ralph, Jackie, Rose
Educated
Always learning
& innovating
Experienced
Both in
business & life
Fiduciary Focus
Acting in your
best interest
Independent
Advice that
best serves you
Value
Business at a
higher standard
Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP®
CEO, Founder & Wealth Advisor
There is usually a better way and I find myself striving to find it. It doesn’t matter if it’s fitness, projects, ministry, or investments, I’ve got a burning desire to improve the way things get done. With experience, I’ve learned to moderate that passion for perfection, by understanding how to determine if changes are likely to yield meaningfully improved outcomes.
Each of my clients has their own vision of improved outcomes, and it is my job to help uncover, define, and quantify those dreams. Drawing from the universe of available tools, we get to build a strategy with pursuit of perfection in mind, employing the wisdom of experience adjusting to life’s uncertainties.
Financial planning is an ever-changing business that allows a creative problem-solving person like me to favorably impact the lives of the nice people with whom we choose to work.
And what could be a better outcome than working towards improving someone else’s future?
Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP®
CEO, Founder & Wealth Advisor
There is usually a better way and I find myself striving to find it. It doesn’t matter if it’s fitness, projects, ministry, or investments, I’ve got a burning desire to improve the way things get done. With experience, I’ve learned to moderate that passion for perfection, by understanding how to determine if changes are likely to yield meaningfully improved outcomes.
Each of my clients has their own vision of improved outcomes, and it is my job to help uncover, define, and quantify those dreams. Drawing from the universe of available tools, we get to build a strategy with pursuit of perfection in mind, employing the wisdom of experience adjusting to life’s uncertainties.
Financial planning is an ever-changing business that allows a creative problem-solving person like me to favorably impact the lives of the nice people with whom we choose to work.
And what could be a better outcome than working towards improving someone else’s future?
Mark R Tracy, MBA, CFP®
President & Wealth Advisor
I am passionate about financial planning because family is important to me. As a child, I witnessed my grandparents sell off everything they owned and live off social security because they did not receive proper advice to plan for retirement.
I got into this business because everyone should have access to the advice necessary to pursue a successful financial life. I believe our process will reduce stress and improve confidence while pursuing your goals.
Our hand-selected team desires to make a positive difference. Together, we facilitate financial plans for hard-working people.
Whether you are saving to work towards financial independence or are planning to transition into retirement, the team and I are here to serve you.
Mark R Tracy, MBA, CFP®
President & Wealth Advisor
I am passionate about financial planning because family is important to me. As a child I witnessed my grandparents sell off everything they owned and live off social security because they did not receive advice to properly plan for retirement.
I got into this business because everyone should have access to the advice necessary to pursue a successful financial life. I believe our process will reduce stress and improve confidence while pursuing your goals.
Our hand-selected team’s desire is to make a positive difference. Together, we facilitate financial plans for hard-working people.
Whether you are saving to work towards financial independence or are planning to transition into retirement, the team and I are here to serve you.
Planning
Financial independence and retirement preparation play a prominent role in the planning process. Yet, the development is improved through investment, tax, estate, education, healthcare, beneficiary, and legacy planning. Holistic financial plans consider how decisions impact the whole while preparing for the unexpected, today, and in the long run.
Guidance
The financial markets can be scary, so we navigate clients through the tough times, allowing them to make prudent financial decisions during any season. Additionally, we work with you to identify and articulate your goals.
Partnership
We communicate with candor and grace. We are champions of your success, as a team, we will navigate and embrace the tough conversations. With open and honest dialog, together, we will pursue your dreams.
Case Study
Nancy’s husband died a few years ago, and her kids asked her to move closer. So, she sold her home in Idaho and purchased a home in Arizona. Although she loved being closer to the kids, she missed her neighbors and old community. Summers in Arizona can be brutal, while winters in Idaho are harsh. After many long discussions, she decided to live in Arizona for the winter and Idaho during the summer. The plan was for her to sell her home in Arizona and purchase a house close to her old home in Idaho. Then she would help her daughter buy a home with a mother-in-law suite. Everything was progressing nicely until the markets dropped 35%, but she worked with her financial advisor to keep the plan on track.
- First, we addressed the 50% down payment. With mortgage interest rates at historic low levels, together, we decided it would be prudent to make a smaller down payment.
- Since she was doing an equity share deal with the kids, and they needed to qualify for the loan payments, we did get some retrenchment from the lender.
- Next, we implemented a strategy to trim positions in her accounts that were relatively unscathed by the drop in the market.
- Additionally, we moved all the assets in the non-retirement account onto margin, allowing us to borrow against the temporarily depressed investments.
- Finally, the plan utilized a balance of IRA and non-IRA investments for tax planning purposes. Since Nancy was taking an extensive distribution and had extra money left over at the end of the month, she decided to reduce her monthly distribution.
This is a hypothetical situation based on real-life examples. Names and circumstances have been changed. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments or strategies may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing.
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Prepare or Beware: The Dangers of Retirement Planning Procrastination
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We just finished the longest bear (down) market since Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock” was a top hit. (That was 1957-58.) How did we finish a bear market? As a reminder, a bear market is a drop of more than 20% from a recent highwater mark. From January through October last year, the S&P 500 index dropped 24%.
Hero of Main St – Vlog
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What’s in a name? Mine is simple, one syllable, “Ralph”. It supposedly means wolf or hero. In my line of work I’d prefer hero, because the way I work is nothing at all like the “Wolf of Wall Street.” Call me the hero of main. Our clients know they need guidance, especially when facing one of life’s many crossroads…