Thomas H. Vickers, III, ChFC®, CLU®, RHU®
Wealth Advisor and Partner
I have over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, and I help a select group of clients simplify their financial lives and progress towards achieving their most important lifetime goals. I took over the leadership of Financial Planning Associates in 1991 from my father and founder, Thomas H. Vickers, Jr. Under my leadership, Financial Planning Associates has grown from a small Minnesota Mutual insurance agency into a robust, independent, holistic wealth management firm.
I currently serve as the managing partner of Financial Planning Associates, LLC, our administrative holding company. I am the compliance liaison for our Registered Investment Advisor, Private Advisor Group, and our Broker/Dealer, LPL Financial. I am a co-leader of the FPA Wealth Management Advisory team and sit on the in-house Investment Committee.
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Marketing from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. I hold the FINRA series 6, 7, 24, 51 & 63, registered with LPL Financial. My financial credentials include the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), the Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), and the Registered Health Underwriter® (RHU®) designations. In addition, I am a past president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors of Greater Philadelphia (NAIFA-GP), sit on several community boards and am an elected citizen auditor for Bethel Township, PA.
I reside in Garnet Valley, PA with my wife, Donna, and our dog, Cody. We have two wonderful children, Lauren and Thomas. When not working with clients, I enjoy attending local sporting events including Eagles, Flyers, Phillies and St. Joseph’s University basketball games. I also enjoy travelling, spending time in Longport, NJ and Indian Harbor Beach, FL and spending as much time as possible with friends and family.
CHARTERED FINANCIAL CONSULTANT® (ChFC®)
Before becoming a ChFC®, professionals must complete on average eight collegiate level courses spanning across all aspects of financial planning. A ChFC® gains the knowledge and expertise to provide clients with various financial planning services including insurance, risk management, asset management, tax planning, estate planning and retirement planning. The ChFC® curriculum is designed and approved by The American College of Financial Services, the industry wide leader in high level, accredited financial education.
The ChFC® designation is granted by the Certification Committee of the Board of Trustees of The American College. An advisor who is granted the mark must have years of financial service experience to ensure clients get the best professional advice needed. A ChFC® advisor pledges a strict ethical standard requiring them to apply the same methods to their clients’ accounts as they would their own.
CHARTERED LIFE UNDERWRITER® (CLU®)
Individuals who hold the CLU® designation have completed eight or more collegiate level courses covering a broad range of the financial planning industry. A CLU® professional has studied extensively in the following topics: insurance planning, estate and retirement issues, taxation, business insurance and risk management. A CLU® can assist their clients with analyzing their overall financial situation, assess risk, manage taxation on an individual, business and estate level and implement the appropriate insurances and finical strategies to achieve financial security. A CLU® must adhere to the ethical standards of The American Colleges Code of Ethics.
REGISTERED HEALTH UNDERWRITER® (RHU®)
Professionals who hold the RHU® designation have completed an extensive five course curriculum designed for the health insurance industry and administered by The American College of Financial Services. A RHU® professional has extensive knowledge on all types of health insurances including: disability income, medical expense, HMOs, PPOs, group dental, long term care and cafeteria plans. Before becoming a RHU®, a professional must pass a group of written examinations and adhere to the ethical standards of The American Colleges Code of Ethics. Each professional must reaccredit themselves with continuing education credits every two years.