Vanguard is opening a new office in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area in Texas. In alignment with the firm’s commitment to making advice more accessible and affordable for investors, the new location will be dedicated to supporting all aspects of its growing advice businesses. Recently, we spoke with some of the crew members at the new site and had a chance to ask them questions about what they are most excited about. In this installment of a three-part series, we hear from Luke H.

What makes Vanguard stand out in the financial services industry?
Vanguard’s investor-owned structure is something that always stood out to me. The driving force behind everything we do is our clients. How many companies are actively looking for ways to lower costs so they can give more back to their clients? We are truly fiduciaries for our clients; we put their interests at the forefront of all that we do.

What are you looking forward to most with Vanguard’s new footprint in Dallas?
Dallas and the surrounding areas are full of advisors and other professionals who share Vanguard’s mission statement, even if they have never heard ours. Most advisors get into the profession with the intention of taking a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success. With Vanguard opening an office in Dallas, advisors will have the opportunity to align their ethics with their chosen career.

What skills and competencies make a financial advisor at Vanguard successful?
In my mind, a successful advisor must have empathy and strong communication skills. They should be able to put themselves in a client’s shoes and understand that their life, family, and finances are unique and important to them. Being able to communicate with a client in a way that creates trust is critical. There are clients who require assistance with budgeting and understanding how their decisions impact their financial futures. Some messages are difficult to deliver. Demonstrating empathy and proper communication will support clients in achieving their financial goals.

How will Vanguard support a financial advisor’s career growth?
One of my favorite things about Vanguard is that they truly care about their people and invest in our development. Before I was an advisor, Vanguard put me through a Certified Financial Planner™ program so I could obtain the credentials necessary to fulfill my dreams of becoming a financial advisor. I participated in the program with other Vanguard crew members, and I was given time that was helpful for me to master the materials and pass the required tests. Once I became an advisor, I was presented with the massive trove of resources that Vanguard prepares to ensure our advisors are educated on the latest changes and events in the industry. Vanguard also gives advisors access to third-party news publications to stay on the cutting edge. If that wasn’t enough, Vanguard also offers an academic assistance program to help you achieve goals like obtaining a Master’s degree or other formal education and certifications. Each week, advisors have dedicated time to spend on learning and growing. Vanguard doesn’t just talk about development, they give you the time, resources, and investment to do so.

More about Luke: With an undergraduate degree in Finance, Luke started his career at Vanguard in 2011 in Client Services. He held multiple roles before moving to the Personal Advisor Services (PAS) group as a financial advisor. In this position, he learned how to speak collaboratively about Vanguard’s methodology and assisted many clients with taking the necessary steps to help reach their financial goals. Luke has since transitioned to leadership, where he currently serves as an advisor manager. He has helped launch the Dallas site virtually but will be moving to Dallas before the campus opens its doors in 2022.

Are you interested in joining our team in Dallas, Texas? Check out our Advice opportunities today!