When the right partners are available, good teamwork makes the difference in attaining the success you seek each day.
In your personal and business finances, you’re drafting a team that includes insurance advisors, investment advisors and certified public accountants (CPAs) all focused on helping you attain your important goals. Together, these talented professionals can guide you through the maze of complex decisions you’ll need to make, regardless of what’s happening in the economy.
We’ve sought out the region’s most trusted experts – the kind whose work is sure to align with your objectives and whose philosophies are sure to align with your values. Together, these talented professionals can guide you through the maze of your business and personal needs.
The key to your financial success is coalescing all of your professional advisors around your personal mission. This is your strategy to command, and these dedicated professionals are your team to engage.
We hope and trust you’ll find the professionals you’re about to meet will have the skills and experience to provide invaluable and unmatched assistance to the success of your mission … on both the personal and business fronts.
Rockford Community Bank
Retail Banking Services
1825 N. Perryville Road | Rockford, IL | (815) 523-1425 |rockfordbank.com
When Rockford Community Bank first opened its doors in January 2022, located at 1825 N. Perryville Road, it was so well received that the full-service retail bank is already breaking ground for a new branch in Machesney Park, Ill., with a grand opening planned for late summer or early fall of 2024. The bank is also planning an additional future location close to downtown Rockford.
What sets Rockford Community Bank apart from others is the focus it places on the second word in its name: Community. Customers notice this when they attend an in-bank ice cream social, a family cookout, a visit from Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Andre Dawson, or an event where children meet special guests such as the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus.
At this full-service community bank, customers have access to a variety of services including personal accounts, mortgages, investments and trust services. These services include: no ATM fees (even while using other banks’ ATMs), free coin counting, Cubs and Sox checking, and free online/mobile banking.
Rockford Community Bank is a public space, where no appointments are necessary. A community room on site offers a place for seminars or groups that need a place to gather. The bank sponsors a variety of events, including free document shred days, blood drives, Dinner on the Dock at Prairie Street Brewing Co. and Donation Days at Anderson Gardens, an evening where visitors to the gardens pay a donation in lieu of admission.
Team members also volunteer to serve on a number of boards including the Rock River Valley Pantry, Shelter Care Ministries, Rockford Park District Foundation Board, Belvidere School Board, YMCA of Rock River Valley, Crusader Community Health Foundation, Rockford Local Development Corp., and many more.
The bank is also developing partnerships with area schools, so that young people become more financially fluent as they journey into adulthood. Free training seminars are regularly held, at the bank and throughout the community, to help customers from all walks of life learn about financial literacy, identity protection, trusts, estates, and building or rebuilding credit.
The retail banking team membes who greet visitors at Rockford Community Bank are the same people you wave to on a jog through the park or a trip to the supermarket. They are proud members, not just of Rockford Community Bank, but of Rockford itself.
Lucas Group Financial Advisors + CPAs
1753 S. West Ave. | Freeport | (815) 235-9610
1617 Temple Lane | Rockford | (815) 964-9955
You may have heard the expression, “It’s not what you earn, but what you keep.” As fewer workers are offered traditional pension plans at work, more people have turned to financial planners to determine how much to save and where to invest it in order to meet retirement and other goals. At the same time, the tax system becomes more complex with every change in tax law. Saving enough, and experiencing good investment returns, is obviously important to meeting one’s financial goals – but equally important is minimizing taxes along the way to leave more in your own pocket.
At Lucas Group, we believe that any comprehensive financial plan should also incorporate tax planning. The goal is not only to minimize today’s taxes, but also future taxes – to you, your heirs, and your estate. This includes reviewing a number of tax strategies and different types of accounts to determine which are useful to your overall financial plan, now and in the future.
Ideally, a financial advisor and tax advisor can work together to make any tax-related recommendations. Certain areas they may examine include:
- Lowering your AGI using tax-deductible tools such as HSAs, FSAs and 401(k)s;
- Analyzing pre-tax retirement savings versus Roth IRA;
- Weighing pros and cons of a Roth Conversion;
- Using a tax management strategy in non-retirement investments;
- Discussing Qualified Charitable Distributions, or QCDs, for retirees over 70.5 who are charitably inclined;
- Using a Donor Advised Fund for more tax-efficient charitable giving;
- Strategies for lowering the taxes (both income and estate taxes) your heirs may pay upon your death.
As you can see, there are many strategies that someone might use to lower their taxes either today or in the future. When paired with comprehensive financial planning strategies, effective tax management can help your money go further toward your goals.
The information provided is not written or intended as tax or legal advice. Individuals involved in the estate planning process should work with an estate planning team, including their own personal legal counsel. Securities offered through Regulus Financial Group, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Regal Investment Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training. Regulus Financial Group, LLC and Regal Investment Advisors are affiliated entities. Lucas Group Financial Advisors is independent of Regulus Financial Group, LLC and Regal Investment Advisors.
Stillman Bank, Trust & Wealth Management
An independently owned community bank earning your trust since 1882
608 W. Blackhawk Dr. | Byron, IL | (815) 234-5626
8492 E. State St. | Rockford, IL | (815) 332-8100
1445 IL Rt. 2 | Oregon, IL | (815) 732-7956
5250 Bridge St. | Roscoe, IL | (815) 623-1800
455 W. IL Rt. 38 | Rochelle, IL | (815) 562-7071
101 E. Main St. | Stillman Valley, IL | (815) 645-2266
Serving the community since 1882, Stillman Bank has spent 140 years forging a stable financial institution that is dedicated to the customers and communities it serves.
With six full-service office locations throughout Ogle and Winnebago counties, it still remains locally owned and headquartered right here in the Rock River Valley. While the banking industry has transformed since Stillman Bank’s founding, its guiding principles have always remained steadfast. Stillman Bank has been cultivated through a long and continuing tradition of integrity, community involvement and leadership that builds value for its customers, communities and shareholders, all of which are important to the bank’s success.
Stillman Trust & Wealth Management offers a full range of trust and investment services to individuals and businesses. Managing personal assets or a company’s assets in today’s financial marketplace requires knowledge and expertise. Stillman Bank provides comprehensive and creative solutions to individuals interested in building and preserving their wealth through Trust Administration, Retirement & Estate Planning, and Investment Management services. Stillman Bank’s advisors work with their customers to determine long-term and short-term goals to develop a strategy that is customized to every unique situation. They take pride in offering clients innovative financial solutions to build and protect their assets. For more information or to arrange a no-obligation, complimentary consultation, contact them at any of their six locations. Trust administrators regularly visit all offices, so appointments can be made for any location or time.
In addition to the products and services it offers, Stillman Bank provides support to numerous community organizations with monetary donations, resources and volunteer hours. As your neighbors, their employees are truly living, working and investing in the betterment of their local communities.
CoyleKiley Insurance Agency
Locally Owned. Community Minded. Customer Focused.
810 N. Alpine Road | Rockford, IL
418 W. Blackhawk Drive, Ste. 201 | Byron, IL
(815) 987-2170 | coylekiley.com
CoyleKiley Insurance is the region’s leading, locally owned, independent agency specializing in commercial and personal insurance as well as employee benefits and wealth management.
We conduct business across the United States and also handle complex international exposures. We have established relationships with over 100 of the finest “A” rated carriers available to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients.
Our aim is to simplify the insurance process for you and provide clear-cut solutions that provide value tailored to your specific needs. We are focused on building long-term relationships, in many cases becoming an extension of your business team. Your trusted advisor. Your advocate.
When you choose CoyleKiley, we not only provide traditional solutions. As your consultant, we also review your insurance and financial priorities to provide a customized plan to help take advantage of changing times and new risk protection solutions.
We believe strongly in maintaining our core values of delivering excellence, staying engaged and earning our clients’ trust every day. Our focus on culture and community engagement has encouraged individuals from both inside and outside the insurance industry to join our growing team. Very soon, we will have more than 30 people engaged to serve you.
While continually attracting new talent, we are still built on more than 65 years of industry knowledge and expertise. CoyleKiley delivers numerous experts who have been in the insurance field for more than 30 years. This provides an extremely strong foundation for all of your needs and allows for the infusion of new talent to fuel legacy and growth.
Contact us today to meet your new team.
Associated Bank
Main Office: 612 N. Main St., Rockford
Rockford: 4400 Center Terrace | 3134A 11th St. | 1870 N. Perryville Road
Beloit: 602 Henry Ave. | Machesney Park: 622 Roosevelt Road
(815) 987-3500 | associatedbank.com
Founded in 1861, the Associated Bank of Rockford Community Market has one of the largest deposit bases of any financial institution in the greater Rockford area. Our colleagues, operating from six branches in the region, provide a complete range of financial products and services. They include consumer banking, commercial and business lending, residential mortgage and home equity lending, private banking, trust, retirement plan services and asset management, as well as employee benefits, business insurance and human resource consulting. Our parent company, Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) is one of the top 50 publicly traded U.S bank holding companies. Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise offering financial services in more than 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and commercial services in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Texas.
Associated Bank is proud to provide a genuine and modern Midwest banking experience to the individuals, small businesses, corporate and commercial clients, and communities that we serve. Associated Bank is rooted in its rich 162-year history but also looks to the future for innovative ways to deliver consistent, quality financial services to its customers.
Rohlik Financial Group
Integrity is the Cornerstone of Our Business
4615 E. State St., Ste. 200, Rockford
6424 W. Lake St., Minneapolis
(800) 236-2608 | rohlikfinancialgroup.com
Rohlik Financial Group was founded in 2009 when Brent Rohlik realized his entrepreneurial vision and founded the independent firm. As a close-knit firm with family ties, brother-and-sister duo Brent and Suzanne specialize in holistic financial planning and wealth management.
Rohlik Financial Group has a family feel rooted in care for each other, its clients and a commitment to helping clients with all their financial needs. The group’s long-term stability with staff allows it to get to know clients over the long haul, developing close relationships that span decades.
With a focus on the unique needs of every client at every stage of their financial journey, Rohlik Financial Group helps clients design a comprehensive financial plan that considers their current financial situation and long-term goals so they can develop strategies that pursue those goals.
The staff at Rohlik Financial Group work as a cohesive team, with each member excelling in certain areas that help provide the best support, advice and service to every client. A vast experience allows the group to serve clients comprehensively.
Prairie Trust
A Team Approach to Meeting Your Goals
Madison, WI: 4600 American Pkwy., | Ste. 204, (608) 535-3040
Waukesha, WI: N16W23321 Stone Ridge Dr., (262) 522-7400
prairietrust.com
Prairie Trust, a division of Waukesha State Bank, is a trust services provider with unrivaled expertise in trust administration.
They serve clients in Wisconsin, northern Illinois and throughout the U.S. and are privately owned, giving them the independence and freedom to do the right thing for the right reason.
In addition, Prairie Trust works closely with other financial professionals, including attorneys and financial advisors. The advisor-friendly business model means they regularly support financial advisors as they nurture and grow relationships with clients.
Prairie Trust’s expertise is demonstrated by its ability to handle difficult situations, including special needs trusts, trusts subject to family friction (even with active litigation), and estate settlements with complex requirements.
The team includes attorneys, Certified Financial Planners, Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisors, licensed Certified Public Accountants, MBAs and more. Just as importantly, because direct personal contact never goes out of style, Prairie Trust’s approach is responsive, active and accessible.
Edward Jones/Mike Donnelly
What to Expect from a Financial Advisor
2406 Charles St., | Ste. 1-A, Rockford, IL | (815) 398-7759 | EdwardJones.com
As an Edward Jones financial advisor, I believe it’s important to understand what you’re working toward before you invest your money. It’s also important to understand the level of risk you’re comfortable accepting when investing, so we can balance it with the steps necessary to reach your long-term goals.
Whether you’re planning for retirement, saving for college for children or grandchildren, or just trying to protect the financial future of the ones you care for the most, we can work together to develop specific strategies to help you achieve your goals. We can also monitor your progress to help make sure you stay on track or determine if any adjustments need to be made. Throughout it all, we’re dedicated to providing you top-notch client service.
Thousands of people working with advanced technology support our office so we can help ensure you receive the most current and comprehensive guidance. In addition, we welcome the opportunity to work with your attorney, accountant and other trusted professionals to deliver a comprehensive strategy that leverages everyone’s expertise.
Working together, we can help you develop a complete, tailored strategy to help you achieve your financial goals.
Charles Schwab
Financial Guidance for a Better Tomorrow
801 N. Perryville Road | Rockford, IL | (815) 209-0055 | schwab.com/rockford
At Charles Schwab, we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow.
We have a history of challenging status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors, advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients’ goals with passion and integrity.
Schwab’s independent branch in Rockford opened in 2013 and has since been offering local residents access to a range of investing and wealth management guidance, products and services.
The branch is led by independent branch leader Mark Gerard, a financial services professional with 25 years of experience in financial planning and portfolio design.
Clients can also meet with financial consultant Bill Osborne, a 40-year veteran of the investment management industry, for financial planning discussion and personalized portfolio consultations.