As a wealth manager and investment executive with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Chuck Roberts has developed unique insight into his field. He began his career at Lehman Brothers in 1990 and is currently a managing director of investments at Stifel. There, he heads the cr wealth management group , a nine-member team that serves ultra-high-net-worth clients in New York City and Miami.
Here, he details some of the biggest challenges and rewards of his career.
Rewards
Clients are at the center of Chuck Roberts’ career. He was inspired to pursue a career in wealth management because he had a passion for helping people work towards growing and preserving their wealth. Having a positive impact on his clients’ lives—both by becoming their trusted advisor and by helping them pursue their financial objectives—is the most rewarding part of his job.
To be effective, good wealth managers need to earn the trust of their clients. They accomplish this by listening carefully to understand the goals and needs of each person, company, or organization. A one-size-fits-all approach may work in some industries, but when dealing with people’s money, wealth managers need to craft individualized plans.
Building trust also requires integrity. For Chuck Roberts, this means a commitment to honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct—not only in one’s business dealings but in one’s personal life as well.
Challenges
Success in the wealth management industry does not come easily. Indeed, developing proficiency and then expertise takes years of patience, perseverance, and dedication. It requires continual learning as well. The market scenario and the regulations are never static, and the wealth managers cannot afford to ignore the changing scenario, as it will not only affect their practice but also their clients.
These challenges present an opportunity for Mr. Roberts, though; the possible success is even sweeter when he brings the clients through the maze and takes them by the hand to their goals.
The Benefits of Philanthropy
Chuck Roberts’ philanthropy to groups involved in the arts and cultural activities has been one of his most rewarding experiences. As the director-advisor of the CPR Foundation, a nonprofit organization, he works to foster communication between the community and the police, which will, in turn, lead to trust and public safety.
The CPR Foundation has already made quite a splash in the scene thanks to the support of Chuck Roberts. It has run food drives, given away school materials and bicycles, sponsored health-related programs, and collaborated with the police for various outreach actions. Chuck, who was born in NYC and is now living in Miami, realizes how crucial it is to have good relationships between the police and the public, and he is glad to help an institution whose goal is the same as his values.
Final Thoughts
Chuck Roberts’ path in wealth management illustrates the torment and the rewards at the same time nature of the profession. His loyalty to the clients in building and keeping their wealth reflects his personalized, reliable service—the mainstay of good wealth management. By giving priority to honesty and correctness, Roberts has gained the trust of those clients who rely on him when the financial matters become complex. He is patient and tenacious in mastering the constantly changing markets, as he has accepted that continuous learning will always be part of his career. He does not stop at his professional duties only; rather, he delights himself in doing community service with the CPR Foundation, which helps him in creating stronger ties between the public and the police. His activities show that it is possible to merge one’s personal values with professional skills in a way that makes a positive impact.
Also Read: The Rise of Global Wealth Management Among Indian Investors
