“We provide guidance and education on how people can realize their ideal life. Our clients feel like the firm cares about them, and they trust us.”—Mark Leavitt, principal and senior advisor
Operating in a fast-paced world of market volatility can cause many people to detour off their initial financial plan. At Meritas Wealth Management, winner of this year’s Best Wealth Management Firm, the company advises a tortoise-beats-the-hare investment approach of long-term investing. According to Mark Leavitt, principal and senior advisor at Meritas Wealth Management, emotions are an overlooked aspect of financial planning.
“Meritas runs qualitative assessments to gauge clients’ emotions of finances and investing,” he says. “You need to have trust. Both the planner and the client are looking to be open and honest. You need to know the client’s relationship with money and how dealing with finances makes them feel.”
Factoring in a prospective client’s emotional aptitude toward investments isn’t the only unique aspect of Meritas Wealth Management. The firm developed an in-house program for resident associates to become certified financial planners.
“We’re focused on developing the next generation of advisors. There is no expectation for them to stay with us long-term once becoming certified,” he says. “It’s about educating the next generation on financial planning and asset management. The residency program speaks to the firm’s core principle of inspire, educate and guide.
Founded in 2009, Meritas Wealth Management started with the mission to inspire others on what’s financially possible. Leaders who boast more than 60 years of collective wealth management experience guide the company. Leavitt says that two of the firm’s partners also teach a master’s degree course in financial planning at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Clients of Meritas Wealth Management can access assistance in financial, tax, real estate and retirement planning, as well as real estate consulting and stock options analysis.
“We provide guidance and education on how people can realize their ideal life. Our clients feel like the firm cares about them and they trust us,” Leavitt says. “We not only do that for clients but our team as well.”
According to Leavitt, a Meritas Wealth Management team member remarked that one of the strengths of the company is the friendship and teamwork among the firm. The company has two offices, one in Larkspur and one in Santa Rosa. “We end every quarterly meeting with a fun team building activity like golf, and we now provide hybrid work options,” Leavitt says.
Being recognized by NorthBay biz readers as the Best Wealth Management firm in the North Bay is a humbling validation for Leavitt. “It signifies that we are doing our job and that our time and hard work is paying off for others,” he says. “It’s so rewarding to help someone and make a difference in their life. Having that financial plan gives clients the comfort and security that whatever happens in life can be addressed.”
Leavitt says that it’s never too early to start planning for your financial future and retirement, and when asked for a free financial tip, he cautions, “Don’t gamble. You work so hard for your money, don’t throw it away by chasing some new hot stock tip or crypto currency.”
[Photos courtesy of Meritas Wealth Management]
