About

Zack Swad

President & Wealth Manager

Background

Prior to founding Swad Wealth Management, I worked for a Fortune 500 Financial Services company for over 10 years where I served a variety of clients such as small business owners, professionals, and ultra-high net worth families.

Surrounded by a wide variety of technical experts, I absorbed a wealth of knowledge, which I use today to craft and manage client plans and portfolios.

I specialize in planning for retirement for people over age 50.

I take a unique approach because I believe it is important to truly understand your personal vision (all your hopes, dreams, and goals) and obstacles, and only then do I create a financial plan that is specific to you so you are empowered to live your best life sooner than most people think is possible.

During our meetings, I will listen intently with empathy, and our meetings will not be rushed.

I’m independent and operate as a fee-only advisor, which means I do not participate in commissions, and I am only paid by you. I am not tied to any products or proprietary strategies.

As a fiduciary, I am required by law to act in your best interest.

Prior to starting my own firm, I worked for a Fortune 500 financial services firm where I managed a practice of over $800 million in client assets.

If needed, I have a network of professionals in their respective insurance, legal, and financial fields.

In my free time, I love to spend time with my lovely wife, Elise. I sing and play guitar or piano. And at night, I enjoy a good movie or TV series. On vacations, I love to travel and see new places and experiences.

Education & Certifications

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®): The “gold standard” in financial planning. Only 25% of advisors hold this designation.
Advanced Comprehensive Knowledge around 12 areas including investments, retirement, tax, insurance, and estate planning.
Registered Life Planner®, (RLP®)
Certified Wealth Strategist, CWS
Behavioral Financial Advisor, BFA
Accredited Wealth Management Advisor, AWMS
Accredited Asset Management Specialist, AAMS
FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, 63, 65
CA Life, Health, & Accident Insurance License
Bachelor of Science, Finance – Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington

Plans Created for Real People

Years of Experience

Professional Designations & Affiliations

“I believe staying relevant to my clients means consistently honing my craft by staying on the cutting edge through continuing education and professional networking so I can provide the best wealth management advice possible.” – Zack Swad

A Certified Financial Planner™ Professional (CFP®)

The “gold standard” in financial planning. Only 25% of advisors hold this designation.* CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
*Source: www.cfp.net, cerulli.com.

Verify Here

Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®)

The Certified Wealth Strategist® utilizes a blended learning approach that includes instructor-led training, 13 Wealth Management Issues study guides, online mastery exams, conversation skill builders and eLessons. The learning experience culminates with a Capstone Project: a written document demonstrating a sustainable framework which applies the new knowledge and skills to the practitioner’s business. The program provides the knowledge, the practice management formula, and the critical client interaction skills to create and build a dynamic Wealth Advisory practice that works effectively with complex client issues.

More Information

RLP® Designees Help You Build a Life with Meaning

Registered Life Planner® (RLP®)

Professionals who earn the RLP® designation seek deeper, more nuanced, more comprehensive, and more lasting relationships with clients. They help clients create the greatest meaning and value in their lives by guiding them through changing individual circumstances and emerging goals.

RLP® designees know financial well-being is a means to several ends, not an end in itself. They want to help clients meet financial goals in service of life’s other, more important goals, whether they involve career and retirement, family life, professional or personal development, community engagement, spirituality, travel–or so much more.

A Registered Life Planner® doesn’t just dispense canned financial advice, they create, cultivate, and deliver on a sustained relationship with clients, putting their unique needs at the heart of financial planning.

More Information

NAPFA Registered

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.

Zack’s Profile

Member of the XY Planning Network

The XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.

More Information

Member of the Fee-Only Network

The Fee-Only Network elevates the visibility of fee-only financial advisors, individually and collectively. Fee-Only advisors are ONLY compensated by the client and NEVER make commission by selling financial products, or receiving kickbacks from brokerage firms. Their platform gives consumers easy access to profiles of vetted financial advisors working under a transparent fee structure with a legal obligation to provide unbiased financial advice. No sales. Period.

Zack’s Profile

A Behavioral Financial Advisor™ (BFA™)

Financial advisors earning the Behavioral Financial Advisor™ certificate have completed the certification program to help mentor and coach clients in their financial decisions, and offer a holistic approach to strengthen the advisor-client relationship using an integrated approach founded on self-awareness, demonstrating how traditional finance practices are influenced by psychology and neuroscience.

An Accredited Wealth Management Advisor® (AWMA®)

Individuals who hold the AWMA® designation have completed a course of study encompassing wealth strategies, equity-based compensation plans, tax reduction alternatives, and asset protection alternatives. Additionally, individuals must pass an end-of-course examination that tests their ability to synthesize complex concepts and apply theoretical concepts to real-life situations.

More Information

An Accredited Asset Management Specialist®

Financial advisors and investment managers who hold the AAMS® designation have completed a course of study encompassing investments, insurance, tax, retirement, and estate planning issues. Individuals must pass an end-of-course examination that tests their ability to synthesize complex concepts and apply theoretical concepts to real-life situations. All designees have agreed to adhere to Standards of Professional Conduct and are subject to a disciplinary process.

More Information

Professional Designations & Affiliations

“I believe staying relevant to my clients means consistently honing my craft by staying on the cutting edge through continuing education and professional networking so I can provide the best wealth management advice possible.” – Zack Swad

A Certified Financial Planner™ Professional (CFP®)

The “gold standard” in financial planning. Only 25% of advisors hold this designation.* CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
*Source: www.cfp.net, cerulli.com.

Verify Here

Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®)

The Certified Wealth Strategist® utilizes a blended learning approach that includes instructor-led training, 13 Wealth Management Issues study guides, online mastery exams, conversation skill builders and eLessons. The learning experience culminates with a Capstone Project: a written document demonstrating a sustainable framework which applies the new knowledge and skills to the practitioner’s business. The program provides the knowledge, the practice management formula, and the critical client interaction skills to create and build a dynamic Wealth Advisory practice that works effectively with complex client issues.

More Information

Registered Life Planner® (RLP®)

Professionals who earn the RLP® designation seek deeper, more nuanced, more comprehensive, and more lasting relationships with clients. They help clients create the greatest meaning and value in their lives by guiding them through changing individual circumstances and emerging goals.

RLP® designees know financial well-being is a means to several ends, not an end in itself. They want to help clients meet financial goals in service of life’s other, more important goals, whether they involve career and retirement, family life, professional or personal development, community engagement, spirituality, travel–or so much more.

A Registered Life Planner® doesn’t just dispense canned financial advice, they create, cultivate, and deliver on a sustained relationship with clients, putting their unique needs at the heart of financial planning.

More Information

NAPFA Registered

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.

Zack’s Profile

Member of the XY Planning Network

The XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.

More Information

Member of the Fee-Only Network

The Fee-Only Network elevates the visibility of fee-only financial advisors, individually and collectively. Fee-Only advisors are ONLY compensated by the client and NEVER make commission by selling financial products, or receiving kickbacks from brokerage firms. Their platform gives consumers easy access to profiles of vetted financial advisors working under a transparent fee structure with a legal obligation to provide unbiased financial advice. No sales. Period.

Zack’s Profile

A Behavioral Financial Advisor™ (BFA™)

Financial advisors earning the Behavioral Financial Advisor™ certificate have completed the certification program to help mentor and coach clients in their financial decisions, and offer a holistic approach to strengthen the advisor-client relationship using an integrated approach founded on self-awareness, demonstrating how traditional finance practices are influenced by psychology and neuroscience.

An Accredited Wealth Management Advisor® (AWMA®)

Individuals who hold the AWMA® designation have completed a course of study encompassing wealth strategies, equity-based compensation plans, tax reduction alternatives, and asset protection alternatives. Additionally, individuals must pass an end-of-course examination that tests their ability to synthesize complex concepts and apply theoretical concepts to real-life situations.

More Information

An Accredited Asset Management Specialist®

Financial advisors and investment managers who hold the AAMS® designation have completed a course of study encompassing investments, insurance, tax, retirement, and estate planning issues. Individuals must pass an end-of-course examination that tests their ability to synthesize complex concepts and apply theoretical concepts to real-life situations. All designees have agreed to adhere to Standards of Professional Conduct and are subject to a disciplinary process.

More Information

Investment Philosophy

Studies show that investor behavior has the largest influence on portfolio returns. I know that every individual is unique and needs a customized approach based on their feelings around risk and investment style preferences. Because of this, I custom-tailor your portfolio based on your specific needs and preferences.

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Empirical & Time-Tested

I rely on hundreds of peer-reviewed studies based on over 70 years of research to inform our systematic investment process.

No gut decisions made here!

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Manage Risk

You cannot afford a catastrophic decline as you do not have the time to recover, which may force you to either:

A) Significantly Delay Retirement
B) Go Back to Work

We make sure that doesn’t happen through our adaptive risk management tools and/or strategic diversification.

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Low Cost & Tax Efficient

I utilize Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), index funds, and individual securities to keep your costs and taxes low.

It’s not just about what you earn. It’s about what you keep!

Schedule Intro Call

On The Personal Side

Our wedding, July 2022, in Novato, CA

Elise and me in Venice for our honeymoon

From left-to-right, my two brothers: Basil and Jake, and my parents: Kevin and Annette

Elise turned me into a crazy cat dad. Here’s our two cats: Elsa and Anna

My dad and I in Spain

That one time I went ziplining upside-down in Costa Rica!

Our Twins
Roman (Left). Jude (Right).

Swad Wealth’s Newest Hires

The family at Abuelita’s (Grandma)
100th Birthday!