Be proactive and plan for the next 'black swan' event

Gregory Guenther believes his knowledge and comprehensive understanding of investment opportunities and strategies makes him a key differentiator in the competitive landscape of financial advice.

Growing up, the managing partner and financial planner at New Jersey-based GRANTvest Financial Group recalls playing with LEGO, where he would continuously build things and be creative. Little did he know these skills would set him up for the future.

“I remember seeing outside of the kits what you could build, with that same option in front of you,” he said. “I think it's that same thought process that kind of led me into being a competitive chess player and serves me well today as a planner.

“I enjoy that mental challenge of looking at all the puzzle pieces laid out on the table and trying to assemble the best way to move forward with a plan,” he added.

A commitment to mentorship and community service is a cornerstone of Guenther’s professional principles. Recently, his firm received the Community’s Choice Award for one of the best financial advisory firms in their community. He also highlighted the firm has received over 120 Google five-star reviews with a perfect five-star rating, placing them in the top 1 percent of financial advisory firms in the country, by this metric.

Additionally, he’s passionate to dedicate substantial time to pro bono work, particularly assisting young investors in developing a personal financial plan.

All of these commitments has led to Guenther being recognized as an InvestmentNews Awards 2024 Excellence Awardee, with the winners announced on June 20 at 583 Park Avenue, New York City in a glitzy, red carpet ceremony. Click here to register to attend.

He’s quick to point out a question that he is often asked: Whether he’s worried that computers or AI will replace the financial advisory role? He responds, “I have absolutely zero concern about that.”

“It's not only an ability to digest different types of information, but it's also to build the trust, rapport and confidence with a client to ask the right questions, to know their family situation intimately. Building all those connections together can never be replicated by AI or by a computer,” he said.

What he is worried about, however, is the next “black swan” type of event. That event being “the one that you know is coming but you can’t plan for.” He highlights COVID being the prime example of that.

“That is what always worries me the most about a long-term plan and what I do in financial planning,” he admits. “I think the best way to mitigate that risk is to do the research and to do the heavy lifting up front … be proactive in planning so that we're not completely caught off guard when one of those types of events happens again.”

For more details about the InvestmentNews Awards, including a list of all finalists and details of how to attend, follow this link.