MMR: Finding a Financial Advisor :(

bmo88 · November 2016

The saga continues. I have posted a few times about wanting to find a good financial advisor and I thought I found one, but have found some major red flags.

I found an advisor who is in her late 40's, has about 25 years experience, very easy to talk to and has an approach that I really connect with overall. But then I googled her...and that's where it went downhill.

Long story short...she comes across as somewhat racist, extremely conservative Republican (super Pro-Trump), shares questionable (i.e., fake new stories), is super pro-gun rights and definitely anti-Muslim.

Sadly, I am not surprised because I live in a very conservative town in Colorado. While Colorado went blue for the election, my town was and always has been die hard conservative republican. I typically keep politics out of business, but I am having a hard time reconciling this with wanting to do business with someone who actively promotes ideals I do not support (she has a personal website that promotes her ideals).

It's really tough because when talking with her, she comes across as very kind, competent and shares very similar financial approaches. Her philosophy and business model are exactly what I am looking for. However, I am a minority female (black/white with light colored skin) who is very accepting of others and I do not condone hate, racism or bigotry of any kind. So personally, I feel like doing business with someone who does seems hypocritical (although, I must admit, most of my town is this way...so I guess it's not entirely avoidable).

I guess I will continue my quest to find a financial advisor that works best for us. But, I must ask, I am being reasonable right?

ETA: Just wanted to say, I have not fundamental issues with someone being Republican. I am actually probably more of a conservative Democrat. Also, I have quite a few friends who are moderate republicans...its the issue with the racism, bigotry and islamaphobia that's driving my concerns.

vlagrl35 · November 2016

yes I think you are being reasonable. I'm sure there are other advisors out there you share not only your MM beliefs but also your morals as well. Youre trusting someone with your money so you should have a high standard set.

Mustard76 · November 2016

I don't think it's necessarily unreasonable, but if you had not come across her website, would you know that she had these ideals? My point is that for people that don't publicize their beliefs, you never really know what they are. So the next advisor in line might feel the same way, and you just don't know it. Is that the difference, that she makes her opinions known?

My clients trust me with their money and have zero idea about my views, because I don't make them public. My job is to meet client needs; I don't get paid to express my political views.

Xstatic3333 · November 2016

I think it's reasonable to avoid supporting someone who publicly espouses racism and xenophobia for sure. I also think posting political stuff on a page traceable to your business just shows poor judgement and a lack of professionalism. I have political views, for sure, but working in a more conservative community means I have the sense not to put bumper stickers on my car.

als1982 · November 2016

I'd find a new advisor ASAP. Honestly, whenever I'm doing any hiring, the first place I check before interviewing is social media. Putting anything out there so distasteful shows poor judgement and that poor judgement in itself is good cause for not employing that person or doing business with them. I don't ever put anything on my blog or FB that I wouldn't want my neighbors, employer or mother to read.

julieanne912 · November 2016

Agreed w/ @Xstatic3333 and @als1982 . I mean, as you mentioned, it's going to be hard where you live to find someone who jives with your personal beliefs. But, in ANY professional setting, no matter what your beliefs are, it shows a real lack of judgement to be so outspoken about polarizing topics.

We have a friend in Wyoming who is a financial advisor. You'd never know his political views by looking at any of his social media, even his personal Facebook page. He knows he can't be outspoken about that stuff in his line of work, which relies on commissions and referrals. In fact, the most political he's ever gotten on Facebook was by posting a picture of a fence post and saying "This is a political post". LOL

brij2006 · November 2016

I'm torn on how I'd handle this if I were in your shoes. I live in a very conservative area where you see Trump signs in business windows. Businessowners here aren't afraid to show what they believe/support.
I would probably stick with her if she is conducting the business with you in a professional manner that you don't feel threatened in or like she's pushing her views. Especially if you share the same financial views. That's hard to find.

smetter04 · November 2016

I don't think you're being unreasonable. Money talks, and you can't take back knowing about her views. I definitely think twice about spending money at companies whose views I vehemently disagree with, especially if the company is public with their views and which issues they financially support. Also, you need to trust your financial advisor and I would imagine that your trust was broken when you found her website.

short+sassy · November 2016

That is a tough one. I totally understand where you are coming from. Different political views are one thing. I would just inwardly roll my eyes and focus on her great qualities as an advisor.

But racism and negativity towards specific religions goes against basic, human rights. I don't think that's a pill I could swallow, no matter how great she was in other aspects.

Sorry, soapbox tangent. And that's what bugs me with some people, including my H a bit, who say stuff like, "Well, Trump won. Half the country's always upset after an election when their side doesn't win. It's always like that, this is no different, just move on."

No, it isn't. I despised George W. Bush. But I wasn't "up in arms" when he won his second term. I rolled my eyes and moved on. I was concerned about a lot of things with him, politically speaking, but not my fellow Americans' basic rights.

**Edited to clarify. I don't think Trump supporter=racist/mysonogist (sp?)/anti-immigrants/anti-Islam. However, in this case, the financial advisor's website speaks for her views.

bmo88 · November 2016

Thanks for the insights everyone.

While I try to keep politics and personal views out of business, I think this situation is an exception. After telling DH about it, he does not feel comfortable moving forward with her. I agree, it is very unprofessional to have such information shared online, but then again...it appeals to a certain demographic. But we both work in education at an institution that serves mostly low income, minority students...and her views seem very counter to what drives us on a personal level. I cannot go back from knowing the information, so it's best to move on.

We live in a city of 500,000+ people, so there must be a financial advisor out there somewhere who will meet our needs. Onward with the search.

LillibetteV · November 2016

Good luck with your search! I would do the same thing in your shoes - I firmly vote with my wallet and there are many business I will not give my business to for a variety of reasons. Walmart, Hobby Lobby, CVS....the list is fairly long to list them all here, but that's the beauty of living in such a consumer driven society - I can get what I need without giving my money to companies I despise!

Xstatic3333 · November 2016

@LillibetteV do you mind if I ask the reasoning behind CVS? You and I seem to agree on a lot of political stuff, and I also avoid the other two (except occasionally when travelling I find Walmart the only option for something), but I've had a mostly positive image of CVS, especially since they're a local company.

LillibetteV · November 2016

@Xstatic3333 CVS is because CVS Caremark has HORRIBLE customer service. Nothing political about that one. I had to spend 8 hours fighting with them over a Friday night and the following Saturday to get my IVF medications which were clearly time sensitive. I was talked down to, given false information twice, and intentionally hung up on. I spoke to my doctor about it and they said all of their IVF patients have had similar experiences to mine and they avoid using them whenever possible. I am required by my health insurer to continue using their mail order service for specialty medications (which is now just the PIO shots for another month), but my husband and I will no longer shop at their retail locations. We have switched to a local independent pharmacist for everything else possible (and I used Walgreens to get my preservative free flu shot since my independent pharmacist didn't carry it).

Xstatic3333 · November 2016

That makes sense @LillibetteV! With an experience like that I can't blame you one bit. Thanks for explaining.

short+sassy · November 2016

I had a similarly bad experience at a Walgreens pharmacy. I even called the district manager in charge of their pharmacies to discuss my experience, how badly they had botched my order (on the financial end), yet were rude and wouldn't fix the problem. No return call. That was years ago and I haven't set foot in one since.

MMR: Finding a Financial Advisor :(

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