Our Qualifications

Stephen Chappell has over 19 years experience in the financial planning industry. Stephen received his Master's degree in Financial Planning in 2002 and the designation of Certified Fund Specialist and a Registered Principal with Raymond James Financial Services, member FINRA/SIPC.  

More important, his vision and problem-solving ability have earned him the respect of his clients, a steady stream of referrals, and the envy of his peers  " I love helping my clients succeed , " He says, in their lives, in their businesses, and in thier retirement lifetstyles." Teamwork is my philsophy.  I believe clients working as a team with our firm  can yield more favorable results than if they work alone. Sadly, we find most people spend more time planning their vacations than to establish, implement and review a meaningful financial plan.

Our branch has no proprietary products that is encouraged to promote. As a result, Stephen provides his clients with independent, unbiased, financial advice. His strategies are founded on the principle that planning is the essential element to achieve your financial goals. He believes that  planning is a multi-step process that needs to be addressed on an on-going basis. Stephen is totally committed to providing only the highest quality service and products to serve his clients best interest. Stephen's investment philosophy holds capital preservation and long-term growth of capital as the most important virtues of a investment plan. Wealth must be prudently managed and carefully monitored to endure the ravages of taxes and inflation and to help ensure that the individual does not outlive his or her money.

In order to remain on the leading edge of his industry and continue providing the most current and comprehensive strategies to his clients, Stephen has made continuing education a priority. He stays abreast of developments and changes in legislation that may have an impact on his client's financial situations. He is also a member of the Certified Investment Managment Consultants.

Stephen has taught financial strategy classes for CPAs and attorneys for their continuing education credits. He has also conducted workshops for the public, hospitals, local physicians offices, government agencies, churches and various companies including, IBM, Abbott Laboratories, E.I duponte de Nemours & Company, Progress Energy, Exide Electronics, Pfizer, Goodyear, Ford, UPS, Honda, Occidental Chemical, Stallings Oil company, City of Wilmington., etc.

 He has been quoted in numerous newspaper and has appeared on CBS discussing retirement planning and on asset allocation of investments, and publishes his own monthly newsletter "The Chappell Report-Your Money Management Newsletter." Also he is the author of  "The Educated Investor" book that was  published in 2002 a financial book on "Financial Planning".

He's a frequent guest speaker at community group meetings including Rotary, Lions Club, Kiwanis, Local realty associations and churches. One of his community projects was teaching "Crown Ministry" A Twelve week course of teaching christian financial management God's Way. Active as a fund raiser for the Boy Scouts of America, local arts, cancer and his church. Stephen was a member of Bible Study Fellowship(B.S.F) and helps teach Sunday school. Stephen relaxes with Triathlons, Marathons, golf and- especially- "doing anything" with his family.

He and his wife Julie, and their three children, Andrew, Collin and Caroline, reside in Wilmington, North Carolina.