Founded in 2006 Annuity IQ is the only unbiased variable annuity comparison website available to financial advisers and consumers. Using a unique rating system, Annuity IQ reviews variable annuity contracts and their living benefits and applies a one to five star rating to help people make the difficult process of choosing a variable annuity easier.

Founded by Scott DeMonte who has extensive experience with variable annuity contracts through being a financial adviser and holding several director and vice president titles with major insurance firms, Annuity IQ has experienced tremendous growth and recognition. Scott’s dream is to help people find the best products for their needs and to help others understand the benefits and pitfalls of variable annuity contracts.

On a shoe string budget this uniquely Central New Yorker has helped thousands of people in their quest to understand these complicated products. While other websites strive to mislead investors about their unbiased opinions on annuities in order to sell products, Annuity IQ chose a different path…to educate and help rather than just sell a product.

Given the success of Annuity IQ Scott expects to expand and bring on more employees. Always being innovative and direct, Scott plans on expanding his firms business offerings and, eventually, revolutionize the way advisers and investors view variable annuity products.

This is just one more example of the talent and innovation that Central New Yorker’s can not only offer our local community, but the world. Look for Annuity IQ to become the next Morningstar for variable annuities.

Navigating the financial world can be difficult, to say the least, and that is why we have seen a vast expansion in the financial services world. Investing your money can be a complex task and advice is abundant in today’s world, but why not work with a home town financial advisor who works for a locally owned firm. This is why we are pleased to spotlight Arndt Financial Services this month. 

Barbara Arndt, owner of Arndt Financial Services, LLC, is a

Syracuse native who has lived in CNY for all of her life. With her office located in

East Syracuse NY, Barbara has been in the financial advisory business for 12 years. She started her career at Merrill Lynch in 1996, then moved to JP Morgan Chase in 2001, where she was recognized as an outstanding advisor.

 

Late in 2005, Barbara decided that she wanted to become an independent advisor to get away from the corporate world and the products they wished her to offer her clients. “I felt that by becoming independent, I could offer my clients more without the pressure to sell certain products from above. This way I could offer truly unbiased, independent advice that will fit my clients’ needs, not the needs of the corporate home office.”

 

Barbara went on to say; “When I made the decision to go independent, I wanted to work with a firm that had local ties. That way I could have people right in my backyard to help me with issues or offer their support.” After researching different firms, Barbara decided that Leigh Baldwin was the best option for her.

 

Leigh Baldwin is a locally owned broker/dealer with headquarters in

Cazenovia, NY. As an independent broker/dealer, Leigh Baldwin does not carry quotas and does not require that any one specific product is sold. The advisor is completely able to offer their clients the best solution to meet their financial needs.

 

After Barbara made the leap and became an independent broker, she has had tremendous success. “I found that since I made this move, my clients and I are happier. Many of my clients have been with me for years and they enjoy my investment approach.” Barbara said.

 

Her approach is the same with every client, but her advice fits their individual needs. Barbara enjoys getting to know her clients and takes a proactive role in discussing their needs and goals.  “Unlike many other advisors, I do not call my clients to sell them something.  I call them to see how they are doing and to make sure they know what is going on with their investments.” Barbara said.

 

Although Barbara is a dedicated financial advisor, she makes sure she takes the time to know what is happening with the community. Barbara served on the Hospice Board and participates in many community activities. She enjoys spending time with her family.  She has 2 sons and 5 grandchildren plus her parents who have been life long residents of

Kirkville NY. Barbara believes that everyone should have a proper balance of work and life.

 

It is nice to see that we have locally based investment advisors who share CNY values and concerns. By using a local firm, you are supporting the local economy, plus you will get great service and advice. As Barbara said; “All of us who have lived here know that we are a unique people and we should work with someone who understands this uniqueness.”

 

Barbara will be more than happy to do a complimentary financial review for new clients. She also urges people to remember that a financial review does not always mean changes in your portfolio, it is a way to make sure you are on track for retirement or other goals you might have.

 

Barbara has a large Baby Boomer client base and specializes in preparing people for retirement and post retirement income planning. She currently manages millions of dollars in  assets and has the experience and knowledge to help you achieve your goals.

 

Contact Barbara at:

 

Arndt Financial Services, LLC

6700 Kirkville Road

East Syracuse, NY 

13057

 

315-432-8334

www.arndtfinancialservices.com

 

This being our very first post for CNY Business Spotlight, we thought it would be fitting to identify FindCNY.com as the current spotlighted company. FindCNY.com is a local web portal that has an advanced search feature. The search feature has been customized to emphasize local CNY companies. The portal also offers a full array of local and national news, sports, event information, classifieds (local only), technology, money and a custom Upstate New York company directory called madeinCNY.com.

FindCNY.com is designed to bring attention to what we have to offer in CNY and the surrounding areas. Even though we now live in a global community, we need to pay attention to our local community and support it as much as we can. That is our goal — support local businesses and the local economy and lead CNY into the 21st century.

We started FindCNY.com because we noticed it is hard to find local results with a global search engine. With our customized search, you can now type in a relatively generic search term and get more local relevant results. We are always making adjustments to give you a balanced mix of local and global results, offering our local companies the first opportunity to gain your business. Our search engine is our primary function, but FindCNY.com offers so much more.

FindCNY.com offers a comprehensive classified section where you may review or place ads. You can search for jobs, real estate and your traditional wanted or for sale ads. As we are small, we can be extremely competitive for individuals or companies to place ads, regardless if it is for a job listing or a real estate listing. Our ads are cheaper and run longer than almost any other job board or real estate listing site available.

FindCNY.com offers up- to- the- minute news and sports information. Whether you are looking for what is happening in our neck of the woods or if you are looking for what is happening nationally, you will find it on one site. No need to surf multiple sites any longer to get the information you are looking for.

Our Money section offers a local view on financial issues and we accept articles from people located right here in Central New York. No more articles written by someone from the other side of the country, now you can see what the best minds in CNY are saying about the markets and complex financial advice questions. You will be able to call, email or visit the website of these writers to get more information.

FindCNY.com also offers technology news and articles to keep you abreast of what is hot and what is not in the exciting technology arena. We also bring you top rated videos from Youtube.com so you can see what others around the nation are viewing on the largest peer-to-peer website ever developed. We also allow you to add your pictures to this website to show off the splendor and beauty of Central New York.

We have so much to offer and we are always adding more features (coming soon our own email and instant messenger system) that there is no reason to go anywhere else for your searching needs. You will also have the added benefit of supporting a local company, FindCNY.com, and our sponsors and advertisers.

Let’s bring business back to Central New York. Let’s be proud of where we live and what we offer and most importantly let’s support our local companies first. To show your support, use us, tell others about us, and make us your home page.

We appreciate your support in advance.

Thank you,

FindCNY.com

CNY Business Spotlight is FindCNY.com’s way of showing off what Central New York has to offer the world. This section will feature a new business every month, if not more frequently. The idea is to help raise awareness of local companies to the rest of CNY and the world. There is no charge for this, and we accept suggestions for this category. If you have companies that you would like to suggest please contact us with the company information.