With 40 years invested in growing a successful business that’s still growing, many owners would consider selling their firm as a desirable exit strategy. Not the Bainbridges. They have resisted every offer to be acquired and will continue to stay their course of independence. “As much as these firms promise that nothing would change if they acquired us, we know better,” said Jerry Bainbridge. “We’ve always been a clients-first business. They trust us when we say we’ll be with them for the long term. We owe it to them.”

Over the years, the Bainbridges have built a core team of advisors and other staff who manage compliance and client service needs. So, while the founders are very much active in the firm—Jerry continues to work directly with his clients while Fay continues taking care of the firm’s own financials—they have also made sure that the next generation of advisors continues their traditions of close client relationships and long-term financial planning. This, they feel, is the best way to remain independent, and they place full confidence in their team.