Our Firm

WHEN DID HWM GET STARTED?
 
The company was started by Vern Hayden, CFP, in 1987, in Westport, CT - From 1968-1987, Vern worked with individual clients under his own name.   Please see his bio for more of his background information. Effective November 16, 2007, HWM was acquired by Northeast Community Bank, and is currently operating as a division of the bank.
 
 
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF HWM?
 
HWM’s mission is to help people with all aspects of life affected by financial issues.  To accomplish this mission HWM is committed to client driven services as opposed to the typical organization's product driven services.
 
 
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SERVICES OF HWM?
 
While we are called on to perform a wide range of services based on the needs of a diversified client base, the most common services are:
 
·   Helping to integrate and organize the pieces of the financial “puzzle”.
·   Investment management based on a clients’ time dimension, risk aversion/tolerance, value system and specific purposes of a portfolio.
·   Transition planning from one career to another but especially the transition to retirement.
·   Doing risk assessment and management on issues related to various kinds of insurance covered contingencies. Clients appreciate the fact that this service is objective and independent of product restraints or influences.
·   Assistance relating to the ultimate disposition of assets is frequently requested by clients. In this capacity, we help clients understand the issues and will coordinate with an estate planning attorney as needed.
·   As some clients have gone through a divorce, we have developed some expertise in identifying, confronting and helping to resolve the inevitable financial issues involved. We work closely with attorneys, mediators and various facilitators.
 
 
WHAT KIND OF STAFF DOES HWM HAVE?
 
Vern Hayden, CFP, is CEO, Gerard Gruber, CFP, is Chief Investment Officer, Dick Drew, CFP, is Director of Financial Planning and Joan Kokoruda is Chief of Administration. Support services are provided by Gustavo Soto and Oksana Makarenko. Outside services are provided by qualified attorneys, CPA’s and other professionals as needed. Please see personal bios for additional information.
 
 
WHAT AFFILIATIONS DOES HWM HAVE?
 
Gerard R. Gruber, CFP, is a registered principle of Geneos Wealth Management, Inc. (Member FINRA/SIPC), a securities broker dealer in Denver, CO. Geneos is an independent BD with no proprietary product and serves as important compliance and due diligence role for independent financial planners.
 
HOW DOES HWM MAKE MONEY?
 
The largest percentage of income is from fees charged for managing portfolios and for doing financial planning. A smaller amount comes from commissions paid by insurance companies or securities transactions conducted by Gerard Gruber and Richard Drew. We are sensitive to conflicts of interest and will always work with clients to provide services that are in their best interest.