Local Top Resources

Managing your finances is a lifelong process. Everyone lives their life in their own way and experiences complicated emotions about money, so investment decisions are highly personal and unique to each individual.

At the Great Lakes Branch of AXA Advisors, we believe in lifestyle planning. We'll help you through every stage of your financial life cycle – from when you land your first full-time job to when you're newly retired, and all the stages in between. We're an established leader in helping individuals and businesses address their financial goals through financial planning, investment services and risk management.

"What we do with prospective clients is build a relationship based on planning rather than on selling a specific product," says Ben Hudson, Divisional Executive Vice President of AXA Advisors and co-manager of Michigan's Great Lakes Branch. "We focus [on] identifying your needs and goals, developing a strategy, and putting your plan into action. We're there to listen, to ask the important questions, to advise you, and to help you stay on the road to financial freedom." With a wide variety of financial products, as well as both fee- and non-fee based financial planning services, AXA Advisors offers strategic advice and continues to work with clients through the implementation process and at regular intervals thereafter. Hudson says that, for initial clients, typically three to four contacts are needed to educate them and establish a plan, which may include investment strategies, risk management and financial and retirement planning.

Michigan Presence

Beginning as The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, affiliate AXA Equitable has had a presence in Michigan since 1859. Our branch is historically one of AXA Advisors' largest and most successful.

"The major difference between AXA Advisors and other financial services corporations is our personalized approach," says Divisional Executive Vice President Tim Mackie ChFC, CLU. "That's a major reason we've been in business for so long. We typically meet with new clients three or four times before we even begin to make recommendations. And it doesn't end there. We meet at regular intervals to address their changing financial needs and priorities. Today, the Great Lakes Branch is led by Tim Mackie and Ben Hudson. These two Executive Vice Presidents, along with Branch Operations Manager Paddy Miller, have more than 80 years of combined experience in the financial services industry.

A Growing Organization

Despite the challenges facing Michigan's economy, the Great Lakes Branch continues to grow. In fact, 40 new associates have been hired in each of the last several years. Over 200 financial professionals are associated with the Great Lakes Branch, which has offices in Troy, Grand Rapids, and Saginaw; Troy being the main branch office. AXA Advisors continues to recruit individuals to become financial professionals with the organization, serving communities throughout Michigan. The company primarily looks for people who have an "entrepreneurial" mindset, a strong work ethic, integrity and who are looking for a career opportunity — not just a job.

Career-changers are also welcome. "Financial services is a great second career opportunity for individuals who've experienced a cap on future growth in an industry or organization, or who have been successful in their current roles, but [were] perhaps downsized due to corporate consolidation," Hudson says.

The Great Lakes Branch currently services more than 133,000 households in the Great Lakes area, holding account values totaling nearly $5.5 billion and in-force life insurance policies totaling more than $16.5 billion.

Part of A Winning Team

If you're looking for help defining your financial goals and putting a plan in place as a client, or if you're looking for an opportunity to take charge and maximize your "entrepreneurial" potential as a financial professional with an industry leader, contact us. We're here to help.

About AXA Advisors

AXA Advisors is the broker-dealer and investment advisor for AXA Financial Inc., a member of the global AXA Group — a worldwide leader in financial protection and wealth management. AXA Group's operations are geographically diverse, with main operations in Western Europe, North America, and the Asia/Pacific region. The group had $1.104 billion (Euros) in assets under management as of December 31, 2010.

Securities offered through AXA Advisors, LLC (212-314-4600), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory products and services offered through AXA Advisors, LLC, an investment advisor registered with the SEC. Annuity and insurance products offered through AXA Network, LLC and its insurance agency subsidiaries. AXA Network, LLC does business in California as AXA Network Insurance Agency of California, LLC and, in Utah, AXA Network Insurance Agency of Utah, LLC. AXA Advisors, AXA Network and AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (AXA Equitable) (NY, NY) are affiliated companies and do not provide tax or legal advice, Individuals may transact business and/or respond to inquiries only in state(s) in which they are properly registered and/or licensed. AXA Advisors, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Emloyer M/F/D/V. AGE-62468(06/11)