“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Most of us are familiar with the Golden Rule, but how many make it the foundation of their business – and hold themselves accountable by displaying it on the wall for clients and employees alike to see?
“We believe you can only enrich your life by enriching the lives of others. And we will only do for our clients what we would do for ourselves under the same circumstances,” said Joe Foster, an Ameritas financial adviser with Foster Financial Group in Dallas.
“As simple and basic as that sounds, it lets our clients know we’re going to do the right thing for them every time.”
Joe’s father, Larry Foster, founded the company in 1969. He began working as a general agent for the Penn Mutual Life Agency of Philadelphia under the business name of Larry Foster and Associates. At that time, the agency’s primary focus was securing new business loans and providing insurance to medical students, residents, interns, practicing doctors, CPAs and attorneys. Foster also assisted clients in negotiating fleet car services, securing office space and purchasing homes.
In 1972, Foster and Associates set up the first executive and professional loan department inDallas. At the same time, through its affiliation with Physician Association of Residents and Interns, and the American Professional Practice Association, Foster and Associates began providing malpractice insurance to physicians.
“Our company has evolved significantly since then,” Joe explains. “We’ve expanded to include all sectors of business, and we now assist businesses and their employees with financial planning and employee benefits.”
Joe, who has been on board since 1987, has become one of the industry’s most respected and trusted advisers in the area of wealth management. Joe’s brother Shawn, an SMU grad and Chartered Financial Consultant, is also an integral part of the organization, helping clients with strategies to maximize after-tax income in retirement as well as protection planning.
Throughout the company’s evolution, one thing has remained constant: the plaque on the wall, representing the company’s core philosophy. Foster Financial Group lives by the Golden Rule, serving God, family and community; exceeding customer expectations; achieving financial results for clients and business partners; and growing aggressively.
“What we do is not rocket science,” Joe said. “I really think that you do well when you do good.”
Joe explains that typical clients include business owners, retired folks, widows, and divorcees.
“We sit down with them and spend a lot of time figuring out what their situation is, what their assets and liabilities are, looking at investments and cash flow. Whether it’s protecting their family, putting kids through college, or leaving a legacy, we develop a plan of action for getting there,” he said. “We also assist the affluent with redirecting tax dollars to kingdom dollars. We’re big believers that you can make a difference by giving to things that are eternal.”
He added that the only two things on this side of Heaven that are going to last forever are the word of God and the souls of people. “So to the extent that you can invest in things that further that cause, you’re investing in kingdom dollars and eternity.”
For more than 13 years, Joe has served as financial adviser to Dr. Linus Wright, former Dallas ISD Superintendent.
“Being able to trust and completely rely on a person’s integrity was critical to me when I selected my financial planner in 1998…Joe is a person of character, honesty, and integrity, having values I believe are very similar to my own,” Linus wrote. “My wife and I have been completely satisfied with the advisement services provided these past years and would recommend Joe Foster without reservation.”
“You could not have picked a better person/firm to recognize than Joe Foster, his father, and Foster Financial Group. Joe is a model of professionalism, integrity, and service to others.” – Phil Dyer, Legacy Texas Bank
Joe has earned the prestigious Five Star Wealth Manager Award three years in a row. Now Foster Financial Group has been named a True Blue DFW Business, based on its commitment to its clients, employees and the community.
“Having Foster Financial Group earn True Blue recognition is really an honor. There’s so much negativity in our world today, and so much mis-information; it’s good to be part of a program that recognizes those in our industry who operate with honesty and integrity,” Joe said.
Joe and Foster Financial Group actively support the Rotary Club, Drug Free Youth, the Jimmy Utley Foundation,TrinityChristianAcademy, Champions for Life Prison Ministry, e3 Partners/I am Second, Strategic Impact, World Vision, military ministries and various community service projects.
Foster Financial Group is located at 17300 Preston Road, Suite 260, Dallas, TX 75252.
Call them at 972-661-0101 / 800-450-3298 or visit their website at fosterfinancialgroup.com.
Securities and investment advisory services are offered solely through Ameritas Investment Corp (AIC). Member FINRA/SIPC. AIC and Foster Financial Group are not affiliated.
Written by Dawn Redig, Blue Ribbon News, for publication in the March 7, 2012 True Blue Business special supplement to the Wall Street Journal, all rights reserved.
To inquire about the True Blue Business Recognition Series, email information@truebluebusiness.com.
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