• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Print Subscription
  • Contact Us

Investor

Getting to Know Richard Bloom: The Making of a Great Financial Advisor

August 24, 2020 by Grace Bennett

Richard Bloom’s first memory of the stock market was when he was a young child. He would hear his grandfather talking about buying shares of GE. “I didn’t know what it meant, and actually thought he owned the whole company! Eventually he taught me what it really meant to buy and own a piece of a company.  As a way to educate myself and my siblings, he asked us to pick a company we liked and agreed to buy us each 10 shares of that company.”

Of course, as any kid would do, Bloom chose Toys R Us! “As this was the pre-internet era, he bought us graph paper and taught us how to look up the ticker in the newspaper each day and chart the price of the stock,” said Bloom. It was his first introduction to investing, “but more importantly, it was a great learning experience and bonding opportunity with my grandfather.”

This early introduction ignited a desire in Bloom many years later to study finance in college. From his career’s start nearly 15 years ago, he has worked with the same team, The MayerGelwarg Group at Morgan Stanley. His two partners, each with over three decades experience have taught him that what makes a great advisor is not only helping clients develop sound financial plans, but doing so at the highest level of service.

Building Relationships

Today, the part of Bloom’s job that he loves the most is the deep lasting relationships that he has built with his clients. “My job is not only to ensure they are taking the right steps toward financial security, but to assure and reassure so they can handle the emotional side of investing in the markets,” he explained. “This entails asking very specific individualized questions during a first and second meeting to understand how the client views the world and what impact that will have on their emotional fortitude during the inevitable ups and downs we will experience together.

“From the moment I meet a prospective new client, it is my responsibility to demonstrate financial acumen and understanding of their unique needs,” Bloom continued. “Knowing my clients seek out and trust my guidance is incredibly rewarding.    

Since the pandemic, Bloom has interacted with many individuals within and outside of the industry who wonder how he and his clients are handling the stress and uncertainty. While acknowledging the increased demand in terms of time and energy, Bloom has also found it to be one of the most fulfilling moments of his career. “Now more than ever, clients and potential clients are razor focused on the importance of having an experienced financial advisor. I continually remind my clients of the plan in place to ensure their short-term needs will be met under any market conditions without jeopardizing their long-term financial goals. And most importantly, if/when there are changes to their personal situation, we can make any necessary adjustments needed. While we cannot control the markets, we have complete control over the decisions we make together.”

Discipline as Key to Success

Bloom emphasized that although there are virtually no barriers to investing in the markets on your own, a great deal of discipline is required to be successful in the long run. “Investors must develop a strategic asset allocation and stick to it; they have to rebalance across asset classes including selling outperforming investments; they also must understand the tax ramifications of each trade because at the end of the day, it’s not about what you make, but what you keep.”

If any one thing frustrates Bloom, its hearing of investors who panic and sell out of the markets at the lows and miss the inevitable rebounds. During his local “Wine and Wealth” seminars at Le Jardin in Chappaqua, Bloom has maximized the opportunity to educate numerous members of the community. “These are fun, low-key social and educational events where I team up with one of our portfolio managers to present on different investing topics,” he said. “My goal is for all attendees to walk away with a few investment concepts that they can use to prevent themselves from making financially detrimental mistakes.”

Bloom and his partners also practice what they preach. “We make it a focal point of our business not to invest our clients’ assets in anything we ourselves or our families are not invested in. Most financial advisors cannot say that,” he stated. “Our asset allocation, or the mix of stocks and bonds, may differ but the portfolios we utilize for various asset classes are the same. We do this to eliminate any conflicts of interest and our clients take comfort in knowing that we are invested alongside them.”

Westchester Living

Bloom is proud to call Westchester home, a perfect choice to establish roots personally and professionally. His wife Marisa grew up in Chappaqua. Bloom, originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, originally thought he would move back there. “However, I quickly learned that once I married a New York girl, I’d be here for life. And now I absolutely love it.

He said his kids love spending time at Gedney Park, and always look forward to the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival and the Armonk Cider and Donuts Festival. His family visits the local farmers markets every weekend as well. “We make it a priority to shop at and support local businesses. We couldn’t be happier living up here.”

But no matter how grounded one might feel in the community, Bloom understands how ‘unsettling’ the markets can be right now, and the feeling of uncertainty that comes along with it. “The markets also tend to operate in the exact opposite way of how we live our lives and are hardwired to think,” said Bloom.

“In the very short term, people generally know what is going to happen to

them–what their schedule is going to be tomorrow or next week or next month. Where we will be in 10 years has a much wider range of outcomes and very little certainty.

The ‘Long Term’ Mindset Advantage

“The markets, on the other hand, have much more certainty in the long run while there can be extreme volatility in the short term. Understanding this helps alleviate my concerns for what is happening in the world right now. No doubt we are experiencing sea-level changes in our country and society; however, when you look back in history, changes are always taking place with industries being disrupted. Being able to take advantage of these changes, block out the noise, and stick to your long-term plan through it all provides you with the best chances of success.”

A recent article by Bloom in this press discusses strategies to help investors remain focused during turbulent times, even when it can be hard to think clearly. (https://www.theinsidepress.com/staying-focused-in-turbulent-times/)

Most meaningful for Bloom has been growing with his clients and witnessing wonderful things that happen to them in their lives. What he has found is that many times those great things do not have anything to do with wealth. That thinking has accorded Bloom perspective. “There are three simple rules I try to live by: First, be a good person and respect others. Second, surround yourself with people you like and can learn from. And lastly, don’t ever sweat the small stuff, including a bad day in the markets!

To reach Bloom, write to Richard.Bloom@morganstanley.com

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: financial advisor, Financial security, Interview, Investor, Markets, Northern Westchester, perspective, profile, richard bloom, roots, Strategies

Fidelity Investments® Opens New Chappaqua Investor Center

October 26, 2019 by The Inside Press

As pictured, staff at Fidelity Investments’ Chappaqua Crossing Investor Center celebrate the opening of their newly-opened facility, located at 480 Bedford Road.

The 5,250 square feet office is a state-of-the-art facility providing area investors with access to investment guidance, as well as Fidelity’s broad array of products and services. Fidelity now has more than 197 investor centers around the country, with 19 investor centers located in the New York City area.

“Fidelity Investments is excited to be opening this Investor Center at Chappaqua Crossing, which is a full-service investor center with a unique design, driven by the needs of our clients and based on customer feedback and pilots designed to better understand what would work,” said Andrew Davison, Branch Manager of the Chappaqua office. “Our objective in designing this space was to create an inviting and engaging environment, one that provides the best possible experience for our clients.”

Fidelity Investor Centers provide clients with education, innovative technology and one-on-one guidance to help them develop strategies for a variety of financial objectives. At Fidelity’s local offices, clients can work with a Fidelity Investment professional to:

  • Evaluate retirement readiness and get help preparing a retirement income plan
  • Conduct a comprehensive portfolio review
  • Take advantage of Fidelity’s Portfolio Advisory Services1 which provides ongoing portfolio management
  • Review useful information on estate planning, charitable giving, life insurance and college planning2
  • Participate in a wide offering of free educational seminars and workshops

Pictured are the staff at the Investor Center, including Andrew Davison, Branch Manager of the Chappaqua office (shown, center). Andrew Davison brings more than 12 years of financial services experience to his position overseeing the renovated investor center.  Mr. Davison holds the Series 7, 9, and 10 registrations and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation.  At the investor center, he works with a team of 13 associates dedicated to helping investors with their investment needs.

To learn more about the new Investor Center and how it can help with your financial planning decisions, contact: Andrew Davison, Branch Manager at 914-215-6225 ext.54666.

1. Fidelity Portfolio Advisory Service® is a service of Strategic Advisers, Inc., a registered investment adviser and a Fidelity Investments company. This service provides discretionary money management for a fee.
2. Fidelity does not provide estate planning, legal or tax advice. Laws of a particular state and your particular situation may affect the information. Consult with your attorney or tax adviser regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Filed Under: Lifestyles with our Sponsors Tagged With: Chappaqua Crossing, Fidelity Investments, financial planning, Grand Opening, Investor, Investor Center, Newly Opened

Primary Sidebar

Please Visit

William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
White Plains Hospital
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
NYOMIS – Dr. Andrew Horowitz
Raveis: Lisa Koh and Allison Coviello
Purple Plains
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Korth & Shannahan
Douglas Elliman: Chappaqua
Elliman: Pam Akin
Compass: Aurora Banaszek
Wonder food hall
Sugar Hi
David Visconti Painting & Contracting
Dr. Briones Medical Weight Loss Center
King Street Creatives
Houlihan: Kile Boga-Ibric

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Armonk Inside Chappaqua and Millwood Inside Pleasantville and Briarcliff Manor

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Publisher’s Note Regarding Our Valued Sponsors

Inside Press is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse or not endorse any advertisers, products or resources referenced in either sponsor-driven stories or in advertisements appearing in this publication. The Inside Press shall not be liable to any party as a result of any information, services or resources made available through this publication.The Inside Press is published in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in advertising or sponsor driven stories that appear in this publication. The views of advertisers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher’s.

Opinions and information presented in all Inside Press articles, such as in the arena of health and medicine, strictly reflect the experiences, expertise and/or views of those interviewed, and are not necessarily recommended or endorsed by the Inside Press. Please consult your own doctor for diagnosis and/or treatment.

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2025 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in