We are pleased to announce Sarasota investment advisor Michael E. DeMassa, CFA, CFP® was recently recognized with the 2020 Five Star Wealth Manager award. This is the fourth consecutive year DeMassa has been selected.
DeMassa is founder and principal of Forza Wealth Management, an SEC-registered investment adviser based in Sarasota. He earned a bachelor’s degree from M.I.T. and holds both the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. He specializes in locally managed custom stock, bond and ETF portfolios to help his clients achieve their retirement and income goals.
The Five Star Wealth Manager award is based on objective research criteria. Five Star Professional’s research team evaluates candidates from across major markets annually on 10 criteria associated with outstanding service. Each of the award winners has shown a commitment to clients and strong industry credentials, and has been evaluated on the quality of his or her practice. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, view the 1-minute video:
A complimentary investment review, which is offered for potential clients interested in Forza’s independent wealth management approach, can be booked by calling 941-203-3748
The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Active as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not: A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three customer complaints filed against them [settled or pending] with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint filed with a regulatory authority; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy; E. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their client’s assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to www.fivestarprofessional.com. 579 Sarasota-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 49 (8% percent of candidates) were named 2020 Five Star Wealth Managers.