Profile
“As my client base and staff have grown, it has become less about me and more about how I can empower others to embrace our carefully crafted culture”
David Pickler
Mayflower Advisors
“I have always wanted to be in financial planning and wealth management. All my decisions regarding my education and life goals were focused on being in the financial services industry,” says Charles Zhang, founder of Zhang Financial.
Established in 1991, Zhang founded his Michigan-based financial planning firm with the goal of offering clients leading financial services.
“I strive to do what is in the best interests of my clients, which is why I chose to become a NAPFA-registered fee-only advisor.”
Not bound by the constraints of proprietary products, revenue sharing, or commissions, Zhang can offer clients the best the market has to offer.
“Our fee-only approach allows us to act as a true fiduciary for our clients. We are free from conflicts of interest and take care of our clients, which makes them our main marketing source. Most of our new business comes from current client referrals,” continues Zhang.
As a standout accomplishment in his career, he was ranked as America’s number one independent financial advisor by Barron’s in 2023.
In addition to this, the advisor has amassed a collection of impressive accolades, including:
5931 Oakland Drive, Portage, MI 49024
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charles.zhang@zhangfinancial.com
linkedin.com/in/charles-zhang-cfp%C2%AE-mba-msfs-chfc-61541835
zhangfinancial.com
Charles C. Zhang, CFP®
Founder and President
Zhang Financial
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Bio
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Profile
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Bio
Milestones
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Bio
Milestones
“Philanthropy is more than writing checks – it’s about community engagement and presence. Whether that means joining a local board to share our voice or spearheading a capital campaign to raise crucial funds for a non-profit, Pickler Wealth Advisors moves the needle through the lens of compassionate leadership”
David Pickler
Mayflower Advisors
1991
1995
1996
2004–2007
2020–present
Received MA in Economics and became a Financial Advisor
1991
Earned CFP designation
1995
At 29 years old, ranked #1 out of more than 10,000 advisors in a leading national financial planning firm
1996
2004: Received MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
2007: Zhang & Associates became independent DBA Zhang Financial LLC
2004–
2007
2020, 2021, and 2022: Recognized in the Grand Rapids 200, a comprehensive list of the most powerful and influential leaders in West Michigan
2021: Received the WMU Distinguished Alumni Award
2021 and 2023: Ranked #1 nationwide on Barron’s list of the Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors
2023: Ranked #4 nationwide on Forbes’ list of America’s Top Wealth Advisors and is the highest ranked fee-only advisor on the list
2023: Ranked #1 in Michigan by both Barron’s and Forbes
Ranked by Barron’s as #1 in Michigan for the past 11 years and by Forbes as #1 in Michigan since the inception of the list
Elevated to Barron’s Hall of Fame
2020–
present
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
In addition to this, the advisor has amassed a collection of impressive accolades, including:
ranked as the number one advisor in Michigan by Forbes for 2023
ranked as the number one advisor in Michigan by Barron’s for the past 11 years
recognized in the Grand Rapids 200, a comprehensive list of the most powerful and influential leaders in West Michigan for the past three years
sales@icapitalnetwork.com
With an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and designations from Columbia and Harvard University, Zhang has amassed a wealth of expertise in the financial field.
“Through continuing education and obtaining professional designations, I was able to gain a wealth of knowledge that I have been able to apply to my business,” reflects the founder.
To ensure clients are satisfied with his services, Zhang distributes an annual client satisfaction survey.
“This year, 99 percent of those who returned the survey were very satisfied with Zhang Financial,” he says.
To continually deliver best-in-class services to clients, he works alongside a team of top advisors.
“I learned early on to delegate responsibilities based on the strengths of those in my organization and I have placed competent people in positions within the organization who manage the day-to-day operations. This allows me the time to focus on my clients, providing excellent customer service, and growing the business.”
With a proven track record of success and genuine commitment to his clients, Zhang epitomizes professionalism.
“One of my strongest qualities is passion,” says the founder. “I am passionate about my clients and making sure their futures are secure. I am passionate about my business and making sure we are providing the highest level of quality and service. I am passionate about giving back to the communities I serve.”
“From my earliest memories, I always had a passion for service,” says David Pickler, president and CEO of Pickler Wealth Advisors.
After joining investment bank PaineWebber in 1984, the CEO decided to pursue a legal education with the hopes of combining this passion for finance and the law.
“I found equal fulfilment in advising in the legal arena. I began to build a plan for a career that could serve both sets of clients. I wanted to fulfil the dream of building a practice that could incorporate financial advocacy, legal advocacy and, eventually, tax and accounting. A place that was truly client-centric,” reflects Pickler.
With certifications in private wealth and financial planning and a law degree from the University of Memphis, Pickler established his firm in 2005.
“Pickler Wealth Advisors opened with a team dedicated to delivering unparalleled client service. Our goal was to set new standards of excellence. We were, and still are, dedicated to client service that exceeds that found at wirehouses.”
With over 25 years of industry expertise, Pickler knows that establishing client trust is all about communication. The firm’s robust strategy includes an array of weekly market calls, podcasts and television episodes that educate clients and provide updates on recent market occurrences.
As a result of his outstanding dedication to client services, Pickler has won a number of awards:
Barron Magazine’s Top 1,000 Financial Advisors
Financial Times Top 400 Advisors
Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisor
“I have always wanted to be in financial planning and wealth management. All my decisions regarding my education and life goals were focused on being in the financial services industry,” says Charles Zhang, founder of Zhang Financial.
Established in 1991, Zhang founded his Michigan-based financial planning firm with the goal of offering clients leading financial services.
“I strive to do what is in the best interests of my clients, which is why I chose to become a NAPFA-registered fee-only advisor.”
Not bound by the constraints of proprietary products, revenue sharing or commissions, Zhang can offer clients the best the market has to offer.
“Our fee-only approach allows us to act as a true fiduciary for our clients. We are free from conflicts of interest and take care of our clients, which makes them our main marketing source. Most of our new business comes from current client referrals,” continues Zhang.
As a standout accomplishment in his career, Zhang was ranked as America’s number one independent financial advisor by Barron’s in 2023.
In addition to this, the advisor has amassed a collection of impressive accolades, including:
With an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and designations from Columbia and Harvard University, Zhang has amassed a wealth of expertise in the financial field.
“Through continuing education and obtaining professional designations, I was able to gain a wealth of knowledge that I have been able to apply to my business,” reflects the founder.
To ensure clients are satisfied with his services, Zhang distributes an annual client satisfaction survey.
“This year, 99 percent of those who returned the survey were very satisfied with Zhang Financial,” he says.
To continually deliver best-in-class services to clients, Zhang works alongside a team of top advisors.
“I learned early on to delegate responsibilities based on the strengths of those in my organization and I have placed competent people in positions within the organization who manage the day-to-day operations. This allows me the time to focus on my clients, providing excellent customer service, and growing the business.”
With a proven track record of success and genuine commitment to his clients, Zhang epitomizes professionalism.
“One of my strongest qualities is passion,” says the founder. “I am passionate about my clients and making sure their futures are secure. I am passionate about my business and making sure we are providing the highest level of quality and service. I am passionate about giving back to the communities I serve.”
ranked as the number one advisor in Michigan by Forbes for 2023
ranked as the number one advisor in Michigan by Barron’s for the past 11 years
recognized in the Grand Rapids 200, a comprehensive list of the most powerful and influential leaders in West Michigan for the past three years