Mark Loftus, CFP®

Throughout his more than 37 years in the financial services industry, Mark Loftus has come to realize that the most successful advisors have two things in common. They serve as fiduciaries by always putting their clients’ interests first, and they have a strong entrepreneurial mindset in how they approach their businesses. Starting as a solo financial advisor, Mark soon recognized the advantages of building a team of competent professionals around him to provide greater capabilities in the areas of client service and acquisition. Mark started his career at Dean Witter Reynolds/Morgan Stanley in 1987 where he spent 11 years, and then moved his practice and spent the next 11 years at Everen/First Union/Wachovia/Wells Fargo Advisors. He then spent the next nine years at Smith Barney/Morgan Stanley before founding his own independent practice on the Raymond James platform. During his many years at employee-based wirehouses, his growing desire for more freedom and independence to better serve his clients was finally realized.

Hands-on involvement and careful planning in every aspect of the move to independence proved critical to its success. Mark and his partner Jeff now co-own and operate their growing wealth management practice known as Loftus & Preusser Wealth Partners. After opening their office in Downers Grove, Illinois, Mark and Jeff each passed their Series 9 & 10 exams enabling them to also serve as co-branch managers. Since establishing the branch, several other experienced financial advisor practices were invited to make their move to independence by joining the branch while maintaining their own respective brands and practice ownership. This arrangement has proved very successful for all parties and has led to the naming of the collective of firms as Independent Wealth Partners. Mark and his dedicated staff are now expanding the branch office to accommodate additional advisors and their associates seeking a successful move to “assisted independence.” His years of experience in the industry have given him keen insight into some of the most effective ways to help advisors become highly successful business owners.

Mark is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational & Corporate Communications. As part of his commitment to serving his clients, he then completed a two-year Senior Executive finance program at the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School. In addition, he holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification from the College for Financial Planning.

When away from the office, Mark is an avid Chicago sports fan who also enjoys traveling, cooking, and attending concerts and the theatre. He also supports and volunteers his time to a variety of charities and organizations. Mark is married and he and his wife, Patty, have two grown sons.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.