Watch: Jason Frano of Northwestern Mutual on Financial Planning in Naperville

In this Firks 5 episode, host Dan Firks talks with Jason Frano, managing director of Northwestern Mutual Naperville, about the firm’s financial strength and dividend history, its approach to financial planning in a volatile economy, and what it takes to become a financial advisor there.

Read the full guide to Northwestern Mutual Naperville →

Video Transcript

Dan Firks: Hello, I’m Dan Firks, and this is Firks 5. Hello and welcome to this episode of Firks 5. Today I have Jason Frano with Northwestern Mutual joining us, and he’s going to tell us a little bit about his firm. Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us today, Jason.

Jason Frano: Absolutely, Dan, it’s great to be here, thanks so much.

Dan Firks: So Jason, tell me a little bit about yourself and your team here at Northwestern Mutual.

Jason Frano: For sure. So I’m married to my wife Janet of 19 years, and we have our sons Ryan and Chase. Ryan’s 15, he’s going to be a sophomore in high school, Chase is 11 and he’s going into sixth grade. We live in Lombard, and I run the office here at Northwestern Mutual Naperville. I’ve been with Northwestern Mutual for eight years, and as the managing director for the last two and a half years. My mission is to impact lives and build secure futures. And when I’m not working here, or coaching my sons in baseball, I’m an avid marathoner and triathlete.

Dan Firks: Excellent, your hands are full, you’re a very busy man.

Jason Frano: I am, yes.

Dan Firks: Tell me, what separates Northwestern Mutual from your competition?

Jason Frano: Great question, Dan. So Northwestern Mutual is a mutual company, so we’re privately held, owned by our policyholders, and Northwestern Mutual is the only AAA rated company in the United States with a stable outlook outside of Microsoft. So this means we’ve been awarded the highest financial strength of any life insurance company, and what this means is that Northwestern Mutual pays dividends. Now, dividends are never guaranteed, yet we’ve paid them every year since 1872.

Dan Firks: Thank you. And right now we’re getting a lot of questions on the state of the economy, what’s going on with inflation, should we change anything to our portfolios?

Jason Frano: In my recommendation, it’s not who you’re working with, it’s not the timing of the market, really it’s all about asset allocation. So my suggestion would be to meet with a financial advisor that helps put together a plan that’s centered on your financial goals. And really, I would share with you that our financial advisors put together a financial plan that incorporates investments, permanent life insurance, and annuities, which then allow people to protect what they’ve built and provide prosperity for the future.

Dan Firks: So tell me, how has Northwestern evolved over the last 165 years?

Jason Frano: Northwestern Mutual was founded as a life insurance company, and we acquired Robert W. Baird, whom we’ve since sold, and now we have our own wealth management company. So today we’re one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, the number one life insurance company for financial soundness, and the fourth largest broker-dealer in the country. So what this means is we can come to the market for our clients with full, holistic financial planning, whether this means investment management, risk management, or distribution planning.

Dan Firks: So Jason, tell me, why would someone want to be a financial advisor here at Northwestern?

Jason Frano: It’s a good question. So what I’d say is, as a company, we exist to free Americans from financial anxiety. Our core values here at Northwestern Mutual Chicagoland are abundance, loyalty, integrity, growth, and culture.

Dan Firks: I love the culture thing.

Jason Frano: Thank you, it’s really important to me. And specifically here in Naperville, collaboration, community, and work ethic. In the community, we’re involved with Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the Chamber.

Dan Firks: The Chamber, yep, that’s where we met.

Jason Frano: Feed My Starving Children, Ronald McDonald House, and the Inside Out Club. So Dan, for the right person, this can be an amazing career that provides impact, independence, and income for future generations to come.

Dan Firks: And I would assume you’re always looking for top talent.

Jason Frano: Absolutely, absolutely.

Dan Firks: So Jason, tell me, who would be an ideal candidate for here at Northwestern?

Jason Frano: Great question. We’re looking for folks that are, I would say, average age 25 to 40 years old, here from the Chicagoland area, has a track record of success, somebody that’s disciplined. You can have a connection to Northwestern Mutual, you don’t have to have a financial background or have sold before, it helps but it’s not necessary. Really, I’m looking for somebody that has a great attitude, who is willing to work and is looking for a rewarding career.

Dan Firks: How would somebody take the next step to start a career here at Northwestern?

Jason Frano: Yeah, good question, they can contact my partner Matt Oliva, who’s the director of our recruiting.

Dan Firks: Excellent, thank you so much, Jason, for taking the time out of your busy day to meet with us today, we appreciate your time.

Jason Frano: I really appreciate your time, Dan, thank you so much.

Dan Firks: Thank you for watching. Be sure to follow us at Dan Firks for your most up-to-date real estate trends and market conditions, and when the time comes to buy, sell, or invest in real estate, call Firks first. We’ll be here. See you next time. Have an amazing rest of your day.

Read the full guide to Northwestern Mutual Naperville →