Featured Member: Community Financial Services Group NH

Featured member Community Financial Services Group NH (CFSG) serves clients across New Hampshire and Vermont. CFSG provides trusted financial planning, investment management, and fiduciary services designed to support long-term financial well-being.

Who They Are

Community Financial Services Group is a fiduciary wealth management firm that manages more than $1.5 billion in assets. The company operates with a client-first philosophy, focusing on comprehensive planning and personalized investment strategies. Their team includes experienced professionals who live and work in the communities they serve, providing both expertise and a local connection.

Randall Saulnier, Chief Business Development Officer and Senior Vice President of CFSG, leads the firm’s efforts in the New Hampshire market. Originally from Lincoln, New Hampshire, Saulnier has returned to the North Country after decades in the financial industry. Reflecting on his journey, he explained, “I look back now, and I spent 25 years to get out, then I spent another 25 years to get back into the North Country.”

Services Offered

CFSG provides a full spectrum of financial services. Their core areas include:

• Asset Management: CFSG develops investment strategies based on client goals, risk tolerance, and time horizons. Regular reviews and adjustments help ensure portfolios remain aligned with objectives.
• Financial Planning: Beyond investments, CFSG addresses the full scope of financial needs, including education savings, retirement income, and tax efficiency.
• Retirement Services: The firm assists both individuals and businesses in preparing for retirement. They help employers establish retirement plans such as 401(k), 403(b), and SIMPLE IRAs, while also guiding employees in understanding their options.
• Insurance Guidance: When appropriate, CFSG helps clients evaluate life insurance as part of a broader financial plan.
• Estate Planning Support: Clients receive assistance in organizing critical documents and strategies such as durable powers of attorney and healthcare proxies.

As Saulnier described, the process always begins with listening. “When you have your client meetings, it’s like peeling back the layers of an onion. You want to know what their goals are, what they want to do with their life, retirement, and items like that.”

A Personal Approach

Saulnier noted that his transition from large corporate finance to a smaller firm brought new perspective. “I worked at an S&P 500 company, which was a really cold atmosphere. It’s dog eat dog. Working for a smaller company gives me more appreciation. It humanized me. I’m working one on one with clients who have needs. That’s where I developed empathy and actually learned how to talk to people and listen.”

This personal and community-focused approach has become central to CFSG’s philosophy. The North Country environment plays a role in shaping that focus. “I think what’s unique about the North Country is the diversity of the folks that I have met and the backgrounds. There’s an eclectic bunch of people in our county, and I think that’s what makes it unique,” Saulnier explained.

Educating and Guiding Clients

One of the hallmarks of CFSG’s work is educating clients about their financial decisions. Saulnier often emphasizes the importance of timelines and risk tolerance. “You really want to be more aggressive when you’re younger and then lighten up on the pedal when you reach late middle age. Many times I find some folks are just over conservative, and that does not work.”

He also highlights the value of understanding investment fundamentals. “I like to look at the stock market as something that since 1926 has had an average return of 9.2 percent with dividends reinvested. That is important because we start bringing into these items, such as the Rule of 72.”

This educational approach helps clients gain confidence in their financial plans and better understand how their money can work for them.

Navigating Market Changes

In a time of market uncertainty, CFSG focuses on long-term strategies and active management. Saulnier recalled the approach during the 2020 market downturn: “The market was down about 35 percent in the month of March. I have active management strategies, and at the end of March, my idea was to rebalance all the accounts because they weren’t at equity targets. It sounds counterintuitive, but we were doing it because the market’s on sale. When the market comes back and you’ve reinvested to your target, you are going to have a better return.”

This disciplined approach demonstrates the firm’s commitment to helping clients navigate volatility while staying aligned with their goals.

Commitment to Community

CFSG’s presence in the North Country reflects a broader commitment to community and connection. Saulnier, now based in Franconia, values the interwoven relationships that define the region. “Everything is really interconnected,” he said. “I love the community. I grew up in Lincoln. It was small back then, and I love working here now.”

Through personalized financial services, local expertise, and a dedication to building long-term relationships, Community Financial Services Group continues to serve as a trusted resource for individuals and businesses across New Hampshire and Vermont.