Oct. 6, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading bank broker-dealer Investment Professionals, Inc. (IPI) today announced the hiring of Robert L. Bohli, formerly a Group Vice President with Ameriprise Financial, as Senior Vice President of Advice and Planning. Mr. Bohli's success in building Ameriprise's retail business in Texas is related to his advocacy of comprehensive financial planning as espoused by the Colorado-based College for Financial Planning. This model seeks to maximize client benefit by bringing insurance, investments, retirement and estate planning and tax planning into one plan. The all-important goal is to eliminate gaps that can leave families under-prepared and under-protected.

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Bohli has two mandates: He will work closely with financial consultants in IPI's on-site bank brokerage programs on using this model to enhance results for banks and their customers. His experience bringing together the financial consultant, banker, insurance agent, CPA and attorney to collaborate in the client's best interest reinforces a key IPI method for growing programs through referrals. At the same time, Bohli will oversee financial consultants in IPI's retail division.

According to Bohli, "IPI has grown ROE about 30% year-over-year since 1992 - and we see the focus on comprehensive financial planning as central to the firm's growth going forward. What's impressive is that IPI has been able to sustain high growth levels while maintaining high service levels - and improving them, even during difficult market cycles. That says a lot about the ability of this team to execute and why I was motivated to vigorously pursue this opportunity."

Bohli continues: "But it's not just about growth. Our financial consultants will be rewarded based on how well they serve clients - and that means quality advice and quality relationships. I want to ensure we're doing everything possible to help clients reach their goals in the areas of college funding, retirement, asset protection and more."

To position IPI for further growth, Bohli is recruiting market leaders and financial consultants who share his commitment to this type of comprehensive, long-term planning - not people who are commission driven. According to Founder and President Scott Barnes, "It's really pretty simple. This value-added, wealth management approach is clearly best for clients.