Financial Education
Having a seasoned guide to help navigate the maze of income, assets, and investments can make the difference between financial success and uncertainty. PeoplesBank Wealth Advisor Matthew Shandlay is one such guide.
With a depth of experience spanning two decades, PeoplesBank Wealth Advisor Matthew Shandlay has long helped clients navigate toward their financial goals.
Shandlay has a deep-rooted passion for investing. He spent 15 years as a financial advisor before switching to wealth management five years ago.
As a Wealth Advisor, he focuses on providing comprehensive financial and estate planning for individuals and succession planning for small businesses, services that traditional financial advisors might not address.
Tying a bow around financial wellness
Shandlay’s favorite aspect of his role is financial planning.
“Financial planning kind of ties a bow around all of the different aspects of your financial wellness: investment management, insurance, trust planning, things like that,” he says, adding, “and that’s the best part, helping people realize when they can retire and how they can retire.”
Working primarily with individuals and small-business owners, Shandlay spends his days in diverse client interactions. From retirement planning to small-businesses succession arrangements, all clients receive a tailored solution based on their situations.
A retirement surprise
Some of Shandlay’s most memorable interactions have involved his clients achieving unexpected retirement goals through proper planning.
Once, a couple with an age gap contacted him. The husband had reached retirement age and his wife, who was a few years younger, wanted to learn if she could retire as well. What initially seemed impossible to them became a reality as Shandlay discussed their goals, put together a plan, and showed that the wife would need to work only one more year to achieve their desired lifestyle in early retirement.
A teacher whom he worked with discovered she could retire five years earlier than expected after he helped her navigate the complexities of the retirement system.
“They come in and we are able to do a financial plan for them and show them that if they make some tweaks, add this or cut back on that, we can actually get them to retire earlier and be able to enjoy certain things,” he says.
The PeoplesBank distinction
Shandlay’s decision to join PeoplesBank in June 2023 stemmed from the bank’s unique blend of local intimacy and global resources.
Every PeoplesBank investment management or estate planning client gets a team that includes not only a Wealth Advisor such as Shandlay but a Relationship Manager and an Investment Portfolio Manager. The local team approach ensures that clients have quick and quality access to financial experts.
During his time at PeoplesBank, Shandlay has been part of a banking and advising team that cares deeply not only about its clients but about the community.
Take the first step
For those unsure about their financial progress or whether they need financial advisement or wealth management advisement, Shandlay encourages them to reach out to PeoplesBank.
“Often people don’t think they’re wealthy enough, but your money is important to you,” he says. “It’s your money, so no matter what asset level you have, we have some solution for you that will be able to help you work towards your goals.”