Baystate Financial

10/14/2026

What are the key steps of financial planning? Here are six to consider:

1. Identifying and defining your goals (realistic and specific goals)
2. Gathering your financial information (providing qualitative and quantitative information, helps to get organized)
3. Reviewing your current financial status (discovering strengths/weaknesses/opportunities within your current course of action)
4. Developing recommendations (personalized to help meet your goals)
5. Implementing agreed upon changes to put your plan into action
6. Monitoring and updating your plan regularly and as needed

10/07/2026

In honor of Financial Planning Month, we're proud to shine a spotlight on the talented team working behind the scenes to support our advisors and clients every day.

Our Financial Planning team plays a critical role in helping advisors develop customized strategies designed to meet each client's unique goals and circumstances. Driven, analytical, and committed to excellence, many members of this growing team have earned their CFP® certification and successfully completed their securities licensing exams.

Beyond providing day-to-day planning support, they are passionate about elevating the profession, sharing their expertise through internal training sessions and ongoing development opportunities that help strengthen our advisor network.

Their dedication to delivering meaningful client outcomes make a lasting impact across our organization. Join us in recognizing and thanking our Financial Planning team this !

(Not pictured, our Operations Manager, the incomparable Susan Kreis!)

10/01/2026

Newport gave us a little bit of everything this year, including a full-blown nor’easter, but our advisors didn't miss a beat. From learning and networking, to a clam bake, live music, and time together at Newport Harbor Island Resort, the trip was filled with great conversations and plenty of memorable moments.

The rain came down, the wind picked up and the schedules shifted, but the energy, camaraderie, and relationships never wavered. Proof that when you're surrounded by great people, even a storm becomes part of the adventure.

09/28/2026

We tend to celebrate life's milestones:
✅ Bought a home
✅ Got married
✅ Had a child
✅ Started a business
✅ Landed a promotion

But there are a few important items that often get overlooked:
☐ Updated beneficiaries
☐ Reviewed financial documents
☐ Considered how financial responsibilities may have changed over time

Major life events often change who depends on us and what we're responsible for. What's the biggest life change you've experienced in the last five years? As we close out , this is a reminder that financial strategies often benefit from periodic review as life evolves.

09/25/2026

This week, Baystate advisors and associates came together to support two initiatives with one shared purpose: touching the lives of children and families in our community.

For the third visit this year, our volunteers prepared and served dinner at The Boston House: Hope and Healing for Children with Cancer, providing families of children battling cancer with a warm, home-cooked meal and a sense of comfort. We heard from the families that these meals offer a moment of normalcy and reassurance during an incredibly challenging time.

We were also excited to support the Storybook Soirée benefiting Read to a Child, an organization that Baystate proudly sponsors and partners with through volunteer mentorship. Together we're helping foster a lifelong love of reading while creating connections with kids across Boston.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time and compassion to these awesome organizations this week!

09/24/2026

We are excited to welcome Jim Finlay to Baystate Financial’s Talent Acquisition team!

Jim joins Baystate with more than 11 years of experience in recruiting, serving previously as Chief Recruitment Officer at Northwestern Mutual. Before his career in financial services, Jim spent many years in collegiate athletics as an NCAA men’s lacrosse coach, including Division 1 coaching and recruiting roles at Harvard University, Brown University, and the University of Notre Dame. His background in coaching and recruiting has given him a strong foundation in building relationships, developing talent, and creating high-performing teams.

In his role as Director of Talent Acquisition, Jim is passionate about helping individuals reach their full potential. We’re excited to have his experience and perspective as we continue to grow our advisor community and strengthen our talent acquisition efforts across Baystate, especially in our West Hartford, CT office where Jim is based.

09/17/2026

What a night! From the rooftop views of the Seaport to the thoughtful conversations and new connections made, the "Powering Women in Finance" event was a great reminder of the value of mentorship and shared experiences.

Julie Davis, Kristi Minnick and our very own Katie Martineau Baystate Financial, Abigale Hull Shields, and Ashley Harris shared their perspectives, explored career journeys, discussed challenges and opportunities within the industry, and celebrated the many ways women are shaping the future of financial services.

Thank you to Ellevate Network, MassMutual, and Bentley University's McCallum Graduate School of Business for partnering with us on this inspiring evening!

09/16/2026

Here's a question worth taking a moment to consider: What financial responsibility is most important to your household today?

• A mortgage or housing expenses
• Education goals
• Supporting loved ones
• Caring for aging family members
• Other financial priorities

As life changes, so do financial responsibilities. is designed to encourage conversations around financial preparedness, and the role protection strategies can play within a broader financial plan. What financial goal or responsibility is most important to you right now?

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

Twenty five years later, we pause to remember the events of September 11th, 2001. We honor the lives lost, the bravery displayed, and the enduring spirit of a nation united.