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Personal Best Financial
Glenn Tom, a former marketing executive at Intuit, Morgan Stanley, and American Express, launched Personal Best Financial in Oakland in 2022 after retiring...
Personal Best Financial
Glenn Tom, a former marketing executive at Intuit, Morgan Stanley, and American Express, launched Personal Best Financial in Oakland in 2022 after retiring from his corporate career at age 56. The firm positions itself around Tom's personal experience: he reached financial independence early and now guides clients in technology, healthcare, and small-business ownership toward similar outcomes through fee-only planning and investment management. Personal Best Financial's service model runs on a fee-only fiduciary basis, meaning the firm does not earn commissions on product sales and is legally obligated to place client interests first. The practice offers financial planning, estate planning, and portfolio management, concentrating on high-earning individuals, HNWIs, charitable organizations, and businesses. Tom's stated approach blends his corporate financial acumen with the efficiency mindset of a lifelong competitive athlete, applying what he describes as optimal technique, coaching, and diligence to each client engagement. The firm operates from a single office in Oakland's Piedmont Avenue neighborhood and maintains registration in California with other jurisdictions where exempted. Team size and total regulatory assets under management are not publicly disclosed. The compliance footprint includes a FINRA Series 65 license and the CFP® designation, with Tom completing his certification through Boston University's financial planning program. Personal Best Financial's architectural distinction lies in the founder's personal financial independence as a credential. Tom promotes himself as a fiduciary who has already navigated what his clients aim to achieve, positioning the firm less as a traditional wealth manager for dynastic families and more as an accelerator for professionals seeking autonomy from corporate careers — a structure that blurs the line between coach and advisor.
General information
Firm type
Bank / Wealth / Trust
Year founded
2022
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Oakland
Corporate office
Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA, United States
Principals
Glenn Tom
Founder and Managing Member
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Personal Best Financial?
Founder and Managing Member Glenn Tom runs the firm's investment advisory process. He holds the CFP® designation, a FINRA Series 65 license, and an MBA from Wharton. No additional investment committee members are publicly identified, making this a single-advisor practice as currently disclosed.
Is Personal Best Financial a single family office or an RIA?
It is a registered investment advisor (RIA), not a family office. The firm provides fee-only financial planning and investment management to multiple external clients, primarily technology industry professionals, healthcare professionals, and small business owners. It does not manage a single family's consolidated wealth.
How does Personal Best Financial charge for its services?
The firm operates on a fee-only model, which means it does not accept commissions or transaction-based compensation. This structure removes the conflict of interest associated with selling financial products. Specific fee schedules are detailed in the firm's Form ADV and discussed during the introductory meeting.
What is Glenn Tom’s professional background before founding the firm?
Glenn Tom spent over 30 years as a marketing executive at Intuit, Morgan Stanley, and American Express, where he managed annual budgets exceeding $100 million. He retired from his corporate role at age 56 after achieving financial independence and then founded Personal Best Financial.
Where does Personal Best Financial provide advisory services?
The firm is registered in California and sees clients from its office in the Piedmont Avenue neighborhood of Oakland. It notes that advisory services in other jurisdictions are provided only where exempted or compliant with local regulations, so most clients likely reside in California.
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