Team with More Than 89 Years of Combined Financial Services Experience Begins New Chapter as Independent RIA to Better Serve High-Net-Worth Families and Business Owners

GAINESVILLE, Ga., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Brian E. Whalen, CFP®, AIF® and the Stribling~Whalen Financial Group team today announced the launch of an independent registered investment adviser (“RIA”) with the SEC, marking a significant new chapter for a firm that has been serving families and business owners for more than 50 years.

The newly formed RIA is utilizing Fidelity Investments as its custodian. Working with Fidelity Investments gives SWFG access to a wide range of products, services and resources designed to help the team continue meeting the evolving needs of its clients.

Mr. Whalen has more than 32 years of investment experience. Most recently at a prior firm, he and his team managed more than $1.1 billion in client assets across more than 350 households. The SWFG team includes Warren Stribling, founder of the firm, along with Jacob Beauchamp, Cindy Casey, Lauren Tuttle, Christa Griffin and Kayleigh Dell.

“For us, becoming an independent RIA is really about having greater flexibility to serve our clients the way we believe they should be served,” said Mr. Whalen. “Our relationships with clients have always been personal. We know their families, their businesses and the goals they are working toward. This next chapter gives our team additional resources and capabilities while allowing us to stay focused on what has always mattered most – helping clients make thoughtful decisions about their financial lives.”

Warren Stribling, who founded the firm in 1975, sees the transition as a continuation of the philosophy that has guided Stribling~Whalen for more than five decades.

“For more than 50 years, our focus has always been on how we can serve our clients in the best way possible,” said Mr. Stribling. “I believe this next chapter gives us an opportunity to continue doing that, and I’m excited about what it means for the future of Stribling~Whalen.”

A New Chapter Built on Longstanding Relationships

Moving from a broker-dealer platform to a fee-based RIA allows the SWFG team to work in a fiduciary capacity while continuing its focus on personal relationships, thoughtful planning and long-term stewardship.

For individuals and families, the firm provides advisory, financial planning, wealth management and estate planning services, with an emphasis on coordinating investment decisions with tax considerations and each client’s broader financial goals.

“One of the things we are most proud of is that we have the opportunity to work with three and even four generations of the same family,” added Mr. Whalen. “Those relationships mean a great deal to us. Warren began serving families and business owners in North Georgia more than 50 years ago, and our goal is to continue building on that foundation for generations to come. Today, we serve families here in Georgia as well as clients in 19 other states.”

“We are excited to welcome Stribling~Whalen Financial Group to the Fidelity platform and look forward to supporting their mission of offering personalized, intergenerational financial planning,” said Trevor Norton, head of custody at Fidelity Investments.

Experience and Leadership

Before becoming a financial advisor, Mr. Whalen spent a significant portion of his career in the asset management industry, including nine years with Capital Group/American Funds. He transitioned into financial advising in 2012.

Mr. Whalen earned a B.A. in Economics from Boston College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He currently holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designations.

About SWFG

Founded by Warren Stribling in 1975, Stribling~Whalen Financial Group has spent more than five decades helping families and business owners navigate important financial decisions.

Today, the firm is owned and led by Brian Whalen, CFP®, AIF®, and operates as an independent RIA serving high-net-worth individuals, families and business owners. SWFG combines personalized financial planning and wealth management with a long-term focus on relationships, stewardship and helping clients align their financial decisions with the lives they want to lead.

Located in Gainesville, Georgia, the firm has custody arrangements with Fidelity Institutional. For more information, please visit www.striblingwhalen.com.

DISCLAIMER

Stribling~Whalen Financial Group is a registered investment adviser with the SEC. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the Firm by the Securities Exchange Commission nor does it indicate that the Adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. All investments are subject to risk, including the loss of principal.

Fidelity Investments® is an independent company, unaffiliated with Stribling~Whalen Financial Group (SWFG). Fidelity is a service provider to SWFG.

There is no form of legal partnership, agency affiliation, or similar relationship between your financial advisor and Fidelity, nor is such a relationship created or implied by the information herein. Fidelity has not been involved with the preparation of the content supplied by SWFG and does not guarantee, or assume any responsibility for, its content.

Fidelity Investments is a registered trademark of FMR LLC.

Fidelity Investments® provides clearing, custody, or other brokerage services through National Financial Services LLC or Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Members NYSE, SIPC. 1285705.1.0

Media Contact
Brian Whalen
Stribling~Whalen Financial Group
678-989-0048
brian.whalen@striblingwhalen.com

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SOURCE Stribling~Whalen Financial Group