Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Mark Blankinship

Van Alstyne

Summary

Dedicated to adding value and being an asset to any company. Excels in providing top-notch customer service and optimizing job efficiency. Possesses a keen eye for detail, strong communication skills, and adept project management abilities. Thrives in multitasking within fast-paced settings. Proactively identifies and resolves issues, committed to process optimization and team support. Recognized for contributions.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Paraplanner/Associate Financial Advisor

Ameriprise Financial
05.2024 - Current
  • Built strong relationships with clients, fostering trust and loyalty through consistent communication and follow-up meetings.
  • Worked closely with other team members to create a cohesive and supportive work environment that fostered collaboration and shared success.
  • Provided excellent customer service by addressing client inquiries promptly and accurately.
  • Maintained thorough documentation of all client interactions as per regulatory requirements.
  • Streamlined internal processes by implementing efficient data management strategies and tools.
  • Streamlined financial planning processes for increased efficiency and improved client experience.
  • Identified areas of improvement in internal processes, implementing changes that ultimately led to better outcomes for both the firm's staff members as well as its clientele base.
  • Prepared for meetings by gathering materials, reports and presentations.
  • Increased client retention rates by consistently delivering high-quality service and demonstrating genuine concern for their wellbeing.
  • Facilitated new client onboarding process and investment account setup.
  • Supported advisors in conducting client meetings, ensuring a smooth flow of information and effective collaboration.
  • Contributed to team success by sharing knowledge, ideas, and insights during regular meetings and presentations.
  • Improved overall office productivity through the implementation of organizational systems and best practices.
  • Helped to train and/or mentor staff new to the practice, and/or paraplanning role.
  • Handled high-volume of trades for all advisors in the practice.

Client Service Advisor/Paraplanner

Raymond James
04.2022 - 05.2024
  • Partnered with colleague to complete client onboarding, as well as creating efficient processes for client service, and advisor support.
  • Resolved complex issues by conducting thorough research and collaborating with team members to find innovative solutions.
  • Put together detailed financial and investment plans for customers.
  • Guided clients through account setup processes, ensuring a smooth transition to the company's services and offerings.
  • Developed strong relationships with clients and colleagues, fostering a collaborative work environment focused on achieving business goals.
  • Improved overall office productivity through the implementation of organizational systems and best practices.
  • Collaborated with financial advisors to develop customized financial plans for clients to meet their long-term goals.
  • Utilized advanced problem-solving techniques when faced with challenging situations that required unique or creative solutions.
  • Attended training courses to further knowledge and maximize understanding of current trends and strategies in financial planning.
  • Assisted in the preparation of annual reviews for existing clients, fostering trust through transparency.

Registered Client Service Associate

Ameriprise Financial
04.2020 - 04.2022
  • Supported multiple advisors with various level practices.
  • Provided back-up support to other team members during peak periods or absences, ensuring seamless service delivery to clients.
  • Ensured compliance with industry regulations, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of rules and guidelines related to client accounts.
  • Supported financial advisors with preparing documentation, contributing to the successful onboarding of new clients.
  • Streamlined office operations for better efficiency, managing calendars and scheduling appointments.
  • Provided exceptional customer service through clear communication and active listening, resolving issues quickly and professionally.
  • Enhanced client satisfaction by promptly addressing inquiries and providing accurate account information.
  • Contributed to team success by collaborating effectively with colleagues, sharing knowledge and assisting with projects as needed.
  • Managed tasks efficiently during periods of high volume or tight deadlines without compromising quality or attention to detail.
  • Sought ways to improve processes and services provided.

Licensed Sales Associate

LPL (located at American National Bank)
03.2006 - 04.2020
  • Series 6, 7, 63, 65 Securities and Life & Health Insurance licensed
  • Assisted two Financial Advisors simultaneously in different offices for over 9 years
  • Open investment accounts for new and existing clients
  • Manage client services (i.e. account maintenance, deposits, contributions/distributions, online support, etc.)
  • Manage paperless office and create efficiencies through various available technologies
  • Maintain files to ensure office is compliant
  • Research, analyze and create spreadsheets with data for marketing, client and budget purposes
  • Manage various marketing campaigns via online and mail
  • Initiated and implemented the art of “WOW” in advisor’s practice, for deeper client relationships
  • Created various checklists to help manage distribution processes, client reviews/audit
  • Assisted in training new employees, on LPL system, processes, and best practices
  • Call clients to set up meetings for portfolio reviews
  • Contact prospects and/or referrals to set up initial meeting

Relationship Banker

American National Bank of Texas
02.2005 - 03.2006
  • Opened and serviced new accounts
  • Processed consumer loans (application, processing, closing/funding)
  • Made calls, both phone and outbound, to existing and prospective clients to obtain new business
  • Took existing clients to lunch for retention, relationship building, and networking purposes
  • Active in Chamber and community activities
  • Strengthened client relationships by providing personalized banking solutions and excellent customer service.
  • Assisted customers in achieving financial goals by recommending suitable products and services based on their needs.

Consumer Banker

Bank of Texas
01.2003 - 01.2005
  • Assumed all responsibilities of opening new accounts as well as account maintenance, and resolving customer issues in an efficient, accurate and timely manner
  • Profiled current and prospective clients to find the best product(s) that best suited their need(s)
  • Processed consumer loans (i.e. application and closing/funding procedures)
  • Made pro-active outbound calls to obtain new business
  • Assisted Branch Manager and Assistant Branch Manager in some operational responsibilities

Personal Banker

Texas Republic Bank
01.2002 - 01.2003
  • Assumed responsibility of opening new accounts as well as serving as backup teller
  • Assisted in some operational duties, including printing daily FED reports, changing backup tapes, printing and checking daily reports (i.e. rejects, insufficient, overdraft), and sending/receiving incoming and outgoing wire transfers
  • Gained experience in a mall call program to open new accounts for retail stores within the mall, where in some instances, presenting marketing tools to corporate offices in order to obtain business, was necessary
  • Provided personal assistance to all customers to display exemplary customer service, including house calls

Teller

1st Independent National Bank
01.2001 - 01.2002
  • Fulfilled all teller responsibilities, including deposits, cashing checks, CTR’s, and other customer-related functions
  • Handled daily reconcilement responsibilities, including filing of tickets, both negotiable and general ledger entries
  • Sent/Received incoming and outgoing wire transfers; updated FED wire information
  • Processed return items as well as deposit correction items
  • During my time at this institution, I exemplified quality customer service while building a strong customer base

Teller

Bank of America
01.1998 - 01.2001
  • Fulfilled all teller responsibilities, including deposits, cashing checks, CTR’s, and other customer related functions
  • During my time at Bank of America, I worked my way up to a Teller II, which was earned by consistent cash drawer balancing, cash handling and careful attention to each individual transaction processed

Education

No Degree - Church Ministries

Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Waxahachie, Texas
05-2002

High School Diploma -

Berkner High School
Richardson, Texas
05-1997

Skills

  • Strong communication skills
  • Strategic thinking
  • Effective time management
  • Continuous learning mindset
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Research and analysis
  • Financial planning
  • Critical problem-solving
  • Strong work ethic
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Multitasking
  • Reliability

References

  • Emily Coleman, Fidelity - (858) 373-8275
  • Alan Gritzman, Personal Friend - (903) 271-4315
  • Randy Burns, Personal Friend - (469) 441-5307

Certification

  • Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 licensed
  • Life & Health Insurance license

Timeline

Paraplanner/Associate Financial Advisor

Ameriprise Financial
05.2024 - Current

Client Service Advisor/Paraplanner

Raymond James
04.2022 - 05.2024

Registered Client Service Associate

Ameriprise Financial
04.2020 - 04.2022

Licensed Sales Associate

LPL (located at American National Bank)
03.2006 - 04.2020

Relationship Banker

American National Bank of Texas
02.2005 - 03.2006

Consumer Banker

Bank of Texas
01.2003 - 01.2005

Personal Banker

Texas Republic Bank
01.2002 - 01.2003

Teller

1st Independent National Bank
01.2001 - 01.2002

Teller

Bank of America
01.1998 - 01.2001

No Degree - Church Ministries

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

High School Diploma -

Berkner High School

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