Legacy & Leadership: The Financial Odyssey of Veralynn Morris
Veralynn Morris, Capital Portfolio Management’s seasoned Financial Services Professional, holds a BA in Business from Mount Saint Mary's University, where she also undertook graduate studies in Accounting and Finance. Her educational background, coupled with her experience in investment, wealth planning, and divorce finance, positions her as a recognized expert in her field. Her affiliations and certifications further underline her commitment to professional excellence. With more than thirty years of experience, she continues to be a sought-after authority in financial solutions.
What brought you to the field of capital management?
After graduating from the University of Maryland with my first degree at 21, I entered the financial services industry. I began as a life insurance agent and progressed through the next 30 years by expanding to employee benefits, retirement planning, financial planning, estate planning, and, finally, as a Registered Investment Advisor. I have been an advisor for more than 30 years and have coupled my experience in all phases of the development of my practice to focusing strictly on wealth management.
What is something unique about your brand that sets you apart from your competition?
At Capital Portfolio Management, we don’t believe that any one advisor has the lock on all good ideas. So, we use a team concept. Whenever a recommendation is made, the three on my team all have to agree and design, implement, and manage the client’s wealth. We plan our strategy for the client. With three advisors, we all have our talents that we bring to the table to provide a clear, concise, and cohesive wealth management plan to our clients.
Looking back on the last five years of your career, what has been the highlight?
I think the greatest accomplishment for me was when I passed Series 65, which is the Securities Law Exam. I became a fiduciary that day. Many brokers never pass the exam and hence will never be wealth managers. I studied every chance I had – literally if I had 15 minutes of free time, my head was in a book. I studied for 15 months, and the day I passed that exam, my career took off, and I was able to offer a broader range of services to my clients. Passing that exam changed my life.
What does a typical day look like for you as a portfolio manager?
I start my day by reading financial news. I want to see what is driving our markets and our economy. Then I pay close attention to the indices as the market opens and follow them throughout the day. In the meantime, I am designing [...] strategies, speaking with clients, performing reviews, and [building] financial plans.
What is a unique component of your organization that sets you apart?
Aside from our wealth management services, I’d like to give credit to our operations area. As a smaller firm, we are nimble enough in our processes to provide quick and competent customer service. Our clients are very happy with that service; they always have a person on the other end of the phone or email who gets the task at hand completed both competently and professionally. As opposed to the larger firms, we don’t have the layers of paperwork required to get a task completed. We can complete in the morning what sometimes takes the larger houses days to accomplish.
Share an example of one of your greatest achievements. How did you feel?
In my more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, one of my greatest achievements is that I have several clients who are in the fourth generation. One, for example, was when I had a client refer me to a colleague about wealth management services. I met with the great-grandparents and managed their wealth. Then we transferred the wealth to the grandparents, and I remained their advisor. Next, the wealth was transferred to the parents who are still my advisory clients today. Now we are in the process of transferring the wealth to the grandchildren, where I will remain their financial advisor.
What is something you do regularly that you recommend to other portfolio managers?
If I were to give a young advisor advice, I would say get a successful and competent mentor. All young advisors need someone who has years of experience in advisory services to bring them up the ranks. There is valuable wisdom with experience. Getting an experienced mentor is crucial in navigating the investment world. I still have a mentor today and call on him often.
What motivates you to continue doing what you do?
I would say that it is the relationships and helping clients to reach their dreams. It is all about relationships. The relationships I have developed with my clients, team members, and staff and in helping to achieve their goals are what gets me up in the morning. I wouldn’t trade the relationships that I have built over the years with my clients and them with me.
About Veralynn Morris
Veralynn Morris emanates a deep-rooted passion for financial guidance, built upon a foundational education from the University of Maryland and enriched by a diverse three-decade journey through the financial sector. She champions collaboration, advocating for collective decision-making at her firm, Capital Portfolio Management, and ensuring diverse perspectives enhance client strategies.
A commitment to her craft is evident in her proud recounting of passing the Series 65 Securities Law Exam, signaling a pivotal moment in her professional trajectory. A keen daily observer of market dynamics, Veralynn dedicates herself to proactive strategies and client communication. Yet, beyond her technical prowess, it's the generations-long trust of families under her guidance and her emphasis on relationships that truly underscore her dedication to her profession.
