Steven M. Lear

Steve began his career in 1980 at Ameriprise Financial Services (then known as IDS Financial Services). He founded an independent firm in 1989, which then merged into Affiance Financial, LLC in 2000. Steve works with individuals and small businesses in the areas of financial planning, investment and insurance planning, estate planning, asset allocation, and retirement planning. Steve helps his clients organize their finances and estates, so they can concentrate their time and energy on family, work, philanthropy, and leisure activities.

Steve has devoted significant time and energy to his philanthropic, community and professional activities. Steve is a member of the Financial Planning Association, formerly a board member of the Minnesota Chapter, and a Lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

He is a founder of Nechama, a volunteer disaster relief organization; The Philanthropicwill Company (in 2005), a supplier of charitable planning tools; and The Generational Generosity Planning Company (in 2007) a supplier of charitable planning tools.

Steve was the founder of the Challenge of Peace and the BestPrep Financial Matters Initiative.

He is a prolific writer and speaker. He has presented for the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, AdvisorNet and Financial Network Investment Corporation.   Steve has given over 120 presentations since 2002 regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in a presentation called, "Understanding the Middle East Project." Steve is a contributing writer for two books¸"The Boomer’s Financial Guide to Multi-Generational Planning" (2010 Financial Forum Publishing), Chapter 2, "Multi-Generational Planning: Who Should I Help and How?" and Happily Ever After...Expert Advice for Achieving the Retirement of Your Dreams (2007 Financial Forum Inc), Chapter 10 "The Generosity Revolution, Planning to Make a Difference." He was also featured in the April 2005 Research magazine article, "Sharing in Their Caring"; and in the October 2004 Registered Rep article, "Time Savers."

Steve received the Registered Rep magazine’s Outstanding Advisor Award (2010), BestPrep’s Bunzel Volunteer of the Year Award (2010), Park Nicollet Foundation Community Service Award (2010) Financial Network Investment Corporation’s Outstanding Representative of the Year (1999) and Circle of Achievement Award in recognition for his community service.

Steve lives in Plymouth with his wife, Sheri, and seven children.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

The Generosity Revolution: Planning to Make a Difference
Steven M. Lear, ChFC, CLU, President Affiance Financial, LLC
Read More

Multi-Generational Planning: Who Should I Help and How?
The Boomer’s Financial Guide to Multi-Generational Planning
Read More >