The Wealth Management Advisors through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS*”) at Elevations Credit Union focus on helping members achieve their financial goals. Chris Thorpe has assisted Elevations members since 2019 with investing and savings plans. Learn more about his financial advising approach and how you can get the most out of this service.
One positive interaction can change the trajectory of a career. For Chris Thorpe, it was a conversation with a 62-year-old woman facing financial uncertainty during a divorce.
“I had a banking client that I knew for a long time, and when she came in, I could tell she was a bit stressed. She was waiting in the lobby to meet with somebody. So I started a conversation with her, and she almost broke down. She was worried that she was never going to be able to retire,” Chris recalls of his days as a licensed banker and branch manager.
“I brought her into my office, and we started gathering information. I showed her how she could retire at 65. She broke down into tears. It gave her a mindset that changed her whole world. When that happened, that was the trigger that made me say, ‘I want to do this full time,’” Chris says.
He decided to leave his banking career to pursue financial advising and hasn’t looked back since.
Helping others plan and grow wealth
Chris guides investors of all ages with a full range of offerings, from new parents setting up college savings plans for their children to retirees who need assistance distributing 401(k) funds, and everyone in between. If you have a dream that involves saving or financing, he’s happy to map out the steps needed to transform those aspirations into reality.
“My goal is to help you grow and build wealth in a tax-efficient manner and then distribute that wealth during retirement in a tax-efficient way. And that’s it. We help you plan and grow wealth,” Chris explains.
To support business owners who want to sell their business, Chris has helped structure the sale and invest the proceeds to be most beneficial. He also handles more common transactions like selecting IRAs, making 401(k) rollovers, setting up emergency savings funds, restructuring finances after a significant life change and planning for large purchases like a new vehicle, kitchen remodel or first home.
“You can help your advisor by sharing your intentions and goals for your money so we can really paint a good picture of what it looks like,” he adds.
Chris says being open about these factors helps him introduce you to the best financial solutions to get the job done. He can help you weigh short- or long-term investments and determine a timeline for your plans with information on what types of financial accounts you’ve already established, how you want your retirement to look and how much money you have to invest initially.
A comforting career confirmation
As luck would have it, Chris later crossed paths with the woman he initially advised. She was joyful and driving a new car. When they chatted, he learned that she decided to work a bit longer because she loved her new life path.
“That’s what I value out of being an advisor — giving people that peace of mind and helping them understand where they are and what their retirement can look like,” he notes.
Not everyone wants to stop working altogether; some prefer the flexibility to try something new, he explains.
Staying active outside the office
When he’s not strategizing about finances for Elevations members, you might find Chris working on an old-fashioned tabletop puzzle. After all, he loves problem-solving.
You also might find him playing racquetball or pickleball, or packing up for a fly-fishing trip. He lives in Loveland, not far from Rocky Mountain National Park, where crystal clear waters and greenback cutthroats await his reel. He practices catch-and-release while admiring the beauty of the Colorado landscape.
On a personal note, Chris and his wife recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary. The couple has raised their six children in Northern Colorado for the past 21 years.
Chris meets with Elevations members at several area branches: Longmont, Loveland, Fort Collins and soon the new Old Town Fort Collins location, opening summer 2021. If you’d like to discuss your financial goals with Chris, call him at 970.267.7688 or send an email to chris.thorpe@elevationscu.com. You may also reach out to his assistant Emily McAvoy at (303) 247-8892 or emily.mcavoy@elevationscu.com with your questions.
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