Michael Becht
Michael Becht is a registered investment professional with NEXT Financial Group, Inc., and a contributing member of the Financial Guys, LLC, a successful financial radio show that runs every Saturday on AM 930 WBEN. After graduating from Canisius College with a degree in Economics, and a M.B.A from Rochester Institute of Technology, Michael continued his financial career with M&T Bank. As part of the Management Development Program, Michael was involved in the regional and interstate expansion of the bank as well as the development and management of loan products. Additional responsibilities included helping local small to mid-sized corporate clients effectively structure and manage their finances.
After three years with M&T Bank, Michael joined Merrill Lynch. In 1997, Michael became a registered financial consultant with Merrill Lynch and quickly grew his investment management practice through his working knowledge of stocks, bonds and mutual funds. The use of retirement, estate, survivorship, education and debt management strategies became the cornerstone of his practice. By the end of 1999, Michael was recognized as a top financial consultant by Merrill Lynch management, receiving the “executive’s club award” for the significant growth of his practice and the quality of service he delivered to his clients. By 2003, Michael further expanded his practice to include managed money programs as well as retirement plan services for his growing corporate client base. Michael’s corporate retirement plan clients ranged from a publicly traded company’s defined benefit plan to SEP, Simple IRA and 401k plan clients. Proper plan design, implementation, monitoring and servicing, being the key ingredients to the success of any retirement plan.
After a brief return to M&T Bank as a bank officer and investment professional, Michael partnered up with the Wiggle/Lomas team, and joined NEXT Financial Group, Inc., in 2005. As an Independent Broker/Dealer, NEXT Financial Group, Inc. provides a flexible platform that allows him to offer a broad range of investment and planning services using a team approach. The team has also developed a network of established accountants and attorneys in an effort to better serve client needs.
Michael has a true passion for baseball and the WNY area, where he and his family reside. In the summer you will find Mike coaching kids in the Lancaster-Depew Little League, providing some basic baseball skills as well as essential life skills such as developing personal goals, focus, confidence, respect and teamwork. Michael’s professional designations include: NASD series 7, series 24, series 63, series 65, as well as life, accident and health insurance licenses.