Financial Adviser

In some ways, it's both the best of times and the most challenging of times for home buyers. Many properties are on the market for amazingly low prices, like the clearance merchandise now overloading the shelves of retail chains. Moreover, mortgage rates are exceptionally low. Even so, many who hanker to buy a first home, or to acquire that vacation house they've long yearned to own, are fearful. They'd like to take full advantage of the current housing situation, but they're apprehensive about overpaying, says Leo Berard, charter president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (www.

Raymond James Financial Services FREDERICK, Md. - Cynthia L. Perini, a senior vice president and director of the Investment Center and financial adviser at Raymond James Financial Services Inc. in Frederick has been named to the firm's 2002 Leaders Council in recognition of outstanding client service and exemplary professional growth. Perini, who joined Raymond James in 1995, has more than 19 years of financial and investment experience. Waypoint Bank Michael R. Baylor has been appointed president of Waypoint Bank's Potomac Regional Banking Division.

Area financial advisers were talking about yo-yos, white-water rafting and Kmart blue-light specials on Monday, anything to keep investors' minds off the volatile stock market. Monday's near-record Dow industrials plunge of 512.61 points more than wiped out all of this year's gains. --cont. from front page -- But Tri-State area financial advisers were telling people to stay calm and keep their holdings for the long term. Thomas Maiden, a Nationwide Insurance agent in Shepherdstown, W.Va.

HAGERSTOWN -- His education is in music history, but a strong interest in the stock market doing personal stocks on his own launched Brendan Fitzsimmons into the financial field and ultimately landed him among On Wall Street magazine's Top Advisors Under 40. Fitzsimmons, who is a senior vice president with Ferris, Baker Watts Inc. and manager of the Hagerstown branch, says he was always interested in the stock market because of his father and...

WILLIAMSPORT -Williamsort Retirement Village will offer the following financial seminars: o Surviving a volatile market with Ryan Copenhaver of New York Life. o Retirement planning with Edward Jones financial adviser Cort Meinelschmidt. To reserve a seat, call 301-223-7971. The programs are free and held at Twin Oaks Assisted Living of Williamsport Retirement Village.

For the fourth time in five years, financial services firm Edward Jones ranks highest in investor satisfaction with full-service brokerage firms, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study. Edward Jones also ranked highest in investor satisfaction in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The study measures overall investor satisfaction with full-service investment firms, based on six factors: account offerings, convenience, commissions and fees, financial adviser, investment performance and account statements.

Merrill Lynch held an open house in honor of the grand opening of its Hagerstown office on Thursday. The ribbon cutting was attended by state Sen. Donald F. Munson, RWashington, and John F. Barr, president of the Washington County Commissioners, as well as Carol Nevins, director of the Metro Maryland Complex for Merrill Lynch. "We're excited to be here in Washington County. It's important to have a presence and a footprint here," Nevins said. The office at 19236 Meadow View Drive will serve the comprehensive wealth-management needs of individuals and families in Hagerstown and surrounding communities, according to a press release.

JS Dollar World JS Dollar World at 901 S. Potomac St. in Hagerstown will hold a grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The celebration will include prizes and hourly drawings along with refreshments, coupons and more. JS Dollar World, owned by Jean and Sidoney Atse, sells general merchandise, including cleaning and health and beauty products, cosmetics, school and party supplies, household items and food. The store is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Edward Jones Edward Jones financial advisers rank the firm the highest in overall satisfaction, according to a newly released study by J.D. Power and Associates.

When he applied to take over Robert A. McKee's vacant state delegate seat in 2008, Andrew A. Serafini decided that, if chosen, he'd run in the next election. After two years in office, Serafini said he has plenty to contribute, individually and jointly with other legislators. "We, as a nation and a state, when we put our minds to it, we can accomplish great things. It will take a unified effort to respond to challenges," he said. Washington County, in particular, has a strong work ethic, he said.