Meridian Wealth Advisors was founded in 1998 by David Chen with a conviction that was uncommon at the time: financial advice should be free of conflicts of interest. No commissions. No proprietary products. No revenue sharing. Just clear-eyed, evidence-based advice in the client's best interest.
At the time, the fee-only model was a rarity. Most financial advisors earned their income through product commissions, creating an inherent tension between what was best for the advisor and what was best for the client. David believed that eliminating that conflict was not just an ethical imperative — it was the foundation of a better advisory relationship. Twenty-eight years later, the industry has begun to catch up, but we have never wavered from the principles we started with.
Today, Meridian manages over $420 million in assets for more than 200 client families across the Chicago area. Our team holds the CFP, CFA, and CPA/PFS designations — the most rigorous credentials in financial planning, investment management, and tax strategy. We are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment advisor and are members of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the country's leading organization of fee-only financial planners.
Our clients are professionals, executives, business owners, and retirees who want a partner, not a salesperson. They value transparency, competence, and a long-term perspective. Many have been with us for over a decade, and some relationships now span two generations. We consider that the highest measure of our success.
We are not the right fit for everyone. We do not promise to beat the market. We do not offer hot stock tips. We do not make guarantees. What we offer is a disciplined, comprehensive approach to financial planning and investment management — grounded in academic research, executed with care, and delivered with the kind of personal attention that only a boutique firm can provide.
