Erik M. Nero
FIRST STEP WEALTH PLANNING
Wilton, NY
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CRD#: 4047258
Professional summary
Erik Michael Nero, CFP®, who also goes by Erik M Nero, is a registered financial advisor currently at FIRST STEP WEALTH PLANNING located in Wilton, New York.
Erik is registered as an IAR (Investment Advisor Representative) and started their career in finance in 1999. Erik has worked at 10 firms and has passed the Series 66, SIE and Series 7 exams.
Biography
Erik believes that harmony between one’s faith, fitness, family, friends, and finances can lead to a more fulfilled life. Erik created First Step Wealth Planning to help his clients experience their ideal lives through creating greater confidence in their financial lives while removing the barriers and conflicts of interest that exist at other firms.
Professionally, Erik has been helping families make smart decisions with their money for over 20 years. He has held positions in wealth management for families and institutions at a variety of large, multi-national firms and has had the privilege of getting to know the stories, desires, and dreams of hundreds of clients. This privilege has been both educational and rewarding. Erik is grateful to have learned from so many wonderful people, which led him to realize what matters most to people is their time and their ability to live the life that they want. He has narrowed his focus to work with those who seek greater simplicity in their lives, so that they can spend more time on what is most important to them. Erik is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner and a Certified College Financial Consultant (CCFC).
Erik is a husband of over 20 years to his wife, Nicole. They have three children, and a chocolate Labrador. Although he spent many years of his career in New York City, Erik and his family have made a home in Saratoga Springs, New York. He is a native of New York’s Hudson Valley region and a graduate of Siena College. He loves being present and involved in the many activities his children participate in, as well as the art, culture, restaurants, and activities that are abundant in Saratoga Springs.
Question & Answer
What are your service offerings?
Retirement Income Management
Retirement Planning
Tax Planning
Education Planning
Social Security Planning
Investment Planning
Comprehensive Financial Planni...
Estate Planning
Do you have an area of expertise or specialization?
Baby Boomers
College/Education Planning
Generation X
High Net Worth Client Needs
Retirement Planning & Distribu...
Tax Planning
What is your minimum asset requirement?
500K
Are you a "fiduciary"?
Yes
Aliases
Erik M Nero
Other business activities
Outside business activity is any business or activity undertaken by an advisor that is outside the scope of their relationship with their firm (e.g., consulting services, real estate, freelance work, teaching, etc.). Investors should stay informed about these activities to ensure no conflicts of interest.
FIRST STEP WEALTH PLANNING / INVESTMENT RELATED / WILTON, NY / REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR / FOUNDER / JAN 2022 / 150 HOURS PER MONTH / 100% DURING TRADING HOURS Name of other business: Saratoga Springs Central School District Dept. of Transportation The position is non-investment related Business Address: 25 Duplainville Rd Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Nature of other business: Transportation Position: School bus driver Position start date: 11/02/2022 Hours/month devoted to other business: 80 Hours devoted to other business during securities trading hours: 60 Transport school district students to and from their respective public school locations.
CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - RIA
Click below to view Erik Michael Nero's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).
Certified licenses
Advisors may have various certifications and credentials from different organizations. AdvisorCheck highlights these seven certifications - AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®, CFA, CLU®, CIMA®, CPWA®
CFP®
Start date: 2022
Experience
Current
January 14, 2022 - Present
FIRST STEP WEALTH PLANNING
RIA
CRD#: 317527
Wilton, NY
Past
November 18, 2022 - August 7, 2023
ORIGIN INVESTMENT ADVISORY LLC
RIA
CRD#: 305353
WILTON, NY
Past
May 1, 2019 - January 27, 2022
MORGAN STANLEY
RIA
CRD#: 149777
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY
Past
April 30, 2019 - January 27, 2022
MORGAN STANLEY
BD
CRD#: 149777
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY
Past
May 15, 2017 - December 18, 2018
WALTHAUSEN & CO., LLC
RIA
CRD#: 144996
MALTA, NY
Past
October 18, 2016 - December 12, 2018
RAFFERTY CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
BD
CRD#: 23682
GARDEN CITY, NY
Past
November 13, 2013 - May 25, 2016
STRATEGIC ADVISERS LLC
RIA
CRD#: 104555
ALBANY, NY
Past
December 7, 2011 - May 19, 2016
FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES LLC
BD
CRD#: 7784
ALBANY, NY
Past
October 21, 2008 - November 15, 2011
CHASE INVESTMENT SERVICES CORP.
RIA
CRD#: 25574
NEW YORK, NY
Past
October 15, 2008 - November 15, 2011
CHASE INVESTMENT SERVICES CORP.
BD
CRD#: 25574
NEW YORK, NY
Past
November 21, 2005 - September 16, 2008
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
RIA
CRD#: 5393
ALBANY, NY
Past
September 22, 2005 - September 16, 2008
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
BD
CRD#: 5393
ALBANY, NY
Past
September 24, 2004 - September 2, 2005
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
BD
CRD#: 7691
NEW YORK, NY
Past
December 9, 2002 - September 28, 2004
CHASE INVESTMENT SERVICES CORP.
BD
CRD#: 25574
CHICAGO, IL
Past
December 7, 1999 - December 2, 2002
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
BD
CRD#: 7691
NEW YORK, NY
Primary Firm SEC Registration
This SEC-registered firm can serve clients nationwide. Some states may require the firm to submit a notice filing if the firm has more than 5 clients or a physical office there. You can view these state-level filings under the section titled "State Registrations and Notice Filings".
FIRST STEP WEALTH PLANNING
FIRST STEP WEALTH PLANNING | FIRST STEP WEALTH PLANNING, LLC
CRD#: 317527 / SEC#: 801-132772
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (5/13/2025 Approved)New York
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (5/29/2025 Terminated)State Registrations and Notice Filings
Listed states reflect where the advisor is authorized to serve clients under state regulations.
IAR
means the advisor is registered as an Investment Advisor Representative in this state and is authorized to provide investment advice to clients there.Highlighted states indicate IAR registrations
IAR
New York(1/14/2022)
Exams
State Security Law Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
Current Firm
FIRST STEP WEALTH PLANNING
FIRST STEP WEALTH PLANNING | FIRST STEP WEALTH PLANNING, LLC
CRD#: 317527 / SEC#: 801-132772
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (5/13/2025 Approved)New York
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (5/29/2025 Terminated)Upgrade to AdvisorCheck Premium
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Contact information
Main Address
Wilton, NY
Mailing Address
Phone number
(518) 893-1592
Established
Firm type
Fiscal year end
# of Employees
1
SEC notice filing (1 States and Territories)
Regulatory assets under management
| Total Number of Accounts | 108 |
| AUM (Assets Under Management) | $ 26,442,770 |
Red Flags
Disclosures can be potential red flags, including customer disputes, regulatory fines, employer terminations, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, or certain criminal activities.
Check for any disclosures as part of your thorough research when choosing an advisor.
