Michael D. Watson

VALMARK ADVISERS

San Francisco, CA 94111

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CRD#: 4932054

Professional summary

Michael Dwaine Watson, CFP® is a registered financial advisor currently at VALMARK ADVISERS, INC. located in San Francisco, California and BPM WEALTH ADVISORS, LLC located in San Francisco, California.

Michael is registered as an IAR (Investment Advisor Representative) and RR (Registered Representative) and started their career in finance in 2006. Michael has worked at 5 firms and has passed the Series 65, Series 63, Series 99TO, SIE, Series 7 and Series 24 exams.

Question & Answer

Are you a "fiduciary"?

Yes

Aliases

None

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.

1) BPM Wealth Advisors; One California Street, Ste. 2500, San Francisco, CA 94111; Investment Advisor; Financial planner/ investment manager of the RIA; YES Investment Related; Start Date 6/6/2023; Approximately 40+ hrs. per month; Salary/bonus structure based on the growth of the RIA.///

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - RIA

Click below to view Michael Dwaine Watson's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).

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^®

Certified Financial Planner

Start date: 2012

Experience

Current

March 17, 2023 - Present

VALMARK ADVISERS, INC.

Office #1: One California Street, Suite 2500, San Francisco, CA 94111

RIA

CRD#: 108050

San Francisco, CA

Current

June 30, 2023 - Present

BPM WEALTH ADVISORS, LLC

Office #1: One California Street, Suite 2500, San Francisco, CA 94111

RIA

CRD#: 325909

San Francisco, CA

Current

March 17, 2023 - Present

VALMARK SECURITIES, INC.

Office #1: One California Street, Suite 2500, San Francisco, CA 94111

CRD#: 31243

San Francisco, CA

Past

September 2, 2015 - September 1, 2022

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

RIA

CRD#: 7717

SAN DIEGO, CA

Past

September 1, 2015 - September 1, 2022

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

CRD#: 7717

SAN DIEGO, CA

Past

July 27, 2011 - August 22, 2015

LPL FINANCIAL LLC

RIA

CRD#: 6413

SAN DIEGO, CA

Past

July 13, 2006 - August 22, 2015

LPL FINANCIAL LLC

CRD#: 6413

SAN DIEGO, CA

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".

VALMARK ADVISERS, INC.

VALMARK ADVISERS INC | VALMARK ADVISERS, INC.

CRD#: 108050 / SEC#: 801-55564

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - (5/29/1998 Approved)

Wyoming

Registered Investment Advisory firm - (8/11/2017 Terminated)

Why is a state registration marked "Terminated"? When a firm registers with the SEC (usually after managing $100M+ AUM), it often withdraws separate state firm registrations unless required by that state. The firm can still serve clients there through its individually registered Investment Advisor Representatives (IARs).

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.

indicates the advisor is registered as a Registered Representative in this state, allowing them to offer securities such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds through a broker-dealer.

Visual representation of state registrations

California
(3/17/2023)

IAR

California
(3/17/2023)

IAR

Illinois
(3/12/2025)

IAR

Michigan
(5/1/2023)

IAR

Nevada
(3/4/2024)

Nevada
(6/20/2025)

IAR

Texas
(9/12/2023)

Don't see your state listed? The advisor may still be able to work with you under the federal De Minimis Rule, which allows up to five investment advisory clients in a state without registration. Some states, like TX, LA, NE, and NH, may still require registration or notice filing. Contact the advisor or their firm to confirm their investment advisory availability in your state. Note: This rule does not apply to broker-dealer activity.

Exams

State Security Law Exam

IAR

Series 65

Date: 7/25/2011

Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination

State Security Law Exam

Series 63

Date: 9/29/2006

Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

Series 99TO

Date: 1/2/2023

Operations Professional Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

SIE

Date: 10/1/2018

Securities Industry Essentials Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

Series 7

Date: 7/12/2006

General Securities Representative Examination

Principal/Supervisory Exam

Series 24

Date: 1/8/2020

General Securities Principal Examination

SRO Registrations

FINRA

Current Firm

VALMARK ADVISERS, INC.

VALMARK ADVISERS INC | VALMARK ADVISERS, INC.

CRD#: 108050 / SEC#: 801-55564

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - (5/29/1998 Approved)

Wyoming

Registered Investment Advisory firm - (8/11/2017 Terminated)

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Contact information

Main Address

130 Springside Drive Suite 300, Akron, OH 44333

Mailing Address

Phone number

(800) 765-5201

Established

Firm type

Fiscal year end

# of Employees

275

SEC notice filing (52 States and Territories)

Documents

Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / SEC)

Latest Form ADV

Part 2 Brochures

VALMARK ADVISERS WEALTH MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS ADV PART 2A APPENDIX 1-WRAP FEE PROGRAM BROCHURE (6/16/2025)

VALMARK ADVISERS, INC SEC FORM 2A FIRM BROCHURE (6/16/2025)

Regulatory assets under management

Total Number of Accounts	19,096
AUM (Assets Under Management)	$ 8,379,181,235

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.

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Advisor Monitoring

Firm Stability Insights

Michael D. Watson

Professional summary

Question & Answer

Aliases

Other business activities

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - RIA

Click below to view Michael Dwaine Watson's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).

Certified licenses

Experience

BPM WEALTH ADVISORS, LLC

VALMARK SECURITIES, INC.

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

LPL FINANCIAL LLC

LPL FINANCIAL LLC

Primary Firm SEC Registration

VALMARK ADVISERS, INC.

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Exams

Series 65

Date: 7/25/2011

Series 63

Date: 9/29/2006

Series 99TO

Date: 1/2/2023

SIE

Date: 10/1/2018

Series 7

Date: 7/12/2006

Series 24

Date: 1/8/2020

FINRA

Current Firm

VALMARK ADVISERS, INC.

Contact information

SEC notice filing (52 States and Territories)

Documents

Part 2 Brochures

Regulatory assets under management

Red Flags

Company Information

VALMARK ADVISERS, INC.

TRUST BUT VERIFY

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