Brett Pernicano Earns Chartered Financial Consultant(R) (ChFC(R)) Designation

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 25, 2013) - Brett Pernicano, financial advisor with Burnham Gibson Financial Group Inc., has earned the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) professional designation from The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA.

Candidates for the ChFC designation must complete a minimum of eight courses and 16 hours of supervised examinations. They must also fulfill stringent experience and ethics requirements. Over 50,000 individuals have been awarded the ChFC designation since its inception in 1982.

As one of the premier designations in the financial planning industry, the ChFC program prepares professionals to meet the advanced financial needs of individuals, professionals and small-business owners. ChFCs can identify and establish specific goals for a customer, then formulate, implement and monitor a comprehensive plan to help the customer achieve those goals. Individuals who earn a ChFC can provide advice on a broad range of financial topics including financial planning, wealth accumulation and estate planning strategies, tax-advantaged strategies, life and health insurance, business succession planning, investments and retirement planning.

"We're so proud of Brett for earning his ChFC designation, a prestigious certification held by top financial advisors," says Darin Gibson, president of Burnham Gibson Financial Group. "At Burnham Gibson, we strive to provide our clients with a 360-degree financial strategy to meet their varying and changing needs. The best-in-class service we are able to provide is a direct reflection of our team's extensive knowledge and experience."

Pernicano joined Burnham Gibson in 2011 as a financial advisor focused on serving the San Diego market, where he is responsible for financial planning, wealth management and retirement planning consulting for both business and private clients. Previously, Pernicano was an AXA divisional vice president and financial planner, consulting with small- to mid-sized companies on executive benefits and retirement planning, helping implement unique strategies to reduce tax liabilities and manage risk. He manages assets for a diverse client base spanning a range of industries, and was distinguished as one of the top three AXA advisors in San Diego in 2010.

The American College is dedicated to leadership in innovative training and development that helps financial services companies and their employees succeed. As a non-profit educational institution holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has served as a valuable business partner to banks, brokerages firms, insurance companies and other for more than 82 years. The American College's faculty represents some of the financial services industry's foremost thought leaders. For more information, visit TheAmericanCollege.edu.

ABOUT BURNHAM GIBSON FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.: Burnham Gibson helps corporate and individual clients accumulate wealth, manage risk and plan for the future. Based in Irvine, Calif., the robust, full-service financial services firm offers an unparalleled complement of best-in-class services to help provide for the full spectrum of clients' financial needs, and the needs of their workforces. Burnham Gibson currently advises on approximately $750 million in assets for corporate and individual clients. In 2010, the company partnered with Burnham Benefits Insurance Services to provide a comprehensive offering of integrated employee benefits solutions. The relationship allows both firms to leverage a larger organizational scale and depth of management, improving the quality and service they can provide for clients. For more information, visit www.burnhamgibson.com.

PPG 83367 (2/13)(Exp. 2/15)