Stephen G. Krochmal, Jr. is a second generation Financial Services Professional, practicing in the bay area since 1993. He graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a major in insurance. While attending Drake University, he participated in the Army ROTC Program. After graduation, he spent four years in the U. S. Army as an Executive Officer. He has lived in the Bay Area most of his life, graduating from Del La Salle High School in Concord, California.

To provide his clients with the most up-to-date practices and expertise, Stephen is constantly focused on professional development and education. He earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ PROFESSIONAL, AND HAS EARNED CERTIFICATION AS A Chartered Financial Consultant^® and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU^®) designations and most recently the Accredited Portfolio Manager Advisor (SM) (APMA^®). He also has his FINRA Series 6, 7 and 63 registrations, and his California Life Insurance License (CA Insurance License #0751590).

Stephen is a First Vice President - Investments with Krochmal, Koch and Prevo Financial Group (KKP) of Wells Fargo Advisors. Previous to that he managed KKP Financial and Insurance Services for over 25 years, continuing the legacy of the practice, which traces its roots back to 1965, when it was founded by Herb Kristal. Stephen’s past activities includes being a member of the Walnut Creek Sunrise Rotary Club for many years. His special accomplishments include serving as President of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity while at Drake University, participation in the National Association of Insurance and Financial Professional Association, and formerly involved in the Mount Diablo Estate Planning Council.

He has qualified to be a member of the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table for quite some time while at KKP, as well as qualifying for a Court of the Table member and Top of the Table member in the past numerous years, an honor bestowed upon only a small percentage of his industry.

Stephen’s Perspective:

I believe that the most important part of the process is to fully understand my clients and their specific financial situations. A firm understanding of each client’s unique goals, objectives, dreams, and the family and business relationships enables me to provide clearly developed personalized financial strategies that are tailored to my clients’ needs.

I focus initially on listening to my clients’ issues, goals, and concerns. I specialize in understanding each client’s circumstances, and then dedicate my knowledge and resources to help them achieve their objectives.

Our team and I believe in providing high quality, responsive service to clients. We are always available for updates, questions and clarification. I am personally committed or providing you with the high quality of service and information, and addressing your financial needs and concerns with the same attention and interest as I would my own family’s.

My Commitment to You

For more than two decades, I have helped clients address their financial concerns and develop strategies that focus on each individual's specific needs. With extensive experience as an International Financial Advisor, I am able to serve a global clientele with personalized investment planning services.

I have experience in advising U.S. resident and non-resident corporate executives who seek diversification strategies for concentrated stock positions. Other clients turn to me for advice on retirement planning, 401K strategies and estate investment planning strategies.  I feel each individual and family is unique, and so are the portfolios I develop. Together we can help build, manage, and sustain wealth for future generations.

My work with clients often involves using Envision^® investment planning to build portfolios around real-life goals and needs, providing clients with a tool to track their performance.

I am prior service U.S. Army Illinois National Guard officer, and served on active duty in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield, ending my military service as a Captain at the Battalion level. This experience taught me the importance of structure, discipline and accountability, all of which I incorporate in my service to clients.

My wife, Amy, and I reside in Delafield with our three sons. We’re very supportive of St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, from where my twin sons graduated in 2018. Our third son is currently enrolled and will graduate the academy in 2023.

If you'd like to discuss strategies to pursue your financial goals or would be interested in a review of your current wealth management plan, I’d be happy to meet with you.

My Associates

Esperanza Bitanga (Espie), Client Associate

My Experience

• 2019 – Present: Wells Fargo Advisors, First Vice President – Investments
• 1997 – 2019: Morgan Stanley, First Vice President – Wealth Management
• 1987 – 1999: 1644th Trans Co, Illinois Army National Guard, Company Commander

My Education:

Drake University – Bachelor of Arts degree; ROTC/Iowa Army National Guard

My Areas of Focus:

• Planning for Retirement
• IRAs
• Comprehensive Investment Planning
• Estate Planning Strategies
• Retirement Planning for Business and Executives
• Education funding and 529 plans
• Risk management (insurance, annuities)
• Access to affiliated Wells Fargo services (lending, trust services)
• Workplace Education

My Community Involvement

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy fundraising

Esperanza (Espie) Bitanga, the Senior Client Associate with Krochmal, Koch and Prevo Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, has worked with Steve and Adam since 2015 while at Ameriprise. She coordinates the practice’s customer service activities and administration. Prior to joining the practice, she served in various administrative positions of responsibility in the Ameriprise Walnut Creek branch office for 16 years.

Espie graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines. She went back to school to earn her degree after a long hiatus due to motherhood.

She was born and raised in the Philippines and has three children and three grandchildren, all living internationally apart. She has been in the financial services industry for over 16 years since her coming to the United States in 2001.

Espie loves to travel with family. She has resided in 2 countries and visited 14 others across Asia, North America, Europe and Australia. She believes that travelling helps a person achieve growth and become well-rounded. Through her travel experiences, she has gained a deeper appreciation of how responsibility, punctuality, patience and kindness are must-have’s to enjoying a trip, especially to a place where nobody knows you.

She enjoys exploring different types of food here and abroad because it gives insight to different cultures. She finds researching beforehand helps in making a choice of a good restaurant. Having a local has its advantages, too, like the opportunity to speak to and take pictures with chefs of Michelin-star restaurants and even touring their kitchen.