Paul Blanco, CEO, Barnum Financial Group

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Paul Blanco is the founder and CEO of Barnum Financial Group, an award-winning provider of comprehensive personalized planning, investment and protection solutions, and financial literacy programs to clients across the United States. Throughout his career, Paul has been a tireless advocate for his firm and the communities it serves as well as for the financial services industry. He began his career at MetLife as a financial services representative in 1991. In just two years, he moved into management, taking over a seven person MetLife office in Trumbull, Connecticut. Today, Barnum has over 20 offices in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. In recognition of his vision and leadership, Paul became the youngest inductee into the MetLife Managers’ Hall of Fame. During his MetLife tenure, he won numerous accolades for his achievements including Top of the Tower, Golden Laureate, and Platinum Laureate. He has qualified for eight consecutive Management Leaders Conferences and fifteen America’s Council Conferences. Paul led the team at Barnum to be recognized by MetLife as their Firm of the Year in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, and 2015. Paul is passionate in his belief that having well-trained and credentialed professionals providing personal financial advice and strategies can have a major positive impact on the lives of individuals and their families. This belief has led him to make substantial contributions to his industry including developing his Growth Through Innovation workshops, a forum to deliver “best practices” across all aspects of our businesses to financial services leaders throughout the country. In the last decade, Barnum has consistently been ranked as a “Best Place to Work” by organizations such as the Hartford Business Journal and Providence Business News and “Best Company to Work For” by the New York State SHRM, The Business Council of New York, and Best Companies Group. Most recently, Barnum was named a “Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors” by Investment News. Most recently, Paul’s understanding of the importance of engaging young adults to take control of their financial futures has inspired him to spearhead the launch of The Establishment Barnum, a new approach to financial education and literacy focusing on young professionals. He has served on GAMA Foundation’s Board of Trustees and has written for their Great Ideas book series. He has qualified for the Master Agency Award, the International Management Diamond Plus and Diamond Awards, and the First in Class GAMA International Award. GAMA has also named Barnum one of the top 100 U. S. Financial Agencies multiple times. Paul was recently accepted into the Forbes Finance Council, an invitation-only community for executives in accounting, financial planning, wealth and asset management, and investment firms, and has contributed insights to a number of their publications.. A noted industry speaker, Paul has appeared on many radio and television programs as well as in national and local publications, providing insights on leadership, recruiting, philanthropy, and industry innovation.