Marshall Gifford Named No. 11 in Minnesota on Forbes’ 2026 Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State List
MINNEAPOLIS—July 9, 2026—Marshall W. Gifford, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC®, has been named to the Forbes/SHOOK Research 2026 Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State list, earning a Top 20 ranking at No. 11 in Minnesota.
The Top Financial Security Professionals ranking spotlights leading financial professionals across the country who demonstrate exceptional service and a steadfast commitment to helping clients pursue financial security.
“It is such an honor to be included on this list again,” Gifford remarked. “I count myself lucky to have found a career, company, and team that helps me make a positive impact and change lives forever, every day. It is humbling to have clients place their trust in me and what we do, allowing them to protect their families and financial futures, so they can pursue their goals.”
Gifford has worked as a financial advisor serving medical professionals for over 30 years. In 2017, he founded Gifford Financial, a division of North Star Resource Group, which specializes in servicing the unique financial needs of physicians and dentists with excellence and transparency.
He is also a founding member of the North Star Medical Division, and he regularly speaks at leading medical and dental schools, residency programs and national conferences. He is a co-author of “Real Life Financial Planning for the Young Dental Professional” and “Real Life Financial Planning for the New Physician.”
Finally, Gifford’s contributions to the financial services profession have been recognized through honors such as previous appearances on the Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals list (2023, 2024 and 2025) and the Forbes/SHOOK Minnesota’s Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list (2024, 2025 and 2026).
The Forbes ranking evaluates financial professionals using a combination of qualitative and quantitative elements in a survey conducted by SHOOK Research. Qualitative elements that SHOOK analyzed included production/premiums, death benefits, assets under management, client-related trends and data. Additionally, they also analyzed quantitative elements such as meetings with professionals, use of their team and team dynamics, level of community involvement, credentials and years of service.
To learn more about Forbes’ Top Financial Security Professionals list or to view the rankings on a national and state level, please visit www.forbes.com/lists/top-financial-security-professionals.
About Forbes and SHOOK Research
Forbes boasts 6 million readers and 116 million unique monthly visitors who rely on their research and content to plan their financial futures. SHOOK does not receive a fee in exchange for rankings.
About North Star Resource Group
North Star Resource Group is a Minneapolis-based financial services firm that provides both individuals and businesses with the resources to help create, preserve and protect their wealth. North Star has more than 200 full-time advisors and over 218 employees. In a network of 43 offices in over 17 states, they have contributed to the financial security and well-being of over 150,000 individuals and small businesses.* To learn more about North Star Resource Group, visit www.northstarfinancial.com.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Ian Rich at 612.617.6076 or email him at ian.rich@northstarfinancial.com.
Author: Marshall W. Gifford, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC®
Marshall Gifford is a founder of Gifford Financial and a senior partner at North Star Resource Group, where he helped create the North Star Medical Division. He specializes in consulting with physicians and dentists in regard to their personal and business financial goals and concerns.
*Data as of 12/2025
2026: The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors with a minimum of seven years’ experience and weighing factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience, and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
The Forbes: America’s Top Financial Security Professionals Award, developed by SHOOK™ Research, is based on last year’s data. The algorithm is designed to fairly compare the business practices of a large group of financial service professionals (FSPs) based on quantitative and qualitative elements. Data is weighted to ensure priorities are given to dynamics such as best practices, business models, recent business activity, among others. Each variable is graded and represents a certain value for each measured component. The algorithm measures thousands of FSPs against one another. The listing is prepared by SHOOK™ Research and is based primarily on commissions and premiums generated from insurance products and other criteria relative to years of experience, credentials, client retention and servicing, business model, community involvement, financial professional and peer interviews, and compliance background. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
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