Thomas Haunty earns repeat recognition on Forbes’ 2026 Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State List
MADISON, WIS.—July 9, 2026—Thomas Haunty, CFP®, RHU®, REBC®, ChFC®, AIF®, has once again been named to the Forbes/SHOOK Research 2026 Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State list. Ranked No. 32 in Wisconsin, Haunty was recognized for continued excellence in helping clients navigate important financial decisions and pursue their long-term goals.
This annual ranking spotlights leading financial professionals across the country who demonstrate exceptional service and a steadfast commitment to helping clients pursue financial security.
“Being included on the Top Financial Security Professionals list for a second year is a huge honor,” Haunty commented. “I thank my clients and my support team for making what I do possible, and for the relationships I continue to foster. Being a trusted financial resource is central to what I do, and I appreciate playing a part in helping others reach their financial goals.”
Haunty began his career at North Star in 1983, and he has spent decades helping individuals, families and business owners pursue their financial goals through comprehensive financial planning and benefits strategies. Haunty is the author of “Real Life Financial Planning for Young Lawyers” and is a frequent speaker and media source on personal and business financial planning topics.
In recognition of his longstanding commitment to clients, professional excellence and leadership within the firm, Haunty will be inducted into the North Star Resource Group Hall of Fame on July 23, 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: Thomas A. Haunty, CFP®, RHU®, REBC®, ChFC®, AIF®
Thomas A. Haunty is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who has provided financial services to individuals, families, and businesses through fee-based financial planning and benefits services. Tom Haunty has authored and been quoted in numerous articles on personal and business financial strategies and is a frequent speaker on these topics. He published the book Real Life Financial Planning for Young Lawyers. An Evans Scholar graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business, Tom is also a member of the Financial Planning Association; the Financial Counseling, Investment, Management and Employee Benefits Sections of the Society of Financial Services ProfessionalsTM; and is a Life and Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®. Moreover, he has also been a National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Quality Award recipient every year since 1987.
Separate from the financial plan and our role as financial planner, we may recommend the purchase of specific investment or insurance products or accounts. These product recommendations are not part of the financial plan and you are under no obligation to follow them.
Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is an independent membership organization of life insurance and financial service professionals. Membership levels are based on commissions, premiums, or fees generated within a year from investment and insurance products. Members must apply annually and pay a fee. Members must be members in good standing of a Professional Association which has met the following criteria: in existence at least 2 years, have 100 or more members, must be a nonprofit organization, must have a code of ethics and an effective means of dealing with breaches of its code. Members must also adhere to the MDRT Code of Ethics. Working with this advisor is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation.
Registered representative of Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFGAN Insurance Agency LLC, CA Insurance Lic # 0644976), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. CA Insurance License #0C20081.
*Data as of 12/2025
2026 Forbes Best-In-State Financial Security Professionals, 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 SHOOKTM 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.