About AFM Investments

AFM Investments brings a level of expertise, knowledge and experience to the Jersey Shore that you would typically have to pursue with a premiere investment firm on Wall Street. Unlike what you will find with those types of firms, we build personal relationships with our clients to ensure that we have a full understanding of your financial aspirations. This enables us to build a roadmap that will help you achieve those goals.

At AFM Investments, we work for the client, and your best interests are always our main focus.

OUR STORY

While working for a small, private firm in the early to mid 1980s, Louis Scatigna, CFP® and Martin Saltzman were becoming increasingly frustrated with the fact that the firm seemed to be more concerned with its own bottom line than it was about the welfare of its clients. The two friends wanted to change that, and they decided to branch out on their own with the establishment of AFM Investments. Their goal with the new firm was to keep the best interest of their clients at the forefront of every decision.

Overcoming Adversity

AFM Investments was founded in the Summer of 1987, and anyone who is familiar with the financial industry knows what occurred just a couple of months later. A five-day period of intensifying stock declines eventually led to a market crash on October 19, 1987, a day that is forever known as Black Monday in the financial world. Such a catastrophic event would be enough to bury investment firms that had been in operation for a number of years, let alone one that had just been created. However, the investment style and strong client relationships of AFM Investments allowed our firm to not only persevere, but to begin thriving.

Since Black Monday occurred in 1987, AFM Investments has endured three more significant financial downturns, including the bursting of the dotcom bubble in 2000, the stock market and housing crash of 2008 and the economic shutdown due to COVID-19 in 2020. Through each of these situations, our firm has been able to overcome those downturns and continue to flourish. Within the investment philosophy at AFM Investments, our stakeholders have established a strategy that enables our clients to make money in both a positive and negative financial environment. Our philosophy is to protect your money when needed and grow it when the markets allow.

AFM Investments provides a “one-stop shop” approach to financial management. From investment portfolios to estate planning, tax preparation and everything in between, we provide full financial services to our clients to ensure that your finances are being managed efficiently. At AFM Investments, we believe in a hands-on approach to financial planning and do not treat our clients passively with static portfolio management.

There are two sides to our business in terms of account management, either fee-based (long-term) or commission-based (short-term). As evidenced by a client roster that includes many who have been with our firm for decades, we always make decisions for our clients that serve in your best interests. Further, clients always deal with the principals of our company and are never handed off to junior representatives like so many other wealth management firms.

We make a difference in our clients' lives by managing their money with care.

AFM Investments is an independent financial advisor and acts as a fiduciary for our clients. Since we are an independent firm, we can offer our clients any type of investment product, which ensures that we will provide you with a portfolio that is tailored to your financial goals and aspirations. Many large firms are forced to sell specific products because of preexisting relationships, but that is something you will never see when your money is under management by AFM Investments. We handle every account specifically to what will serve you best. Additionally, we offer advice on every aspect of your financial life, from purchasing a new home to buying a new car or any other decision that impacts you financially.

At AFM Investments, we work for the client, and your best interests are always our main focus.

OUR PARTNERS

Louis Scatigna, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

Louis Scatigna, CFP® has worked in the financial field for more than 38 years. During this time, he has helped a number of people manage their financial problems. This includes helping people plan for retirement and create budget plans. Additionally, Lou is a certified financial planner and tax accountant.

21 years ago, Lou decided to go a step further and began a radio show entitled The Financial Physician. He offers honest advice and does not shy away from problems or challenging conventional norms. On the show, he has been able to put his years of experience to work. The advice he offers has been thoroughly researched and largely shown to be accurate over the course of time.

In 2009, Lou published a book under the same name as his radio show. The book offers a financial advice and resources on how to manage your money. By comparing financial problems to physical ones, it helps to clarify concerns that may otherwise be difficult to understand.

Lou’s work is well-known and has been featured on major media outlets such as USA Today, CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business, ABC, NBC, CBS and MSNBC.

Martin D. Saltzman, Chief Investment Officer

Martin Saltzman is the Principal and Chief Investment Officer of AFM Investments Inc. He is a licensed stockbroker and professional financial planner.

Martin is the co-host of the television show, “It’s Your Money” that streams on RVNTV. The show discusses all aspects of investments and financial planning topics, with bi-weekly guests. He has also appeared on the “Financial Physician” Radio Show on WOBM 1160AM, as well as the television show “Money and Sense”.

Martin is a member of the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, Howell Chamber of Commerce and Charter member of the Optimist Club of Howell. He graduated from Monmouth College in 1982. Martin resides in Pine Beach with wife Ginger and their daughters, Alexa and Shayna.