Our Story

Caring and committed to clients and community since l983, Carol and Jim Brandt founded Brandt Financial Concepts, Inc., an independent firm with a focus on relationships and passion for helping others. The Brandt's, along with their amazing and caring staff, provide personal insurance and employee benefit solutions with investment advice and simple to complex financial planning services to individuals, business and practice professionals.  From BFC’s proprietary, efficient and interactive Infinity Benefit Platform - technology for small and mid–size clients to partnering with one of the top 4 insurance brokerage firms in the US for their largest clients, the BFC team strives to exceed expectations in all that they do.  Timeless personal and high touch service has created lasting relationships.  On the investment advisory side, being independent means no stone unturned and all doors open, including a University of Chicago math and science based Asset Class Investment strategy* offering complete and transparent portfolio management strategies that reduce speculation so clients can focus on what matters most. So - what inspires you . . . 

*There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will outperform a non-diversified portfolio in any given market environment. No investment strategy, such as asset allocation, can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.  Investing involves risks including the potential loss of principal.

International investing involves additional risks including risks associated to foreign currency, limited liquidity, government regulation, and the possibility of substantial volatility due to adverse political, economic and other developments. The two main risks associated with fixed income investing are interest rate and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in the market value of bonds. Credit risks refers to the possibility that the issuer of the bond will not be able to make principal and interest payments. Investments in commodities may entail significant risks and can be significantly affected by events such as variations in the commodities markets, weather, disease, embargoes, international, political, and economic developments, the success of exploration projects, tax and other government regulations, as well as other factors. Indexes are unmanaged and investors are not able to invest directly into any index. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please note that individual situations can vary. 

Our Building History 

Built at least by 1877, the 134 W. Slade Street building was formerly the home of August Kimmet and his family.  Mrs. Kimmet operated a millinery shop here until 1900.  The building then stood close to the sidewalk on Slade and Greeley streets.  In 1910, the structure was moved back from the street and the basement added.  The original porch did not survive the move.  Shortly thereafter, the property was sold to Leo Nangle, foreman for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. Nangle added the front porch and columns in the early 1920’s.  He sold the property in l944 to Jacob Schwingle for $4,000.  Jacob and wife, Evelyn, raised 8 children here until l984 when the property was sold to investor, Virginia Iverson of Palatine and then to investor, Jim Schol, a drywall contractor from Marengo.  A single tenant occupied the second floor when Carol and Jim Brandt paid a visit to the property in l986 expressing interest in acquiring the building for their business headquarters.  Of note were schematics drawn on basement walls by tenant, Jim Wischmeyer – the Brandt's later learned they were the technical drawings for speakers Wischmeyer designed – inspiring the founding of his business, Bag End, becoming a major manufacturer of performance quality sound systems.  The Brandt’s purchased the building which required the amending of a city ordinance change to once again, allow frame buildings in downtown Palatine to be occupied by a business. The Brandt’s must have done a great job in sharing their vision - the city council vote was positive and unanimous.  The Brandt’s acted as the general contractor for the huge job – the complete remodel of the historic structure was involved with again, rebuilding the front porch but preserving its 8 stately columns and a building addition of 600 square feet of office space on two floors. Today, Brandt Financial Concepts, Inc. occupies the first floor with 3 tenant suites offered on the 2nd floor. The front porch is alive with year–round activities enhanced by Casablanca fans and a fire pit offering the best seats in town for annual parades, Palatine’s Street Fest, Rotary Oktoberfest, holiday tree lighting and frequent entertaining of clients and community friends. The Brandt’s and the entire community are grateful to Palatine for allowing the renovation of the historic building perhaps giving it another 100 years of life!