A Legacy of Financial Guidance Since 1976
Klaas Financial was established in 1976 in Rockford, Illinois, by brothers Craig and Palmer Klaas. Both graduates of the University of Illinois with degrees in Finance, the brothers shared a deep commitment to helping others achieve long-term financial well-being. With that purpose in mind, they founded an insurance and investment practice focused on empowering families to plan wisely for their financial futures.
1976
1976
Klaas Financial: Founded in Rockford, IL, by Craig and Palmer Klaas, offering life and insurance and annuity products with first office on Harrison and Alpine Road.
U.S.: Bicentennial celebration with nationwide parades and events.
Finance: U.S. inflation at ~5.7% after 1970s oil shocks; Dow Jones around 1,000 points.
1976
Early 1980s
Early 1980s
Klaas Financial: Expands into retirement planning.
WI Sports: Madison Muskies (Minor League Baseball) formed in 1982.
Finance: Federal Reserve under Paul Volcker raises interest rates to combat double-digit inflation; 1982 recession hits.
Mid 1980s
Mid 1980s
Klaas Financial: Moves to Mulford Road in Rockford to accommodate growth.
World: Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989).
Finance: 1987 stock market crash (“Black Monday”), Dow drops 22.6% in one day.
Mid 1980s
Late 1980s - Early 2000
Late 1980s - Early 2000
Klaas Financial: Delivers 200+ corporate retirement education seminars annually across the region.
WI Sports: Brett Favre’s legendary career begins; Packers win Super Bowl XXXI in 1997.
Finance: Dot-com boom and bust (late 1990s–2000). S&P 500 surges then crashes, wiping out trillions in market value.
1991
1991
Klaas Financial: Officially becomes Klaas Financial, Inc.
World: End of the Cold War.
Finance: U.S. enters mild recession; 401(k) plans grow rapidly in popularity.
1991
2002
2002
Klaas Financial: Opens Madison, WI office and establishes Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC (RIA services).
World: Euro introduced as official currency in Europe.
Finance: Recovery from dot-com bust begins; Dow back above 10,000.
2006
2006
Klaas Financial: Celebrates 30th anniversary!
World: NASA launches New Horizons mission to Pluto.
Finance: Housing market peaks before Great Recession.
2006
2007
2007
Klaas Financial: Builds new permanent headquarters in Loves Park, IL.
World: First iPhone released.
Finance: Beginning of subprime mortgage crisis; U.S. stock market starts steep decline.
2011
2011
Klaas Financial: Launches Money in Motion radio show and Women in Motion group.
WI Sports: Packers win Super Bowl XLV.
Finance: U.S. credit rating downgraded for first time in history; European debt crisis escalates.
2011
2012
2012
Klaas Financial: Moves Madison office to Oak Bank building in Fitchburg, WI.
World: Curiosity rover lands on Mars.
Finance: U.S. stock market recovers from 2008 lows; Dow surpasses 13,000.
2016
2016
Klaas Financial: Celebrates 40th anniversary; establishes Little Free Library at Loves Park office.
Midwest Sports: Cubs win World Series, ending 108-year drought.
Finance: Dow approaches 20,000 for the first time.
2016
2017 - 2018
2017-2018
Klaas Financial: Founder transitions ownership to next generation; LLC expands to three. Klaas acquires Nan M Zimdars, Inc in Madison, WI.
World: First-ever image of a black hole captured.
Finance: Longest U.S. bull market in history continues.
2020
2020
Klaas Financial: Becomes independent RIA; brings investment management in-house.
World: COVID-19 pandemic disrupts lives globally.
Finance: U.S. stock market crashes in March, then rebounds to record highs by year-end.
2020
2024
2024
Klaas Financial: Expands ownership and launches in-house tax services.
World: Paris hosts the Summer Olympics.
Finance: Dow reaches new record highs; inflation concerns resurface.
2025
2025
Klaas Financial: Further ownership expansion.
World: NASA targets Artemis II lunar mission.
Finance: Federal Reserve continues to adjust interest rates amid economic uncertainty.
2025
Today
Today
Klaas Financial: 23 professionals serving 1,000+ households with $700M+ AUM.
Finance: Investors navigate evolving markets, higher interest rates, and global economic shifts.
2026
2026 (Upcoming)
Klaas Financial: Celebrates 50th anniversary!
U.S.: America’s Semiquincentennial — 250th anniversary.
Finance: Markets anticipate technological and AI-driven economic growth.
2026
