San Diego, CA — March 31, 2026 — Independent Financial Group, LLC (IFG) today announced that Elite Advisor Chris Vizzi has been named No. 61 on InvestmentNews’ Top Financial Professionals in the USA list for the second consecutive year.
The annual ranking recognizes the nation’s highest-performing financial professionals who demonstrate measurable growth, strong client relationships, and outstanding business results.
“Chris is a true leader in the wealth management industry. This recognition underscores his achievements and the high standard of service and strategic insight he brings to every client relationship,” said David Fischer, Co-Founder and CMO of IFG. “We are honored and proud to have him recognized not only as an Elite Advisor at IFG for thirteen years, but also among the top financial professionals in the USA.”
With nearly two decades of experience advising high-net-worth families, Vizzi has established a reputation for serving as a personal CFO to business owners, entrepreneurs, and multigenerational families. He delivers sophisticated, tax-advantaged wealth strategies designed to provide clarity, coordination, and long-term purpose, positioning him as a trusted partner for clients navigating complex financial decisions—a track record that reinforces his consistent performance and leadership in a competitive advisory landscape.
“I’m grateful to be included again. More than anything, it reflects the trust our clients place in us and the team we have at South Coast. We stay focused on doing the work the right way and helping families make thoughtful, long-term decisions,” Vizzi said.
About InvestmentNews Top Financial Professionals in the USA
The Top Financial Professionals in the USA list (previously Top Advisors), now in its third year, recognizes the nation’s most accomplished financial professionals based on measurable business performance. Candidates are nominated by peers, clients, and industry professionals, and all submissions undergo compliance verification before evaluation. For 2026, 394 nominations were received, and 100 advisors were selected. Rankings were based on total assets under management (50%), AUM growth (25%), and client growth (25%) during the August 2024–August 2025 evaluation period, highlighting advisors who demonstrate both strong business results and exceptional client service.
About Chris Vizzi
Chris Vizzi, CFP®, is the Co-Founding Partner of South Coast Investment Advisors in San Clemente, CA, and a thirteen-time Elite Advisor at IFG. He holds Series 7, 66, and California Life and Health Insurance licenses. Vizzi has earned multiple industry honors, including InvestmentNews Advisor of the Year for Alternative Investments (2024), recognition among the Top Advisors in the Country (2025 and 2026), and the 2025 Luminaries With Heart Award by ThinkAdvisor. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 2013, Vizzi founded the LIFT Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Orange County, CA, where he serves as Executive Director. He is Vice Chair of IFG’s President’s Advisory Council, a designated Subject Matter Expert in 1031 exchanges and advanced tax planning strategies, and a member of the InvestmentNews Advisory Committee, contributing insights that help shape the future of financial advice.
About Independent Financial Group
Independent Financial Group, LLC (IFG) is a privately held independent wealth management provider headquartered in San Diego, California. Founded in 2003, IFG supports more than 600 independent financial professionals across over 400 offices nationwide with a comprehensive suite of business solutions. The firm has been widely recognized as a leading independent broker-dealer. In 2026, Financial Advisor Magazine ranked IFG the 14th largest national independent broker-dealer and #2 among privately held broker-dealers based on gross revenue. Financial Planning Magazine ranked IFG 1st for women as a percentage of producing representatives in 2025 and 7th for financial advisor payout in 2024. InvestmentNews ranked IFG among the top 10 for payout and account assets in 2024. IFG is an eight-time winner of the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in the U.S., and the San Diego Business Journal ranked IFG #7 among the Largest Private Companies in San Diego in 2022 and 2023.