Latest news with #LouAntonelli
New York Post
17-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
60% of men keep financial secrets from their partners: Why can't they come clean?
Half of men have kept financial secrets from a spouse or a partner, according to new research. In a survey of 2,000 men, 49% of those who are married or in a committed relationship (60% of respondents) shared that they have kept money-related secrets. The most common secret proved to be a hidden savings account (14%). Other men have kept their spending habits (13%) and a credit card or a line of credit (12%) to themselves. Among the men who kept secrets from their significant other, many said they did so because they were embarrassed (27%) or ashamed (26%), while one in five (19%) said they simply 'didn't know how to bring it up.' According to a new survey, about half of American men have kept financial secrets from their spouses. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – Some of this secrecy appears to be a result from pressure to be financially successful — something 48% of men surveyed admitted to feeling. Of these men, 56% said the pressure comes from themselves, but 27% said they felt a societal pressure for men to be financially successful. Conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Beyond Finance for Men's Mental Health Month, the survey examined the connection between money and mental health, and the results reveal a strong correlation. Respondents were asked to rate both their mental and financial health on a one-to-five scale, which revealed a strong connection between low financial health and low mental health. Men who rated their financial health at a 1 (poor) also had the lowest mental health (2.8 on average). Conversely, those with the highest financial health — a 5 (excellent) — also had the highest mental health (4.6 on average). Despite this, a fifth of respondents said they would not be confident confiding in anyone about their financial situation. The most common financial secret men have is keeping a hidden savings account. GiuseppeElioCammarat – The numbers of those willing to share their financial situation still show a general hesitance of men to open up: Less than half said they'd speak to their partner (41%), a quarter to a financial professional (23%), a fifth to their friends (19%) and roughly a tenth to their parents (12% to their mom and 11% to their dad). 'This survey confirms what we've long suspected — men are suffering in silence when it comes to money,' said Lou Antonelli, chief operating officer at Beyond Finance. 'Financial anxiety is isolating, and many men don't feel safe opening up. This is why we're encouraging men to stop gambling with their wellbeing and start building both financial and emotional resilience.' Forty percent of men said their financial situation has made them feel disconnected from friends, and this was especially true for those who rated themselves with poor financial health. Among this group, 69% feel disconnected, compared to 27% who rated their financial health as 'good.'Overall, 37% of men avoid friendships that make them feel financially insecure. 'This research points to a broader cultural issue: Men are emotionally overwhelmed by money, yet afraid to seek help. Shame, secrecy and silence are driving real harm, not only to personal finances, but to relationships, careers and mental health,' said Nathan Astle, a certified financial therapist at Beyond Finance. 'This isn't about being perfect,' added Astle. 'It's about giving men permission to be honest about where they're at — and then helping them build a healthier, more hopeful path forward.'
Miami Herald
16-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Why men struggle to be honest with their partner about money
Half of men have kept financial secrets from a spouse or a partner, according to new research. In a survey of 2,000 men, 49% of those who are married or in a committed relationship (60% of respondents) shared that they have kept money-related secrets. The most common secret proved to be a hidden savings account (14%). Other men have kept their spending habits (13%) and a credit card or a line of credit (12%) to themselves. Among the men who kept secrets from their significant other, many said they did so because they were embarrassed (27%) or ashamed (26%), while one in five (19%) said they simply "didn't know how to bring it up." Some of this secrecy appears to be a result from pressure to be financially successful - something 48% of men surveyed admitted to feeling. Of these men, 56% said the pressure comes from themselves, but 27% said they felt a societal pressure for men to be financially successful. Conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Beyond Finance for Men's Mental Health Month, the survey examined the connection between money and mental health, and the results reveal a strong correlation. Respondents were asked to rate both their mental and financial health on a one-to-five scale, which revealed a strong connection between low financial health and low mental health. Men who rated their financial health at a 1 (poor) also had the lowest mental health (2.8 on average). Conversely, those with the highest financial health - a 5 (excellent) - also had the highest mental health (4.6 on average). Despite this, a fifth of respondents said they would not be confident confiding in anyone about their financial situation. The numbers of those willing to share their financial situation still show a general hesitance of men to open up: Less than half said they'd speak to their partner (41%), a quarter to a financial professional (23%), a fifth to their friends (19%) and roughly a tenth to their parents (12% to their mom and 11% to their dad). "This survey confirms what we've long suspected - men are suffering in silence when it comes to money," said Lou Antonelli, chief operating officer at Beyond Finance. "Financial anxiety is isolating, and many men don't feel safe opening up. This is why we're encouraging men to stop gambling with their wellbeing and start building both financial and emotional resilience." Forty percent of men said their financial situation has made them feel disconnected from friends, and this was especially true for those who rated themselves with poor financial health. Among this group, 69% feel disconnected, compared to 27% who rated their financial health as "good."Overall, 37% of men avoid friendships that make them feel financially insecure. "This research points to a broader cultural issue: Men are emotionally overwhelmed by money, yet afraid to seek help. Shame, secrecy and silence are driving real harm, not only to personal finances, but to relationships, careers and mental health," said Nathan Astle, a certified financial therapist at Beyond Finance. "This isn't about being perfect," added Astle. "It's about giving men permission to be honest about where they're at - and then helping them build a healthier, more hopeful path forward." Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American men; the survey was commissioned by Beyond Finance and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 20 and May 27, 2025. We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are: Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan. Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value. Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample. Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes: Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access. The post Why men struggle to be honest with their partner about money appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beyond Finance Wins Gold Stevie® Award for Customer Service Department of the Year in 23rd Annual American Business Awards
Recognition highlights Beyond Finance's empathetic support model and measurable impact on clients' financial wellness CHICAGO, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Beyond Finance, one of the nation's largest debt consolidation organizations, has been named winner of the Gold Stevie® Award for Customer Service Department of the Year in the 23rd Annual American Business Awards®. The honor recognizes Beyond Finance's innovative and empathetic approach to supporting clients on the journey to achieve financial freedom. Beyond Finance was honored for delivering an exceptional customer experience, led by a 300+ member Client Success Team that provides 24/7 support to clients paying off debt. Many Beyond Finance team members are former or current clients themselves, allowing them to create deep connections in every interaction. In 2024, the company also introduced specialized empathy training for its team members, logging more than 500 collective hours in its first year. "Debt is more than a financial issue. It carries emotional weight that demands human understanding," said Lou Antonelli, Chief Operating Officer at Beyond Finance. "Our team members lead with compassion guided by personal experience, professional training, and an unwavering commitment to helping empower clients throughout their journeys. This award is a powerful validation of that work." The Stevie Awards judges highlighted Beyond Finance's strong results in client satisfaction and long-term financial improvement. When surveyed, graduating clients rate their financial habits at an average of 5.9 before working with Beyond Finance, to 8.2 after graduating. Additionally, Beyond Finance maintains a Net Promoter Score of 80, up 10 points since 2023. This widely used metric measures customer loyalty and satisfaction by asking how likely customers are to recommend the company to others. "The Client Success Team is at the heart of what makes Beyond Finance's approach to debt consolidation both unique and effective," said Vanessa Hering, EVP of Strategy and Operations. "Our team meets clients where they are with the goal of resolving questions on first contact. Every conversation is a chance to build trust and move our clients' goals forward." Beyond Finance's approach includes integrated support from accredited financial therapists who lead weekly financial wellness webinars. To learn more about the American Business Awards and view the full list of winners, visit: Customer Service Awards | Stevie Awards. To learn more about Beyond Finance and how it supports clients on their journeys to financial freedom, visit Beyond Finance, LLC, is one of the nation's largest debt consolidation organizations. In its commitment to providing clients a smart way to move beyond debt, Beyond Finance helps consumers lower their monthly payments, reduce the impact of interest, and reach a debt-free life sooner — all with customized proprietary tools allowing for ease-of-use and transparency. In 2024, Beyond Finance was awarded with 3 ConsumerAffairs' inaugural "Buyer's Choice Awards" for Best Customer Service, Experience with Staff, and Transparency within its category. Beyond Finance has offices in Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego, and Houston. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Beyond Finance Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Malaysian Reserve
23-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Beyond Finance Honored with 2025 Customer Service Organization of the Year Award from Business Intelligence Group
Award-winning client experience: Beyond Finance graduates report an improvement in their financial habits, increasing from an average score of 5.8/10 to 8.0/10 CHICAGO, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Beyond Finance, one of the nation's largest debt consolidation organizations, has been named a winner of the 2025 Excellence in Customer Service Awards, presented by Business Intelligence Group. This recognition celebrates the company's dedication to transforming clients' lives and financial futures by delivering an exceptional customer experience. Beyond Finance, honored as an Organization of the Year, takes a holistic approach to helping clients say goodbye to their debt. Known for its results-driven client journey and human-first philosophy, Beyond's Client Success Team offers personalized, 24/7 support and financial wellness programs that include no-cost financial therapy sessions with accredited financial therapists that allow clients to feel empowered even after graduating from Beyond Finance's service. 'Beyond Finance was founded with the simple mission to help those struggling with overwhelming debt find a pathway to financial freedom. While many companies focus solely on debt consolidation, our team prioritizes a hands-on, compassionate approach, coupled with a focus on mental health and long-term financial well-being,' said Lou Antonelli, Chief Operating Officer at Beyond Finance. 'Providing excellent client service throughout the process is critical to us, and we are proud to accept this award in recognition of our team's efforts.' The Excellence in Customer Service Awards recognize companies and teams that are elevating how businesses connect with their customers. Unlike other industry award programs, these programs are judged by a panel of leaders across industries who evaluate entries based on innovation, impact and results. 'The Client Success Team is an integral part of our customer journey. They go above and beyond to provide empathetic, solutions-focused support to our clients,' said Vanessa Hering, EVP Strategy and Operations. 'Our customer success team is dedicated to partnering with clients every step of the way, offering 24/7 support and best in class service, leading with empathy and understanding. This instills trust and empowers clients to achieve their finance goals and a debt free future.' To learn more about the Business Intelligence Group's Awards and access the full list of award recipients, please visit: From Good to Great: These Organizations Are Defining the Future of Customer Service | News | Business Intelligence Group. To learn more about Beyond Finance and how it supports clients on their journey to financial freedom, visit About Beyond Finance, LLCBeyond Finance, LLC, is one of the nation's largest debt consolidation organizations. In its commitment to providing clients a smart way to move beyond debt, Beyond Finance helps consumers lower their monthly payments, reduce the impact of interest, and reach a debt-free* life sooner — all with customized proprietary tools allowing for ease-of-use and transparency. In 2024, Beyond Finance was awarded with 3 ConsumerAffairs' inaugural 'Buyer's Choice Awards' for Best Customer Service, Experience with Staff, and Transparency within its category. Beyond Finance has offices in Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego, and Houston. For more information, visit About Business Intelligence GroupThe Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry award programs, these programs are judged by business executives with relevant experience and insight. The organization's proprietary scoring system uniquely measures performance across multiple business domains and rewards those companies whose achievements stand above their peers.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beyond Finance Honored with 2025 Customer Service Organization of the Year Award from Business Intelligence Group
Award-winning client experience: Beyond Finance graduates report an improvement in their financial habits, increasing from an average score of 5.8/10 to 8.0/10 CHICAGO, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Beyond Finance, one of the nation's largest debt consolidation organizations, has been named a winner of the 2025 Excellence in Customer Service Awards, presented by Business Intelligence Group. This recognition celebrates the company's dedication to transforming clients' lives and financial futures by delivering an exceptional customer experience. Beyond Finance, honored as an Organization of the Year, takes a holistic approach to helping clients say goodbye to their debt. Known for its results-driven client journey and human-first philosophy, Beyond's Client Success Team offers personalized, 24/7 support and financial wellness programs that include no-cost financial therapy sessions with accredited financial therapists that allow clients to feel empowered even after graduating from Beyond Finance's service. "Beyond Finance was founded with the simple mission to help those struggling with overwhelming debt find a pathway to financial freedom. While many companies focus solely on debt consolidation, our team prioritizes a hands-on, compassionate approach, coupled with a focus on mental health and long-term financial well-being," said Lou Antonelli, Chief Operating Officer at Beyond Finance. "Providing excellent client service throughout the process is critical to us, and we are proud to accept this award in recognition of our team's efforts." The Excellence in Customer Service Awards recognize companies and teams that are elevating how businesses connect with their customers. Unlike other industry award programs, these programs are judged by a panel of leaders across industries who evaluate entries based on innovation, impact and results. "The Client Success Team is an integral part of our customer journey. They go above and beyond to provide empathetic, solutions-focused support to our clients," said Vanessa Hering, EVP Strategy and Operations. "Our customer success team is dedicated to partnering with clients every step of the way, offering 24/7 support and best in class service, leading with empathy and understanding. This instills trust and empowers clients to achieve their finance goals and a debt free future." To learn more about the Business Intelligence Group's Awards and access the full list of award recipients, please visit: From Good to Great: These Organizations Are Defining the Future of Customer Service | News | Business Intelligence Group. To learn more about Beyond Finance and how it supports clients on their journey to financial freedom, visit About Beyond Finance, LLCBeyond Finance, LLC, is one of the nation's largest debt consolidation organizations. In its commitment to providing clients a smart way to move beyond debt, Beyond Finance helps consumers lower their monthly payments, reduce the impact of interest, and reach a debt-free* life sooner — all with customized proprietary tools allowing for ease-of-use and transparency. In 2024, Beyond Finance was awarded with 3 ConsumerAffairs' inaugural "Buyer's Choice Awards" for Best Customer Service, Experience with Staff, and Transparency within its category. Beyond Finance has offices in Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego, and Houston. For more information, visit About Business Intelligence GroupThe Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry award programs, these programs are judged by business executives with relevant experience and insight. The organization's proprietary scoring system uniquely measures performance across multiple business domains and rewards those companies whose achievements stand above their peers. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Beyond Finance Sign in to access your portfolio
