Honorees are recognized for their influential business leadership, community engagement and commitment to strengthening the Greater Lehigh Valley community.

FOGELSVILLE, Pa. (August 28, 2026) — Lehigh Valley Business has named Michael Fischer, president and CEO of Client 1st Financial, to its LVB 300 list. The recognition honors the top 300 leaders in the Greater Lehigh Valley across 26 different industries for their commitment to excellence, innovation and growth of the region and communities they serve.

“I am honored to be recognized alongside so many talented leaders who are helping shape the future of the Lehigh Valley,” said Fischer. “Building Client 1st Financial has always been about more than financial planning; it has been about building relationships, serving our clients and using our success as an opportunity to give back to the community.”

As the founder of Client 1st Financial, Fischer has built a financial advisory firm centered on long-term relationships, personalized guidance and helping individuals, families and business owners make informed decisions about their financial futures. With more than 35 years of experience in financial services, Fischer specializes in retirement planning, legacy planning, charitable giving and wealth management strategies designed to align with each client’s goals and values.

Fischer’s professional leadership has been recognized through several Lehigh Valley Business awards, including the 2025 Icon Honors, the 2024 Power List for Finance, and the 2022 Power 30 for Finance. He has also received Signator Investors Inc.’s Hall of Fame recognition and National Practice of the Year recognition for excellence in client service and practice management.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Fischer is deeply committed to strengthening the Lehigh Valley community. In 2012, he established the Client 1st Foundation, a donor-advised fund managed by the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. Through the Client 1st Foundation, Fischer has supported local nonprofits addressing critical community needs, including food insecurity, housing stability and youth development. More than a decade later, the Client 1st Foundation has contributed more than $69,000 to nonprofit organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley.

“The greatest measure of success is not only what you build, but the impact you create along the way. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our clients, support local organizations and contribute to the continued growth of the Lehigh Valley,” said Fischer.

Third-party ratings are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation.

About Client 1st Financial

Client 1st Financial is an independent financial advisory firm based in the Lehigh Valley, dedicated to helping individuals, families and business owners achieve their long-term financial goals. Through a personalized, relationship-driven approach, the firm provides comprehensive planning, investment guidance and legacy-focused strategies. Client 1st Financial is committed to putting clients first while supporting the communities it serves through ongoing philanthropic initiatives.

LVB300 disclosure

The LVB 300 list issued by Lehigh Valley Business and Bridge Tower Media on 7/31/26 for the 2026 year recognizes businesses leaders in the Greater Lehigh Valley. Michael Fischer was nominated for the recognition in the Wealth Management sector. LVB 300 is based on staff research, with recommendations taken into consideration by editors who choose which organizations and leaders make the list with 300 being selected for this honor. No fee was paid for the nomination or receipt of the recognition; however, $1500 was paid to promote it.

Third-party ratings are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation.

Icon’s disclosure

ICON Honors award issued by Lehigh Valley Business in 2024 was awarded to Lehigh Valley business leaders over the age of 60 for their notable success and demonstration of strong leadership both within and outside of their chosen field. Individuals are chosen based on those that have left an indelible mark in their fields, and whose integrity, vision and selfless service have lifted up the Greater Lehigh Valley community, including the counties of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, lower Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Upper Bucks, or Schuylkill. Michael J Fischer was nominated for the recognition. 18 individuals were selected for 2024. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Third-party ratings are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation.

Signator Practice of the Year

The Practice of the Year Award was granted by former broker-dealer Signator Investors, Inc. in 2012 and sponsored by Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions in recognition of an advisor’s excellence in practice management. This is an annual, internal award. Candidates were evaluated by Business Health, an independent international management consulting firm specializing in the financial services industry, for client service, internal planning and structure, external relations, staffing and technology capabilities and overall practice performance. Sales production is not a criteria for winner selection. The competition was open to all advisors and of 55 applicants, 5 were selected to be interviewed and one winner was selected from that group by an independent panel.

Signator Hall of Fame and ACE award:

The Achieving Client Excellence Award (ACE) was granted by former broker-dealer Signator Investors, Inc. and the John Hancock family of companies in 2014 based on the previous calendar year. This is an annual, internal award that is granted to the top 250 advisors each year based on total weighted premium from the sale of both proprietary and non-proprietary protection and wealth products. No other factors are considered.

The Hall of Fame Award was bestowed to an elite group of financial representatives of former broker-dealer Signator Investors, Inc. and the John Hancock family of companies in 2014. To be included in the HOF, inductees need to qualify for the ACE award 15 times.

Power List:

The Power 30 List issued by Lehigh Valley Business(LVB) on 7/4/22 based on data as of that date recognizes those in Banking & Finance. Michael Fischer was nominated for the recognition. List members are selected internally by the LVB editorial board based on editorial research (tracking local executive moves, community board appointments, and regional economic impact) and direct outreach. 30 people were selected for this recognition. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Third-party ratings are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation.

Information provided to TVL by:

Grace Levy