Here’s our story. We look forward to hearing yours.
At the age of 24, Carl Zeidler began working in the financial services industry, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. After years of working for captive insurance companies and broker-dealers, he decided to set off on his own. In 1988 he founded Wall Street Financial Group, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA).
Being an independent RIA means being held to a higher legal standard—It means we are required to act in our client’s best interest at all times when offering investment advice, it means acting as a fiduciary. In addition to offering investment advice, we are also proud to provide a range of insurance products including life insurance, annuities, long-term care insurance, and disability income
insurance. Offering our clients these options allows us to provide more complete financial strategies. When selling insurance products, we act in a broker capacity, meaning we do not work for one insurance company. We provide our clients with multiple options from multiple carriers to find the policy that fits their situation the best.
In 2017, Carl’s son, John Zeidler, joined the practice. John has a master’s degree in accounting and is a certified public accountant and a certified financial planner. John brings to the practice his knowledge of taxation and financial planning to expand the services we currently provide to our clients.
John began his career in financial services alongside his father, Carl, the founder of Wall Street Financial Group, Inc. A passion for helping individuals achieve financial freedom runs deep in the Zeidler family. John's great-grandfather, James R. Shanks, was the first to enter the industry after serving as a chaplain in the Army during WWI. Today, John represents the third generation in his family to work in financial services—and the second to carry on the business Carl started in 1988. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER? professional, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), John brings extensive expertise to his clients. He's actively involved in key organizations, such as the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Estate Planning Council of St. Louis, and the Financial Planning Association (FPA). John holds a master's degree in accounting from SIUE and has served as an adjunct professor of finance at Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL. In 2024, he purchased the family business from his dad and now leads it as President and Owner. Beyond the office, John and his wife, Kaitlen, share a strong passion for the outdoors. On weekends, you'll often find them hiking or canoeing with their three daughters: Madi, Luna, and Eleanor. John also enjoys playing chess, riding his bike, and practicing jiu-jitsu. Under John's guidance, Wall Street Financial Group, Inc. operates offices in Edwardsville, Marion, and Carlinville, IL. He emphasizes close collaboration with clients' tax preparers and estate planning attorneys to deliver tax-efficient investment and estate planning strategies.
Carl has been working to provide clients with top-tier financial solutions since 1975. After graduating from college, Carl followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and entered the financial industry. Carl founded Wall Street Financial Group in 1988 and now has offices in Carlinville, Bloomington, and Marion, IL, as well as in Memphis, Tennessee. Carl has earned many designations and degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science in financial services degree (MSFS) from The American College. Carl also holds the designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC®), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU®) and Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®). In is his free time, Carl enjoys traveling, gardening and making memories with his five children, five grandchildren, and wife, Cynda.
As an Investment Adviser Representative with Wall Street Financial Group, Inc., Brenden is interested in helping others reach their personal financial dreams and goals by tailoring investment advice to everyone’s unique situation. Brenden believes there is no one universal way for people to reach their goals, which is why he believes in getting to know each of his clients on a deep personal level so he can help them carve their own financial path.
Brenden graduated high school with an interest in investments and the desire to work closely with others. He began his higher education at Lincoln Land Community College, where he graduated with an associate degree with an emphasis on business management. After Lincoln Land, Brenden enrolled in Illinois State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in financial planning. While attending college, Brenden began his career in the financial services industry as an intern for a financial planning firm in Peoria, Illinois. Brenden began working for Wall Street Financial Group in January of 2022. After a few months, Brenden became a fully licensed Investment Adviser Representative. In 2023, Brenden passed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ exam and officially earned his CFP® credential.
Brenden resides in Edwardsville but works with clients throughout central and southern IL. In his free time, Brenden is an avid sports fan, cheering on the St. Louis Blues, Cardinals and Green Bay Packers. Brenden also loves live music and in his free time he can usually be found playing guitar.
Cathy uses her people skills and organizational prowess to help clients realize their retirement dreams. Cathy got her start in the industry in 1991 at Wall Street Financial Group. Since then, she has used her strong work ethic, love of people and genuine desire to improve clients’ futures to help her grow into the role of director. She loves creating a customer experience that reflects Wall Street Financial Group’s dedication to providing the very best retirement strategies. Cathy earned her associate degree from Robert Morris University in accounting and computer business systems. In her free time, Cathy enjoys looking for antiques with her husband and cruising in their 1968 Plymouth Barracuda. They also share their home with four sassy cats!
Carrie Andreas became a part of Wall Street Financial Group in May 2024. She holds a bachelor's degree in Biology from SIUE, and began her career as a research technician in an immunology lab at Washington University School of Medicine. After starting a family, Carrie shifted careers and founded an online clothing and accessories boutique, a business she has run for over 12 years. Carrie is our office’s executive assistant, providing essential support in both administrative and operational functions, as well as coordinating marketing events. A native of Edwardsville, Carrie has been married to her husband, Bryan, for more than 21 years, and they are the proud parents of two busy teenagers. In addition to her work and family life, Carrie is a singer, performing with several St. Louis area bands, and can be seen entertaining at many of our client events!
Lynne Gray recently joined Wall Street Financial in Carlinville, IL. Lynne brings with her 25 years of experience in assisting in Estate Planning Law, Real Estate and Trusts as well as many office and computer skills. Lynne also has experience in other areas as well from her home business as a skincare/makeup consultant with TruAura, as well as catering and baking for small groups. Lynne resides in Girard, IL and when not working is very active in volunteering with a variety of activities in her church, biking, walking and hanging out with her dog, Ziggy.
