Paul Blanco

Paul Blanco is the founder and CEO of Barnum Financial Group, an award-winning provider of comprehensive personalized planning, investment and protection solutions, and financial literacy programs to clients across the United States. Throughout his career, Paul has been a tireless advocate for his firm and the communities it serves as well as for the financial services industry.

He began his career at MetLife as a financial services representative in 1991. In just two years, he moved into management, taking over a seven-person MetLife office in Trumbull, Connecticut. Today, Barnum has over 30 offices in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

In recognition of his vision and leadership, Paul became the youngest inductee into the MetLife Managers’ Hall of Fame. He has since won numerous accolades for his achievements, including Top of the Tower, Golden Laureate, and Platinum Laureate. He has qualified for eight consecutive Management Leaders Conferences and 15 America’s Council Conferences. Paul led the team at Barnum to be recognized by MetLife as their Firm of the Year in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, and 2015.

Paul is committed to creating and maintaining an environment and culture at Barnum that promotes productivity, creativity, and teamwork. As a result, since 2010, Barnum has consistently been ranked as a “Best Place to Work” and “Best Company to Work For” by organizations, such as the Fairfield County Business Journal, Providence Business News, New York State SHRM, The Business Council, and Best Companies Group.

Paul is passionate in his belief that the providing of financial advice by well trained professionals has a major positive impact on the lives of individuals and their families. This belief has led him to make substantial contributions to his industry, including developing his Growth Through Innovation workshops, a forum to deliver “best practices” across all aspects of our businesses to financial services leaders throughout the country.

He has served on GAMA Foundation’s Board of Trustees and has written for their Great Ideas book series. He has qualified for the Master Agency Award, the International Management Diamond Plus and Diamond Awards, and the First in Class GAMA International Award. GAMA has also named Barnum one of the top 100 U. S. Financial Agencies multiple times. A noted industry speaker, Paul has appeared on many radio and television programs as well as in national and local publications, providing insights on leadership, recruiting, philanthropy, and industry innovation.