ISLAMORADA, Florida – November 5, 2026 – Bastion Fiduciary, a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) specializing in fundamental long-term value investing strategies and comprehensive financial planning, officially announced the acquisition of SJL Financial, a fee-only financial planning firm founded by Sam Lewis, CFP®.
Founded by Lewis in 2021, SJL Financial has served families and military households in Wilmington, Delaware, and across the country virtually.
Lewis will join Bastion as an Associate Advisor based in Wilmington, Delaware, and will continue to serve clients across Delaware, the greater Philadelphia area, and nationwide through virtual meetings.
What Lewis brings to Bastion:
- Expanded capacity for comprehensive financial planning, including retirement, tax, and cash-flow planning for families at every stage
- The CFP®, ChFC®, and MQFP® designations, and a career built entirely on fee-only, fiduciary financial planning
- Planning experience with military families and service members, drawing on nearly three decades of service in the Delaware Air National Guard
- A Wilmington, Delaware base that extends Bastion’s reach across the greater Philadelphia area
Bastion at a glance:
- Approximately $135 million in assets under management as of September 30, 2026, serving more than 200 households
- SEC-registered, fee-only, and committed to acting as a fiduciary
- Three CFP® professionals and a CFA® charterholder among a team of seven
- Founded by veteran military officers
“Sam is exactly the kind of advisor we built Bastion for,” said Cale Smith, CEO of Bastion Fiduciary. “He’s a CFP® professional, a fee-only advisor through and through, and a man who has spent his career serving others – including in uniform. Plenty of small planning firms are run by great advisors who would rather spend their time with clients than on compliance, technology, and back-office work. Bastion gives them a home where they can keep doing what they do best, with a bigger team behind them. Demand for thoughtful, comprehensive planning keeps growing, and Sam lets us say yes to more families without anyone waiting in line. We’re proud to welcome Sam and his clients.”
“I’m excited to join Bastion,” said Sam Lewis, CFP®, founder of SJL Financial. “From the beginning, my mission has been to make high-quality, objective financial advice more accessible. Bastion shares that philosophy, and joining forces creates an opportunity to build on what I started with SJL Financial. I’m excited for this next chapter and the opportunity to help even more people achieve their financial goals.”
“Our clients come first in every decision we make, and this one is no different,” Smith added. “SJL Financial clients will keep working with the advisor they know and trust, and now they’ll have the full Bastion team — tax, retirement, and investment expertise — in their corner.”
About Bastion Fiduciary
Bastion Fiduciary is a fee-only, SEC-registered investment advisor founded by veteran military officers committed to disciplined processes, personal integrity, and transparent client relationships. Our focus is on long-term investment success. We provide clear, consistent communication and education to help clients make informed financial decisions. FORTIFY YOUR FUTURE.
Investment advisory services are offered through Bastion Fiduciary, an SEC registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability.
The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation or investment advice. For additional information about Bastion Fiduciary, including fees and services, please contact us or refer to our Form ADV Part 2A Brochure and Form CRS available on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.