MARCH 2025
Perry and Lisa Carter
Perry and Lisa have seven granddaughters, including (back row) Lydia, Emma, and Neve (front row) Vivian, Nora, Isla, and Evelynn.
Perry and Lisa have one grandson, Nolan.
BFG Spotlight – Lisa Carter
Lisa Carter, coordinator at Benson Financial Group, never suffers from a case of the Mondays.
“I love coming to work,” Lisa shared. “Many say they hate Mondays, but I don’t dread coming into the office.”
Lisa has called Benson Financial Group her work home since 2017 when she joined as the eleventh member of the team. A Hannibal native, Lisa’s journey in finance began in the local banking industry.
As a young mom, Lisa worked part-time at MCM Bank, eventually becoming a receptionist and secretary to the bank’s president. She later joined Hannibal National Bank as a residential loan processor and then moved to Commerce Bank, where she worked as a commercial loan processor for ten years.
Benson Financial Group was not initially on Lisa’s radar as an employer but as a potential investment partner.
“I had heard such great things about Benson Financial Group from friends and family using their services,” she said. “I kept thinking I might go there to invest for retirement.”
Lisa also had a personal connection to BFG through a weekly Bible study led by Connie Benson, who co-founded BFG with her husband, Pat. Connie invited the group to the company's annual Christmas Open House, and Lisa decided to go.
At the event, Lisa reconnected with Jeriod Turner, a former coworker from Commerce Bank who had recently joined Benson Financial Group as an advisor and part-owner.
“When I congratulated Jeriod, he was just over the moon about BFG, and it struck me that maybe I could work there one day,” Lisa recalled.
Lisa continued working at Commerce Bank and attending Bible studies with Connie. Then, about a year later, the leadership team at BFG invited her to lunch and offered her a job assisting advisors with paperwork.
“I was happy with my job at Commerce, but I went home, talked to my husband, and prayed about the offer,” Lisa said. “It didn’t take long to make up my mind.”
Eight years later, she is where God placed her. Her coworkers feel like family, and she takes pride in building meaningful connections with clients—especially in her current role as coordinator.
In this role, Lisa sits in on client meetings and assists with tasks like printing paperwork and taking notes so advisors can stay focused on the client.
“Being at the meetings gives me the chance to get to know clients on a deeper level, and I enjoy that,” she said.
Working at BFG also allows Lisa to prioritize her family. Lisa and her husband, Perry Carter, share two daughters, Ashley (Gordon) Harrison and Amber (Bryan) Bartz; one son, Austin (Lindsay) Carter; and eight beloved grandchildren.
“When I was in sixth grade, I wanted to be a hair stylist for a little while. When it came down to it though, I wanted to be a mom when I grew up," Lisa said. “When people ask me about my favorite hobby, it’s being with my family.”
Lisa’s family stays close through weekly Sunday dinners at her home, where they share their lives and support one another.
“We discuss our weeks and what’s going on in their lives,” she said. “If someone is having a hard day or season, we can talk it out.”
Lisa and Perry regularly attend Madison Park Christian Church in Quincy, Ill., and Lisa draws strength from her favorite Bible verse:
“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
“When I get discouraged, especially with how the world can be, I look up this verse and remind myself that He is working things out for good,” Lisa said. “He is in control. It might not always be in the way I plan or what I hoped for, but I know who He is, and I trust Him.”
Debt Solutions: Snowball vs. Avalanche
by Ben Strother, PhD, BFG Financial Advisor
Although the word sometimes has a negative connotation, not all debt is created equal. To better understand debt, it’s important to identify its source.
Debt used for major investments with the potential to grow in value or generate income can be a good type of debt when the terms and repayment plan are carefully considered.
An example of this would be a mortgage, as homes are assets that typically appreciate over time. Business loans used to finance a business investment with the potential to generate returns that exceed the interest paid on the loan are often considered a strategic type of debt. Unfortunately, this type of debt is much less common than shorter-term consumer debt.
Debt used to fund purchases for small consumer goods and rapidly depreciating assets can cause significant harm to your financial health. This consumer debt often includes depreciating assets like cars or credit cards, used to purchase items that lose value over time.
Sometimes, these debts mount from unforeseen and unplanned expenses, exceeding saved emergency funds. As the interest payments increase, people see less of their hard-earned income.
Taking on such debt commits you to bankroll the cost of life now, essentially borrowing money from future earnings. Often, this becomes a spiral that leads to maxing out credit, feelings of burden or entrapment under such debts, and lowered levels of financial satisfaction, freedom, and empowerment.
For those ready to take on their debt, here are two strategies that can help you find financial peace again.
Debt Snowball Method
The debt snowball method focuses first on your smallest debts while making minimum payments on your other loans. As each debt is paid off, cash flow is freed up, which can be applied to remaining larger balances.
Payments on these small debts gain momentum—like a “snowball” growing as it rolls—offering notable wins along the way.
The downside is that the debt snowball approach is not a mathematically optimal approach, as higher-interest debts are left accruing interest for a longer time. Focusing on smaller debts first may cost more money in the long run, but for some, the motivation outweighs the slightly higher total interest paid.
Debt Avalanche Method
For those who would rather see long-term savings, the debt avalanche method might be the way to go.
The debt avalanche method focuses on paying debts with the highest interest rates first, reducing the total amount paid in interest over time.
Once the highest-interest debt is paid off, that payment is rolled over to the next highest-interest debt. This creates a cascading “avalanche” effect as you systematically work through your debts.
While the avalanche method saves more money in the long run, it can feel slower as individual debts take longer to pay off. This delay can discourage those motivated by checking debts off the list. However, the substantial long-term savings on interest charges through the avalanche strategy can encourage others to stick to the plan.
Both the snowball and avalanche approaches have merit and can improve your financial health—which one you choose depends on you.
A financial advisor at Benson Financial Group will work with you to understand your goals and unique financial situation to help determine the best strategy for you.
Pat and Connie Benson Honored with Pacesetters Award
At the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on Feb. 7, Pat and Connie Benson were honored with the Pacesetters Award, a recognition celebrating exceptional local leadership and a steadfast commitment to creating lasting, positive change in the Hannibal community.
The Chamber upheld tradition by keeping the award a surprise—aside from a few who helped ensure the Bensons were present. Although they noticed a large turnout from their BFG family—filling four tables—Pat and Connie had no idea the group was there to support them.
Adding to the surprise, when their names were announced, Pat and Connie’s daughter and son-in-law, Tyler and Kyley Adams, popped out from the Rialto’s kitchen.
During the ceremony, the Chamber highlighted the Bensons’ journey and impact. (Note, during the speech, beautiful additions were made by the presenter and friend of the couple, Michael Holliday, which are not included.)
“Two individuals have invested their hearts and souls into building this company from the ground up. Both, growing up in farming families, learned that hard work and strong ethics bring in a great harvest.
Michael Holliday of Curl, Hark & Holliday, and the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors presented Pat and Connie Benson with the Pacesetters Award.
About thirty years ago, he became the company’s first—and only—employee, visiting clients’ homes and working out of a home office converted from a bedroom. This was long before the work-from-home era began.
His heart and integrity turned the trickle of clients into a steady flow. Working nearly day and night, he began cultivating the excellent client service that is now a company hallmark. The business continued to grow.
The other individual served as the company’s biggest cheerleader until officially joining the team as an administrative assistant in 2010. That day, the team went from one to four, with three other key players. It is now a group of 20.
With their faith at the foundation, the two individuals first give glory to God for the company’s growth. As they listened for His leading, they found great purpose in serving others with their business and creating a team that reflects the same values. They value their team and the unique gifts each brings to the company.
With generosity deeply rooted in the culture, the community has also come to know them as friends.
One has poured into lives through mentoring local students for 15 years, and together they have helped the unhoused, dedicated themselves as board members and volunteers of local nonprofits, and ministered through their church, The Crossing in Hannibal.
The impact of their generosity has also been felt across the world. The couple was part of founding a school in Africa where students are brought out of poverty and into hope, receiving an education, housing, and learning about God’s love. They and other local supporters recently attended the school’s first graduation ceremony in Uganda.
They both grew up in Monroe City. After attending Hannibal-LaGrange University, she taught high school English and later returned to HLGU as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement before joining her husband at their company.
He grew up as one of nine siblings and worked alongside his family at their agricultural business, the Hassard Elevator Company. Founded over a century ago, the Benson family has operated the company since 1918.
He always believed he’d continue in the family business but eventually felt God pulling him and his wife in a different direction. The community is glad they listened.
Their hearts belong to their daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren; their business; their community; and each other. First and foremost, their hearts belong to God, and He shines through all they do.
She retired from the company in October but is still a precious part of the team.
While many know her by her given name, those at the company and beyond affectionately call her ‘The Director of Fun.’ Likewise, though most know him by his given name, family and friends still use his childhood nickname, ‘Hammer.’
They are Pat and Connie Benson, founders of Benson Financial Group.”
The Bensons were honored to receive the award, giving the glory to God and the community around them.
“Receiving the Pacesetters Award was very humbling, and we are grateful to be part of a community that values making a difference,” said Pat Benson. “This recognition reflects God’s blessings and the incredible people we’ve been fortunate to work alongside in Hannibal and the surrounding communities.”
Upcoming Holidays & Closings
A Reminder for Daylight Savings Time
Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 9, 2025. Our clocks will “spring forward.”
Remember to change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Advancing our clock means we can make better use of the longer daylight hours.
