Industries · Financial Services · Advisory

Financial Advisor Websites Built for Trust and Compliance

Chicago-area RIAs, wealth managers, and investment advisors deserve websites that work as hard as they do. GLBA-compliant, SOC 2-ready design. Secure client portals. Encrypted lead forms. MFA on admin. Trust at every click.

⚜ Plain English · Quotable
GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) is the U.S. federal law requiring financial advisors to protect client nonpublic personal information through documented privacy practices and a comprehensive information security program. FTC Safeguards Rule (expanded 2021, enforced 2023) is the technical enforcement mechanism. SOC 2 is an independent audit verifying your controls and often required by larger clients. Media Express builds GLBA-compliant websites for Chicago-area advisory firms with secure portals, client data protection, and audit readiness.
🔐 What We Build for Financial Advisors

Compliance-ready from day one.

A financial advisor website is not just marketing—it is a data protection asset. Each component serves trust and compliance.

🔒
Secure Client Portal

MFA-protected, encrypted. Clients access statements, forms, documents safely. Zero exposure on public web.

📋
Privacy Notice + Opt-Out

GLBA-compliant notice on every advisor site. Clear, conspicuous. Delivered to clients + archived for audit.

🔐
Encrypted Lead Forms

Prospect contact forms use HTTPS + TLS. Data encrypted at rest. No plain-text NPI in email or database.

📊
Audit Logging

Every client login, form submission, file access logged. Queryable for compliance audits.

🚨
Incident Response Ready

Breach notification workflow. Contact templates. Legal hold procedures. Tabletop exercises included.

🌍
Bilingual (EN/PL)

Serve Chicago's large Polish-American investor base. Privacy Notice + Portal in both languages.

⚜️ Compliance Framework

We cover all layers.

GLBA + state regulations + SOC 2. Your advisor website meets the strictest applicable standard.

✓ Frameworks We Build For

Federal + State + Third-Party

  • GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) — Privacy Rule + Safeguards Rule + Pretexting provisions
  • FTC Safeguards Rule — 9-element information security program (2023 enforcement)
  • SOC 2 Type II — Independent audit of controls (if pursuing institutional clients)
  • State Financial Privacy — NY DFS 500, Illinois PIPA, California rules
  • Client Data Protection — MFA, encryption, monitoring, incident response
  • Advisory-Specific Rules — SEC guidance, state investment advisor regulations
⚜️ How We Help

The 5-step financial advisor readiness path.

Structured, phased approach. Clear pricing at every step.

1
Compliance Readiness Audit (Free)

15-minute call. We identify your GLBA scope, SOC 2 need, state overlay requirements, and top gaps.

2
Website + Portal Architecture (1-2 weeks)

Design Privacy Notice, client portal layout, lead form encryption, audit logging. Scope + roadmap + fixed price.

3
Build & Deploy (4-6 weeks)

Compliance-ready website. Secure portal with MFA. Encrypted forms. Audit logging live. Staff training scheduled.

4
Staff Training & Playbooks (ongoing)

Incident response tabletop. Password management training. Breach notification workflows. Documentation for regulators.

5
Annual Review & Retainer (ongoing)

Annual risk assessment. Policy updates. Training refresh. Retainer support for incident response + compliance questions.

💰 What It Costs

Transparent pricing at every phase.

Foundation for small advisory firms. Full program for larger advisors. Managed retainer to stay compliant year-over-year.

Foundation
Website + GLBA
$6,000 – $15,000
One-time, 4-6 weeks
  • Compliance-ready website
  • GLBA Privacy Notice (public + delivered)
  • Encrypted lead forms
  • Opt-out procedures + documentation
  • Audit logging setup
  • Staff training kit
Ongoing Retainer
Managed Compliance
$1,000 – $4,000/mo
Recurring, month-to-month
  • Quarterly compliance reviews
  • Annual risk assessment
  • Policy + Privacy Notice updates
  • Training + tabletop exercises
  • Incident response support
  • Board-level reports
  • Compliance-ready hosting

Above are typical Illinois market rates. Media Express pricing is more accessible — we build once and reuse across clients, so you don't pay for someone else's discovery work. Contact us for a personalized quote based on your advisory firm's size and client base.

⚜ Free Consultation →
❓ Common Questions

FAQ.

Do I really need GLBA compliance?

Yes. GLBA applies to financial advisors, RIAs, and wealth managers. It requires documented privacy practices and a comprehensive information security program. FTC enforcement has accelerated since 2023, with penalties up to $46,517 per violation.

What is the difference between GLBA and SOC 2?

GLBA is a U.S. federal law requiring privacy + security for financial institutions. SOC 2 is an independent audit certifying your technical controls (access, encryption, monitoring, incident response). GLBA is mandatory; SOC 2 is optional but increasingly required by larger clients.

How long does GLBA compliance take?

Foundation (Privacy Notice + Safeguards foundation): 4-6 weeks. Full Safeguards Program: 3-6 months phased. Time depends on your current state and client complexity.

Do I need SOC 2 if I only serve small clients?

Not mandatory, but increasingly expected. Even small advisory firms gain competitive advantage with SOC 2. If you plan to grow or serve institutional clients, start with GLBA; SOC 2 is a natural next step.

What if we are audited?

Our program prepares you with documented Privacy Notice, Safeguards Program, employee training records, incident response playbooks, and annual risk assessments. You'll have evidence of good-faith compliance and a clear remediation framework.

Can we serve Polish-American clients without special compliance?

Yes. GLBA applies the same to all clients. We build bilingual (EN/PL) advisor websites and Privacy Notices to serve Chicago's large Polish-American investor base. No extra compliance burden.

Ready to build a website your clients and regulators will trust?

Take the free compliance audit. Instant report with your GLBA scope, SOC 2 need, state overlay, and a clear roadmap to compliance-ready operations.

Media Express LLC · Chicago IL · Est. 1995 · Independent · 31+ years
Media Express LLC prepares financial advisory firms for GLBA + FTC Safeguards Rule + SOC 2 compliance readiness. Media Express does not conduct formal GLBA audits (performed by FTC) or serve as a compliance officer. For regulatory guidance, consult with your state financial regulator or a compliance counsel.