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Hayden Bankes - Financial Planner

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Camp Hill, PA
Hayden Bankes - Financial Planner

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I partner with my clients to bring clarity to their finances and help them build a plan they feel good about—both now and for the future. Hi there!

I'm Hayden Bankes, and I have the pleasure of serving as a financial advisor at Conte Wealth Advisors. I joined this fantastic team in January 2022, and let me tell you, it's been an incredible journey so far! As a proud Central Pennsylvania native, I can't help but feel a deep connection to this region. After graduating from Penn State University (We Are!), I earned my bachelor's degree in finance. My studies have given me an understanding of the markets and portfolio construction. But it's not just about the degree – I'm truly passionate about financial planning. That's why I went the extra mile to obtain both my Series 7 and 66 licenses. These credentials demonstrate my comprehensive understanding of securities regulations and investment practices, allowing me to provide you with expert guidance tailored to your unique needs. During my time at Conte Wealth Advisors, I have worn multiple hats. I started out in the operational world as a financial services specialist, providing operational support to our clients and advisors. With my keen eye for detail and organizational prowess, I helped ensure our firm ran like a well-oiled machine. I take great pride in analyzing investment opportunities, which is why I was honored to spearhead the development of CWA's Investment Committee in 2024, providing our team of advisors with concise research to help make informed decisions for their clients. When I'm not immersed in the world of finance, you'll likely find me out on the beautiful Susquehanna River or at a refreshing lake in PA, casting a line and enjoying some peaceful moments of fishing. Or perhaps I'll be spending quality time with my friends and family – the people who keep me grounded and remind me of what truly matters in life. So, whether you're looking for financial guidance, a friendly chat, or a fishing buddy, I'm here for you. Let's embark on this journey together and create a brighter financial future! Copyright © 2026 Conte Wealth. All rights reserved.

08/13/2026

As I get older, I find myself understanding more and more how much my parents have influenced the person I am today.

My mom has always had the biggest heart. She is a caretaker at heart and has always been someone who puts others before herself. Watching her throughout my life has shaped the way I view relationships, family, and the importance of being there for the people around you.

My dad instilled a strong work ethic in me from a young age. He taught me the value of hard work, the value of a dollar, and that you shouldn't be afraid to work for what you want.

But one of the biggest things he taught me was the importance of doing something you love.

Looking back, I realize how much those lessons have carried over into my life and into the way I approach my work today.

I'm incredibly blessed to have parents who taught me not only how to work hard, but also how to care for others and find purpose in what I do.

The older I get, the more I realize that many of the things I value most today were instilled in me long before I ever understood their importance.

08/11/2026

The hidden cost of holding too much cash

We all know inflation makes things more expensive over time. But have you ever thought about what that means for the cash sitting in your savings account?

Let's look at a hypothetical example.

Imagine you had $100,000 sitting in cash in 1996.

If that money earned an average of 1% per year for the next 30 years, it would grow to approximately $134,785.

That sounds pretty good, right?

Here's the problem: inflation happened at the same time.

The purchasing power of $1 in 1996 is roughly equivalent to $2.13 today.

So, that $134,785 would have the purchasing power of only about $63,000 in 1996 dollars.

Now let's look at the same $100,000 invested and earning an average 7% per year.

After 30 years, it would grow to approximately $761,226.

After accounting for inflation, that would represent roughly $357,000 of purchasing power in 1996 dollars.

The point isn't that you should invest every dollar you have.

Cash is important. An emergency fund provides stability and help you avoid selling investments at the wrong time.

But if you have significantly more cash than you need for your emergency fund and near-term expenses, it may be worth asking:

🔴 Is my cash serving a purpose?

🔴 Is it keeping up with inflation?

🔴 Could some of this money be working harder for me?

Holding cash isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Holding more cash than you need, however, can have a hidden cost: lost purchasing power over time.

08/06/2026

Planning for Vacation Financially

Vacation is supposed to reduce stress.

But for many people, the financial hangover afterward creates more stress than the trip relieved.

A few things I recommend before booking your next vacation:

✅ Start with a budget before you start looking

It's easy to fall in love with a destination and then figure out what it costs. Instead, decide what you're comfortable spending first.

✅ Create a dedicated vacation fund

Rather than putting the trip on a credit card and figuring it out later, consider saving a little each month leading up to the trip.

✅ Don't forget the hidden costs

Flights and hotels are only part of the equation.

Think about:

Meals
Rental cars
Parking
Excursions
Souvenirs
Pet boarding
Airport transportation

These expenses can add up quickly.

✅ Use points strategically

If you have credit card points, airline miles, or hotel rewards, make sure they're working for you. Sometimes the best value isn't always the most obvious redemption option.

✅ Keep an emergency buffer

The last thing you want is an unexpected car repair or home expense right before leaving and realizing the vacation fund was your only source of cash.

✅ Plan for the trip after the trip

One of the best feelings is coming home with great memories and not a pile of credit card debt.

The goal isn't to take the cheapest vacation possible.

The goal is to enjoy the trip knowing it fits comfortably within your overall financial plan.

What is the best vacation you've ever taken?

08/04/2026

Making more money doesn't automatically solve financial problems.

One of the biggest financial myths is that a higher income automatically leads to wealth.

I've seen people earning $60,000 a year build substantial savings.

I've also seen people earning $250,000+ feel like they're living paycheck to paycheck.

Why?

Because income and wealth aren't the same thing.

As income rises, expenses often rise right along with it.

The apartment becomes a larger home.

The reliable car becomes the luxury SUV.

The annual vacation becomes two or three vacations.

None of these things are necessarily bad.

The problem occurs when every raise is spent before it's ever saved.

I've found that some of the most financially successful people aren't the ones who make the most money.

They're the ones who create a plan for every raise:

✅ Increase retirement contributions

✅ Build emergency savings

✅ Pay down debt

✅ Invest toward future goals

✅ Enjoy some of the extra income

Notice that last one.

The goal isn't to avoid lifestyle improvements.

The goal is to make sure your savings rate rises alongside your income.

Because making more money doesn't create wealth.

Keeping more of what you make does.

07/30/2026

Some of the best financial lessons I've learned didn't come from a textbook, a designation, or a conference.

They came while fishing.

Fishing has a funny way of teaching patience. You can do everything right and still not get immediate results.

Investing is often the same way.

The investors who tend to have the best outcomes aren't usually the ones making constant changes. They're the ones who have a plan and stick with it through the ups and downs.

Fishing also rewards preparation.

Before ever leaving the dock, there's time spent checking equipment, tying on lures, reviewing weather conditions, and understanding where you plan to fish.

Financial planning isn't much different.

The more preparation that goes into retirement planning, tax planning, insurance planning, and estate planning, the better equipped you tend to be when life throws something unexpected your way.

And maybe my favorite parallel...

When the fishing gets tough, it's tempting to switch lures every few casts looking for a magic solution.

Investors often do the same thing.

They chase the latest hot stock, the newest investment trend, or whatever everyone else seems to be talking about.

More often than not, success comes from having confidence in your strategy rather than constantly chasing the next thing.

Whether it's fishing or investing, patience, preparation, and discipline usually win in the long run.

What are some lessons you've learned from a hobby that carried over into other areas of life

07/28/2026

How Much Life Insurance Do You Actually Need?

Over the years, you've probably heard plenty of rules of thumb when it comes to life insurance.

10x your income
12x your income
Income replacement until retirement
Enough coverage to pay off the mortgage and fund college

While these approaches can provide a starting point, they often miss the fact that every family's situation is different.

This is where a financial plan can make a huge difference.

Rather than relying on a generic formula, a financial plan allows us to solve for the actual amount needed if a premature death were to occur. We start by identifying your household expenses and determining how much income is truly required to maintain your family's lifestyle.

Then we begin stress testing the numbers:

✅ What would happen if one income disappeared tomorrow?

✅ Do you want to fund future college expenses for your children?

✅ How would the surviving spouse's retirement be affected?

✅ Would the loss of a future Social Security benefit create a gap?

✅ Is there a pension involved, and how would survivor benefits impact the outcome?

✅ How would taxes change if a spouse went from Married Filing Jointly to filing as Single?

✅ What assets and savings already exist that could help offset the need for insurance?

As you can tell, determining an appropriate amount of life insurance involves far more than multiplying your income by a number.

A well designed financial plan can project future expenses, education costs, retirement needs, taxes, and survivor income sources to calculate the present value needed to support your family if the unexpected were to happen.

It's not always a fun conversation to have.

But if someone depends on you financially, it's one of the most important conversations you can have.

Have you ever calculated your life insurance need using a financial plan instead of a rule of thumb?

07/23/2026

Combining Finances After Marriage: 10 Tips to Get on the Same Page

One of the biggest adjustments after getting married is combining your financial life. While there isn't a one size fits all approach, having open conversations and a unified strategy can help you avoid stress and make meaningful progress toward your goals together.

Here are 10 tips to help simplify the process:

✅ 1. Start with Your Emergency Fund

Consider combining your emergency savings into a joint savings account. It can also be helpful to establish a checking account at the same bank for easier transfers and bill management.

Pro Tip: Look for a bank that offers a competitive high yield savings account so your emergency fund is earning some interest. Make sure it is FDIC insured.

✅ 2. Review Investments Together

Take time to discuss your current retirement and investment accounts. Review contribution rates, account types, and where each of you is saving.

Examples include:

• 401(k) plans
• Traditional IRAs
• Roth IRAs
• Taxable brokerage accounts

Having a coordinated investment strategy can help improve tax efficiency and ensure you're both working toward the same long term objectives.

✅ 3. Create a Household Balance Sheet

List all assets and liabilities in one place, whether in a spreadsheet or on paper.

If you have consumer debt, list:

• Current balances
• Interest rates
• Monthly payments

Creating a debt payoff plan together can be incredibly powerful. Two incomes and a shared strategy can accelerate progress.

✅ 4. Discuss Major Purchases

Transparency is critical. Before making a large purchase, have a conversation with your spouse.

Financial disagreements often stem from unmet expectations, and communication can prevent many of those issues before they arise.

✅ 5. Create an Asset Inventory

Keep a secure list of where everything is held, including:

• 401(k) custodians
• IRA custodians
• Bank accounts
• Investment accounts
• Insurance policies

It's not a fun conversation to have, but if one spouse unexpectedly passes away, knowing where assets are located can make a difficult situation much more manageable.

✅ 6. Track Your Net Worth

At least once per year, calculate your combined net worth.

Tracking progress over time can help you stay focused on your goals and provide a clear picture of your overall financial health.

✅ 7. Review Life Insurance Needs

Marriage often changes your insurance needs.

Depending on your income, expenses, and future goals, it may make sense to review existing coverage or obtain additional life insurance. A financial plan can help determine the appropriate amount.

✅ 8. Transition Bills Methodically

When moving bills to a new joint checking account, create a list of every recurring expense and track each payment as it's transferred.

Leave a buffer in old accounts until you're confident every bill has been successfully moved.

✅ 9. Build a Household Budget

Create a combined monthly budget that accounts for:

• Income
• Fixed expenses
• Variable expenses
• Savings goals

Knowing where your money is going allows you to be intentional about where it's headed.

✅ 10. Have a Unified Financial Plan

One of the greatest blessings of marriage is having a teammate to navigate life with.

Make sure you're working toward the same financial goals, whether that's paying off debt, buying a home, retiring early, or building a legacy for your family.

A well thought out financial plan can help turn those goals into a strategy and ensure both partners remain aligned.

What financial tip would you add for newly married couples combining finances?

07/16/2026

Some of the best financial advice I've ever received is also the least exciting.

Be consistent.

That's it

Most financial success comes from repeatedly doing boring things well for a long time.

07/14/2026

This photo was taken the day I bought my first bass boat at 17 years old.

Looking back, it probably wasn't the "perfect" financial decision. If I had invested every dollar instead, I'd almost certainly have more money today.

But before I bought it, I worked three jobs, built an emergency fund, and saved relentlessly to make it happen. It wasn't an impulse purchase. It was a goal.

And honestly, I'd do it again.

That boat gave me years of early mornings on the water, memories with friends and family, and countless experiences that I still look back on today.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that financial planning isn't about avoiding every purchase that doesn't maximize your net worth.

It's about creating a balance between preparing for the future and enjoying the present.

Save responsibly. Build good habits. Plan ahead.

But remember that money is a tool, not the end goal.

At the end of the day, a well lived life is worth more than a perfectly optimized spreadsheet.

06/30/2026

Choosing your pension option is one of those decisions that can have a long lasting impact on your retirement… and it is not something you want to rush.

Most pension plans give you a few different paths, such as
• A single life payout for the highest monthly income
• Survivorship options to protect a spouse
• A lump sum that you can roll over and invest

Each of these comes with tradeoffs. Higher income today might mean less protection for your spouse. A lump sum might offer flexibility, but also comes with market risk and discipline.

That is why it is so important to actually sit down and plan this out.
Running different scenarios can help you see how each option impacts your income, your overall portfolio, and your family long term. What looks best on

paper is not always what fits your situation once everything is considered.
There is no universal right answer here. The best choice is the one that lines up with your goals, your risk tolerance, and the rest of your financial plan.

If you are getting close to making a pension election and want a second set of eyes on it, I am always happy to help walk through the options with you.

Address

2009 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA
17011

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

Website

https://www.contewealth.com/team/hayden-j-bankes/

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