Kevin Thompson

At Back Bay Financial Planning & Investments, we specialize in helping individuals and families navigate the transition into retirement—especially those relocating to, or already enjoying life along, the Maryland and Delaware coasts. We provide financial clarity and confidence so you can focus on what really matters: enjoying your life at the beach. What You Can Expect From Us: A Personalized Retirement Roadmap We build your financial plan around your lifestyle goals, values, and priorities. From income strategies to long-term projections, we design a plan built to evolve with you. Tax-Smart Planning We help you make the most of your income and investment withdrawals, with proactive strategies to reduce your tax burden now and in the future. Investment Management Our portfolios are thoughtfully constructed to reflect your retirement timeline and risk preferences—with a focus on keeping costs low and outcomes aligned with your goals. Estate & Legacy Coordination We’ll work alongside your attorney or help you think through your legacy wishes, ensuring your wealth passes smoothly and intentionally to the next generation. Ongoing Support & Real Conversations You’ll have a dedicated partner who explains the complex in plain English, stays in touch proactively, and adapts your plan as life evolves. We limit the number of clients we serve so we can deliver the kind of hands-on, highly personalized advice that bigger firms often can’t match. Our mission is simple: help you retire with confidence and live fully in the coastal community you love.

Peni Warren is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been with Merrill since 1982, collaborating with clients and their families to understand their financial situations and priorities. Her approach emphasizes personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' long-term objectives. Peni’s expertise spans a wide range of client focus areas, including college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, retirement income, special needs planning, small business strategies, and investment strategy for individuals and corporations. She holds the designations of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Peni earned her high school diploma from Lake Forest High School. In addition to her professional work, Peni is involved in her community through volunteering with organizations such as the Delaware State Fair and The Fund For Women. Her personal interests include cooking, gardening, interior decorating, knitting and crocheting, painting, and running.

Crystal Van Lenten is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on developing personalized financial strategies that align with her clients’ long-term goals, with an emphasis on wealth management planning, tax minimization, and estate planning. Crystal works to create flexible strategies that respond to changing market conditions while providing access to Merrill’s investment insights and Bank of America’s banking and lending solutions. Her client focus includes college and education planning, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Crystal follows Merrill’s tradition of community involvement and dedicates time to volunteering with local organizations. Outside of her professional work, Crystal enjoys baseball, football, golf, music, tennis, traveling, and spending time with her family. Her approach to wealth management emphasizes a collaborative process designed to help clients pursue their financial goals through individualized planning.

Christopher Fantano is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a partner in The Warren-Fantano Group. He specializes in retirement planning, investment management, family wealth strategies, legacy planning, and managing new wealth, among other client-focused areas. Drawing on his extensive experience with both traditional and alternative investments, Christopher works closely with families and business owners to create personalized financial strategies aimed at achieving their long-term goals. Christopher holds a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has earned several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC™), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He emphasizes a client-centered approach informed by deep industry knowledge and a commitment to understanding each client's unique financial picture. Outside of his professional work, Christopher is involved in his local community through volunteer activities with organizations such as Little League and Pennsbury Athletic Association. He resides in Yardley, Pennsylvania, with his partner and their child, enjoying family activities, sports, travel, and engagement with his local parish.

Philip Zimmerman is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has over 30 years of experience serving C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, and retirement plan sponsors. Philip focuses on creating goals-based financial strategies for individuals that emphasize retirement planning, tax-efficient inter-generational wealth transfer, managing stock options and restricted shares, and maximizing tax deferral. For retirement plan sponsors, he assists in optimizing plan design to align with organizational goals, enhances tax-deferral opportunities for key employees, provides access to fiduciary services, and supports participant financial wellness and retirement readiness. Philip joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2005 after a tenure at Morgan Stanley from 1988 to 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University and professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR® (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). His expertise extends to managing personalized investment strategies incorporating traditional and ESG investments, retirement planning, concentrated stock management, charitable gifting, and estate planning coordination. In addition to his advisory work, Philip has been involved with the Delaware County Estate Planning Council as a board member and participates in the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council, the Philadelphia Alliance for Capital & Technologies, and the Foreign Policy Research Institute. He has volunteered as a Community City Leader for Bunker Labs, a nonprofit incubator supporting veteran entrepreneurs, and is a repeated platelet donor for the American Red Cross. Outside of his professional and community commitments, Philip enjoys cooking, golfing, music, reading, and spending time with his family.