Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Louisville, Kentucky
Finding a financial advisor to help you plan for your future and manage your assets is no easy task. That’s where SmartAsset comes in. We combed through financial advisors in Louisville to develop this list of the city's firms, including essential info on their fees, services, investment approaches and more.
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---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ARGI Investment Services, LLC ![]() | $4,832,854,403 | $100,000 |
| Minimum Assets$100,000Financial Services
|
2 | Strategic Wealth Investment Group, LLC Find an Advisor | $490,119,220 | $25,000 |
| Minimum Assets$25,000Financial Services
|
3 | Alexander Investment Services Co. Find an Advisor | $523,728,928 | No minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo minimumFinancial Services
|
4 | Reliant Wealth Planning ![]() | $444,512,919 | No minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo minimumFinancial Services
|
5 | Magnate Advisory Services, LLC. ![]() | $164,907,978 | No requirement |
| Minimum AssetsNo requirementFinancial Services
|
6 | Atlas Brown ![]() | $421,811,132 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
7 | Saling Wealth Advisors ![]() | $383,449,515 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
|
8 | Pillar Financial Advisors ![]() | $263,782,220 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
|
9 | Ricketts Financial Group, LLC ![]() | $325,285,062 | No minimum listed |
| Minimum AssetsNo minimum listedFinancial Services
|
10 | Centerline Wealth Advisors ![]() | $231,139,543 | $750,000 |
| Minimum Assets$750,000Financial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Louisville, we first identified all firms registered with the SEC in the city. Next, we filtered out firms that don't offer financial planning services, those that don't serve primarily individual clients and those that have disclosures on their record. The qualifying firms were then ranked according to the following criteria:
- AUMFirms with more total assets under management are ranked higher.
- Individual Client CountFirms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher.
- Clients Per AdvisorFirms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher.
- Age of FirmFirms that have been in business longer are ranked higher.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article. This list may include firms that have a business relationship with SmartAsset, in which SmartAsset is compensated for lead referrals. Such relationships have no impact on our rankings, and firms are included and ranked based strictly on the above criteria.
ARGI Investment Services
ARGI Investment Services leads the way, managing billions in assets on a discretionary basis only. With headquarters in Louisville, the firm has branch offices in Elizabethtown and Bowling Green, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Grand Rapids, Missouri; Norwalk, Connecticut; and other major cities across the U.S. Of the team in Louisville, 38 are certified financial planners (CFPs), 23 are certified public accountants (CPAs), four are chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and one is a chartered financial consultants (ChFC).
The firm has a $100,000 minimum asset requirement.
ARGI Investment Services Background
ARGI was originally founded in 1995 as a franchise of American Express Financial Advisors. In 2003, the firm separated from American Express, and in 2010, the firm officially became an SEC-registered investment advisor. CEO Patrick “Joe” Reeves, President Neil Quinlan and ARGI’s employee stock ownership plan own the firm.
The firm offers investment management services for a fee based on a percentage of client assets and through a wrap fee program, where management and brokerage costs are bundled into one fee. (The account minimum in the first case is $50,000, and it’s $100,000 in the latter.) ARGI also offers a non-managed account program, financial planning, family wealth services, retirement plan consulting and sub-advising to other investment advisor firms.
ARGI Investment Services Investment Strategy
ARGI designs and offers proprietary investment portfolios that it can customize by maintaining an individual stock position or purchasing a customized security. Each of the models are globally diversified and are formulated based on risk.
Strategic Wealth Investment Group, LLC
Strategic Wealth Investment Group, LLC works primarily with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. The firm also says it works with corporations and business entities.
As a fee-based firm, some advisors could be licensed to sell insurance and investment products, and could earn commissions on those transactions. However, the firm has a fiduciary duty to put client interests first.
Strategic Wealth generally requires $25,000 minimum to engage in services. Clients are charged investment management fees that are based on a percentage of assets under management, ranging between 0.5% and 1.5%.
Strategic Wealth Investment Group Background
Headquartered in Louisville, Strategic Wealth was founded as a limited liability company in 2002 and formed as an investment advisory in 2012. The firm’s principal owners include Matthew J. Dicken, Dustin Stanley and Jordan Schwart.
Strategic Wealth Investment Group Strategy
The firm manages and evaluates portfolios based on client goals and objectives. General financial planning and investment services include asset allocation, risk tolerance, asset selection and portfolio monitoring.
Alexander Investment Services
Alexander Investment Services, No.3 on our list, is fee-based firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals as well as pension and profit sharing plans.
Alexander Investment Services is in the business of offering stocks, mutual and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), corporate and Federal government/agency bonds, as well as certificates of deposit (CDs), separately managed accounts (SMAs) and other financial products to its advisory clients.
However, Alexander Investment Services isn't compensated by and doesn't receive economic benefit from financial providers in connection to providing advisory clients with investment advice. Alexander Investment Services bills directly for its investment advice by debiting the accounts of its advisory clients.
Alexander Investment Services has no minimum investment.
Alexander Investment Services' Background
Founded in 1965 by Roy Alexander, the company's ownership is led by the following:
- Leo Andrew Hanlein is a 50% shareholder
- Richard Lynn Fox is a 20% shareholder
- Gerald Andrew Wells is a 20% shareholder
- Thomas Craig Wilson is a 10% shareholder
Alexander Investment Services' Strategy
Alexander Investment Services' investment strategy for clients is determined by a review of their financial objectives and life situation as discussed during meetings, telephone calls, and/or electronic communications. An in-depth client review meeting is recommended at lease once per annum. Every client portfolio is intended to reflect specific financial objectives and investment suitability based on age, risk tolerance, net worth, family status, health and more. Clients may alter their objectives at any time.
Reliant Wealth Planning
Reliant Wealth Planning, LLC works primarily with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. The firm also serves pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and sovereign wealth funds and foreign official institutions.
As a fee-based firm, some advisors could be licensed to sell insurance and investment products, and could earn commissions on those transactions. However, the firm has a fiduciary duty to put client interests first.
Reliant does not require a minimum account balance to engage in services. Clients, however, are charged investment management fees based on a percentage of assets under management, ranging between 0.7% and 1.38%.
Reliant Wealth Planning Background
Headquartered in Louisville, Reliant was founded as a limited liability company in 2017 by Shaun Chelf and Laura Clark.
The advisor team holds multiple designations, including three certified estate planners (CEPs), two certified financial planners (CFPs), two retirement income certified professionals (RICPs), one chartered financial analyst (CFA), one chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) one chartered financial consultant (ChFC), accredited estate planner (AEP) and one certificate in investment performance measurement (CIPM).
Reliant Wealth Planning Investment Strategy
The firm manages and evaluates portfolios based on client goals and objectives. Services include:
- Retirement planning
- Investment management
- Cash flow management
- Estate planning
- Charitable gifting
- Risk management
Magnate Advisory Services, LLC.
Magnate Advisory Services, LLC is a fee-based firm that works primarily with individuals and high-net-worth individuals.
As a fee-based firm, some advisors could be licensed to sell insurance and investment products, and could earn commissions on those transactions. However, the firm has a fiduciary duty to put client interests first.
Clients are charged annual investment management fees based on a percentage of assets under management. These typically range between 0.75% and 2%.
Magnate does not require a minimum account balance to engage in services.
Magnate Advisory Services, LLC. Background
Founded as a limited liability company in 2016, Magnate is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.
The firm operates under the trade name Magnate Advisory Services, LLC or Magnate Wealth Management, LLC.
Magnate Advisory Services, LLC. Strategy
The firm manages and evaluates portfolios based on client goals and objectives.
The advisor team includes one person with a certified financial planner (CFP) designation.
Atlas Brown
This fee-based firm has no minimum investment requirement. Atlas Brown works primarily with individuals and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations corporations.
The firm has one chartered financial analyst (CFA). Fees are based on a percentage of assets under management, though some advisors may also earn commisisons. This is a potential conflict of interest, but the advisors must act in the best interest of the client.
Atlas Brown Background
Chairman W. Wayne Hancock, III, is the only one of the original co-founders to still be working at the firm. He and his family are the largest shareholders, while employees mostly own the rest of the practice.
As mentioned earlier, the firm focuses on serving wealthy families, providing legacy planning, family governance, tax planning and lifestyle management - in addition to portfolio management services. Its fiduciary services are on a fee basis, but advisors who are brokers or insurance agents receive commissions in their other capacities.
Atlas Brown Investment Strategy
Atlas Brown says that it “applies institutional techniques to a multidisciplinary approach, using multiple asset classes/styles, outside managers, alternatives and individual securities to create customized investment strategies.” The firm uses traditional and alternative strategies, investing in non-traditional asset classes such as real estate, natural resources and minerals.
Saling Wealth Advisors
Formed in 2016, Saling Wealth Advisors requires clients to invest at least $500,000 to engage its services. The fee-based firm works with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals.
The team at Saling includes four certified financial planners (CFPs) and one chartered financial analyst (CFA).
Fees are based on a percentage of assets under management. Some advisors earn commissions for selling insurance, which is a potential conflict of interest. Still, advisors have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the client.
Saling Wealth Advisors Background
James “Jay” Saling is the primary owner, chairman and senior executive of the firm. He has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and a number of certifications including certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered wealth advisor (CWA).
The other shares of the firm are owned by Eric Saling, the firm's executive director, CFP and certified exit planner (CExP); and Jason Stuber, chief investment officer and a chartered financial analyst (CFA).
Services include portfolio management, business planning, retirement planning and financial planning.
Saling Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy
The firm primarily applies fundamental analysis in its securities selection process and may use long-term purchases, short-term purchases, short sales, margin transactions and options trading. It mainly places assets in mutual funds, common stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bonds and fixed-income products.
Pillar Financial Advisors
Pillar Financial Advisors is a fee-only firm. This means that it does not receive or accept commissions from brokerage firms, mutual fund companies, insurance companies or from any financial vehicles they recommend.
The advisory team at Pillar includes two chartered financial analysts (CFAs), one personal financial specialist (PFS), one certified public accountant (CPA) and one certified financial planner (CFP).
The firm has a minimum asset requirement of $500,000.
Pillar Financial Advisors Background
Gregory Curry, who founded the firm in 1997, is the chief compliance officer (CCO) and senior financial advisor. He’s a CPA with the personal financial specialist (PFS) designation and a CFA. Before founding the firm, he worked for Aegon, a financial services company, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the largest accounting and financial consulting organizations in the world. Curry and Ben Allison, one of the firm's other senior financial advisors, principally own the firm. Allison has over 20 years of experience in the investment services industry.
Services at Pillar include investment management, retirement planning, financial planning, tax planning and estate planning services.
Pillar Financial Advisors Investment Strategy
When you first begin a relationship with Pillar Financial Advisors, you’ll develop an initial investment plan. This plan is based on your financial situation, your objectives, risk tolerance, time horizon and cash needs. Your account will be managed on a discretionary basis, which means transaction decisions are made without your input. Your investment plan guides these trading decisions.
The firm primarily invests your money in mutual funds. The firm generally selects passively managed mutual funds after evaluating factors such as past performance, portfolio manager, fee structure, fund sponsor, ratings and more.
Ricketts Financial Group, LLC.
Ricketts Financial Group, LLC. is a fee-based firm that works primarily with non-high-net-worth individuals.
As a fee-based firm, some advisors could be licensed to sell insurance and investment products, and could earn commissions on those transactions, creating a potential conflict between the interests of a client and that of an advisor/salesperson. However, the firm has a fiduciary duty to put client best interests first.
Clients are charged investment management fees that are based on a percentage of assets under management. These typically range between 0.25% and 1.25%.
Ricketts Financial Group Background
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Ricketts was registered as an investment adviser in 2020.
The firm is owned by R. Michael Ricketts, C. McCauley Ricketts and Patrick Ricketts.
Ricketts Financial Group Strategy
The firm manages and evaluates portfolios based on client goals and objectives. Services include:
- Cash-flow forecasting
- Retirement planning
- Investment management
- Trust and estate planning
- Charitable giving
- Business planning
- Insurance planning
- Tax planning
- Education planning
Centerline Wealth Advisors
Rounding out the top-10 is Centerline Wealth Advisors, which has a minimum requirement of $750,000 in investable assets for opening and maintaining accounts. However, the firm notes that they reserve the right to waive this asset minimum at their discretion.
Like the majority of financial advisors on our Louisville list, Centerline is a fee-based firm, meaning that it may collect sales commissions from vendors in addition to fees charged to clients.
The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including one certified financial planner (CFP), one accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) and one certified exit planner advisor (CEPA).
Centerline Wealth Advisors Background
Andrew Arnold is the founder and sole owner of the firm. He serves as CEO and is the senior wealth advisor. Arnold has worked in the investment industry for more than 20 years and has an MBA from University of Louisville.
Centerline Wealth Advisors offers investment management, wealth management, retirement planning and tax planning services.
Centerline Wealth Advisors Investment Process
Centerline Wealth Advisors says it has separated the three key pieces of a financial advisor business: advice, custody of client assets and financial products and services. Traditionally, the firm states, advisors at other firms operate with those three aspects linked, resulting in a company-focused approach rather than a client-needs-first approach. At Centerline, each aspect stands alone so that you get "a more elegant, client-focused model."
The firm uses Charles Schwab to hold your assets as custodian and has a strategic partnership with Dynasty Financial Partners for access to products and services including investment banking relationships, asset management strategies, estate planning and more.