If you're looking for the best financial adviser in St. Louis, you've come to the right place. Benzinga has curated a list of trustworthy and experienced financial advisers and planners in the area. Use this guide to find high-quality financial advice in the Gateway to the West from reputable local professionals.
Quick Look: Financial Advisers in St. Louis
- Best for Estate Planning: Clayton Financial Group
- Best Robo-Adviser: M1 Finance
- Best for Women Investors: Clarity Financial Planners
- Best Portfolio Analysis: Empower
- Best for Family Wealth Planning: Matter Family Planning
- Best for Finding Custom Financial Advisers: SmartAsset
Best Financial Advisers in St. Louis
1. Best for Estate Planning: Clayton Financial Group
Clayton Financial Group (CFG) is a fee-only St Louis financial planner that offers personalized and comprehensive financial planning services to clients across 39 states. With over 50 years of combined experience among its managing partners, CFG strives to exceed client expectations in all aspects of financial planning.
One crucial component of CFG's approach is estate planning, in which it works closely with clients' estate planning attorneys to ensure legal soundness and alignment with their wishes. If clients lack an attorney, CFG can connect them with trusted professionals in their network.
Clayton Financial Group Services
- Estate planning
- Investment planning
- Tax planning
- Group retirement plans
Clayton Financial Group Investment Strategy
CFG implements a robust investment strategy based on modern portfolio theory (MPT), with a core objective of maximizing portfolio expected return while minimizing risk for each client's specified level of expected return. CFG's comprehensive financial planning process draws insights from diverse sources, including financial publications, annual reports, prospectuses and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings.
The heart of CFG's approach is the tailoring of investment strategies to align with each client's objectives, which can be modified at any time through written notice. CFG captures these objectives and preferred investment strategies through a comprehensive client profile form.
2. Best Robo-Adviser: M1 Finance
Brokerage products and services are offered by M1 Finance, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of M1 Holdings, Inc. ✝Your free trial (a $30 value) begins the date you enroll in the M1 Plus subscription, and ends 3 months after (“Free Trial”). Upon the expiry of the Free Trial, your account is automatically billed a monthly subscription fee of $10 unless you elect annual billing of $95 or cancel your subscription under your Membership details in the M1 Platform
M1 Finance is a robo-adviser that lets you customize and automate your investment strategy. M1 uses dynamic rebalancing to keep your portfolio aligned with your goals and preferences. An M1 Basic account has no management fees and a $100 minimum. You can upgrade to M1 Plus for $95 per year, which gives you access to lower margin rates, higher cash-back rewards and more trading flexibility. You can choose from over 100 expert portfolios or create your own with low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual stocks and fractional shares.
M1 is a great choice for experienced investors who want more control and convenience from a robo-adviser. But beginners can also benefit from M1's extensive educational resources and user-friendly platform.
M1 Finance Services
- Investment management
- Retirement Investing
- Personal loans
- Margin loans
- Banking services
M1 Finance Investment Strategy
M1 Finance offers personalized portfolio solutions tailored to clients' investment goals and risk tolerance. These portfolios use passive strategies and modern portfolio theory principles to determine optimal asset allocation. M1 has identified efficient ETF strategies to track these asset classes.
Clients receive a recommended portfolio solution based on their risk profile. They can adjust or choose a different portfolio solution with varying risk and return characteristics or create their own portfolio using exchange-traded securities. This approach provides clients with a tailored and adaptable investment solution aligned with their specific financial goals and preferences.
3. Best for Women Investors: Clarity Financial Planners
- A percentage of assets under your management
- Financial planning services
- Pension consulting services
- Selection of other advisers (including private fund managers)
- Educational seminars/workshops
Address
8820 LADUE ROAD SUITE 203ST. LOUIS MO, 63124
Phone number
314-548-2260
Clarity Financial Planners is a top-rated financial adviser in St. Louis known for meeting the distinct financial needs of women investors. It offers evidence-based, customized investment strategies grounded in modern portfolio theory and asset allocation to achieve high returns with low risk. Clarity emphasizes tax efficiency and diversification in its investment recommendations, which can include mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds and alternative investments.
The company's mission is to empower women to take an active role in their wealth management by providing education and engagement throughout the planning process, ultimately granting them clarity and confidence in their financial future. It serves a diverse client base, encompassing individuals, families, trusts, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Clarity Financial Planners Services
- Financial planning
- Investment management
- Retirement planning
- Estate planning
- Tax planning
- Business succession planning
- Personal cash flow analysis
- Life transition planning
Clarity Financial Planner Investment Strategy
Clarity Financial's investment strategy centers on personalized, evidence-based approaches. Each client's goals, risk tolerance, time horizon and preferences are considered to craft tailored investment recommendations, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
Built on modern portfolio theory and asset allocation, Clarity Financial's portfolios aim to deliver high returns while minimizing risk. The firm relies on empirical research and historical data, shunning market speculation and timing. Tax efficiency and diversification are pivotal components of its investment strategy, using diverse investment vehicles such as mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds and alternative investments.
4. Best for Portfolio Analysis: Empower
Empower, formerly known as Personal Capital, is a financial platform providing free tools and paid advisory services for personal wealth management. The rebranding to Empower occurred in 2023 after Empower Retirement, a major retirement planning company, acquired it in 2020. Empower is committed to delivering a comprehensive and personalized financial solution that combines data-driven technology with human advice to assist customers in achieving their financial goals.
Free tools offered by Empower include the Empower Personal Dashboard, enabling users to conveniently view their net worth, cash flow, portfolio performance, retirement readiness and more, all in one place. Users can link their financial accounts to gain a complete view of their finances. Paid services feature the Empower Personal Wealth program, which provides professional investment management and financial planning, with fees based on assets under management. As a leading financial planner in Minnesota, Empower offers a robust and well-rounded approach to personal wealth management.
Empower Services
- Personalized investment management
- Financial planning
- Retirement products and solutions
- Brokerage and banking services
Empower Investment Strategy
The firm's strategy is built on five core principles: dynamic portfolio allocation, personalization, smart weighting, tax optimization and rebalancing. Combining data-driven technology with human insights, Empower tailors portfolios to users' financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. Its proprietary Smart Weighting™ methodology enhances returns and reduces risk by diversifying the portfolio across various factors. To maintain optimal performance, Empower consistently monitors and adjusts portfolios.
5. Best for Family Wealth Planning: Matter Family Planning
- A percentage of assets under your management
- Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
- Financial planning services
- Selection of other advisers (including private fund managers)
- Educational seminars/workshops
- CREATE & ADMINISTER LLC'S TO POOL CLIENT FUNDS TO INVEST IN SEPARATELY MANAGED INVESTMENT VEHICLES.
Address
7711 BONHOMME AVENUE SUITE 400CLAYTON MO, 63105
Phone number
314-862-5190
Matter Family Planning is a distinguished firm specializing in holistic and customized wealth management services for individuals and families. With offices in St. Louis, Denver and Dallas, it caters to clients nationwide. Matter's advisory services encompass three core components: investment management, wealth planning and coordination and family culture and legacy.
Matter's distinctive approach to wealth management hinges on treating each family as a unique client and forging a collaborative partnership with them. The firm places a strong emphasis on preparation, communication and alignment as fundamental pillars in familial financial planning. What sets Matter apart is its commitment to facilitating open communication with your family’s younger generations, equipping them with the skills to intelligently manage inheritance or transition into leadership roles within the family business. With a focus on open communication and a client-centered approach, Matter stands out as a trusted name in financial planning in St. Louis and beyond.
Matter Family Planning Services
- Investment management
- Wealth planning and coordination
- Family culture and legacy
Matter Family Investment Strategy
Matter's primary focus is capital preservation, prioritizing it over high-risk, high-return endeavors. It adopts a global perspective of long-term sustainability, achieving this through diversified portfolios spanning various asset classes. To access the best investment solutions for its clients, Matter leverages insights from Asset Consulting Group in conjunction with its in-house investment committee.
The adviser balances tax efficiency and fee sensitivity, allowing performance to compound over time. These principles form the bedrock of Matter's commitment to safeguarding and growing clients' wealth, ensuring its strategy aligns with each client's financial objectives.
6. Best for Finding Custom Financial Advisers: SmartAsset
If you are looking for a financial adviser who can help you plan for your future, SmartAsset is the platform for you. SmartAsset connects you with qualified and vetted financial advisers nationwide based on your location, assets and personal preferences. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your retirement goals, investment style and contact information and SmartAsset's algorithm will match you with the best financial adviser in St. Louis that suits you.
You can also compare different advisers and read their profiles and reviews before making a decision. SmartAsset is the first and only solution offering free and secure access to the financial adviser marketplace. Whether you need advice on retirement, taxes, investing, estate planning or any other financial topic, SmartAsset can help you find the right adviser for you.
SmartAsset Service
- Financial advisers matching
SmartAsset Investment Strategy
SmartAsset does not have a specific investment strategy as it does not manage any user assets. Instead, SmartAsset provides an online platform that matches users with financial advisers who can help them with their investment needs.
Discover the Best Financial Advisers in St. Louis
The quest for the best financial adviser in St. Louis takes you through a landscape of exceptional choices. From estate planning expertise at Clayton Financial Group and the flexibility of robo-advisory with M1 Finance to the commitment to women investors by Clarity Financial Planners, the in-depth portfolio analysis offered by Empower and the holistic family wealth planning at Matter Family Planning, the options are as diverse as your financial goals. For those seeking tailored expertise, SmartAsset connects you with custom financial advisers. Whichever path you choose, rest assured that these top contenders stand ready to guide you toward a brighter financial future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right St. Louis financial adviser that suits my specific financial needs?
To choose the right financial adviser in St. Louis consider the firm’s expertise in your specific financial needs and review their client testimonials or references.
Can a financial adviser help me with retirement planning, tax strategies and estate planning all at once?
Yes, a financial adviser can help you with retirement planning, tax strategies and estate planning all at once. Many advisers offer comprehensive financial planning services to address various aspects of your financial life.
How can I verify the credentials and reputation of a financial adviser before entrusting them with my finances?
To verify the credentials and reputation of a financial adviser, you can check their licensing and registration through regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Additionally, you can read online reviews and ratings and consider seeking recommendations from friends, family or professionals in the industry.
About Anna Yen
Anna Yen, CFA is a personal finance writer with over two decades of professional finance and writing experience in roles within JPMorgan and UBS derivatives, asset management, crypto, and Family Money Map. She specializes in writing about personal finance topics ranging from investments, budgeting, debt management, credit, student loans, insurance, and retirement planning to real estate and cryptocurrencies. Her work has been published on sites like Quicken, the crypto exchange Bybit, and Credit.com.