In the News

Accolades

barrons top ria firms 23

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2023.

Barron's 2023 Top Private Wealth Teams

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2023.

Forbes Top RIA Firms 2023

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2023, and 2022.

2023 Forbes Best-In-State-Wealth Advisors

Received by: Rick Kent (GA), Kay Lynn Mayhue (GA), Lori Price (CT), and Tait Lane (WA).

Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors | Best-In-State 2023

Received by: Kay Lynn Mayhue (GA)

2022 RIA Intel Awards

RIA of the Year $1billion +
Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2022.

Georgia Fast 40

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2019, 2022, and 2023.

2022 Forbs Top Women Wealth Advisors

Received by: Kay Lynn Mayhue (GA)

2022 Forbs Top WOmen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State

Received by: Kay Lynn Mayhue (GA) and Lori Price (CT)

Investment News | Best Places to Work | 2023 | For Advisors

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in
2018 - 2023(6 consecutive years)

Inc. 5000 American's Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Financial Firm Women's Choice Award 2022

Received by: Emily Boothroyd

2021 Barron's Top Private Wealth Management Teams

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2021

2021 Forbs Best-In-State Wealth Advisors

Received by: Rick Kent (GA) and Lori Price (CT)

2021 Forbs Top Women Wealth Advisors

Received by: Lori Price (CT)

News

  • GO Banking Rates | 11/28/2023 | Men vs. Women Investors: Survey Finds Women Have More Money in Their Portfolios.

    Kelly Gallimore, Merit Financial Advisors, discusses the possible reasons behind women investors’ higher balances, plus, tips for women who are looking to grow their own stock portfolios.

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  • Kiplinger | 11/20/2023 | Is Maintaining Holiday Traditions Stressing You Out?

    Kelly Gallimore, Merit Financial Advisors, offers some tips on how to manage expectations, start new traditions and monitor holiday expenditures.

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  • CBS MoneyWatch | 11/17/2023 | How much would a $5,000 CD make in 5 years?

    Mark Fried, Merit Financial Advisors, explains why CDs are a good fit for conservative investors.***

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  • Kiplinger | 11/07/2023 | How to Approach the Caregiving Transition When It’s Time.

    For National Caregivers Month, Kelly Gallimore, Merit Financial Advisors, shares her story to help others heading into the emotional challenge of providing caregiving for an aging loved one.

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  • CBS MoneyWatch | 10/31/2023 | 3 Smart Financial Moves You Can Make Before the End of the Year. 

    Brian Martin, Merit Financial Advisors, sheds light on how to prepare a strong financial foundation for 2024.

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  • ETF.com | 10/25/2023 | Navigating the Bond Slice of a 60/40 Portfolio.

    Timothy Ralph, Merit Financial Advisors, believes the "new regime" of higher interest rates and inflation brings active management into play.

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  • CBS MoneyWatch | 10/03/2023 | How to Invest for an Early Retirement.

    Tom Bakamus, Merit Financial Advisors, sheds light on early retirement expenses and diversification.

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  • WSJ | 10/02/2023 | It's a Good Time to Buy Bonds. Just Know What You're Getting Into.

    Joshua Mersberger, Merit Financial Advisors, sheds light on what risk factors bonds have.

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  • MarketWatch | 09/11/2023 | 10 of the best CD rates for September 2023 (we’re talking up to 7.19% APY)

    Joshua Mersberger, Merit Financial Advisor, sheds light on inflation efforts.

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  • MarketWatch | 08/30/2023 | How to pay off student loans fast

    Max Baer, Certified Financial Planner at Merit Financial Advisors, offers insight on lowering student loan repayment options.

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  • MarketWatch | 07/27/2023 | CDs vs. bonds: What’s the difference?

    Kate Redden, CFP®, ChFC®, CKA®, Regional Director at Merit Financial Advisors, shares her perspective.

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  • InvestmentNews | 07/06/2023 | Return to office threatens to undermine advances for women

    Cracking down on remote work could send stress fractures through women's advancement, pay equity and corporate returns. Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit Financial Advisors, shares how Merit is utilizing remote work.

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  • Advisor Perspectives | 06/20/2023 | Know the Deal Breakers Before Selling Your Practice

    Tait Lane, Regional Director shares four things to consider.

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  • Merit Financial Advisors | 06/20/2023 | Merit Partners with Financial Analysts to Expand Presence in North Carolina

    The firm, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, will expand Merit’s existing presence in the region and increase assets by $100 million.

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  • InvestmentNews | 06/13/2023 | Women breadwinners less engaged with household finances

    It’s important, though, not to assume that any woman client who works will take a step back in planning, cautioned Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit Financial Advisors.

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  • CityWire RIA | 05/23/2023 | Merit strikes deal with $460m wealth practice

    The Atlanta-area firm has purchased Planned Futures, a hybrid practice in Pennsylvania, in its fifth acquisition of 2023.

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  • MarketWatch | 05/01/2023 | Stocks and bonds not working for you? These alternatives might help — but pay attention to fees.

    Tim Ralph, Managing Partner (Boca Raton), comments on stocks and bonds.

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  • WSJ | 04/14/2023 | People Are Investing in Bonds Again—Once They Figure Them Out

    Caleb Tucker, CFA®, Director of Portfolio Strategy shares his thoughts on bonds in the current market.

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  • Bankrate | 03/29/2023 | Pros and Cons of Hiring a Financial Advisor

    Brad Cast, RFC® Wealth Manager & Partner, discusses the pros and cons of working with a financial advisor.

    Read More


     

  • Merit Financial Advisors | 01/06/2023 | Merit Financial Advisors Partners with Financial Design Group to Expand Presence in Pacific Northwest

    Financial Design Group, Inc., based in Des Moines, WA, expands Merit’s presence in the Pacific Northwest.

    Read More


     

  • GO Banking Rates | 03/22/2023 | I’m a Wealth Manager Who Thinks Every Woman Should Invest — Here’s Why

    Emily Boothroyd, JD, CFP®, CPWA®, Wealth Manager & Partner at Merit Financial Advisors, shares why it's important for women to invest.

    Read More


     

  • MarketWatch | 02/09/2023 | Here’s What to Do With This Year’s Tax Refund

    Robert Alexandrovic, CFP®, CFA, Managing Partner at Merit Financial Advisors, shares why you should consider I-bonds or Treasury bonds in 2023.

    Read More


     

  • Business Insider | 01/30/2023 | 3 Places You Can Put Your Retirement Money During a Recession

    Alex Alba, Wealth Manager at Merit Financial Advisors, sits down with Business Insider to discuss the three places you can put your retirement money during a recession.

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  • The Balance | 01/18/2023 | How To Recession-Proof Your Savings

    Caleb Tucker, CFA, Director of Portfolio Strategy at Merit Financial Advisors, discusses emergency savings.

    Read More


     

  • Merit Financial Advisors | 01/06/2023 | Merit Financial Advisors Partners with Financial Design Group to Expand Presence in Pacific Northwest

    Financial Design Group, Inc., based in Des Moines, WA, expands Merit’s presence in the Pacific Northwest.

    Read More


     

Archive

As Seen In

*Merit is not affiliated with LPL Financial as the article states. Merit and LPL Financial are separate entities.

**Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

*** CDs are FDIC insured to specific limits and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity, whereas investing in securities is subject to market risk including loss of principal.​

The Forbes ranking of America’s Top RIA Firms, 2023, 2022, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. The algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.

RIA Intel’s 2022 RIA of the Year - More Than $1 Billion AUM award, was based on the quantitative as well as qualitative criteria: an impressive RIA that has grown beyond a practice and into a complex business for the betterment of clients and its employees.

The Women’s Choice Award® Financial Advisor program was created by WomenCertified Inc., the Voice of Women, in an effort to help women make smart financial choices. The Women’s Choice Award Financial Program is based on 17 objective criteria associated with providing quality service to women clients, such as educational and professional credentials, experience, and a favorable regulatory history, among other factors, including letters of validation and background check. Financial advisors do not pay a fee to qualify for the program. All qualified advisors are listed on womenschoiceaward.com. Once qualified, financial advisors may purchase additional marketing collateral such as seal usage, enhanced listing or promotional products. The inclusion of a financial advisor within the WCA Financial Advisor network should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial advisor by WomenCertified Inc. or its partners and affiliates and is no guarantee of quality of services provided to clients or future investment success.Women’s Choice Award® Financial Advisors and Firms represent less than 1% of financial advisors in the U.S. As of December 31, 2021, of the 603 considered for the Women’s Choice Award, 221 were named Women’s Choice Award Financial Advisors/Firms.

Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors 2018, 2019 , 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023. Recognized firms were required to be a registered investment advisor (RIA) that has been in business at least one year and having a minimum of 15 full-time/part-time employees. The assessment consisted of a questionnaire on benefits and policies completed by human resources staff along with an engagement & satisfaction survey completed by a minimum of 40% of staff. 50 firms were selected for this award from an undisclosed list of submissions. There was no charge to be included in this award listing.

Barron’s 2023 and 2021 Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams, The teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, their regulatory records and credentials of their members, and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services.

The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.

The Forbes ranking of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors and Top Women Wealth Advisors Best in State, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors with a minimum of seven years of experience and weighing factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes or SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.

The Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index, which consists of more than 5000 companies, represents virtually all of the capitalization of the entire U.S. stock market.

2017, 2018, 2020 Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers evaluates SEC registered investment advisers that reported at least $300 million in assets under management and were selected based on the following criteria: adviser AUM, asset growth, the company’s age, industry certifications of key employees, SEC compliance record and online accessibility.

The Forbes ranking of Top 100 Independent Advisor is based on assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work.

The Georgia Fast 40 for 2022 was award by the Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. To be eligible companies must be for profit and headquartered in Georgia and the most recent year-end revenues ranging from $15 million to $500 million, and have three years of verifiable revenue and employment growth.

Barron’s 2023 Top RIA Firms, Data is verified with the advisors’ firms and with regulatory databases in three major categories of calculations: Assets, revenue, and quality of practice. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services.