Top 10 Financial Advisors in Alabama

Find an Advisor

RFG Advisory, LLC is a fee-based financial advisor firm that offers support to an independent network of other advisory firms. The firm itself is located in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, which is a suburb of Birmingham. RFG's network works with both individual and institutional clients, providing a range of financial planning and portfolio management services. 

RFG Advisory works with an independent network of advisors. Advisors that partner with RFG itself work with a variety of different clients, the majority of whom are individuals without a high net worth. However, advisors also work with high-net-worth individuals, banks, thrift institutions, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, state and municipal governments and businesses.

As a fee-based firm, there is a potential for a conflict of interest as the firm and its advisors can earn commissions for the sale of certain securities. However, the firm is bound by a fiduciary duty to put the needs of each client first. 

RFG Advisory Background

RFG Advisory was founded in 2003 as a firm designed to provide business support to an independent network of financial advisor firms. It has been an RIA since it registered as such in 2011. Currently, the firm is owned by CEO and founder Bobby White, Shannon Spotswood, Rick Wedell and investment vehicles are controlled by Long Ridge Equity Partners. The firm manages more than $3.8 billion across its more than 100 advisors. 

RFG Advisory Investment Strategy

The firm tends to work with clients to provide tailored investment management that properly takes into account a client's financial situation and investment goals. Advisors do so by meeting with clients to determine such information as their tolerance for risk, liquidity needs and time horizon.

Each advisor is different, so investment philosophies and strategies may vary depending on who you happen to work with. However, advisors tend to use a combination of fundamental analysis, technical analysis, charting and cyclical analysis to evaluate potential investments. They may invest for the long term or short term and may use trading, options writing and margin transactions to help drive growth.

Find an Advisor

Aptus Capital Advisors is a fee-based advisory firm based in Fairhope, Alabama. The firm offers financial advisory services on a fee-based structure. The firm caters to a diverse clientele including individuals, small businesses, trusts, estates and registered investment companies. While the standard minimum investment requirement is $50,000, Aptus Capital Advisors may adjust this minimum at their discretion under specific circumstances.

The firm provides a range of services tailored to individual financial needs, including general cash flow planning, retirement planning and insurance analysis. While the fee-based structure could present a potential conflict of interest as the firm and its advisors could earn commissions on the sale of certain securities, each must abide by a fiduciary duty to put the needs of each client first. 

Aptus Capital Advisors Background

Aptus Capital Advisors was founded in 2013 by John David Gardner. The firm manages over $5 billion in assets under management (AUM) across its 16 advisors with nearly 400 individual clients. 

Aptus Capital Advisors Investment Strategy

The firm employs a variety of investment strategies including Value-Style Investing, International Enhanced Yield Strategy, and several Aptus-specific approaches like Collared Income Opportunity, Drawdown Managed Equity and International Drawdown Managed Equity. They also manage the Opus Small Cap Value ETF. The firm typically invests in equities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bonds, options and mutual funds. These strategies are tailored to align with the unique needs of their clients, taking into consideration individual circumstances and changes in personal or financial situations. 

Find an Advisor

Despite a relatively short track record, Stonegate Investment Group is the next firm in all of Alabama. This fee-only practice works serves a large number of individual clients, both above and below the high-net-worth threshold. Pensions, profit-sharing plans and businesses are also clients of the firm. There is no set account minimum. 

As a fee-only firm, Stonegate Advisors does not collect commissions for recommending third-party financial products or insurance. Stonegate has multiple designations such as Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) on staff. 

Stonegate Investment Group Background

Founded in 2021, Stonegate is the youngest first on this list. The practice is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and wholly owned by Stonegate Investment Group Holdings, LLC. The following employees have either direct or indirect ownership stakes in the holding company: Tony R. Smith, Christopher J. Compton, Matthew C. Brown, Mark F. Sommer, James W. Allen, Jerry G. Duncan and William E. Richardson. Smith serves as chief executive officer and chief investment officer of the firm.

Stonegate offers both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management to individuals and retirement plans. The firm also provides financial planning and consulting services. 

Stonegate Investment Group Investment Strategy

Stonegate's investment strategies are rooted in the individual needs of clients. The sets out to get to know its clients and understand their financial situations, risk profiles, investment objectives, tax situations and liquidity constraints. From there, advisors will invest a client's money across a combination of equity securities, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as limited partnerships and pooled investment vehicles focusing on alternative asset classes. Stonegate also uses call options, protective put options and long put options in client portfolios.

Find an Advisor

Keel Point, the top-rated financial advisory firm Huntsville, is also the next practice in the state of Alabama. While the firm has offices throughout the southeast, its team in Huntsville includes designations such as Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), chartered retirement planning counselors (CRPCs) and accredited investment fiduciary analysts (AIFAs).

Keel Point works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pensions and profit-sharing plans, estates, trusts and charitable organizations, as well as business entities. The firm requires a $50,000 account minimum for its Core Portfolio Strategies Program and a $150,000 minimum for its Standalone Tactical Program. 

Keel Point is a fee-based firm, so in addition to asset-based management fees, some advisors may also collect commissions on certain financial products and insurance. However, the firm is a fiduciary and must act solely in its clients’ interests.

Keel Point Background

Founded in 1998, Keel Point merged with BlueCreek Investment Partners, LLC in 2015 under one firm. Today, the company has offices in Washington D.C.; Birmingham; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Greenville, North Carolina; Leawood, Kansas; and Nashville, Tennessee. The firm is owned by Keel Point Partners, LLC, which is controlled by client investors and members of the company’s management team. 

Keel Point Partners also owns Keel Point Insurance Advisors, LLC. Additionally, the firm has a subsidiary, Keel Point Capital, LLC, through which it provides brokerage services to its clients. 

Keel Point offers clients:

• Financial planning
• Portfolio management
• Selection of other advisors, including private fund managers
• Consulting services to third-party registered investment advisors

Keel Point, LLC Investment Strategy

Keel Point advisors use both a fundamental and quantitative process to create diversified, long-term portfolios. In addition to the Core Portfolio Strategies Program and Standalone Tactical Program, the firm offers several other investment programs that use statistical modeling to ensure portfolios remain within a client’s defined risk parameters. The firm’s investment programs generally include equity, fixed income and alternative assets.

Find an Advisor

Leavell Investment Management is a fee-only advisory firm and the top-rated practice in Mobile. The firm has a large staff that comprises Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs), and Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) and Certified Investment Management Analysts (CIMAs).

As a fee-only firm, Leavell Investment Management is compensated through asset-based management fees, which vary by portfolio. While there is no set account minimum, the firm does impose a minimum annual fee of $5,000 regardless of account size.

The firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, and investment companies, as well as pensions and profit-sharing plans. Clients also include retirement plans, business entities, trusts, estates and charitable organizations. 

Leavell Investment Management Background

Thomas Leavell founded the firm in 1979, six years into his investment management career. Leavell remained a principal owner until 2014. Currently, many of the firm’s employees are shareholders, although no one person owns 25% or more of the business. 

Client services include:

• Financial planning
• Portfolio management
• Pension consulting
• Selection of other advisors, including private fund managers

Leavell Investment Management Investment Strategy

Depending on a client's investment goals, advisors allocate assets across various classes including individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as master limited partnerships, options, real estate investment trusts, and other securities.

"Investment goals are achieved over time through board diversification, control of risk and realization of the benefits of compounding," the firm's Form ADV brochure states. 

The firm prefers fundamental analysis and derives its information from Morningstar reports, fund prospectuses, S&P reports, financial news and other materials. The firm's equity management strategy seeks long-term capital growth while mitigating risk through diversification. Leavell's fixed-income management strategy is designed to protect principals with short- and intermediate-term bonds. 

Find an Advisor

Located in Birmingham, Southern Financial Group is a fee-based firm that primarily works with individuals and high-net-worth individuals. Clients also include pensions and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates and charitable organizations, in addition to corporations and businesses. Two of the firm's advisors hold the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified public accountant (CPA) and personal financial specialist (PFS) designations. The firm also has another CPA on staff. 

While the firm is a fiduciary, some advisors are representatives of a dealer/broker and can earn commissions on certain transactions. As a result, Southern Financial Group is considered a fee-based firm. The company also charges asset-based fees, as most financial advisors do. The firm has a $50,000 account minimum.

Southern Financial Group Background

Southern Financial Group was formed in 2006 and is currently owned by Christopher Holder and David Painter. Holder and Painter have over 50 years of experience in the financial services industry between them. Today, the firm offers clients financial planning, portfolio management, consulting, tax preparation, IRA rollover recommendations and estate planning services. 

Southern Financial Group Investment Strategy

Southern Financial Group’s investment strategy focuses on identifying an appropriate ratio of securities, fixed income and cash that most closely corresponds with a client’s financial goals. In managing client portfolios, advisors will use long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, and on occasion, margin transactions. The firm invests client assets in a combination of exchange-listed securities, securities traded over the counter, foreign issuers, warrants, corporate debt securities, commercial paper, municipal securities, variable life insurance, variable annuities, mutual funds and U.S. government securities. 

Find an Advisor

Meld Financial, another fee-only firm, is the longest-tenured practice on our list of the top advisory firms in Birmingham. The vast majority of Meld clients are regular individuals, although the firm does have a sizable client base of high-net-worth individuals. Retirement plans, government entities and businesses also work with Meld as clients. The firm imposes a minimum account size of $50,000. 

The Meld team features some advisors who hold the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation, as well as the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation. 

Meld Financial Background

Founded in 1986, Meld first registered as an investment advisor in 2004. Mark Alan McGarvey, chairman of Meld, maintains at least a 25% direct ownership stake in the firm.

Meld provides comprehensive financial planning as a base service, as well as single-issue analysis and advisory services. Meld advisors may work with clients on a variety of topics, including estate planning, college funding, retirement funding, retirement plan distribution, executive employee compensation analysis, and insurance needs, among others. 

Meld Financial Investment Strategy

Meld's investing approach is informed by a combination of charting, technical analysis, fundamental analysis and cyclical analysis. The firm generally provides investment advice on exchange-listed securities, mutual funds, over-the-counter equities, equities of foreign issuers, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), U.S. government securities, options, commercial paper, warrants, corporate debt securities and alternative investments, including hedge funds and real estate. 

Find an Advisor

Porter White Investment Advisors, the next firm on our list, is a fee-based firm that provides financial planning and asset management to individuals, corporations, profit-sharing plans and more. The firm typically requires a minimum investment of $1 million to open an account.  

As a fee-based firm, some advisors on staff are registered representatives of a securities broker-dealer and can receive commissions for selling certain products. This compensation structure creates a conflict of interest because advisors have a financial incentive to recommend certain services and products over others. However, the firm still must abide by its fiduciary duty to always act the client's best interests. 

Porter White Investment Advisors Background

Porter White Investment Advisors has been in the investment advisory business since 1995. James H. White III is the primary owner and currently serves as chairman. The firm is a subsidiary of Porter White Companies, Inc. 

The primary services offered at Porter White Investment Advisory include wealth management, financial planning and consulting, as well as fiduciary services for retirement plans.

Porter White Investment Advisors Investment Strategy

Porter White Investment Advisors can offer its clients a Financial Planning Review, where it gathers information to come up with a balance sheet and action plan. It also provides retirement analysis and estate planning services. 

But its main efforts steer toward portfolio management. Its investment action plan revolves around the following points: 

• Asset allocation
• Investment selection and monitoring
• Cash management
• Performance reports

The firm primarily offers advice on mutual funds, and when suitable, recommends no-load mutual funds that invest in equity and fixed-income securities. Advisors may also recommend fixed-income securities with maturities that are deemed appropriate for the client. 

Find an Advisor

Kassouf Wealth Advisors, the next firm on our list, is a fee-only financial advisory practice that serves individuals, retirement plans and charitable organizations. It works with about as many high-net-worth individuals as it does clients who fall below that threshold. To receive investment management services from the firm, you’ll typically need a minimum account balance of about $150,000. 

As a fee-only firm, Kassouf advisors do not sell insurance or financial products. Instead, advisors are compensated solely by fees that clients pay directly for advisory services. The Kassouf team features several accredited financial professionals, including some certified public accountants (CPAs), Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), accredited estate planners (AEP) and others. 

Kassouf Wealth Advisors Background

Kassouf Wealth Advisors is principally owned by Gerard J. Kassouf and David P. Kassouf. Both are CFPs and CPAs. The firm specializes in comprehensive wealth management and financial planning, as well as retirement plan services.  

Kassouf Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy 

Kassouf Wealth Advisers makes investment decisions primarily driven by modern portfolio theory. This school of thought suggests diversification across asset classes is crucial in mitigating risk as one may serve as a buffer when another experiences a downturn. 

The firm aims to devise an investment strategy based on your individual risk tolerance and long-term investing goals. In general, Kassouf recommends passively managed index and mutual funds and typically steers clear from utilizing individual stocks and bonds in its asset allocation framework. Of course, it may divert from these strategies if deemed appropriate based on your circumstances.

Find an Advisor

Capsouth Wealth Management is a fee-based firm that caters to a diverse clientele including individuals, trusts, both for-profit and non-profit corporations, as well as pension plans. The minimum investment requirement is $250,000. Services offered by the firm encompass a broad range of financial advisory and management solutions tailored to meet diverse client needs. These include basic financial guidance, private wealth services and the development of comprehensive financial plans.

As a fee-based firm, some advisors on staff can receive commissions for selling certain products. This compensation structure creates a conflict of interest because advisors have a financial incentive to recommend certain services and products over others. However, the firm still must abide by its fiduciary duty to always act in the client's best interests. 

CapSouth Wealth Management Background

CapSouth Wealth Management was founded in 2001. The firm is solely owned and operated by Donald P. Bolden. The firm manages more than $750 million in assets under management (AUM) across its 11 advisors. 

CapSouth Wealth Management Investment Strategy

The firm employs a variety of investment strategies tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients. These strategies include long-term "buy-and-hold" trading, short-term trading tactics and options strategies, primarily focusing on selling covered calls or buying calls. The firm also emphasizes the creation of diversified portfolios that align with the principles of modern portfolio theory.?