When our team was transitioning from a prominent private banking firm, we had many options presented to us. We deliberately chose to affiliate with Raymond James (NYSE:RJF), one of the largest independent financial services firms in the United States.
Since its beginning in 1962, it has always been a different kind of company – embracing long-term planning and methodical decision-making while staying uncompromisingly client-focused. Raymond James is so hands-on with its administrative and processing assistance that it will give us even more time to serve our clients. The firm is ideally sized to provide direct accountability for issues and personal guidance when assistance is needed, but big enough to provide the full-service offerings of a typical Wall Street firm.
“Client first” is one of Raymond James’ company mantras. Another core value is conservatism and the corresponding belief that discipline in decision-making translates to a strong, stable firm for clients, advisors, associates and shareholders. Their conservative nature was very evident in the fact that they were one of the only major investment firms that did not take TARP money during the 2008 financial crisis.
The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell Raymond James Financial stock.
We periodically invite our clients to experience Raymond James firsthand via a “By Invitation Only” visit to the international headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. It gives our clients access to the firm’s leadership, culture, vision and industry professionals.
Neither a canned tour nor a prepackaged seminar, the visit offers a customized agenda to make sure our clients meet the people most relevant to their financial needs, objectives and situation. The day can include talking with research analysts, visiting with wealth planning professionals and meeting the senior management team at Raymond James.
During their visit, our clients also have the opportunity to tour The Tom and Mary James / Raymond James Financial Art Collection, one of the largest privately owned collections in the Southeast. The result is a day that is enlightening and culturally enriching.
Since our founding, Raymond James’ primary goal has been to meet the investment and financial planning needs of individuals. It was a novel approach back then, when most firms were focused on little more than selling stocks and mutual funds. And 50 years later, we’re proud that we continue leading the way.
That commitment defines everything we do – and determines how we do it – from the time our financial advisors devote to understanding their clients’ personal circumstances to the effort and skill they put into developing plans based on well-crafted strategies. Our goal has never been to be the biggest; it has always been to be the best. That objective is exemplified by our:
Investments are a means to an end, whether the goal is a comfortable retirement, a grandchild’s education or a legacy for future generations.
That means our approach is goal-based, not transaction-focused. Your Raymond James advisor’s objective is to establish a long-term relationship with you, understand what you hope to accomplish during your life and with your legacy, devise the appropriate goal-focused strategies to help meet those objectives, review results, and suggest and implement changes as needed.
Our advisors have the resources, investments and tools to determine how to effectively address your needs, develop appropriate strategies, construct well-crafted investment strategies and help you achieve your financial objectives.
Their recommendations stem from a comprehensive assessment of your complete financial picture, including balancing your shorter-term requirements with your long-term goals and the amount and type of risk you can comfortably and appropriately assume.
In our view, while factors such as market fluctuations and interest-rate movements have a significant bearing on your portfolio, our focus should always be whether, at the end of the day, you will have the resources you need to meet your core objectives.
Whether you’re early in your career, nearing retirement or already there, planning for it is an ongoing process. Your life is dynamic, and your needs will evolve through the years. You and your financial advisor will work together to develop a plan that takes into account your financial circumstances, as well as your goals for the future.
One of the first steps you and your advisor will take as you work together to develop your retirement income plan is to identify the types of retirement income you expect to receive. This might include reliable income, such as pensions and Social Security, and income from retirement assets, which include your 401(k) plans, IRAs, and savings and brokerage accounts. The next step is to quantify your planned retirement expenses within one of two categories – needs and wants. Finally, you’ll work with your advisor to adjust your plan as appropriate to help balance income and expenses to help ensure your retirement income will sustainably support your desired lifestyle and goals.
In helping you develop and implement your retirement income plan, your advisor may draw from Raymond James’ comprehensive range of retirement planning services, savings options that permit both tax-deductible contributions and tax-deferred earnings, and a dedicated and knowledgeable retirement-planning staff.
Effective legacy planning requires the right vehicles – such as trusts, wills and insurance – combined with the prudent selection, balance and placement of investments. By drawing from Raymond James’ extensive array of tax, trust and financial planning knowledge and experience, your financial advisor can work with your attorney and accountant to help ensure your wishes are implemented.
We want to make it simple to help your cash work harder. From consolidating your finances to making payments for everyday purchases, we know different clients have different cash management needs. And we provide a number of services to help meet those needs. Your Raymond James advisor will be happy to work with you to determine the service – or services – that will help you with yours.
As an individual, your borrowing needs are unique. That’s why Raymond James Bank offers a complete suite of borrowing solutions designed to suit your situation. Choosing the right borrowing solutions is as much a part of the financial planning equation as saving and investing. Let Raymond James Bank help you meet your financing needs.
Banking and lending solutions provided by Raymond James Bank, member FDIC, affiliated with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. Unless otherwise specified, products purchased from or held at Raymond James Financial Services are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of Raymond James Bank, are not guaranteed by Raymond James Bank and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal invested.
Our seasoned professionals can help you develop, implement and review a retirement or benefit plan that suits the needs of your business, as well as those of your employees. In addition, we can provide valuation analyses for businesses and ESOPs, as well as help you find appropriate insurance coverage for your company. We can also assist with helping business owners identify appropriate exit strategies.
Raymond James offers a full range of investment banking services including mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, debt and equity raises, valuation, advisory, recapitalization and restructuring. We complement these services with our syndicate, trading, institutional sales, venture capital, merchant banking, corporate banking and private equity.
Beyond traditional stocks, bonds and mutual funds, Raymond James offers additional services for addressing specialized financial challenges including:
Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. Alternative investment strategies involve greater risks and are only appropriate for the most sophisticated, knowledgeable and wealthiest of investors.
Raymond James offers one of the industry’s broadest arrays of research reports, recommendations and insights, as well as timely economic and investment commentaries and technical analysis.
From our sphisticated equity research, technical analysis and fixed income analysis offerings, we offer both our financial advisors and clients the insight they need to make informed decisions with regard to the financial markets, as well as to specific investments. To learn more, visit raymondjames.com.
We’ve combined that culture of independence with an environment of in-depth support, offering our advisors the resources and insight to keep their focus where it belongs: on their clients. From leading-edge technology to sophisticated equity research, and from quality back-office support to continuing education, we’re committed to providing advisors with strategies, guidance and tools they need to help their clients achieve their goals.