Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Evansville, Indiana
There are a few financial advisor firms to choose from in Evansville, Indiana, and it can be tough to narrow down which one is the best option for you. To help you decide, SmartAsset has taken a careful look at each firm, taking into account their typical advisory services, client base, account minimums, financial certifications, investing strategies and more. Check out SmartAsset's free advisor matching tool to be connected with up to three advisors who serve your area.
Find a Fiduciary Financial Advisor
We match more than 50,000 people with financial advisors per month. Get connected to an advisor that serves your area today.| Rank | Financial Advisor | Assets Managed | Minimum Assets | Financial Services | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donaldson Capital Management, LLC  Find an Advisor | $2,677,442,196 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
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| 2 | Pettinga Financial Advisors, LLC  Find an Advisor | $965,820,170 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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| 3 | Freeman, Will & Niemeier, Inc.  Find an Advisor | $230,102,293 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Evansville, 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:
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AUMFirms with more total assets under management are ranked higher. -
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Individual Client CountFirms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher. -
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Clients Per AdvisorFirms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher. -
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Age of FirmFirms that have been in business longer are ranked higher.
All information is obtained through public records and is updated annually after the firms’ form ADV filing. 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. SmartAsset is not a client of the aforementioned firms, and did not receive compensation for including any of the firms on the aforementioned list.
Donaldson Capital Management
Donaldson Capital Management takes the top spot on our Evansville list. It boasts billions of dollars in assets under management and has a large staff of in-house financial advisors. The firm provides financial planning, investment portfolio management and financial consulting services. Its client base includes both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as institutional clients like retirement plans, charities and businesses.
If you want to work with an advisor at Donaldson, you'll need at least $500,000 in investable assets. The firm reserves the right to reduce or waive this minimum.
Donaldson is a fee-only firm, so its only form of compensation is client-paid fees. The firm employs several advisors with financial certifications, including chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified financial planner (CFP), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) and more.
Donaldson Capital Management Background
Donaldson Capital Management was founded in 1995. The firm's two principal owners are chairman and director of portfolio strategy Gregory Donaldson and firm president Michael Hull. These two employees combine to own about 60% of the firm's shares, with the remaining 40% belonging to other employees. In addition to its Evansville headquarters, the firm also has locations in Columbus and Atlanta.
This firm provides services like customized investment management, regular portfolio monitoring, investment consulting for outside accounts, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, education fund planning and more. Almost all of the assets under Donaldson's control are managed on a discretionary basis.
Donaldson Capital Management Investment Strategy
Advisors at Donaldson Capital Management look to tailor investment strategies to the individual needs of each client. The firm advises clients on a wide range of investments, including stocks of varying market capitalizations, fixed-income securities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), index funds and more. However, the firm explicitly states in its Form ADV that it does not provide advice on futures contracts, hedge funds or non-registered securities.
The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical and statistical analysis to determine investments for client portfolios. Advisors use strategies like long- and short-term purchases, trading, short sales, margin transactions and options writing. While Donaldson doesn't typically engage in market-timing strategies, advisors may do so if they believe it to be in line with a clients' personal needs and goals.
Pettinga Financial Advisors
Pettinga Financial Advisors works mainly with individual clients, with a split between those with and without a high net worth. The firm works with some institutions as well, such as retirement plans, businesses and charities. There is no stated minimum balance for clients looking to open an account at Pettinga.
The firm offers dedicated financial planning and investment management services to clients. Financial planning topics covered by the firm include risk management, financial goal-setting, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, education fund planning and more. Pettinga does not provide legal or accounting advice.
Pettinga is a fee-only firm, meaning it only takes advisory fees directly from its clients, avoiding all third-party compensation, like insurance commissions, in the process.
Pettinga Financial Advisors Background
Pettinga Financial Advisors was created in 1994, and it registered as an investment advisor in the same year. Pettinga is a wholly owned subsidiary of financial services holding company Focus Operating, LLC, which is in turn indirectly owned by Focus Financial Partners, Inc., one of the largest financial services companies in the U.S.
The firm employs three certified financial planners (CFPs), three certified public accountants (CPAs) and two personal financial specialists (PFSs).
Pettinga Financial Advisors Investment Strategy
Each client at Pettinga has an on-staff financial advisor that works directly with them. They are responsible for managing the client's assets in conjunction with their investment wants, needs and objectives. These factors can encompass include risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs, liquidity needs and more. Based on their findings, advisors will allocate client assets across a variety of different investments according to a specifically built strategy.
While the firm's advisors typically use a range of mutual funds and ETFs when it comes to crafting client portfolios, they may use other investments, like fixed-income securities, limited partnerships, covered calls or even independent money managers. Advisors may also recommend model portfolios on a case-by-case basis.
Freeman, Will & Niemeier
Freeman, Will & Niemeier is the final firm on our list. Its limited staff of financial advisors makes it the smallest team on this list. The firm has both individual and institutional clients. All of the firm's individual clients come in below the high-net-worth threshold, and its only institutional clients are retirement plans. The firm's Form ADV does not list a specific minimum investment requirement.
The firm provides financial planning, portfolio management and pension consulting services. Financial planning services can cover a wide range of topics, including tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, cash flow planning and more. The firm manages all investable assets under its control on a non-discretionary basis, which means it must get clients' permission before making investment decisions for them.
This is a fee-based firm, as some advisors are registered representatives of a broker-dealer or independent life insurance agents. As a result, these advisors can receive commissions from the sale of certain financial products to clients. Despite the potential conflict of interest this creates, the firm is bound by fiduciary duty to act in clients' best interests.
Freeman, Will & Niemeier Background
Freeman, Will & Niemeier was founded in 1971 by three people: Patrick Freeman, James Will and Norbert Niemeier. Today, only Patrick Freeman works at the firm, and he serves as its president, CEO and sole owner. He also has over 50 years' experience in the financial services industry.
Patrick Freeman is a chartered life underwriter (CLU), chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and certified financial planner (CFP). Vice president Evan Freeman is a certified public accountant with a personal finance specialization (CPA/PFS).
Freeman, Will & Niemeier Investment Strategy
Freeman, Will & Niemeier works on an personal basis with all of its clients, taking note of individual preferences when it comes to risk tolerance, time horizon, desired investment strategy and any other relevant details. Advisors use a plethora of different investments when it comes time to build client portfolios. These include a variety of securities, like stocks, bonds, commerical paper, ETFs, certificates of deposit (CDs) and mutual funds.
When evaluating potential investments for clients, advisors use fundamental and technical methods of analysis, while also engaging in analysis specifically for mutual funds and ETFs. The firm also places significant emphasis on effective asset allocations in an effort to balance each portfolio it creates. Investments are typically carried out on a long-term basis, as the firm believes this to be a more effective way to invest. The firm will review and rebalance portfolios on an annual basis.
