Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina has a fairly large selection of financial advisor firms to choose from. To help you sift through these options, SmartAsset has compiled this list highlighting the top firms in the city of Wilmington. We highlight a number of important factors for each firm, including their minimums, investment strategies, available services and more. SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool connects you with up to three advisors who serve your area.
Find a Fiduciary Financial Advisor
We match nearly 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 | Live Oak Private Wealth, LLC  Find an Advisor | $1,067,283,022 | $250,000 |
| Minimum Assets$250,000Financial Services
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| 2 | Old North State Wealth Management, LLC  Find an Advisor | $384,507,909 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
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| 3 | Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc.  Find an Advisor | $413,933,696 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
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| 4 | Omnistar Financial Group, Inc.  Find an Advisor | $228,789,377 | $250,000 |
| Minimum Assets$250,000Financial Services
|
| 5 | Dovetail Financial Group LLC  Find an Advisor | $258,530,813 | $400,000 |
| Minimum Assets$400,000Financial Services
|
| 6 | Lumina Wealth Management, LLC  Find an Advisor | $196,838,119 | $150,000 |
| Minimum Assets$150,000Financial Services
|
| 7 | Counterweight Private Wealth  Find an Advisor | $167,766,325 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Wilmington, 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.
Live Oak Private Wealth
Live Oak Private Wealth (LOPW), a fee-only firm with over $1 billion in assets under management (AUM), sits atop our rankings of the top financial advisors in Wilmington. Live Oak works with a mix of individuals above and below the high-net-worth threshold, as well as pension plans, charitable organizations and corporations.
The firm's team comprises multiple Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) and at least one certified trust and financial advisor (CTFA).
There is a $250,000 minimum account size at Live Oak, as well as a minimum quarterly fee of $1,875. At its own discretion, the firm may be willing to accept clients who don't meet these requirements.
Live Oak Private Wealth was founded in 2018 and is owned by Live Oak Banking Company, which is owned by Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. Live Oak Bank is a large online bank that offers accounts and lending solutions for individuals and small businesses.
Services offered at LOPW include financial planning, wealth management, business planning, cash flow planning, estate planning, financial reporting, investment consulting, insurance planning, retirement planning, risk management, charitable giving, distribution planning and tax planning.
Live Oak Private Wealth’s Form ADV notes that its investment strategy focuses on knowing the importance of capital preservation and the power of compounding. To that end, a convservative, value-oriented approach is at the center of its portfolio management strategy. When it comes time to invest, the firm typically looks toward exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative investments, individual stocks and bonds, options and independent managers.
Old North State Wealth Management
The advisory team at Old North State Wealth Management holds multiple certifications, including designations as certified public accountants (CPAs) and personal financial specialists (PFS), among others.
The fee-based firm works with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. Institutional clients also include retirement plans and corporations. The minimum account size is $500,000, though this may be waivable.
Some advisors at the firm may also earn commissions for insurance and securities sales. Though this is a potential conflict of interest, fiduciary duty binds each advisor to act in the best interest of the client.
Old North State Wealth Management was founded in 2008. Paul Daniel Knott is the sole owner of the firm.
Services include portfolio management, financial planning services, retirement planning, estate planning and selection of third-party advisors. Old North State Wealth Management uses a number of investment research tools when choosing where clients' assets will end up in the market. These include charting, fundamental analysis, technical analysis and cyclical analysis. Each of these look at the market in a slightly different way, with the idea that combing all of them provides a more complete picture.
Short-term and long-term purchases are used, as well as covered options. Portfolios may include equities, ETFs, mutual funds, corporate and municipal securities, U.S. government securities, and, when appropriate, options strategies.
Tilia Fiduciary Partners
Tilia Fiduciary Partners (TFP), founded in 2011, is a fee-only advisory firm that has a $1 million minimum account size and $2,500 minimum quarterly fee. The firm works with individuals above and below the high-net-worth threshold, as well as retirement plans, charities, corporations and other businesses.
Services include portfolio management, financial planning, retirement planning, insurance analysis and pension consulting for employer-sponsored plans. The firm provides both discretionary and non-discretionary management, allowing clients to impose restrictions on holdings when desired.
The TFP team collectively holds a variety of financial specializations, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), certified exit planning advisor (CEPA), chartered retirement plan specialist (CRPS) and certified estate and trust specialist (CES) designations. As a fee-only firm, Tilia's advisors do not earn additional compensation from third-party products or services.
The firm's investment philosophy centers on building customized plans that align with client goals and needs. Portfolios are typically diversified across ETFs, mutual funds, individual stocks and bonds.
While the primary approach is long-term investing, TFP may use tactical trades, margin, options or hedging strategies when appropriate. Investment decisions are supported by fundamental, cyclical and macroeconomic analysis, with oversight by an investment committee that meets bi-weekly.
Omnistar Financial Group, Inc.
Omnistar Financial Group is a fee-based firm. This means that some advisors may earn commissions for selling insurance products. While this is a conflict of interest, they must still comply with the firm's fiduciary obligation to put client interests first.
Omnistar works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as retirement plans and charitable organizations. The minimum account size is $100,000.
Team members hold a variety of credentials, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), chartered life underwriter (CLU) and retirement income certified professional (RICP) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations.
Omnistar was founded in 2006. The principal owner is Philip L. Clark. Today, the firm continues to offer wealth management, financial planning and pension consulting. The firm's wealth management services may include lifestyle planning, cash flow planning, estate planning, retirement income planning, family governance, investment oversight and more.
The firm's investment strategies include tactical equity-focused portfolios, as well as ETF-based portfolios that range from conservative to aggressive allocations. Client portfolios may include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, options, municipal securities, U.S. government securities, and in some cases, digital asset-related vehicles.
Dovetail Financial Group
Previously known as Transitus Wealth Partners, this fee-only firm changed its name to Dovetail Financial Group in May 2025. Dovetail Financial Group works exclusively with individuals clients, both above and below the high-net-worth mark. The firm has a $400,000 account minimum for its individual and model portfolio management services.
The firm's advisory team holds multiple certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and certified financial transitionists (CeFTs) designations.
Founded in 2020, Dovetail Financial Group is among the youngest firms on this list. The firm's principal shareholder is an outside entity called The Marino Group, Inc.
Investment management services here are available through either custom portfolios or model portfolios. Financial planning services can cover topics like retirement planning, cash flow analysis, tax planning, insurance planning, estate planning and more.
Regardless of whether your investment portfolio is entirely custom or model-based, the firm will make investment decisions based on the same parameters. These include some incredibly important factors, such as your long-term financial goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs and investment preferences. Portfolios can be managed on either a discretionary or non-discretionary basis.
Generally speaking, portfolios include some combination of exchange-listed securities, mutual funds, ETFs, options and real estate investment trusts (REITs). Portfolios may be rebalanced on a consistent basis in order to keep asset allocations intact.
Lumina Wealth Management
Lumina Wealth Management is a fee-based firm that serves both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as retirement plans, charities, insurance companies and corporations.
Founded in 2017, Lumina has a minimum account size requirement of $150,000 and charges a minimum annual fee of $1,500. Both of these requirements may be negotiable under certain circumstances.
Some advisors at the firm earn commissions for selling insurance products. This is a potential conflict of interest, but the advisors are still bound by fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the client at all times. The small team of advisors includes one Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and one accredited asset management specialist (AAMS).
Services offered at Lumina include portfolio management, wrap programs, consulting and financial planning. Financial planning can cover asset allocation planning, risk management, retirement planning and more.
Before investing any of your assets, Lumina Wealth Management will work with you to determine what kind of investor you are. This involves putting together a financial outline that's specific to you, as it will detail your risk tolerance, time horizon and financial goals.
Investment choices at Lumina can include separate account managers, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, stocks, options, annuities and life insurance. When appropriate, the firm may also invest in alternative assets, including hedge funds and private placements.
Counterweight Private Wealth rounds out our list of the top financial advisors in Wilmington. This fee-based firm was founded in 2023, making it the youngest practice on this list.
The firm works primarily with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, small businesses and retirement plans. The minimum account size is $1 million, although the firm may negotiate this requirement under certain circumstances. For clients with less than the minimum, financial planning services can be offered for a fixed fee.
The firm provides asset management and financial planning services that address retirement planning, tax planning and preparation, risk management, estate planning, college savings, business succession planning, cash flow and debt management, and insurance reviews. Comprehensive financial planning is available for ongoing support.
Members of the Counterweight team hold the following credentials: Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified public accountant (CPA), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) and retirement income certified professional (RICP).
Counterweight Private Wealth’s investment philosophy combines fundamental analysis, technical analysis and modern portfolio theory. The firm constructs portfolios using asset allocation models that range from conservative income to aggressive growth. Portfolios are designed to align with each client’s goals, time horizon and risk tolerance, with rebalancing as needed. Investments typically include mutual funds, ETFs, equities and fixed income securities. While accounts are actively managed, the firm emphasizes diversification and long-term planning.
As a fee-based firm, at least one advisor is eligible to receive compensation related to certain insurance recommendations. However, the firm notes that he has never accepted any compensation when serving clients in this additional role as a licensed insurance agent.
