I spent years working at a traditional financial firm, where advisors often find themselves juggling client needs alongside company objectives. Most clients don’t notice it, but the system isn’t always designed with you as the top priority. Imagine advisors stretched thin, racing to meet sales targets while you’re just trying to get straightforward, reliable advice.  It happens far too often.

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You’ve probably caught the ads, blaring during Cardinals games or the nightly news, touting fee-based planning and fiduciary duty. Those terms sound promising, but they don’t tell the whole story. An advisor might act as a fiduciary for one of your accounts, only to pivot to commission-based work for another. It’s not about bad intent; it’s simply how the industry is traditionally built. Still, these conflicts can leave you less in charge than you deserve to be. 

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After nearly a decade in that world, I knew there had to be a better approach. That’s why I joined Clark Wealth Partners, an independent Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm, where advice doesn’t come with sales quotas or hidden incentives. We’re not perfect, but we’re intentionally different. Here’s what sets our fiduciary approach apart:

• We’re not here to sell; we’re here to serve, with advice untainted by sales quotas.

• We don’t pocket extra for steering you toward one investment over another: no favoritism, just decisions based on what’s best for you.  

• We answer to you, not a corporate overlord: zero behind-the-scenes agendas tugging us away from your goals.  

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The independent RIA model might not be on your radar yet. It doesn’t get flashy ad spots during the seventh inning stretch. But for those who value transparency and want advice that’s truly in their corner, it’s worth exploring. Traditional firms may offer fee-based plans too, but many still cling to old habits—like pocketing fund company kickbacks for pushing “preferred funds”—that can subtly shift their focus away from you. Our structure is built to keep your goals at the heart of everything, free from that baggage.

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If you’ve ever questioned who your advisor is really working for, you or someone higher up the chain, just ask. The answer might catch you off guard. If you’re ready for a shift, where your money gets the attention and respect it truly deserves, I’d be happy to sit down and talk. Independence isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a meaningful step toward a better financial future for you.

Andy Branz
Sr. Wealth Advisor