FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS - JUNE 2024

OLD FORT WEALTH MANAGEMENT

When choosing a financial management professional to help create a plan for the future, two related elements are of primary importance: the advisor's expertise in creating a sound strategy and their experience in adapting and adjusting to changes in the market.

These elements and a dogged determination to provide best-in-class customer service are the founding principles of Old Fort Wealth Management, formerly Radcliff Financial Group.

"Our focus is our clients' financial future, personalized to meet their needs and goals," says Melanie Radcliff, a 25-year veteran in finance and accounting who founded the firm. "Since we opened, we have worked toward providing clients with a sense of security and financial clarity."

Old Fort Wealth Management takes a unique approach, combining proactive tax planning with wealth management and income planning services.

"Every move you make with your money affects your tax return," Melanie says. "As a CPA/PFS, I analyze everything to design wealth management strategies that are not only optimized for tax efficiency today but also seek to place clients in the lowest tax bracket for life."

Combining her long experience as a CPA with the tools at her disposal as a financial

planner, Melanie provides clients with the best of both worlds in designing a comprehensive financial plan.

"Baby boomers hold approximately half of the wealth in this country, nearly eighty trillion dollars, with a substantial amount of this wealth squirreled away in traditional IRAs," she says.

It's no coincidence that the greatest wealth transfer of our lifetimes is happening just about the time the IRS is getting some money in its budget to enforce the tax code and collect any uncollected taxes from years past.

"My experience tells me that many people will see higher taxes in the future as a result. Therefore, it is important for consumers to understand not only how they are affected in the present but also how it impacts money they are setting aside to fund their retirement."

Old Fort Wealth Management applies its expertise to help build wealth and protect it from undue taxation. Few other firms can match the skill set of Old Fort Wealth Management, which includes knowing the present and future tax implications of moving money from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA or understanding what types of income are tax-advantaged.

"I consider it a tragedy when someone spends decades building a nest egg, only to unnecessarily forfeit much of it in taxes when they should be enjoying the fruits of their

labor," Melanie says. "While most financial advisors do not delve into the tax consequences of all these moving parts, that's our 'special sauce,' if you will, and what we bring to the arena that we consider unique."

As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Melanie has always stood out. Her unique approach only highlights the differences in her services compared to others in the market. Her many satisfied clients attest to the effectiveness of her strategy.

"Our motivation stems from the belief that the client's success drives our success, not the other way around," Melanie says. "Building trust with clients with honesty and transparency allows us to embark on the journey together with mutual respect and confidence. We believe these values matter."

UNITED FINANCIAL ADVISORS

Expertise, time-honored experience, and attentive customer service are a recipe for success in any industry, and that especially goes for Brad Lewis, owner of United Financial Advisors. For two decades, Brad has served his clients with distinction, helping them plan for retirement and fund their dreams. Now, the firm is proud to announce its expansion and growth by adding an additional client relations professional and a second location in Conway, offering clients more access and convenience.

“As a comprehensive wealth management company, United Financial Advisors values its ability to meet all client needs in a timely manner,” Brad says. “I’ve always operated by the principles that while technology is great and can save people a lot of time, at the heart of what we do lies a commitment to knowing the client personally and working hard to meet their needs. That's why each location offers its own financial advisor and a large support staff, to maintain that contact with the customer.”

Brad learned the value of customer service and hard work at the elbow of his father, Jim Lewis, who owned Lewis' Family Restaurant in Fort Smith for twenty years. He refined his desire to serve others by enlisting in the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War and demonstrated his leadership and commitment to a job well done by earning the Navy Achievement Medal.

He earned his WMCP, Wealth Management Certified Professional, designation in 2022. He also earned his CRPC, Chartered Retirement Planning Course, in 2013. He holds General Securities Representative (Series 7), Investment Advisor Representative (Series 66), Municipal Securities Principal (Series 53), and General Securities Principal (Series 24) licenses in Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida. In addition, he has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and financial institutions. Helping educators for the past twenty years has made him well-versed in Arkansas Teacher Retirement Systems.

While some segments of the world have become increasingly transactional, Lewis insists on doing things the personalized way. He says that no matter how wide a net he casts in his business, an important part of United Financial Advisors' strategy for success is keeping an individualized touch on every plan. Thus, he meets with each client at least annually to discuss their plan and the changing life events that affect it.

"Our motto is ‘Providing Financial Confidence and Dignity Through Every Stage of Life,’ and that doesn’t always happen between the hours of nine and five. It takes commitment on the part of a financial professional to be truly available to clients, something we take great pride in through our firm," he says. “We’ve always understood that we are in the relationship business. There’s nothing more personal to people than planning for their financial future, be it funding their retirement, preparing for the unexpected, or leaving a legacy to their family after they’re gone."

Brad also sets himself apart by hosting community presentations and educational lunches to keep both existing and prospective clients informed. He said people appreciate meeting in a casual setting and learning about the community and financial topics.

“We are determined to help clients feel confident in a strategy that will allow them to achieve their goals and live the life they’ve always dreamed of," Brad says. "It’s a real blessing to do that every day.”