by Stephen Lindsley

In April 2003, Bruce Barnhart, then a top producer at A.G. Edwards’ Clayton office serving as senior vice president of investments and assistant branch manager, struck out on his own, forming the financial consulting firm B.A. Barnhart & Associates with support from Wachovia Securities Financial Network.

“This was a chance to own our own company and be backed by a great firm – a company that really ‘gets it,’” says Barnhart. Joe Donnelly, a financial advisor at B.A. Barnhart, agrees. “We have been very pleased with the refreshing attitude at Wachovia. They have really worked with us to get things done,” he says. “We are, however, an independent full-service firm, with an emphasis on independent,” says Barnhart. “We are not tied to any specific investment product, and will only recommend what is best for each investor.”

One way this is accomplished is with the aid of Envision – state-ofthe- art financial planning software employed at B.A. Barnhart. Envision uses complex models to create statistical probabilities for retirement scenarios, allowing the advisor to work with the client to create a realistic retirement plan.

“Our philosophy is that the client and the advisor should sit on the same side of the table,” says advisor John Kuhn. “It doesn’t matter to us whether a client has $10,000 or $10 million to invest.What we are looking for are investors that are willing to work closely with us to achieve their goals.”

“With all the choices available today, most investors don’t have the time to research all the available options,” says Barnhart. “And when they retire, they don’t want spend all their time managing their portfolio.”

Donnelly notes that currently, 1 million Americans reach age 55 each month. Because people are living longer, they may actually end up being retired for longer than they were in the workplace. “Everybody wants to leave a legacy, but not everyone knows how,” says Donnelly. “Our job is to present our clients with the facts, based on extensive research, and to offer fresh ideas about how clients can achieve their goals.”

B.A. Barnhart is a full-service wealth management firm, providing financial planning, asset management services, retirement and college planning, estate and trust solutions, risk management and investment banking.

Jason Luther, another financial advisor at B.A. Barnhart, specializes in financial planning for business owners and executives, including insurance, long-term care and retirement plans. “My tasks are simple – cutting costs, increasing profits and managing wealth for business owners,” says Luther. “We spend time working through the business owner’s perspective, helping them manage, protect and grow their wealth,” he continues. This includes implementing creative and effective strategies to help offset rising health insurance costs, which helps increase profits. “We manage their benefits, insurance, and investments so they can concentrate on their livelihood – their business.”

Barnhart is planning to adjust his strategies to meet economic conditions in the new year. “In the past year we saw low interest rates, and those who were fully and properly invested were able to take advantage of the recent bull market. Now we are pulling in the reins a little bit and taking a few chips off the table. Selective stocks still offer a very good risk reward going forward, but we are advising more caution with Treasury bonds and high-yield bonds,” says Barnhart.

Barnhart also sees the weaker dollar as a longer-term trend, perhaps as much as five to six years. The price of gold is rising, and commodities look strong. He is also taking a closer look at international investing, which hasn’t been as popular lately as it was a few years ago, but is now becoming more attractive because of the weak dollar.

Donnelly adds that recent dividend tax relief legislature means that taxes on corporate dividends are now capped at 15 percent for those companies that qualify, meaning that it’s time to take another look at stable companies that offer solid dividends. “Make sure your portfolio is properly balanced and positioned to take advantage of this new environment,” says Donnelly.

Currently, B.A. Barnhart & Associates is offering a free initial consultation with any of the advisors at the firm. This is a great opportunity to have a wealth management professional take a look at your portfolio, and a chance to gain a different perspective or hear some fresh ideas. “Our job,” says Barnhart, “is to use all the resources available to us in order to meet and exceed expectations.” For more information, call 872-8900 or visit the Web site at www.babarnhart. wbsec.com.

BACK TO NETWORK HOME

Bruce Barnhart, founder and managing director of B.A. Barnhart & Associates.

 

---

---