Why choose a Raymond James wealth manager

Why choose a Raymond James wealth manager?

In an ever-changing economy, with thousands of investments to choose from, complex tax regulations to consider and worldwide political events influencing the markets, making the right investment decisions is not always easy. When you have a wealth manager you can trust, who has taken the time to get to know you and your specific circumstances, planning and investing for your future, your family or your business doesn’t have to be complicated.

The right wealth manager can help you identify the questions, determine the answers and ultimately reach the solutions that are right for you. From determining your investment timeframe to understanding your tolerance for risk to taking steps to safeguard your retirement, a Raymond James wealth manager focuses on making decisions that are right for you, working with you over the long term to shape solutions to your financial challenges.

How your wealth manager will work with you

Our wealth managers have the tools, resources and expertise essential to making the right choices for you. Whether your Raymond James wealth manager works with us as an employee, independent contractor or professional partner, they will always follow these principles to help serve you better:

Your wealth manager is your main point of contact and manages their relationship with you directly

With the support of Raymond James, your wealth manager can create a bespoke solution to meet your specific needs

Raymond James provides investment management and advice, as well as the administration platform, including account opening, asset transfers, dealing and settlement services, trading systems, client reporting, research tools and access to the custodian

Your wealth manager is subject to the Raymond James Training and Competency scheme and Raymond James conducts branch audits, as well as desk-based monitoring relevant to their investment activities.

If your wealth manager’s firm is directly authorised by the FCA, they’ll provide their own investment management and advice with the support of Raymond James’ administration platform.

Our comprehensive offering takes the administration burden off wealth managers so they can do what they do best… providing you with financial advice and investment management that helps you protect and grow your wealth. Learn more about the benefits of using a wealth manager.

Bear market of 1974

The severe bear market of 1974 threatened the existence of Raymond James, which was bleeding capital by the day. Tom James, his father and other leaders took extreme measures to keep the firm afloat, slashing costs, forgoing pay checks and even attempting to sell the firm for just enough capital to protect client assets and retain as many associates as possible. The story could have ended very differently if not for a sharp upturn and continued rebound in the stock markets late in the year.
This “fortunate near-death experience” (as Tom calls it) permanently marked his psyche, and has influenced our firm’s character and culture since, solidifying the conservative nature that emphasizes a determined focus on the long term – both for clients and the firm.

We appreciate that market commentary can be informative and helpful, particularly in times of market volatility.

To view our most recent Market Commentary click here.

If you require further information about your portfolio, your wealth manager will be happy to assist. If you don’t have her/his contact details to hand, you can easily search by name or location via our Find a Wealth Manager Tool. Click here to access.

You are able to see your portfolio details via Client Access. Click here to login.

If you do not yet have your login details, your wealth manager will be happy to assist.

Black Monday

On 19 October 1987, the stock markets experienced a dramatic plunge that prompted many firms to shut down their trading desks and turn off their phones to minimize internal losses. Raymond James refused to do the same. Our desks stayed open to help meet clients’ needs, resulting in our first and only unprofitable quarter since the firm went public in 1983.

Who was Raymond James?

The Raymond in our name is actually from Edward Raymond, owner of a 15-employee mutual fund sales group, Raymond and Associates, along Florida’s west coast. He sold his company to Bob James on 15 July 1964, on condition that the surviving firm be called Raymond, James & Associates.

Three days after the sale, Ed Raymond was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident and never joined the firm.

Nonetheless, even after Raymond had passed away, Bob James insisted that his name remain on the door – ahead of James’ own. That was a promise he made to Ed Raymond three days before the accident, and Bob James was a man who kept his promises.

Taking Raymond James Public

When consideration was being given to taking Raymond James public, Tom James penned a letter to shareholders (largely employees at the time).
He wrote:

” … the public offering should be considered as a statement of our independence. While this is a psychological rather than an economic rationale, it is nonetheless very important. We have asserted for some time that we are not interested in becoming a small part of a very large corporation. That assertion results mainly from the inclinations of management rather than the economic benefits associated with either alternative. The public stock offering affords us the opportunity to enjoy a little bit of the best of both worlds. While shareholders will be given liquidity at fair market value, we will still have the ability to control our own destiny.”

After 40+ years of Tom’s leadership, upon becoming CEO, Paul Reilly was often questioned about whether the company might ultimately surrender its cherished independence and be acquired by some larger entity. His response: “Not while I’m around.” It’s a theme that continues today.