At Edward Jones, Their Focus Is on You
Edward Jones is a different kind of financial services firm. They believe the best way to truly meet the needs of their clients is by being well-informed and easily accessible. By design, branch offices are established with a single financial advisor and a dedicated branch office administrator to maximize personal engagement.
This deliberate business strategy sets Edward Jones apart from other major North American financial services firms that have large central offices with multiple brokers or call centers.
“Everything we do is focused on the individual client,” says Dave Cook, an Edward Jones financial advisor from Duluth. “Our offices are located in communities and neighborhoods, so we’re always convenient. We prioritize face-to-face meetings, held wherever it’s best for our clients—their home or our office.”
Edward Jones investment philosophy is straight forward—a long-term focus
with an emphasis on quality and diversification.
Long-Term Investing:
A long-term investment strategy of “buy and hold” doesn’t mean “buy and ignore.” Says Todd Eaker, one of the Lawrenceville advisors, “I make investment recommendations to my client that I believe will meet their financial goals, then monitor the progress to
keep them on track.”
Quality:
The Edward Jones research department continually reviews a broad mix of municipal, government and corporate bonds; mutual funds; common stocks; and tax-advantaged securities. Each Edward Jones advisor uses this information to recommend quality investments with potential for solid performance over time.
Diversification:
No investment is risk free and while diversification cannot protect against a loss, it’s one way to reduce risk. Edward Jones advisors help clients build a portfolio comprised of different types of investments to limit their risk while staying on track with their investment goals.
Built on Service
Founded in 1922, Edward Jones built a reputation as financial advisors providing investment advice to rural Americans. Now, with nearly 12,000 offices throughout the United States and in Canada, and nearly 30 offices in Gwinnett, this private partnership has more branch offices than any other brokerage firm in the country, which allows them to best meet the needs of the customers they serve.
The majority of Edward Jones offices are located right in the heart of communities like Dacula, where Brian Blough leads a branch office. “We believe clients prefer to do business face-to-face with people they know and trust. I’m proud to live and work in the same community that many of my clients call home and I enjoy addressing each person’s specific investment needs,” says Blough.
To ensure the guidance given to each client is current and comprehensive, Blough and his Gwinnett-based partners are supported by more than 5,000 Edward Jones associates at the St Louis, Missouri corporate office.
Supporting Business Owners
Financial advisor Mike Allee, from one of the Edward Jones Lawrenceville offices, knows there are few things more rewarding—or challenging—than owning your own business.
“In addition to the demands of day-to-day operations, business owners must work toward future goals and help employees prepare for retirement. Our objective is to help individual business owners develop an overall strategy to help them achieve their financial goals, integrating personal financial strategies with business strategies. In many cases, I work together with their team of legal professionals and tax advisors to develop the best plans,” says Allee.
Extending beyond personal investment strategies and employee retirement plans, Edward Jones provides resources specifically designed for business owners, like tools to manage business cash flow today and develop liquidity strategies and/or succession plans for the future.
Collaborating with Each Client
Trust is essential in any relationship, but particularly when finances are involved. That’s just one of the reasons Edward Jones advisors make it a priority to learn about each client’s goals and objectives.
Every Edward Jones advisor learns the “whys” behind a client’s investment goals before presenting the options for “how” those goals might be accomplished. Bernard Ethridge, an Edward Jones advisor in Lilburn, says, “I’m in a relationship with a client for the foreseeable future—both in moving toward their financial goals and in earning their trust. With that in mind, I discuss investment topics with my clients, answer their questions, and learn what’s important to them.”
“That initial investment is just the first step,” continues Ethridge. “Then it’s staying in touch regularly to make sure each client’s investments continue to align with their goals. Talking often helps me make well-researched suggestions. By knowing their personal or professional priorities, I can make suggestions for adjustments in their investment mix when circumstances change.”
Committed to Giving Back
Edward Jones advisors and administrators invest their time and talents to support local organizations and great community causes. In Gwinnett, you’re likely to find your advisor at the local Rotary Club, at Relay for Life, or supporting efforts in our local schools. They are committed to giving back to their community and live it out at the local level and through participation in national organizations like the United Way and the American Red Cross.
Edward Jones is Expanding in Gwinnett!
Ready to step into your next career? People from a variety of backgrounds—including those with prior financial services or sales experience, military veterans, and influential people in the community—have found new success at Edward Jones. For more information on the career opportunities with Edward Jones, visit www.careers.edwardjones.com.
