Individual Investor

Whether you become a part of the Unified Trust family or not, we want to know you. Because in a world where it can sometimes feel as though everyone is out for themselves, we believe the best investments come from putting your interests first. It’s why Unified Trust chooses to be a fiduciary, which means we are required by law to put the interests of our clients first in everything we do.

WHY UNIFIED TRUST?

At Unified Trust, your goals are our goals.

We think you’ll enjoy getting to know our Wealth Management Services group. They are dedicated to helping individual investors reach their investment goals. We carry out that mission by offering our clients highly personalized service, expertise and a broad suite of plans and services, all focused on long-term solutions to meet your Wealth Management goals.

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We’re open.

Transparency is also about eliminating conflicts of interests and maintaining impartiality with the companies we do business with on your behalf. We use an open architecture platform, which allows access to over 20,000 investment options. This gives us the breadth to select investments and investment managers whose philosophies and values align best with your goals.   Any revenue sharing payments we receive from fund companies are passed on to you, providing a direct offset to your fees. This means investment selections are always made in your best interest, not ours.  

We’re transparent.

We understand how important it is to have open communications with clients. You place your investments in our trust and we are duty bound to keep you informed about your progress, performance and costs. We’ve been transparent from the beginning. We were one of the first fee-based, full disclosure, discretionary investment managers in the country. We have always practiced full disclosure of our costs and fees. That is why you will receive a quarterly invoice simply for the purpose of making sure you are aware of the fees you are paying.

We work to earn your trust.

Unified Trust is one of just 55 federally chartered trust banks in the United States of America. The United States Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) provides regulatory supervision of Unified Trust’s operations. The OCC conducts a thorough examination of our business practices every 18 months. In addition, we undergo five rigorous independent audits every year. These examinations ensure your investments and your relationship with us receive ongoing regulatory oversight.

We’re certified.

In 2006, The Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) certified Unified Trust as meeting its highest standards of Fiduciary Practices for Investment Advisors. Unified Trust was among the first Investment Advisors globally to successfully complete the independent certification process and the first trust company certified in the United States. To maintain our CEFEX certification we submit to annual audits by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence.

We’re held to a higher standard.

As a fiduciary, we are bound by law to always act in your best interest; to do what’s best for you at all times.

Many financial institutions tend to avoid fiduciary status because they want to avoid the liability of being a fiduciary and the transparency that comes with it. But we’re different. We believe that transparency and trust go hand-in-hand. If an organization is unwilling to accept fiduciary status, how can you trust that they have your best interest in mind? This is just one of many reasons why you can put your trust in Unified Trust.

WEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Unified Trust can help you put your financial plan into action.

Developing a plan is just the starting point; financial success is best achieved when that plan is actively monitored, managed and adjusted to your changing lifestyle.

PRUDENT INVESTMENT PROCESS

An investment process with your goals in mind.

At many investment firms, each advisor has their own investment philosophy. This leads to inconsistent and less-than-desirable outcomes for clients. At Unified Trust, we believe eight minds are better than one. Therefore, all investment strategies are established and overseen by our Trust Investment Committee.

This committee is comprised of senior leaders and highly credentialed investment professionals. The committee is responsible for evaluating macroeconomic factors and market conditions that influence our strategic investment decisions. You can rest easy knowing your portfolio is being managed by experts according to prudent investment standards.

Your investments at Unified Trust may change over time but our core philosophies will always be present in the strategies we use.

  • A diverse portfolio helps reduce risk.

    We believe clients should have a mix of stocks, bonds and cash investments. Allocating your savings across many investment categories allows you to participate in a variety of areas within the global economy, and helps spread your risk to avoid being overly concentrated in one segment of the market.

  • High quality investments can provide stability.

    We believe asset quality matters. Selecting investments with better historic track records helps your portfolio weather the ups and downs of the market.

  • Big costs can have a big impact.

    Studies show that keeping costs under control has a positive impact on performance over the long-term. We favor working with investment companies that share this philosophy and work to keep expense ratios, management fees and other costs to a minimum.

  • We actively manage your investments to your unique situation, goals and risk tolerance.

    We work with you to better understand your risk tolerance and your risk capacity. Through our managerial oversight and disciplined investment review process we help keep your portfolio on track during turbulent times. Whether in good times or bad, you can rest easy knowing Unified Trust is actively managing your investments.

  • A prudent review process.

    Our proprietary Unified Fiduciary Monitoring Index® gives us a balanced, long-term evaluation of each investment relative to its peers.

  • Investing in your best interest.

    We offer an Open Architecture platform, which means unlimited access to investment fund managers, allowing us to consider virtually any prudent investment alternative for our clients.

Supporting you is what we do.

We are with you every step of the way to help you achieve your financial goals.

Your Team of Experts

A dedicated team of professionals, here for you.

Kevin Avent, CFP®, AIF®

Managing Director, Wealth Management

Patrick Meyer, MBA, JD, CFP®, AIF®, CFTA

Director- Wealth Management Client Services

Angela Coleman, MBA, AIF®, CFP®

Fiduciary Investment Advisor

John Deglow, CFP®, AIF®

Fiduciary Investment Advisor

Norm Golibersuch, JD, CFP®, AIF®

Correspondent Fiduciary Investment Advisor

Billy Lanter, CFP®, CTFA, AIF®

Fiduciary Investment Advisor

Warren Leet, RP®, AIF®

Director – Wealth Management Advisor Partner Services

Fred Strecker, CFP®, MBA, AIF®

Fiduciary Investment Advisor

Abby Vaughn, AIF®

Business Development Director

Sandy Merrick, CSOP, CISP

Wealth Management Compliance Associate

Chad Sturgill, CFA®, AIF®

Senior Portfolio Manager

Logan Specht

Associate Portfolio Manager

Stephanie Watts, RP®

Client Administrative Specialist

John Wickliffe, AIF®

Client Administrative Specialist

Karen McIntyre, AIF®

Fiduciary Investment Advisor

Phone: 859.422.0495

A word from our clients

We have entrusted our financial future to Unified Trust Company.

My first thought was that Unified Trust has exceeded our expectations. This is quite true, but it seems a little formal. I think it is more accurate to say that you have created a level of trust that Mary and I consider exceptional; that you have added greatly to our understanding of retirement issues; that as a result we have entrusted our financial future to Unified Trust Company. We think that you have given the term fiduciary new meaning.

— Ralph & Mary H.

I am ever so grateful to Unified Trust for protecting my investments so I can enjoy the good life.

Sixteen years ago I was 55 years old sitting with a sum of money from a divorce settlement, no job, no house and no retirement plan. As I created a new life, the one thing I did not worry about was my investment at Unified Trust. I was attentive to the quarterly reports and if changes were needed, an advisor was calling or coming to see me first. As I neared retirement age, my money had more than doubled in value (even with the recession) but I was still quite anxious as to whether it would be enough. My Unified Trust advisor helped me verbalize what my future and financial needs might include. I've been retired for two years and am ever so grateful to Unified Trust for protecting my investments so I can enjoy the good life.

— Sue Ann K.

Unified Trust has been my financial "partner."

Since 1992, Unified Trust has been my financial "partner." Through their acumen and wise council- my children, grandchildren and I continue to reap the fruit of Unified's wisdom.

— Phil B.

Their track record over the years has been phenomenal.

We have been with Unified Trust for many years and would recommend them unconditionally! Our interactions with the advisors has been professional, yet personable. We have been able to work with our advisor to make sure that concerns about our financial future are addressed and feel very confident that everything is in place because he knows not only our finances, but knows our family and its needs. Their track record over the years has been phenomenal and we are happy that we chose Unified Trust!

— John & Delores B.

Unified Trust's commitment to client satisfaction is not just a goal - but a true day to day practice.

I work with Unified Trust for both my company and my family because the level of reliance and integrity they represent. The timely reports, market analysis and interaction they provide is very much appreciated in my busy schedule. Unified Trust's commitment to client satisfaction is not just a goal - but a true day to day practice. I have recommended Unified Trust to my friends, and they too have found Unified Trust is the company to utilize.

— Chris H.

Skill and Expertise

We have used Unified Trust and its predecessor companies as our primary financial advisors since the early 1990s and have witnessed its transformation into a premier investment institution with very few equals. The skill and expertise with which our portfolio was designed, managed and upgraded when needed has exceeded any organization which we have dealt with in the past. Unified Trust exists to meet the investment needs of its clients and in our experience has allowed as much involvement as we desire. Their staff does not hesitate to point out the advantages and disadvantages of any investment decisions and give specific advise based on their extensive market experiences and other financial areas.

— Jim & Terry P.

One of the things we value most is their personal attention to our needs.

My husband and I are long time clients of Unified Trust and couldn't be more pleased with their service and performance. One of the things we value most is their personal attention to our needs. Mr. Williams is always available to answer questions, give guidance and update us on our portfolio. We appreciate their honesty and integrity.

— Barbara L.

We would strongly recommend Unified Trust.

My husband and I have been long-term investors with Unified Trust. We chose Unified due to our confidence and trust in Dr. Greg Kasten and have been rewarded by solid investment portfolio growth and management over the years. Our current financial advisor endeavors to know his clients personally and tailors his investment strategy to accommodate our changing needs. We would strongly recommend Unified Trust to all who are seeking guidance in asset management.

— Sherrill T.

I needed the best of the best.

As a 401(k) pension consultant, I am familiar with a wide range of advisors. When it came to my money, my parents' money and my best friend's assets from the sale of his business, I knew I needed the best of the best. That is why I chose Unified Trust. Their commitment to the highest fiduciary principles, transparent fees and extraordinarily intelligent and unparalleled service are the reasons I, and the people I care about most, are with Unified.

— Sarah S.

I don't think I could ask any more of a financial institution.

Unified Trust has been my financial advisor, both personally and for my business, for many years. I feel they make a point to hire professionals who are knowledgeable about the complex financial world we live in. They always seem to be available for questions and advice and thanks to them, I feel I am on target to retire comfortably in the near future, I don't think I could ask any more of a financial institution or be more pleased with the service I have received.

— Edward T.

Rather than slog away in stressful, high pressure careers well into their 60s, many younger employees are checking out early once they have amassed a comfortable nest egg, then living frugally – extremely frugally in some cases – off annual investment earnings.

Social Security will be there for us, perhaps in a different form or amount, but there. The real question for the retirement plan community is how to use it with pre-retirees in the accumulation and planning phases of their life.

I was recently talking with a good friend and mentor of mine about family and parenting. My friend has four children who are all very mature, responsible and hard working. I look at his kids and think he’s figured out the secret to parenting…..and I want to know what it is!

Just as LeBron is weighing his future options, investors are also trying to digest all of the recent economic data and geopolitical events to determine the future for financial markets.

The Roth IRA has been around for about two decades now and if you are closing in on your retirement date then it may be time to rediscover its benefits. I shared some thoughts on Roth IRA planning with reporter Rebecca Lake for an article in US News & World Report.

“Patrick, my daughter just graduated and is starting her new job. Can you help her with her 401(k) plan selections? Maybe give her some tips on budgeting, too?”

I was recently interviewed by a reporter from financial-planning.com wanting my take on the growing number of retailers looking to enter the financial services industry.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a reporter from CNN Money on the often debated topic about what comes first; paying down debt or adding to your savings nest egg. It’s a bit of the ‘chicken vs. the egg’ conundrum.

A recent MarketWatch article reporting that individuals are frequently posting details about their 401(k) balances on social media platforms, in a gloating manner nonetheless.

Imagine hanging out in Las Vegas playing your favorite casino game. Perhaps you are sitting at the hold’em table and the dealer flips the river card that gives you the win.

For most of the financial services world, it has been clear for some time that humans are irrational and act in ways that are not conducive to their own financial wellbeing.

There is a common phrase in the world of finance that ‘you can’t eat risk-adjusted returns’. Most people understand investment returns—making or losing money. Few people understand standard deviation, volatility, and risk-adjusted returns.

Like many thrill-seeking activities, the rush of shooting the rapids unleashes a full panel of “happy chemicals” which heightens our senses and keeps us coming back for more.

Did you grow up in small community, a close-knit town or (if you can remember it) before the internet was a factor? Back then a word and a handshake were stronger than any contract or service agreement.

Contact Us Today

Whether you have a question you'd like us to answer or a brilliant idea you're ready to share, the team at Unified Trust is here to listen. When you become a part of the Unified Trust family, you’ll discover what our current clients already know: Fiduciary responsibility is not just a phrase in our brochure, it is our number one priority

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