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Financial Planners in Salinas, CA: 2026 rankings

17 financial planners ranked by RFA ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest RFA Score in Salinas: First Command Financial Advisor - David Slater, RICP®|CFP®, RFA Score 64/100; 5.0★ from 24 Google reviews.

  2. 4

    Most-reviewed: Bank of America (with Drive-thru ATM), 52 Google reviews at 2.2★, the most of 17 ranked; ranked #4.

Rankings can't be bought. Financial advisors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

17 Salinas financial planners are ranked here by RFA Score, from eight published factors. 6 open Saturdays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 3.4★ across 17 rated firms.

Top 10 financial planners in Salinas at a glance

Ranked by RFA Score from public data such as Google reviews, not by investment performance; sponsored listings are paid, shown separately and never change rank.

Top 10 financial planners in Salinas at a glance
RankBusinessRFA ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1First Command Financial Advisor - David Slater, RICP®|CFP®645.0★ (24)Monterey, 14 mi away—Top score
2Bank of America (with Drive-thru ATM)632.6★ (43)Salinas——
3Bank of America Financial Center622.3★ (50)SalinasSat—
4Bank of America (with Drive-thru ATM)622.2★ (52)SalinasSatMost reviews
5Mark Dierolf | Insurance & Retirement Income Services615.0★ (6)Salinas——
6Bank of America (with Drive-thru ATM)612.7★ (51)Seaside, 12 mi away——
7Bank of America Financial Center603.4★ (32)Hollister, 19 mi awaySat—
8Bank of America Financial Center602.7★ (43)Monterey, 14 mi awaySat—
9Stevens Sloan & Shah CPAs594.0★ (4)Salinas——
10Fidelity Investments583.8★ (11)Monterey, 14 mi away——

All 17 financial planners in Salinas, in rank order

Ordered by RFA Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.

Ranked by RFA Score from public data such as Google reviews, not by investment performance; sponsored listings are paid, shown separately and never change rank.

Scores below: based on 6 of 8 factors; registration and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.

  10. #10 Fidelity Investments

    Based in Monterey, 14 mi away

    58/100RFA Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.8★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 3.8★ from 11 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    553 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
    View profile for Fidelity Investments(800) 224-7566

  11. #11 BMO Bank N.A Branches

    Based in Gilroy, 24 mi away

    57/100RFA Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.6★ from 20 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 3.6★ from 20 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat 9 AM–12 PM · Sun closed
    Address
    7865 Monterey Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020
    View profile for BMO Bank N.A Branches(408) 847-2919

  14. #14 First Command

    Based in Monterey, 14 mi away

    55/100RFA Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    200 Camino Aguajito Ste 201, Monterey, CA 93940
    View profile for First Command(831) 649-8772

  17. #17 Creative Planning

    Based in Monterey, 13 mi away

    45/100RFA Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial advisor”.

    • 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    2340 Garden Rd #202, Monterey, CA 93940
    View profile for Creative Planning(831) 372-3426

Also serving Salinas

20 more financial planners within 25 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.

Unranked financial planners serving Salinas
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Blumenthal & AssociatesIn Salinas
Clock Insurance & Financial Solutions, Inc.5.0★ (2)In Salinas
David Jenkins - Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC5.0★ (1)In Salinas
David Nelson - Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLCIn Salinas
Doug Gutshall: Primerica - Financial Services5.0★ (2)In Salinas
Duane Nack - Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC5.0★ (1)In Salinas
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: John G Musni, AAMS®5.0★ (1)In Salinas
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Karen Hagman, CFP®|AAMS®5.0★ (1)In Salinas
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Milda Esquivel, AAMS®5.0★ (1)In Salinas
Hastie Financial GroupIn Salinas
Integris Wealth ManagementIn Salinas
John Castaneda - Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLCIn Salinas
Merrill Investment & Retirement Financial CenterIn Salinas
Northwestern MutualIn Salinas
Prudential | Frank Emerson | Life Insurance & Financial ServicesIn Salinas
Prudential | Larry Walker | Life Insurance & Financial ServicesIn Salinas
Salinas Valley Financial Services - Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC5.0★ (1)In Salinas
Sprinz FredIn Salinas
Teachers Retirement Solutions5.0★ (70)In Salinas
Wells Fargo AdvisorsIn Salinas

How we ranked Salinas financial planners

We scored 17 Salinas financial planners on eight factors, weighted as shown. A firm is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

RFA Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Salinas data
Reputation30%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it (client experience, not investment results)Measured
Registration20%Active SEC, state or Canadian securities registration matched in public records (not yet measured)Not yet collected
Review volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the listMeasured
Recency5%Share of reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Specialty focus15%How clearly the firm offers this specialty (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity5%Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Ranked Financial Advisors profile (free or paid earn the same)Measured
Partnered5%The firm links to Ranked Financial Advisors from its own website with our badge, checked periodicallyMeasured

How to choose a financial planner

  1. Confirm the financial planner and the firm are registered: Investor.gov and FINRA BrokerCheck in the US, the CSA National Registration Search in Canada. Read any disclosure events.
  2. Ask whether they act as a fiduciary on your account at all times, and get the answer in writing.
  3. Ask how they are paid: a percentage of assets, flat or hourly fees, a retainer, commissions, or a mix. Each creates different conflicts of interest.
  4. Read the firm’s Form CRS and Form ADV Part 2A brochure (fees, services, conflicts, disciplinary history) before you sign.
  5. Check designations with the body that grants them, such as the CFP Board for CFP® professionals.
  6. Ask about account minimums and who holds your money: your assets should sit with an independent custodian in your name.
  7. Compare at least two or three firms, and be wary of anyone who promises returns or pushes you to decide quickly.

Questions to ask a financial planner

  • Are you a fiduciary for all of the advice you give me, and will you put that in writing?
  • How are you paid, in total dollars per year for an account like mine? Do you earn commissions or other payments from product providers?
  • Which registrations and designations do you hold, and where can I verify them?
  • Who will hold my assets, and how will I see statements directly from that custodian?
  • What services are included in your fee, and what would cost extra with you as my financial planner?
  • Do you have a minimum account size or minimum fee?
  • Have you or your firm had any complaints or disciplinary actions? Where would I see them?
  • How often will we meet, and who will I work with day to day?
  • What happens to my plan or accounts if you retire or leave the firm?

Terms explained

Fiduciary
Someone legally required to act in a client’s interest. In the US, registered investment advisers owe their clients a fiduciary duty of care and loyalty under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Registered investment adviser (RIA)
A firm registered with the SEC or a state securities regulator to give investment advice for pay. Most firms managing $100 million or more register with the SEC; smaller firms usually register with their state.
Investment adviser representative (IAR)
A person who gives advice on behalf of a registered investment adviser, usually registered with the states where they work.
Broker-dealer
A firm that buys and sells securities for customers. US broker-dealers are members of FINRA; their registered representatives typically earn commissions.
Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI)
The SEC rule, in force since June 30, 2020, requiring broker-dealers to act in a retail customer’s best interest when recommending a security or account type.
Form ADV
The registration form every investment adviser files. Part 1 holds facts about the firm; Part 2A, the brochure, describes services, fees, conflicts of interest and disciplinary history in plain English.
Form CRS
A short relationship summary that advisers and broker-dealers give retail investors, covering services, fees, conflicts, standard of conduct and disciplinary history.
CRD number
The Central Registration Depository number FINRA and the SEC assign to each firm and registered person; use it to look them up on Investor.gov or BrokerCheck.
Assets under management (AUM) fee
A yearly fee set as a percentage of the money an advisor manages for you. Advisor surveys have put the median around 1% on accounts up to $1 million, lower on larger accounts.
Fee-only
An advisor paid only by clients, with no commissions or other payments from product providers.
Fee-based
An advisor who charges client fees and may also earn commissions on some products. It is not the same as fee-only.
CFP® professional
A person certified by the CFP Board after meeting education, exam, experience and ethics requirements. The CFP Board requires them to act as a fiduciary when giving financial advice.

Financial planners in Salinas: frequently asked questions

Which financial planner has the highest RFA Score in Salinas?

By RFA Score, the highest-ranked financial planner in Salinas, CA is First Command Financial Advisor - David Slater, RICP®|CFP® with an RFA Score of 64/100. It has 5.0★ from 24 Google reviews. Bank of America (with Drive-thru ATM) (#2) and Bank of America Financial Center (#3) follow. We ranked 17 financial planners on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many financial planners are there in Salinas?

RankedFinancialAdvisors ranks 17 financial planners serving Salinas, CA. 5 of them are based in Salinas; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which financial planners in Salinas work on weekends?

6 of 17 ranked financial planners post Saturday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Bank of America Financial Center (#3), Bank of America (with Drive-thru ATM) (#4) and Bank of America Financial Center (#7). Many advisors meet by appointment, including evenings or by video, outside their posted office hours.

What Google rating do Salinas financial planners have?

The median Google rating among 17 rated financial planners in Salinas is 3.4★, with a median of 24 reviews. Bank of America (with Drive-thru ATM) has the most, 52 reviews, and ranks #4. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does RankedFinancialAdvisors rank financial planners?

Each financial planner gets a 0–100 RFA Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (30%), specialty focus (15%), review volume (10%) and claimed profile (10%). A firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only firms with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.

Do financial planners outside Salinas count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Salinas city center, our service radius for financial planners. Each listing shows where the firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the RFA Score, so a nearby firm gets a small edge.

Can financial planners pay to rank higher on RankedFinancialAdvisors?

No. The RFA Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured firms may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.

What does a financial planner do?

Financial planners build a written plan across a client’s goals: cash flow, savings, investments, insurance needs, taxes, retirement and estate. Many charge a flat or hourly fee for the plan, an ongoing retainer, or a share of the assets they manage.

How are financial planners in Salinas ranked?

By RFA Score: public signals such as the Google rating and review count, how clearly the firm offers financial planning and how close it is. Paid placements never change the order, and the score does not measure investment performance.

How do I check a financial planner’s registration and record?

Search the person and the firm on Investor.gov (the SEC’s adviser search) and on FINRA BrokerCheck. A firm’s Form ADV and any disciplinary history are public there.

Is every financial planner in Salinas a fiduciary?

Not necessarily. Investment adviser representatives owe a fiduciary duty on advisory accounts; broker-dealer representatives follow Regulation Best Interest when they recommend a security. Ask which applies to your account and read the firm’s Form CRS.

How much do financial planners charge?

Fees depend on the firm and the service: a percentage of assets managed each year, a flat or hourly planning fee, a retainer, or commissions. Ask for the fee schedule in writing and read the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A brochure or, in Canada, its relationship disclosure.

Update log for Salinas

  1. November 2026: RFA Scores recalculated for 17 financial planners serving Salinas.

More financial planners and Salinas pages