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Investment Advisors in Matthews, NC: 2026 rankings

73 investment advisors ranked by RFA ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest RFA Score in Matthews: API 1031 Exchange, Mike Willoughby, Division Manager, RFA Score 66/100; 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.

  2. 8

    Most-reviewed: Belmont Capital Advisors, Inc., 231 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 73 ranked; ranked #8.

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

73 Matthews investment advisors are ranked here by RFA Score, from eight published factors. 1 open Saturdays and 1 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 73 rated firms.

Most of this list also appears on the Investment advisors in Charlotte ranking. See Investment advisors in Charlotte

Top 10 investment advisors in Matthews 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 investment advisors in Matthews at a glance
RankBusinessRFA ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1API 1031 Exchange, Mike Willoughby, Division Manager665.0★ (7)Charlotte, 10 mi awaySat · SunTop score
2Horizon663.4★ (5)Charlotte, 5 mi away——
3Wells Fargo Advisors655.0★ (3)Charlotte, 8 mi away——
4Barings653.6★ (5)Charlotte, 10 mi away——
5Innovation Partners, LLC642.2★ (6)Charlotte, 7 mi away——
6Tristate Financial Advisors645.0★ (110)Charlotte, 12 mi away——
7Merrill Lynch Wealth Management642.0★ (4)Charlotte, 8 mi away——
8Belmont Capital Advisors, Inc.644.9★ (231)Belmont, 20 mi away—Most reviews
9Gaston Capital LLC634.6★ (5)Belmont, 20 mi away——
10Holland Capital Management, LLC625.0★ (12)Charlotte, 8 mi away——

All 73 investment advisors in Matthews, 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.

  2. #2 Horizon

    Based in Charlotte, 5 mi away

    66/100RFA Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.4★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment company”.

    • 3.4★ from 5 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    6210 Ardrey Kell Rd Ste 300, Charlotte, NC 28277
    View profile for Horizon(866) 371-2399

  4. #4 Barings

    Based in Charlotte, 10 mi away

    65/100RFA Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.6★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.

    • 3.6★ from 5 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    300 S Tryon St Unit 2500, Charlotte, NC 28202
    View profile for Barings(704) 805-7200

  11. #11 Creative Planning

    Based in Charlotte, 8 mi away

    62/100RFA Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.8★ from 52 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 4.8★ from 52 Google reviews
    Address
    11325 N Community House Rd #125, Charlotte, NC 28277
    View profile for Creative Planning(866) 273-2848

  12. #12 Republic Finance

    Based in Matthews

    62/100RFA Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.6★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Loan agency”.

    • 4.6★ from 25 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1812 Windsor Square Dr Ste A220, Matthews, NC 28105
    View profile for Republic Finance(980) 245-4675

  19. #19 Calamita Wealth Management - Financial Advisors & Financial Planners - Charlotte, NC

    Based in Charlotte, 7 mi away

    60/100RFA Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial advisor”.

    • 5.0★ from 17 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    6135 Park S Dr Ste 510, Charlotte, NC 28210
    View profile for Calamita Wealth Management - Financial Advisors & Financial Planners - Charlotte, NC(704) 276-7325

  21. #21 Know My Plan

    Based in Charlotte, 7 mi away

    59/100RFA Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    3540 Toringdon Way Ste 200 #330, Charlotte, NC 28277
    View profile for Know My Plan(704) 243-9376

  22. #22 Cadence Wealth Partners

    Based in Concord, 23 mi away

    59/100RFA Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 51 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 5.0★ from 51 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri–Sun closed
    Address
    845 Church St N Ste 205, Concord, NC 28025
    View profile for Cadence Wealth Partners(704) 467-8502

  24. #24 TIAA Financial Services

    Based in Charlotte, 14 mi away

    58/100RFA Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.3★ from 55 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 4.3★ from 55 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    8500 Andrew Carnegie Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262
    View profile for TIAA Financial Services(877) 535-3910

How we ranked Matthews investment advisors

We scored 73 Matthews investment advisors 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 Matthews 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 an investment advisor

  1. Confirm the investment advisor 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 an investment advisor

  • 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 investment advisor?
  • 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.

Investment advisors in Matthews: frequently asked questions

Which investment advisor has the highest RFA Score in Matthews?

By RFA Score, the highest-ranked investment advisor in Matthews, NC is API 1031 Exchange, Mike Willoughby, Division Manager with an RFA Score of 66/100. It has 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. Horizon (#2) and Wells Fargo Advisors (#3) follow. We ranked 73 investment advisors on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many investment advisors are there in Matthews?

RankedFinancialAdvisors ranks 73 investment advisors serving Matthews, NC. 2 of them are based in Matthews; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which investment advisors in Matthews work on weekends?

1 of 73 ranked investment advisors post Saturday hours and 1 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays is API 1031 Exchange, Mike Willoughby, Division Manager (#1). Many advisors meet by appointment, including evenings or by video, outside their posted office hours.

What Google rating do Matthews investment advisors have?

The median Google rating among 73 rated investment advisors in Matthews is 5.0★, with a median of 6 reviews. Belmont Capital Advisors, Inc. has the most, 231 reviews, and ranks #8. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does RankedFinancialAdvisors rank investment advisors?

Each investment advisor 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 investment advisors outside Matthews count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Matthews city center, our service radius for investment advisors. 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 investment advisors 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 an investment advisor do?

Investment advisors manage portfolios and give advice about securities for a fee. In the US, firms register with the SEC or a state securities regulator and file a Form ADV brochure; in Canada, portfolio managers and dealers register with the provincial securities regulator.

How are investment advisors in Matthews ranked?

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

How do I check an investment advisor’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 investment advisor in Matthews 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 investment advisors 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 Matthews

  1. November 2026: RFA Scores recalculated for 73 investment advisors serving Matthews.

More investment advisors and Matthews pages