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Carver Financial Services named to America’s Top Wealth Management Teams – High Net Worth for 2025

 

November, 2025 – Carver Financial Services was named to Forbes’ 2025  “America’s Top Wealth Management Teams – High Net Worth” list, ranking #100 in America. This is the first time that Carver Financial Services has ranked on this prestigious list.

Forbes’ Top Wealth Management Teams list is highly regarded, recognizing teams who have demonstrated excellence in managing the financial affairs of high-net-worth clients. This prestigious accolade underscores Carver Financials’ continued commitment to delivering sophisticated, tailored wealth-management strategies grounded in integrity, trust, and client-first principles.

“For us, success isn’t measured by rankings or accolades — it’s measured by the trust and confidence our clients place in us every day,” said Randy Carver, President and Founder of Carver Financial Services. “This recognition by Forbes is a reflection of our incredible team and the clients who inspire us to keep raising the bar.”

For clients and prospective clients, this recognition serves as an additional indicator that Carver Financial adheres to a high standard of professionalism, client-centered service and comprehensive planning. From wealth transfer and legacy design to retirement income strategies and philanthropic visioning, Carver Financial continues to expand its capabilities in alignment with clients’ evolving needs.

The team at Carver Financial Services is deeply grateful to our clients, partners, and community for their continued support. Together, we look forward to building on this momentum and continuing our mission to help people simplify their lives and achieve their dreams.

Forbes’ “America’s Top Wealth Management Teams – High Net Worth” list is developed by SHOOK Research through a proprietary algorithm that includes an evaluation of both quantitative and qualitative criteria such as assets under management, revenue trends, client retention, compliance records and best practices in team structure. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and the lack of audited data. 

The 2025 Forbes ranking of America’s Top 100 Wealth Management Teams High Net Worth, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. This ranking is based upon the period from 3/31/2024 to 3/31/2025 and was released on 11/12/2025. Advisor teams that are considered must have one advisor with a minimum of seven years of experience, have been in existence as a team for at least one year, have at least 5 team members, and have been nominated by their firm. The algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of 12,001 team nominations, 100 advisor teams received the award. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients’ experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for obtaining this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or SHOOK Research, LLC.

Please see https://www.forbes.com/lists/top-wealth-management-teams-high-net-worth/ for more info.

Government Shutdown Impact: What Happens Next

Randy Carver discusses the challenges facing consumers and investors as the U.S. government shutdown continues. He says ultimately the economic impact is transitory and temporary, as ripple effects have begun to be felt by pockets of the economy. Randy compares past shutdown behavior and how it applies to the modern day. Later, he discusses the role the Federal Reserve has to play, seeing more rate cuts on the horizon.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including asset allocation and diversification.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members.

2025 Government Shutdown – What You Need To Know

Once again, the headlines are focused on the government shutdown. We wanted to provide some context, historical perspective, and our view on what this may — and may not — mean for financial markets over the coming 6 to 12 months. Our goal is to help you stay grounded amid the headlines and maintain a long-term perspective. As always, we are here to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

1) How common are government shutdowns — and what’s their track record?

It may surprise many that government shutdowns are not once-in-a-generation anomalies. They have become a recurring feature of American politics in recent decades.

  • Since 1980, there have been about 10 funding-lapse shutdowns that led to federal employees being furloughed.
  • Some sources count up to 14 shutdowns since 1980, depending on inclusion criteria.
  • Shutdowns vary in length: many last just a few days, though a few have stretched into weeks.
  • The longest shutdown in U.S. history ran 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019.

The media often frames a looming shutdown as “this time it’s different,” but in reality, we’ve seen repeated cycles of appropriations battles, continuing resolutions, and occasional shutdowns. What changes is not the mechanics, but the political context and the stakes being debated.

2) What is and isn’t impacted in a shutdown

It’s worth distinguishing between what typically pauses (or slows) and what continues even if a shutdown occurs.

What is often curtailed or halted:

  • Non-essential federal programs and discretionary activities (e.g., national parks, museums, regulatory or permitting functions).
  • Agencies with discretionary funding (e.g., parts of HHS, Education, or Interior) may furlough staff.
  • Economic data releases (e.g., employment or census reports) can be delayed or suspended.

What typically continues:

  • “Mandatory” programs funded separately, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and veteran benefits.
  • Essential life-and-safety functions (e.g., defense, air traffic control, border security) — though often without timely pay until funding is restored.
    • The U.S. Postal Service, which is funded outside the appropriations process.
  • Debt servicing, meaning interest and principal payments on U.S. debt continue.

In other words, a shutdown is disruptive to many discretionary federal operations — but it is not a total paralysis of government or the economy.

3) Market and economic impacts in the 6–12 months following shutdowns

           (a) Market returns historically recover

  • According to American Century, since 1976, the S&P 500 has delivered solid gains in the 12 months following 18 out of 20 shutdowns. (American Century Investments)
  • Some analyses suggest that during shutdowns, equities often see only modest moves; post-shutdown, the market tends to resume its longer-term trend. (institutional.fidelity.com)
  • In the 2018–2019 shutdown (the 35-day longest closure), the S&P 500 rose nearly 24 % over the subsequent year. (Kiplinger)
  • In other shutdowns, performance has been similarly favorable. One summary: over many episodes, 12 months later stocks were higher in 15 out of 16 cases, with an average gain of ~16 %. (MoneyFlows)
  • Six months post-shutdown, some data show average gains of ~9.7 %. (MoneyFlows)

          (b) Economic drag is usually modest

  • The Congressional Budget Office estimated the 2018–2019 shutdown reduced GDP by 0.1% in Q4 2018 and 0.2% in Q1 2019.
  • Shutdowns can create “blind spots,” as missing or delayed economic data makes policymaking and market analysis more difficult.

In short, the economic headwinds from a typical shutdown are usually manageable and short-lived — though headlines may amplify uncertainty.

4) Putting it in perspective — what we expect, and what we’re watching

  • Shutdowns may create short-lived volatility and sentiment shocks, but long-term economic and corporate fundamentals matter more.
  • If resolved cleanly, history shows markets often rebound and deliver solid gains within the following year.
  • The greater risks are less about the shutdown itself and more about the potential for prolonged gridlock, delayed policymaking, or shaken investor confidence.
  • We continue to monitor the broader fiscal and monetary landscape, debt ceiling discussions, and any ripple effects across credit, confidence, and capital flows.
  • We believe in the fundamentals — earnings strength, balance sheet health, and macro stability — with flexibility to adjust should conditions shift.

5) Key takeaways for clients

  • Shutdowns are not new — they’ve occurred regularly in recent decades, often lasting only days or weeks.
  • While funding gaps disrupt certain operations, core programs (Social Security, Medicare, debt servicing) generally continue, and a shutdown is not a default.
  • Historically, financial markets have weathered shutdowns well, with equities often delivering positive returns 6 to 12 months later.
  • The real risk lies not in the shutdown itself, but in how policymakers and investors respond.
  • Our planning already accounts for periods of volatility, whatever the cause.

We remain committed to helping you stay informed, steady, and focused on long-term growth — even during short-term political storms. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. We’re here for you, and if your friends or family have questions, we welcome them to connect with us as well.

 

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions

Dollar-Cost Averaging vs. Lump Sum Investing

Dollar-Cost Averaging vs. Lump Sum Investing: Which Builds Wealth Faster?

By Ryan Bennett,  CFP® RJFS Financial Advisor

Imagine you’ve just received a $100,000 windfall — maybe from a lottery ticket, a big bonus, or even a long-lost relative. You know you want to invest it, but you’re faced with a question: should you put it all into the market right away, or spread it out gradually over the next year?

This is the classic debate between lump sum investing and dollar-cost averaging, often shortened to DCA. Both strategies can grow wealth, but they work in different ways. And while the math is important, the decision often comes down to psychology and personal comfort.

The Case for Lump Sum

Lump sum investing is simple: you put all the money to work at once. The logic is straightforward — because markets rise more often than they fall, the earlier your money is invested, the more time it has to compound.

Research supports this. Vanguard examined more than four decades of market history across the U.S., U.K., and Australia and found that lump sum investing outperformed DCA about two-thirds of the time. On average, the difference was around 2%–3% over a 10-year horizon. That may sound modest, but compounding turns those extra percentage points into significant dollars over the long term.

To put it in perspective, if you invested $100,000 in the S&P 500 at the start of 2010 and held it through the end of 2019, you’d have ended with about $356,600. If instead you spread the same $100,000 evenly across the 12 months of 2010, you would have finished with about $334,700. That’s nearly $22,000 less, simply because the money wasn’t invested as early.

The Emotional Appeal of DCA

If lump sum has the edge most of the time, why doesn’t everyone do it? Because investing isn’t purely rational — it’s emotional.

Imagine putting $100,000 into the market in February 2020, right before COVID-19 sent stocks tumbling by 30 percent. Even though markets recovered quickly, watching your balance fall to $70,000 in a matter of weeks would test anyone’s nerves. That fear can lead to hesitation, second-guessing, or even abandoning your plan altogether.

DCA helps soften that blow. By spreading your investment over time, you reduce the risk of putting everything in at the wrong moment. You buy shares at different price points, which feels safer and often helps investors stay committed. For many, that peace of mind is worth more than the extra returns they might give up by not investing everything upfront.

When Each Strategy Makes Sense

Lump sum investing often makes the most sense if you already have a strong financial foundation: an emergency fund, no high-interest debt, and a long time horizon. If you can stomach temporary short-term swings and know you won’t need the money soon, investing it all at once is usually the better choice.

Dollar-cost averaging, on the other hand, may be better if you’re new to investing, feel anxious about volatility, or are working with a sum of money that’s large relative to your overall net worth. Spreading the investment out can make the process feel more manageable and reduce the emotional stress of “what if I picked the worst day?”

There’s also a middle ground. Some people invest part of their money immediately and spread out the rest over several months. This hybrid approach gives you exposure to compounding right away while softening the emotional impact if markets dip soon after you invest.

The Bottom Line

The real question isn’t which method is mathematically perfect — it’s which one you’ll stick with. If you’re under 40, the most important factor is time in the market. Whether you invest in a lump sum or gradually, the key is that your money gets invested and stays invested. Both strategies can build wealth, but the best one is the one that keeps you confident and consistent over the long run.

So if you find yourself with extra cash, don’t let fear of choosing wrong keep you on the sidelines. The biggest mistake isn’t in picking lump sum or DCA — it’s in doing nothing at all while you wait for the perfect moment.

If you’re unsure which approach makes the most sense for your situation, professional guidance can help. At Carver Financial, we work with clients to balance both the math and the emotions of investing, building plans that you can feel confident sticking with. Reach out to your advisor at Carver Financial to talk through what’s right for you.

 

Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.
The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Ryan Bennett,  CFP® and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Randy Carver Ranked #17 in the Nation on Barron’s Top 100 Independent Advisors List for 2025

September 15, 2025 – Carver Financial Services is proud to announce that Randy Carver, President and Founder, has been ranked #17 in the nation on Barron’s prestigious Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors list for 2025.

This marks another milestone in Carver’s distinguished career and reflects his continued commitment to helping clients simplify their financial lives, so they can focus on what matters most. The Barron’s ranking, which evaluates advisors on assets under management, revenue, regulatory record, and quality of practice, recognizes the highest-performing independent advisors nationwide.

“Being named one of the top independent advisors in the country is truly an honor,” said Randy Carver. “This recognition reflects the hard work of our entire team and the trust our clients place in us every day. We remain committed to providing personalized, objective guidance to help clients achieve financial confidence and clarity.”

Under Randy’s leadership, Carver Financial Services has consistently focused on holistic financial planning, investment management, and wealth preservation. His innovative strategies and commitment to transparency have earned him a loyal client base and a reputation for integrity in the industry.

The ranking reflects Randy’s ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and his success in adapting to changing market conditions, ensuring that clients’ needs are always prioritized.

With over $3.3 billion in assets under management (as of September 2025), Carver Financial Services has built a reputation for delivering client-centered planning with a focus on long-term relationships, transparency, and service excellence.

The 2025 Barron’s list is one of the most respected rankings in the financial industry, shining a spotlight on those advisors who lead the way in delivering exceptional outcomes for their clients.

To view the full Barron’s Top 100 Independent Advisors list for 2025, visit www.barrons.com.

For more information about Randy Carver and Carver Financial Services, please visit www.carverfinancialservices.com or contact us at (440) 974-0808.

For the full award, visit 2024 Top 100 Independent Advisors by Barron’s (barrons.com).

About Carver Financial Services
Carver Financial Services is a leading financial advisory firm dedicated to providing comprehensive wealth management solutions. With a focus on personalized service, the firm offers tailored financial planning, investment management, and retirement strategies to help clients navigate their financial journeys.

Barron’s Top 100 Independent Advisors, 2025. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved.  The rankings as of 9/15/2025 are based on data provided by 625 applications and include qualitative and quantitative criteria. Time period upon which the rating is based is from 6/30/2024 to 6/30/2025, and was released on 9/15/2025. Data points that relate to quality of practice include professionals with a minimum of 7 years financial services experience, acceptable compliance records (no criminal U4 issues), client retention reports, charitable and philanthropic work, quality of practice, designations held, offering services beyond investments offered including estates and trusts, and more. Advisors are quantitatively rated based on varying types of revenues produced and assets under management by the financial professional, with weightings associated for each. Investment performance is not an explicit component because not all advisors have audited results and because performance figures often are influenced more by clients’ risk tolerance than by an advisor’s investment picking abilities. This ranking is not based in any way on the individual’s abilities in regards to providing investment advice or management. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Barron’s is not affiliated with Raymond James.

The Value of Personalized Advice

Why Your Financial Plan Shouldn’t Come from a Cookie Cutter – The Value of Personalized Advice

Ryan Bennett, CFP® RJFS Financial Advisor

Most financial advice sounds the same: “Max out your 401(k).” “Build a 6-month emergency fund.” “Invest in index funds.” While not wrong, it’s like saying everyone should wear a size medium shirt. It works for some, but definitely not for all.

Your financial life is individual. Your income, goals, risk tolerance, tax situation, and priorities differ from everyone else’s. So why would you follow the same plan as your neighbor or friends?

The Problem with Generic Advice

One-size-fits-all advice assumes everyone has the same goals, timeline, and risk tolerance. It treats a 25-year-old single barista the same as a 35-year-old married teacher with kids. Real life isn’t that simple.

You might be starting a business, juggling debt, or planning big purchases, all of which require different strategies. Generic advice can lead to missed tax opportunities, unnecessary risk, or overly conservative investing.

What Makes Your Situation Distinct

Your income may be stable, growing, seasonal, or unpredictable. A freelancer and a government employee earning the same amount may need different strategies because one income is steady while the other fluctuates.

Your timeline matters too. Goals like buying a house or starting a family require different allocations than saving solely for retirement.

Risk tolerance is shaped by job security, industry stability, family safety nets, and personality, not just age.

Your tax situation can also change everything. Factors such as tax brackets, Roth eligibility, or access to HSAs all affect the best strategy.

What Personalized Planning Looks Like

Real financial planning examines your entire picture, including career trajectory, goals, values, and life changes, not just investment returns. It adapts as your life evolves, whether that’s marriage, kids, or promotions.

A personalized plan also helps prioritize competing goals like paying off debt versus investing, funding college versus retirement, or saving for a second home versus early retirement. There are no universal answers. The right approach depends on you.

The Hidden Costs of Generic Advice

Generic advice often leads to missed tax-saving opportunities, suboptimal asset allocation, lower returns, and anxiety from second-guessing financial decisions.

The Full Value of Personalized Advice

Financial planning is not just about choosing investments. It is about aligning money decisions with your life. Advisors provide accountability, behavioral coaching, and course correction when life changes unexpectedly.

The real value comes from clarity, taking steps to avoid mistakes, and maximizing opportunities, not just portfolio returns.

Make the Investment in Personalized Planning

Your financial life is not one-size-fits-all. A customized plan gives you confidence and helps you focus on living your life instead of constantly worrying about money. Talk to your financial advisor at Carver Financial to start building a strategy designed for you.

Opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. Investing involves risk, and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of the strategy selected. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.