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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.

1.10.26 – 30th Annual Resource Breakfast

30th Annual Resource Breakfast

We are delighted to invite you to our Annual Resource Breakfast on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at which we will spotlight one of the most pressing risks facing individuals today: identity theft and cybersecurity.

At Carver Financial Services, your security is our top priority.

In an increasingly digital world, protecting your personal and financial information has never been more important. That’s why we’re inviting you to an exclusive event focused on the latest threats in identity theft and cyber fraud, practical steps to secure your financial data, how to recognize and respond to suspicious activity, tools and resources to safeguard your personal information, and what Carver Financial Services is doing to protect you.

In this session, you’ll gain critical knowledge to help you stay protected in today’s digital landscape and ensure your financial goals remain on track.

Speakers include:

Jason Mayor, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer with Raymond James Financial, Inc.

Jason Mayor is a seasoned cybersecurity and risk management leader with over 15 years of experience, including a decade in the Financial Services sector. He currently serves as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer for Raymond James Financial (RJF) and Chief Information Security Officer for the Raymond James Banking segment. In these roles, Jason leads enterprise-wide technology risk and assurance initiatives, advising senior leadership on risk mitigation strategies, consulting with business units as a trusted advisor, and overseeing the execution of critical cybersecurity programs. His leadership is instrumental in managing cyber risks while enabling the firm’s continued growth and innovation.

Jason began his career as a Cyber Operations Officer in the United States Air Force, where he led network operations, cyber defense, and information assurance teams. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering Management from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an MBA from Oklahoma State University. He also maintains several industry-recognized credentials, including CISSP, CISM, and FINRA Series 99, and has completed continuing education programs at Carnegie Mellon University and The Wharton School.

Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, Courtney, and their two children—Crew (7) and Ada (4).

Brett Conlon, Chief Information Security Officer at American Century

Brett Conlon is the Chief Information Security Officer at American Century Investments. Brett is at the helm of the company’s information security strategy, driving initiatives in business resiliency and pioneering emerging security technologies.
 
Prior to joining American Century, Brett had an extensive career at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Brett’s responsibilities included overseeing all operational technology programs and investments at the FBI. Brett oversaw the components responsible for infrastructure, malicious code analysis, computer exploitation tools, reverse-engineering, digital intelligence, cloud, advanced analytics, and visualization to all FBI investigative and a gathering programs. These technologies focused on the U.S. government’s efforts to combat cyberterrorism, hostile intelligence activities, and crime.

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of:

  • The real risk landscape and emerging fraud tactics
  • What Raymond James & Carver Financial do To Protect You
  • Best practices to protect your identity and financial life
  • How to respond if your personal data is compromised

When:

Saturday, January 10, 2026

8:00 – 9:00 AM Registration & Breakfast | 9:00 – 10:00 AM Presentation

Where:

Mentor Fine Arts Center | 6477 Center St | Mentor, OH 44060

Let’s work together to build not just wealth — but security.

You can register for this free event here.

This event will be recorded for your convenience. 

There is neither a cost nor any obligation to attend this event. You are encouraged to invite family and friends.

Index Funds vs. Individual Stocks: Why Boring Wins

Index Funds vs. Individual Stocks: Why Boring Wins

Ryan Bennett, CFP® RJFS Financial Advisor

It’s hard to ignore the noise around investing. Trending stocks, crypto speculation, market timing strategies, and advice from social media are everywhere. It comes from podcasts, Instagram reels, Reddit threads—and if you’re like me, maybe even the guy sitting next to you at the barber shop.

With all that chatter, it’s easy to think you need to pick the next big winner or make some bold move to get ahead. For many investors early in their financial journey, one of the best ways to build lasting wealth is through boring, consistent investing in low-cost index funds.

What Are Index Funds?

Index funds are investments designed to track a market index like the S&P 500 or a global stock index. Rather than trying to beat the market, they aim to match it. When you invest in an index fund, you’re buying a small piece of every company in that index.

With just a few well-structured index funds, you can own thousands of companies across the globe. That kind of diversification gives you broad exposure and helps reduce risk without having to constantly guess which stock or sector will outperform next.

But Isn’t That… Boring?

Yes. It’s supposed to be.

The most effective investing strategies are often the least exciting. The earlier you embrace that, the better off you’ll be. When you’re in your 20s or 30s, your biggest advantage is time. You don’t need to chase outsized returns. Instead, you need to stay consistent, avoid big mistakes, and let compound growth work its magic.

Putting It in Perspective

If you’re curious how your portfolio fits into the bigger picture of your financial plan, we’re always here to help.

Your advisor at Carver Financial can walk you through your allocation, explain what you own and why, and make sure your investments are still aligned with your goals.

The world will keep changing. The headlines will keep coming. And there will always be a new “apocalypse du jour.” That said, sticking with a well-constructed plan built around long-term fundamentals and your goals has always been one of the most reliable paths to financial independence.

And as always, if you have friends or family members who could benefit from this kind of conversation, we’re happy to be a resource for them as well.

Any opinions are those of Carver Financial Services and not necessarily those of Raymond James. 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. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including asset allocation and diversification. Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment.

An index fund takes on the risk of the underlying index it tries to replicate and, as a result, if the index goes down value, the fund can lose value.

The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. Keep in mind that individuals cannot invest directly in any index, and index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance. Individual investor’s results will vary.

Randy Carver named to the prestigious Barron’s 2025 Top 100 Financial Advisors List

May 13, 2025 – Carver Financial Services, Inc. is proud to announce that Randy Carver, President and Founder of Carver Financial Services, RJFS Financial Advisor, has been named to the prestigious Barron’s 2025 Top 100 Financial Advisors list, ranking #58 in the nation. This marks another milestone in Carver’s decades-long commitment to delivering personalized, objective, and forward-looking financial advice to clients across the country.

Published annually by Barron’s, the Top 100 Financial Advisors list recognizes the most accomplished wealth managers in the United States based on a variety of criteria including assets under management, revenue produced, regulatory record, and quality of practice. Carver’s inclusion in this elite list reflects his leadership in the industry and his unwavering focus on client success.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by Barron’s among so many outstanding advisors,” said Carver. “This recognition is truly a reflection of the trust our clients place in us and the exceptional work of our entire team at Carver Financial Services.”

With more than 30 years of experience, Randy Carver has built a practice rooted in transparency, education, and long-term relationship building. Under his leadership, Carver Financial Services has grown to serve thousands of clients nationwide, offering comprehensive wealth management strategies tailored to each client’s unique goals.

This national recognition underscores Carver’s mission to simplify financial planning, empower investors, and help clients achieve their vision of financial independence.

To see the full listing click here.

Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. The rankings are based on data provided by 1,402 individual advisors and their firms and include qualitative and quantitative criteria. 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. Financial 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 based upon the period from 1/1/24 to 12/31/24 and was released 5/9/2025. 100 advisors won. This ranking is not based in any way on the individual’s abilities in regard to providing investment advice or management. 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 this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Barron’s is not affiliated with Raymond James.