The best financial strategies are built around your goals, your family, and your future, not generic formulas. From retirement planning to investing, Financial Advisor Clay Cook provides thoughtful guidance to help you move forward with confidence.

Should I be worried about my money if the economy is rocky?

It depends on whether you have a well-thought-out plan and an advisor that has done the prep-work. This is the main thing and the main reason I love what I get to do and where I get to work. My job as a financial advisor doesn’t start with the financials, usually. It is important to gather a full financial picture, but it is equally important to explore your goals and attitudes concerning family, work, charitable giving, spending, and saving.  If proper planning has occurred taking into consideration these things, a market correction shouldn’t affect the long-term plan. Once a good plan is in place, I often tell my customers that changes in the plan should occur if changes in goals occur, but changes in the market should not affect the long-term plan. 

Is it too late to start to planning for my future?

Clients that I see struggle the most aren’t the ones who started too late, but the ones who kept waiting.  Waiting for what? Today is better than tomorrow. Your goals are more achievable than you think. Planning isn’t about just saving more, it’s about structuring what you have more wisely. If you’re working, tax advantaged accounts are still available to you, and if you’re 50 or older, catch-up contributions are available to you as well. Social security and pensions reward planning, and knowing when to claim and how to coordinate benefits is so important. Time still works in your favor. Even a decade of consistent saving and investing can make a meaningful difference.  Whether you’re 30, 50 or 70, the best time to start planning and saving is now.

Do I need a financial advisor?

An advisor can serve as a behavioral guardrail helping you keep emotion out of your decision making, and can keep you accountable to your savings, spending and investing plan.  For complex life events like inheritance, divorce, or retirement, an advisor can save you far more than their fees cost.  One shouldn’t try to manage his own healthcare without at least an occasional visit to a doctor even if you’re healthy.  In the same way, it is useful to initiate a relationship with an advisor early so he knows you and your background before your finances get complicated.

How is it different to work with a community bank versus a national bank or an online app?

What sets us apart at River Bank & Trust is an intentionality to build relationships with our customers that extend to the entire RB&T team. We take a holistic approach to an individual, family, non-profit or business.  Our team believes it is important to consider all aspects of a customer’s financial life as we advise them about loan accounts, deposit accounts, insurance, or investments.  The subject matter experts in each of those areas, whether it is Financial Services, Mortgage, Treasury Management, SBA loans, or any other area of banking, collaborate to bring the best solutions for our customers.  The River Bank customer has access to our bankers, including their cell phone numbers, not a customer service rep at an 800 number. We provide personalized service based on individual needs and preferences. 

 

About Clay

Financial Advisor Clay Cook was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. A graduate of The Montgomery Academy, he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.

Clay joined River River Bank & Trust in 2017 and has played a key role in growing River Financial Services, a division of River Bank & Trust. River Financial Services provides access through StoneX Wealth Management to financial planning and investment advisory, as well as solutions to address the concerns of individuals, families, and business owners.

Connect with Clay at 334-290-2687 or ccook@riverfinancialservices.com

 

StoneX Wealth Management is a DBA name used by StoneX Securities, Inc., a member of FINRA/SIPC Advisory Services offered by StoneX Advisors, Inc. The investment products sold through StoneX Wealth Management are not insured by the FDIC; are not deposits; may lose value; and there is no bank guarantee. View StoneX Wealth Management customer relationship summar and regulation best interest disclosure here.