5 /5 Brent Russell: It is with great pleasure to write this review of the capabilities, actions, and results delivered by Heritage Financial. We have been their clients for multiple years after recognizing the limitations of several national firms, frequently with small local offices. In our experience, these firms promote themselves as “investment consultants” that really amount to serving as a “stockbroker.” Soon after retiring with a nice nest-egg and we recognized the impact of our “as needed” withdrawals. Our withdrawal had the effect of reducing the investment potential/return and frequently increased our tax liability. In our experience, these stockbrokers did not have the capability or resources necessary for us to truly optimize the long-term protection of our nest egg and we were headed down a path that would fail, it was just a matter time – clearly an untenable situation. We needed more…
We immediately set out to identify a more sophisticated organization to protect our retirement funds. Specifically, we wanted a local firm that was multi-disciplinary to help us navigate investment opportunities, tax liability, and the long-term efficient transfer of our assets to our children. We searched for months with little success. Fortunately, I learned of an upcoming seminar offered by Heritage Financial. It was quickly apparent that this firm was unlike any other we had assessed and queried. After 30 plus years we found an independent firm that looked and sounded as if it would satisfy our needs. We continued to explore a relationship with Heritage Financial, managed/owned by Keith Heritage, located right here in Newberry, Florida. Their plan for us included the preparation of a multi-faceted investment strategy with an integrated tax protection plan to fulfill our immediate and longer term needs and wants. Of course, we were keen to reduce our tax liability while optimizing the growth and return of our investment dollars with low- to moderate-level of risk.
It was an easy decision to move our funds to Heritage Financial and after years of working together the results have proven as near-genius. We simply did not know what we were missing until we joined Heritage Financial. Since this momentous decision, Keith Heritage worked with their investment tax specialist, John Jones, to develop actions to address our short-, intermediate-, and long-term objectives. Each year we modify/update the investment tactics with Keith and John; all with a corresponding tax saving strategy. Today, these very same individuals continue to serve our needs. If our situation changes, they are quick to develop alternatives to keep us on track with our goals. One such change has resulted in the need to prepare a Family Trust – Heritage Financial delivers.
In summary, we only wish we had found them sooner. These special individuals earned our trust and respect by listening and understanding our needs, wants, and desires. Today, the proof is in the results. We have learned and experienced the benefits of working with an investment team that is truly multi-disciplinary, forward-looking, and creative. There is zero comparison with our prior stockbroker experience. We feel blessed to work with Heritage Financial and are truly proud of the results they have delivered on our behalf. Thank you for all you have done – Heritage Financial earns an uncompromising FIVE STAR rating. Superior in every sense (and cents), of the word. Awesome.
J and B Russell, High Springs
