Financial Services Firm Offers Blount Advice

Jim Blount, formerly of MetLife Financial Services Inc.’s branch in Springdale, opened an independent financial and investment counseling company on Nov. 16 in Springdale. Blount’s firm, The Point Financial Group, is based at 4700 S. Thompson St. in Country Club Centre.

The Point is an office of Linsco/Private Ledger, a member of the National Association of Security Dealers. Blount will offer portfolio management and retirement and estate planning.

Blount had been with MetLife for the last six years, where he also did financial counseling. He’s a Springdale native and a 1994 graduate of what’s now known as the University of Arkansas’ Walton College of Business.

His firm will initially employ three people including licensed lawyer Odell Taylor.

Blount, who is completing his certified financial planner designation, said he always wanted to own his own business.

“I wanted to stay in Springdale, too, because it’s a great city,” Blount said. “I graduated from high school here, and it’s home. There’s also not a lot of independent financial planners in Springdale, and I feel like I have something to offer.”

Blount is president of the Northwest Arkansas chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and is on the board of the Arts Center of the Ozarks.