49 Financial

49 Financial began inside a Fortune 500 company before it became an independent, registered investment advisor (RIA) firm in 2019. It was founded by Travis Penfield, Hunter Lloyd and Kyle Sims in Dallas. In 2020, Tim Rodgers launched the Northwest Arkansas office, and later he launched the firm’s Kansas City, Kan., office.

Rodgers oversees about 20 advisers in both of those offices. The firm has 10 offices nationwide.

“49 Financial offers values-driven financial planning, grounded in the core belief that ‘two are better than one,’” Rodgers said. “Our team specializes in providing comprehensive solutions for clients with high levels of complexity in their financial needs. We deliver personalized, holistic planning to support these intricate needs by creating a network of experts in areas like estate planning, charitable giving and legal counsel. Our team at 49 Financial leads the integration of specialized advice and oversees the execution to create simplicity for our clients.”

One advantage the Northwest Arkansas firm has is the average age of its advisers. The average age of its financial advisers is almost half the industry average, which hovers close to 60.

“Our process integrates comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax strategy, and estate planning, which are traditionally reserved for ultra-high-net-worth families, and through our partnerships made them attainable and affordable,” Rodgers said. “Offering additional services to clients through partnering with experts in their space has allowed clients to benefit from a financial plan that is truly holistic — covering aspects of their financial plan that other firms are unable to — tied together by a central Northwest Arkansas planning team, ensuring it all works together seamlessly.”

Northwest Arkansas has been a key driver of the company’s growth, he said. Rodgers said he grew up in the region, and after he graduated from college, he moved to Dallas to help set up the first 49 Financial office.   

Rodgers said he wanted to return home and thought Northwest Arkansas would be a good environment for the firm’s services.

“Arkansas as a whole has fostered a culture of trust and collaboration, allowing our team to build strong, lasting relationships with clients,” he said. “The state’s steady economic growth and emphasis on community support have reinforced our mission to provide financial clarity for the people we serve.”

The firm plans to grow throughout the Midwest during the next decade, and the Rogers office will serve as a hub for that growth.

Editor’s note: This company is a finalist for the Northwest Arkansas Outstanding Business Awards — Large Business category. Winners will be announced at a luncheon on April 9.