Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. logo

Bates Financial Advisors, Inc.

Updated today

Client AUM

$438,003,903

Clients

397

Advisors

4

across 2 offices

About

Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. is an SEC-registered advisory team of seven professionals managing roughly $395 million for about 426 clients. The firm provides discretionary and non‑discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting to individuals (including high‑net‑worth clients), pension and profit‑sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations and state or municipal entities.

The firm constructs individualized investment policies through personal interviews to define objectives, time horizons, risk tolerance and liquidity needs, then implements portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, government securities, CDs, variable insurance products and other instruments. Accounts are monitored continuously and reviewed at least annually, and the brochure discloses the firm may employ both long‑ and short‑term strategies and, when suitable, use borrowing or margin in managed accounts.

Bates is affiliated with Bates Securities, Inc., and many advisory personnel also act as registered representatives and licensed insurance agents, arrangements disclosed in the brochure that can generate commission and 12b‑1 revenue; the firm notes these conflicts and provides a mutual‑fund fee credit (0.0625% on 12b‑1 paying share classes). The brochure also describes an institutional relationship with Fidelity that supplies software and conversion reimbursements and notes limited practices (serving as trustee in certain situations and using standing letters of authorization) that can affect custody and brokerage arrangements.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management

Expertise

Annuities General estate planning guidance Retirement income strategy Cash flow / budgeting Tax-loss harvesting

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Fee options

Fixed

Financial planning and consulting services fixed fees range from $500 to $15,000

Percentage

0.25% to 1.00% annually (range depending on account size and negotiated terms)

Commissions

Commissions earned by registered representatives on securities transactions and insurance commissions separate from advisory fees

Project-based

Financial planning and consulting services hourly rates range from $75 to $1,000 per hour

Other

Account minimum: $100,000 Minimum fee: Minimum quarterly fee of $175 Fee-only: Financial planning and consulting services charged hourly ($75 to $1,000 per hour) or fixed fee ($500 to $15,000)

Main office

See office

8437 Northern Ave

Rockford IL 61107

Advisors at this office

3

Most active in

Arizona · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Florida · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Missouri · Tennessee · Texas · Wisconsin

Also doing business as

Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. · George E. Bates & Associates, Inc.

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

Advisors at this firm

user avatar

George B

Series 66

Rockford, IL

Bates Financial Advisors, Inc.

George Bates is a financial advisor at Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. with a Series 66 designation and experience across several firms, including FTI Consulting, Rice University, Plains All American Pipeline, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He has one year of industry experience. Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. manages approximately $395 million for about 426 clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and governmental entities. The firm develops customized investment policies and implements portfolios using a variety of instruments while monitoring accounts continuously.

Annuities General estate planning guidance Retirement income strategy Cash flow / budgeting Tax-loss harvesting
user avatar

Matthew B

Series 66

Rockford, IL

Bates Financial Advisors, Inc.

Matthew Bates is a financial advisor at Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. in Rockford, IL. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of experience in the financial industry. Prior to his current role, he worked in various positions including at Republic Services, Inc. and held roles at the University of Texas and Brunswick Corporation. Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. manages approximately $395 million for around 426 clients, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and governmental entities, constructing personalized investment policies and monitoring accounts continuously.

Annuities General estate planning guidance Retirement income strategy Cash flow / budgeting Tax-loss harvesting
user avatar

John W

CFP®, Series 65

Chicago, IL

Bates Financial Advisors, Inc.

John Wimbiscus is a CFP® with 24 years of industry experience, currently serving with Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. He previously worked at The Mather Group, LLC and Trinity Financial Advisors. The firm is an SEC-registered advisory team managing approximately $395 million for around 426 clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. Bates Financial Advisors customizes investment policies based on client objectives and risk tolerance, utilizing a range of instruments including mutual funds, ETFs, and government securities.

Annuities General estate planning guidance Retirement income strategy Cash flow / budgeting Tax-loss harvesting
user avatar

George B

Series 63, Series 65

Rockford, IL

Bates Financial Advisors, Inc.

George Bates is a financial advisor at Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. in Austin, TX, with 35 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and is a licensed attorney admitted in Illinois and various federal courts. In addition to his advisory work, he manages Global Proppant Supply LLC, which develops frac sand projects in Wisconsin. Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. is an SEC-registered advisory team of seven professionals managing approximately $395 million for around 426 clients. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and governmental entities, using personalized investment policies and a range of financial instruments.

Annuities General estate planning guidance Retirement income strategy Cash flow / budgeting Tax-loss harvesting
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