Meridian Investment Counsel, Inc.
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
About
Meridian Investment Counsel provides discretionary investment management and standalone financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, non‑profit organizations and retirement plans. The firm reports approximately $723 million in assets under management and delivers customized portfolio implementation, security selection, and periodic reporting.
Its investment approach emphasizes tax‑wise, conservative growth grounded in fundamental company analysis and laddered fixed‑income strategies, with personalized asset allocation and a general preference for longer holding periods to limit taxes and trading costs. Meridian manages client assets internally (it does not use third‑party sub‑advisers), conducts regular investment‑committee reviews, and does not charge performance‑based fees.
Notable differences from many peers include affiliations with other financial and professional services: a firm principal operates a separate CPA/accounting and business‑consulting practice, and the firm is affiliated with a related registered adviser that offers 3(38) fiduciary services—both of which are provided under separate contracts and have historically required limited time commitments. Additionally, while Meridian does not initiate borrowing as part of its management, clients may elect to borrow (use margin) in their custodial accounts and the firm calculates advisory fees on the gross account value including any client‑directed borrowings; the firm’s $1 million account minimum and four‑person advisor team also yield a comparatively high AUM per advisor.
Client services
Expertise
Occupation focus
Fee options
Fixed fees typically range from $5,000 to $10,000 for financial planning, negotiable for limited scope plans
$0 - $2,500,000: 1.00% $2,500,001 - $5,000,000: 0.75% $5,000,001 - $10,000,000: 0.60% $10,000,001+: 0.30%
Starting at $375 per hour for financial planning services
Account minimum: $1,000,000 Minimum fee: $5,000 minimum annual fee, waivable or negotiable
Main office
Lafayette CA
Advisors at this office
3
Most active in
California · Colorado · Hawaii · Texas · Washington
Disclosures
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Business activities & affiliations
Is active or affiliated with:
Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
Is not active or affiliated with:
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Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
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Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
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Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
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Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
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Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
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Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
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Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
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Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Advisors at this firm
Nancy W
CFA®, CIC
Lafayette, CA
Meridian Investment Counsel, Inc.
Nancy Woodall is a CFA® and CIC credentialed financial advisor with 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Meridian Investment Counsel, Inc. since 2004. Meridian Investment Counsel provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, non-profit organizations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a tax-aware, conservative growth approach through fundamental security analysis, asset allocation, and long holding periods, managing portfolios on a fiduciary basis with in-house discretion.
John K
Series 65
Lafayette, CA
Meridian Investment Counsel, Inc.
John Kerns is a portfolio manager at Meridian Investment Counsel, Inc. with 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Meridian since 2005 and has operated a separate CPA and business-consulting practice since 1981, providing accounting services as a sole proprietor. Meridian Investment Counsel offers discretionary investment management and financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, non-profit organizations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a tax-aware, conservative growth strategy based on fundamental security analysis, asset allocation, and typically long holding periods, managing portfolios on a fiduciary basis with in-house discretion.
Anita S
CFP®, Series 66
Lafayette, CA
Meridian Investment Counsel, Inc.
Anita Singh is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, currently serving as an advisor at Meridian Investment Counsel, Inc. in Lafayette, CA, with five years of industry experience. She has been with Meridian since 2022 and also has a long-standing role with Arbonne. Outside of her advisory work, she provides bookkeeping services for a workers' compensation law firm in Walnut Creek. Meridian Investment Counsel offers discretionary investment management and financial planning primarily to individuals, families, trusts, non-profit organizations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a tax-aware, conservative growth strategy with fundamental security analysis and in-house portfolio management.
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