Lafayette
David Strother already had a long and successful career as a commercial lender when he got involved with his bank’s wealth advisory team. Having worked closely with business owners as a lender, he broadened his skillset by becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and earn his Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst® certification. He then began a mentoring relationship with industry icon Nick Murray, and later joined a study group with his future partner, Larry Sikes.
David’s transition from banking to wealth management was fairly easy, he recalls, noting the similarities in the needs of wealth management clients and commercial borrowers, as well as key differences. “It’s fine to accumulate wealth for its own sake,” David says. “But for me, I’m much more interested in helping clients who have not only found financial success, but also want to use that wealth to do something significant beyond themselves.” Despite his busy schedule, David invests a great deal of time and effort in his community, helping to serve in various civic and arts organizations. “People ask me how I have the energy to be so active,” he explains, “and I answer that these activities actually give me energy.”
When I was in commercial lending, I usually wore the white hat — especially when I was approving loans. But if problems developed on a loan, I might have to switch to the black hat, a role I really didn’t like. In wealth management, I appreciate that I get to wear the white hat all of the time.
— David Strother
