Ben Franklin once said that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. That sentiment is reflected perfectly in the workings of Tim Pagliara. With over three decades of experience in the Wealth Management industry as a seasoned financial advisor, he takes an educational approach with his clients.
Tim is the Founder, Chairman, and CIO of CapWealth, an independent investment advisory firm that builds wealth management solutions to meet investors’ challenges in an uncertain world. The firm practices various effective strategies to understand the complicated global market landscape in order to develop straightforward investment ideas for its clients. Tim understands clients are anxious about their money. So, he provides insights about his work to ease their concerns and answers any questions they have.
We came across Tim in our endeavor to find ‘The 10 Most Influential Leaders in Wealth Management.’ In the following profile, we dig into his journey to better understand how his years of expertise have helped him gain recognition at both the local and national level.
The Journey So Far
Growing up in a large working-class family, Tim knew that getting a proper education was important. As he looked at different paths, “one thing was very clear to me,” he says. “Lawyers ran the world.” He received his Juris Doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law and went straight to work at an Edward Jones financial firm, never pausing along the way to practice law.
Early on, Tim was assigned to the account of, a well-known MLB pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Even though Tim was still in law school, as he reviewed the portfolios, he uncovered discrepancies that even a seasoned advisor might have overlooked. Discoveries like that helped Tim work his way up through the company until he was charged with opening the firm’s first Nashville office.
In early 2000, after nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Tim formed CapWealth. Since opening its doors, CapWealth has successfully worked through the financial bubble, the housing market crash, and a global pandemic. Currently, CapWealth has grown to 16 employees and is recognized as a top advisory firm in Tennessee and the country by both Forbes and Barron’s magazine.
The Overview
As a leader, Tim strives to provide a foundation for strategic wealth achievement — and do so with integrity and a commitment to the ethical principles that are the foundation of CapWealth’s culture.
In 2014, he trademarked the term Provable Integrity™, which describes CapWealth’s transparent approach to wealth management while also highlighting the firm’s compliance with Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS). As a veteran of the securities industry, he has pushed for federal financial responsibility. He has also become increasingly passionate over the years about promoting awareness of the national debt problem and advocating for a pro-growth U.S. economic agenda.
In 2014, Tim founded Investors Unite, representing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shareholders seeking full restitution of their assets seized by the United States Treasury Department.
A Proficient Impact
Following the housing market crash in 2008, Tim became a vigorous advocate for the American dream of homeownership — unaware that it would become his niche in the industry. His lobbying in Washington to seek justice for homeowners and investors alike led directly to his book, Another Big Lie, in which he outlined the fall of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
In addition to shining a light on the corporate and governmental factors currently endangering the American Dream, Timothy has continued to fight for GSE shareholders and worked tirelessly to bring GSEs out of conservatorship. This combination of knowledge, experience, and passion has positioned him as an expert in the industry and a go-to resource on the housing market.
Value-Driven Work Culture
Tim believes in delayed gratification and having a long-view plan, which means investing the money in his team and business. As a leader, he strives to meet client needs and make the process better every step of the way.
Simultaneously, as an entrepreneur and owner, he recognizes that it’s not enough to simply attract extraordinary workers — one must invest in them. This strategic mindset has helped CapWealth steadily grow while retaining great employees who perform their best for its clients.
Keeping Up with Technologies
“CapWealth continually looks for technological advancements in the industry and tries to stay ahead of the curve,” he says. A few years ago, he invested in technology at the firm level, allowing its team to work remotely with easy access to a secured network. During the shutdown, this investment allowed everyone to transition seamlessly to working from home.
The company has also recently updated its portfolio management software at the client level, giving clients access to a CapWealth app that allows them to view their accounts anywhere and anytime.
Above and Beyond
Envisioning the future, Tim wants to see CapWealth continue to grow while providing exceptional service for its clients. He considers the firm a valuable resource for both clients and media outlets on various financial topics. His goal is to continue advocating for GSE shareholders and eventually see CapWealth’s hard work with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac come to fruition.
Guiding Words
Tim advises budding entrepreneurs who are venturing into Investment Management to focus on their communication. “This business has a foundation built on financial knowledge, but the real challenge is being able to successfully communicate your plan to a client at the end of the day,” he says. “If you can hone your communications skills in the industry, you will easily set yourself on the path to success.”
Tim Pagliara Founder, Chairman, and CIO - CapWealth
