CityVettedCityvetted
Independent. Never pay-to-play.
Financial Advisors · Wilmington, NC/Updated June 13, 2026

The 10 Best Financial Advisors in Wilmington, NC

Choosing a financial advisor can be daunting. Avoid common pitfalls by knowing what to ask before you hire.

Editorially independent10 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceTilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc.
94Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 10 Wilmington-metro financial advisors businesses evaluated, top 10 ranked by Vetted Score.

Finding the right financial advisor in Wilmington is essential for securing your financial future. With a growing number of providers, it can be challenging to know whom to trust.

We evaluated 10 local firms, focusing on their ratings and reviews from actual clients. This list reflects the most reliable options based on real performance, not paid placements.

10financial advisors evaluated in Wilmington
4.98average rating across the field
249customer reviews analyzed

Cityvetted analysis of public Google review data, updated June 13, 2026.

How much does financial advisors cost in Wilmington? See the price breakdown →

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
★ Editor's Choice
94Score

Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc.

★★★★★5.0(89 reviews)

With a perfect rating of 5 stars from 89 reviews, Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
93Score

Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Reid A Harris, CFP®|RICP®|CRPC™ holds a solid 5-star rating from 62 reviews.

Read full review
Best for Retirement Planning
92Score

Carolina Retirement Planners

★★★★★4.9(57 reviews)

Carolina Retirement Planners has an impressive rating of 4.9 stars from 57 reviews.

Read full review

All 10, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
94Score
5.0★★★★★
89Individuals seeking personalized financial advice
2
93Score
5.0★★★★★
62Retirement planning and investment guidance
3
Carolina Retirement Planners
Carolina Retirement Planners
Best for Retirement Planning
92Score
4.9★★★★★
57Those nearing retirement
4
85Score
5.0★★★★★
15Financial education and budgeting help
5
84Score
4.9★★★★★
18Investors seeking tailored strategies
6
80Score
5.0★★★★★
3Clients looking for personalized investment management
7
80Score
5.0★★★★★
2Clients looking for attentive financial advice
8
79Score
5.0★★★★★
1Clients seeking straightforward financial advice
9
79Score
5.0★★★★★
1Clients seeking personalized financial plans
10
78Score
5.0★★★★★
1Clients wanting a friendly financial advisor
Methodology

How we evaluated all 10 financial advisors.

Our evaluation process involved analyzing client reviews and ratings, ensuring we captured a broad view of each advisor's strengths and weaknesses. We refresh our rankings monthly to provide the latest insights.

No business pays for placement in our rankings, which guarantees an unbiased look at the financial advisory landscape in Wilmington.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc.

★★★★★5.0(89 reviews)
94Score

With a perfect rating of 5 stars from 89 reviews, Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc. receives high praise for its personalized service and comprehensive financial strategies. Clients appreciate their fiduciary approach, ensuring that your best interests come first. However, as their client base grows, some may find availability limited during busy seasons.

Pros

  • Personalized financial strategies
  • Fiduciary commitment
  • Strong client focus

Cons

  • Limited availability during peak times
  • Growing client base may affect service
Best forIndividuals seeking personalized financial advice
Service areaWilmington, NC
Typical pricing$150 to $300 per hour
2
93Score

Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Reid A Harris, CFP®|RICP®|CRPC™ holds a solid 5-star rating from 62 reviews. Clients commend Reid for his approachable demeanor and thorough explanations of financial plans. He is particularly well-regarded for retirement planning. A downside is that some clients wish for more frequent communication. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is retirement planning and investment guidance. It serves Wilmington, NC, with pricing that varies by job, and the honest trade-offs are limited communication frequency and may not cater to aggressive investors.

Pros

  • Approachable and friendly service
  • Thorough retirement planning
  • Clear explanations

Cons

  • Limited communication frequency
  • May not cater to aggressive investors
Best forRetirement planning and investment guidance
Service areaWilmington, NC
Typical pricingVaries based on services
3
Best for Retirement Planning

Carolina Retirement Planners

★★★★★4.9(57 reviews)
92Score

Carolina Retirement Planners has an impressive rating of 4.9 stars from 57 reviews. Clients appreciate their expertise in retirement strategies and the tailored approach they take with each individual. However, with a smaller review count, some may find it hard to gauge their overall consistency in service. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is those nearing retirement. It serves Wilmington, NC, with $100 to $250 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are smaller review base and limited service offerings for younger clients.

Pros

  • Expertise in retirement planning
  • Tailored financial strategies
  • Strong customer relationships

Cons

  • Smaller review base
  • Limited service offerings for younger clients
Best forThose nearing retirement
Service areaWilmington, NC
Typical pricing$100 to $250 per hour
4

Inspire Financial Planning

★★★★★5.0(15 reviews)
85Score

Inspire Financial Planning has a solid 5-star rating from 15 reviews. Clients appreciate the personalized attention and guidance offered by the team. They are particularly noted for their budgeting and financial education services. However, the thin review base leaves some uncertainty about long-term client satisfaction. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is financial education and budgeting help. It serves Wilmington, NC, with $100 to $200 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are thin review base and limited range of services.

Pros

  • Personalized financial education
  • Strong customer service
  • Budgeting assistance

Cons

  • Thin review base
  • Limited range of services
Best forFinancial education and budgeting help
Service areaWilmington, NC
Typical pricing$100 to $200 per hour
5

Masonboro Advisors

★★★★★4.9(18 reviews)
84Score

Masonboro Advisors holds a 4.9-star rating from 18 reviews. Clients commend their knowledgeable staff and hands-on approach to financial planning. They excel in creating investment strategies tailored to individual goals. However, their limited review count may make some potential clients hesitant. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is investors seeking tailored strategies. It serves Wilmington, NC, with $150 to $250 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited client feedback and smaller firm may lack resources.

Pros

  • Knowledgeable staff
  • Hands-on financial planning
  • Tailored investment strategies

Cons

  • Limited client feedback
  • Smaller firm may lack resources
Best forInvestors seeking tailored strategies
Service areaWilmington, NC
Typical pricing$150 to $250 per hour
6

Old North State Wealth Management

★★★★★5.0(3 reviews)
80Score

Old North State Wealth Management has a 5-star rating from 3 reviews. Clients appreciate the personal touch and customized investment plans offered by the firm. However, the limited number of reviews raises questions about their service consistency and client retention. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients looking for personalized investment management. It serves Wilmington, NC, with $200 to $350 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are very limited review base and less experience compared to larger firms.

Pros

  • Personalized investment plans
  • Strong client relationships
  • Focused service

Cons

  • Very limited review base
  • Less experience compared to larger firms
Best forClients looking for personalized investment management
Service areaWilmington, NC
Typical pricing$200 to $350 per hour

Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Kyle M Mitchell, CRPC™ has a 5-star rating from 2 reviews. Clients note his attentive service and clear financial advice. However, with only two reviews, it's hard to assess his long-term performance and client satisfaction. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients looking for attentive financial advice. It serves Wilmington, NC, with pricing that varies by job, and the honest trade-offs are very thin review base and limited service offerings.

Pros

  • Attentive service
  • Clear financial guidance

Cons

  • Very thin review base
  • Limited service offerings
Best forClients looking for attentive financial advice
Service areaWilmington, NC
Typical pricingVaries based on services
8

Lumina Wealth Management

★★★★★5.0(1 reviews)
79Score

Lumina Wealth Management has a perfect 5-star rating from 1 review. The client praised the clear and straightforward advice provided. However, the extremely limited feedback makes it difficult to evaluate their services effectively. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients seeking straightforward financial advice. It serves Wilmington, NC, with pricing that varies by job, and the honest trade-offs are only one review and unproven track record.

Pros

  • Clear advice
  • Personalized attention

Cons

  • Only one review
  • Unproven track record
Best forClients seeking straightforward financial advice
Service areaWilmington, NC
Typical pricingVaries based on services
9

OmniStar Financial Group

★★★★★5.0(1 reviews)
79Score

OmniStar Financial Group also holds a perfect 5-star rating from 1 review. The feedback highlights their personalized approach to financial planning. However, like Lumina, the lack of reviews makes it hard to provide a full picture of their capabilities. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients seeking personalized financial plans. It serves Wilmington, NC, with pricing that varies by job, and the honest trade-offs are only one review and limited feedback for evaluation.

Pros

  • Personalized financial planning
  • Clear communication

Cons

  • Only one review
  • Limited feedback for evaluation
Best forClients seeking personalized financial plans
Service areaWilmington, NC
Typical pricingVaries based on services
10

Capital Financial Advisory Group

★★★★★5.0(1 reviews)
78Score

Capital Financial Advisory Group has a perfect 5-star rating from 1 review. The review praises the advisor's knowledge and approachability. However, with only one review, it's difficult to assess the overall service quality and experience offered. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients wanting a friendly financial advisor. It serves Wilmington, NC, with pricing that varies by job, and the honest trade-offs are only one review and unproven service quality.

Pros

  • Knowledgeable advisor
  • Approachable service

Cons

  • Only one review
  • Unproven service quality
Best forClients wanting a friendly financial advisor
Service areaWilmington, NC
Typical pricingVaries based on services
Before you book

How to choose a financial advisor in Wilmington

Asking the right questions can help you find a financial advisor who aligns with your goals. Here are key considerations to guide your choice.

What is your investment philosophy?

Understanding how an advisor approaches investing can help you determine if their strategy aligns with your financial goals.

What are your fees and how are they structured?

Clarifying fees upfront will prevent surprises later. Ensure you understand all costs associated with their services.

Can you provide references from current clients?

Requesting client references can offer insight into the advisor's track record and client satisfaction.

What it costs

What financial advisors cost in Wilmington

The cost of hiring a financial advisor can vary significantly based on services and expertise. Here’s what you might expect.

Hourly RatesMany advisors charge between $150 to $400 per hour, depending on their experience and the complexity of your needs.
Flat FeesSome advisors offer flat fees for specific services, typically ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 for comprehensive financial planning.
Percentage of Assets Under Management (AUM)Commonly, advisors charge around 1% of AUM annually, which could be higher for lower asset levels.
Retainer FeesA retainer fee model may range from $2,000 to $10,000 annually, depending on the level of ongoing service and support.

Frequently asked questions

How much does financial advising cost in Wilmington?

Costs for financial advising in Wilmington can vary widely, but typical fees range from $150 to $400 per hour, depending on the provider and services offered.

What is the average rating of financial advisors in Wilmington?

The average rating among the evaluated financial advisors in Wilmington is approximately 4.8 stars, with a total of 249 reviews across all providers.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most Wilmington residents: <strong>Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc.</strong>

For personalized financial planning, Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc. is the best choice, thanks to its 5-star rating from 89 reviews. If you prefer a well-established firm with a solid reputation, Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Reid A Harris, CFP®|RICP®|CRPC™ is a strong alternative, especially for those looking for a comprehensive approach. For retirement-specific planning, Carolina Retirement Planners is ideal, especially for clients focused on retirement strategies.