Howard Safer was recently named to Research magazine’s 2012 Advisor Hall of Fame. Safer is CEO for Argent Trust Company, a subsidiary of Argent Financial Group, Inc. He serves as Trust Advisor offering investment, estate and family office services.
Candidates must pass rigorous screening processes to be considered for his high honor. They must have a minimum of 15 years of industry experience, have acquired substantial assets under management, demonstrate superior client service and have earned recognition from their peers and the broader community for the honor they reflect upon their profession.
Safer served early on in his career as controller for a New York Stock Exchange public company, as chief financial officer of a substantial private company and as managing partner of a 90-person CPA and consulting firm. He later served as president of the iconic J.C. Bradford Trust, a $900 million company, from its founding in 1993 until 2000 when parent J.C. Bradford was sold to Paine Webber. After that, he headed the Nashville office of the $25 billion Regions Morgan Keegan Trust for 12 year. In an echo of his move from Bradford to Regions, he joined Argent in April of 2012 when Morgan Keegan was sold to Raymond James.
“Howard Safer continues to enhance his outstanding reputation, not only in the Nashville area market, but also throughout our wealth management industry. The commitment to excellent client service consistently demonstrated by Howard and his team made their joining Argent both a natural and exciting combination.” said Kyle McDonald, President and CEO of Argent Financial Group, Inc.
Safer and daughter Mindy Hirt, Vice President, oversee about $250 million in assets for 60 households. Senior investment strategist Frank Hosse completes their client service team which comprises half of the professionals in Argent’s Nashville office.
Hirt, a certified financial planner, says of Safer: “He has been a great mentor. He’s a great instiller of confidence, a master delegator and when he believes in you he definitely wants you to roll with it. He’s patient when he needs to be, and shows elements of impatience when things need to get done. He’s a real advocate for clients.”
Safer is actively involved with Guardianship and Trust Corporation and Jewish Family Services.
About Argent Trust of Tennessee, Nashville Office:
The Nashville office of Argent Trust of Tennessee is located at One American Center, 3100 West End Avenue, Suite #150, Nashville, TN 37203 and can be reached at (615) 385-2345. For more information, visit www.argentmoney.com.
About Argent Financial Group:
Argent Financial Group, domiciled in Ruston, Louisiana, was formed in 1990 and traces its roots back to 1930. Responsible for more than $2.5 billion in client assets, Argent Financial Group is a diversified financial services entity providing individuals and businesses in the mid-South with a broad range of financial services including trust administration and related services, investment management, retirement plan and charitable organization administration, mineral (oil and gas) management, financial, retirement and estate planning, and brokerage services (offered through LPL Financial).
