An Interview With Heath Morris

From College to Career

From Bank to Firm: Becoming a Financial Planner

An Introduction to the OneAscent Advisor Experience

Helping Clients Navigate Their Legacy

A Counselor and A Coach

Financial Planning with a Purpose

Schedule a Consultation

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Heath Morris has been an advisor with OneAscent Wealth for three years, but his passions and motivations led him on a path towards his role here many years ago.\u00a0\u00a0\n

Heath is a Birmingham native, went to Samford University, and still calls Birmingham home. Before he knew what he wanted to do, he knew why. \u201cI wanted to be able to help people make wise decisions about their finances and their life. I wanted to serve, to help guide people.\u201d\n

We interviewed Heath to learn more about his story and how he came to be an invaluable part of the OneAscent Wealth team!\n

Do you need guidance in your financial strategy? Schedule a consultation today!”},”source”:{“query”:{“name”:””},”props”:{}}},{“type”:”headline”,”props”:{“title_element”:”h1″,”content”:”From College to Career”,”title_style”:”h2″}},{“type”:”text”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”column_breakpoint”:”m”,”content”:”

\u201cWhen I was at Samford, I was actually majoring in pre-law, so I was very involved in business and political science,\u201d Heath said. Despite focusing primarily on political science, the courses he took led him toward an interest in how our economy works, changes, and grows. While he wasn\u2019t yet sure about what he wanted to do when he graduated, Heath saw his interest and passions start to change.\n

After he graduated, Heath started working for a company that helped small businesses get loans. In this role, he saw how public policy could be used to create jobs and provide capital for businesses. After a few years, Heath transitioned into working for both community and larger banks. It was here that Heath primarily helped high-net-worth clients develop their wealth plans. “}},{“type”:”headline”,”props”:{“title_element”:”h1″,”content”:”From Bank to Firm: Becoming a Financial Planner”,”title_style”:”h2″}},{“type”:”text”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”column_breakpoint”:”m”,”content”:”

After the financial crisis of 2008, Heath was able to transfer his experience in wealth management to an independent financial advisor role. After about 10 years, he started looking for something new.\u00a0\n

\u201cI was happy in my current role, but I was beginning to seek new growth opportunities,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I first got connected with OneAscent about three years ago, I saw how they were establishing a great growth trajectory, and I admired their passion for helping clients figure out their calling.\u201d\u00a0\n

Health saw how clients were learning how to serve and steward their financial resources, and how OneAscent came alongside them through financial planning and investment management. He said, \u201cI knew that was what I was looking for.\u201d”}},{“type”:”headline”,”props”:{“title_element”:”h1″,”content”:”An Introduction to the OneAscent Advisor Experience “,”title_style”:”h2″}},{“type”:”text”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”column_breakpoint”:”m”,”content”:”

While his previous company had a faith-based values statement and served their clients well, they did not offer financial products that were able to intentionally align with client values.\u00a0\n

\u201cOne of the first things I noticed was OneAscent\u2019s intentionality,\u201d Heath said. \u201cAs a firm, we are very committed to the idea of values-aligned investments, and screening and producing client investment portfolios that adhere to the values we put forth. When a client expresses what they want in their investments, we go through a rigorous process to make sure that\u2019s exactly what they get.\u201d\n

Another aspect of his new role that inspired Heath was OneAscent\u2019s growth strategy. \u201cNot only are we investing and building our firm in Birmingham, but we are committed to rolling this out around the country, putting our efforts into an infrastructure that will serve countless clients and advisors,\u201d he said.”}},{“type”:”headline”,”props”:{“title_element”:”h2″,”content”:”Helping Clients Navigate Their Legacy”}},{“type”:”text”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”column_breakpoint”:”m”,”content”:”

OneAscent helps clients think not only about how they are going to save and invest for themselves, but how to plan for the next generation. \u201cLegacy planning isn\u2019t a new concept,\u201d Heath said, \u201cbut I have never seen the idea of teaching clients how to share their personal generosity habits to their children and grandchildren in this way.\u201d\u00a0\n

It\u2019s a process centered around passing on values, not just valuables. In these conversations, Heath said many clients expressed concerns about their children receiving an inheritance and not knowing what to do with it. Heath had seen both sides of these situations, as he had met with clients who received an inheritance and didn\u2019t know what to do next.\u00a0\n

The solution is communication. One of the most important aspects of financial and legacy planning is intentional conversation. Heath helps his clients identify what legacy they want to leave, and how they can communicate this to children and beneficiaries. “}},{“type”:”headline”,”props”:{“title_element”:”h2″,”content”:”A Counselor and A Coach”}},{“type”:”text”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”column_breakpoint”:”m”,”content”:”

Heath has seen a common fear of running out of money after retirement. Through the financial planning process, people are able to see that they will have plenty, what matters is the type of lifestyle they desire, and what they want to do with what\u2019s left over.\u00a0\n

Whether it\u2019s legacy coaching, financial planning, benefits consulting, or just catching up with a client about their annual goals, Health mentioned that as a financial advisor, there are many times where you are also a counselor and a coach.\u00a0\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always just loved working with clients. I enjoy translating some of the more complex topics in a way that really resonates with people,\u201d he said. \u201cAnyone can understand these topics, but it\u2019s different when they are just hearing how it works, and why it works for them in their situation.\u201d\n

Goals are also an important part of the financial planning process. \u201cWe help each client set 90-day goals and annual goals,\u201d Heath explained. \u201cWe review these goals throughout the year, and if they have been met, we ask, \u2018What\u2019s next?\u2019 If they have not reached their goals, we ask, \u2018What steps can we take toward reaching these?\u2019\u201d\n

Heath is also passionate about working through this same process with small business owners. His experience in small business loans had Heath working with small businesses, law firms, professional corporations, medical practices, and more. At OneAscent, his interactions with employers are primarily around group benefits and 401k plans. Many businesses are surprised that they can get a values-based investing approach through their 401k platforms. With OneAscent, many businesses are also able to find benefits that set their employees up for success, at better pricing, and with better service. “}},{“type”:”headline”,”props”:{“title_element”:”h2″,”content”:”Financial Planning with a Purpose”}},{“type”:”text”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”column_breakpoint”:”m”,”content”:”

learn more about the OneAscent Wealth process, values-aligned investing, and how you can find clarity and contentment in your financial life, schedule a consultation today!\n

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