MW
Michael S. Woods
WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Some features on this profile are disabled
CRD#: 2453768
MW
Professional summary
Michael Sean Woods is a registered financial advisor currently at WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC located in Santa Barbara, California and WORLD INVESTMENTS, LLC located in Santa Barbara, California.
Michael is registered as an IAR (Investment Advisor Representative) and RR (Registered Representative) and started their career in finance in 1994. Michael has worked at 16 firms and has passed the Series 66, Series 63, Series 99TO, SIE, Series 7, Series 6, Series 14 and Series 24 exams.
Question & Answer
Are you a "fiduciary"?
Yes
Aliases
None
Other business activities
Outside business activity is any business or activity undertaken by an advisor that is outside the scope of their relationship with their firm (e.g., consulting services, real estate, freelance work, teaching, etc.). Investors should stay informed about these activities to ensure no conflicts of interest.
The advisor shows no other business activity.
CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - RIA
Click below to view Michael Sean Woods's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).
Certified licenses
Advisors may have various certifications and credentials from different organizations. AdvisorCheck highlights these seven certifications - AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®, CFA, CLU®, CIMA®, CPWA®
NoneExperience
Current
May 21, 2015 - Present
WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC
Office #1: 24 E. Cota Street Suite 200, Santa Barbara, CA 93101RIA
CRD#: 208512
Santa Barbara, CA
Current
October 31, 2025 - Present
WORLD INVESTMENTS, LLC
Office #1: 24 East Cota Street Suite 200, Santa Barbara, CA 93101BD
CRD#: 20626
Santa Barbara, CA
Past
May 31, 2017 - October 31, 2025
PENSIONMARK SECURITIES, LLC
BD
CRD#: 283952
Santa Barbara, CA
Past
June 19, 2015 - May 15, 2022
CAPTRUST
RIA
CRD#: 175112
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Past
June 19, 2015 - September 5, 2017
CAPFINANCIAL SECURITIES, LLC.
BD
CRD#: 126291
Santa Barbara, CA
Past
November 30, 2010 - May 21, 2015
LPL FINANCIAL LLC
BD
CRD#: 6413
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Past
November 24, 2010 - June 11, 2015
INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL PARTNERS
RIA
CRD#: 125112
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Past
January 21, 2009 - December 1, 2010
NRP ADVISORS, INC.
RIA
CRD#: 141430
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Past
January 20, 2009 - November 30, 2010
NRP FINANCIAL, INC.
BD
CRD#: 103717
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Past
December 8, 2006 - January 26, 2009
VOYA FINANCIAL PARTNERS, LLC
RIA
CRD#: 34815
GLENDALE, CA
Past
December 8, 2006 - January 26, 2009
VOYA FINANCIAL PARTNERS, LLC
BD
CRD#: 34815
GLENDALE, CA
Past
October 2, 2006 - December 7, 2006
NRP FINANCIAL, INC.
BD
CRD#: 103717
BRYAN, OH
Past
September 29, 2006 - December 7, 2006
NRP FINANCIAL, INC.
RIA
CRD#: 103717
BRYAN, OH
Past
March 4, 2005 - September 14, 2005
AMUNDI ASSET MANAGEMENT US, INC.
RIA
CRD#: 107719
BOSTON, MA
Past
July 16, 2003 - September 14, 2005
AMUNDI DISTRIBUTOR US, INC.
BD
CRD#: 24497
BOSTON, MA
Past
June 13, 2003 - July 15, 2003
JOHN HANCOCK DISTRIBUTORS LLC
BD
CRD#: 5249
BOSTON, MA
Past
January 1, 2002 - January 16, 2002
AMUNDI DISTRIBUTOR US, INC.
BD
CRD#: 24497
BOSTON, MA
Past
July 13, 1999 - November 16, 2000
VERAVEST INVESTMENTS, INC.
BD
CRD#: 3960
WORCESTER, MA
Past
November 20, 1998 - May 26, 1999
PUTNAM RETAIL MANAGEMENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
BD
CRD#: 7325
BOSTON, MA
Past
March 23, 1994 - May 19, 1994
NYLIFE SECURITIES LLC
BD
CRD#: 5167
NEW YORK, NY
Primary Firm SEC Registration
This SEC-registered firm can serve clients nationwide. Some states may require the firm to submit a notice filing if the firm has more than 5 clients or a physical office there. You can view these state-level filings under the section titled "State Registrations and Notice Filings".
WI
WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC
AIAS RETIREMENT | ZWC ASSET MANAGEMENT | ZOSH WILLIAMS COSTA ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP | WRIGHT CONSULTING PARTNERS, LLC | WORLD PRIVATE CLIENT GROUP | WORLD INVESTMENTS | WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES | WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC | WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS - BAY AREA | WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS | WORLD INVESTMENT | WORLD ADVISORY SERVICES | WORLD ADVISORS | WEDCO FINANCIAL SERVICES | WEALTHPATH INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC | WEALTH BRIDGE ADVISORY SERVICES | WD PENSIONMARK | WASHCO FINANCIAL | VIRGILIO WEALTH MANAGEMENT | VALTREND, LLC | TWENTYFOUR INVESTMENTS | TUTTON INSURANCE | TUTTON FINANCIAL | TOWER ROCK ADVISORS | TOTAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT | TODAY FOR TOMORROW, INC. | THE WRIGHT GROUP | THE HOGAN FINANCIAL GROUP | THE HAMILTON GROUP | THE CERATO GROUP | TFT FINANCIAL & ESTATE SERVICES | TCG WEALTH MANAGEMENT | T(K)G PENSIONMARK | SYNERGY FINANCIAL SERVICES | SWM PRIVATE CLIENT ADVISORS | SWM ADVISORS | SOURJOHN-KIM RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS | SEVENHILLS PARTNERS, INC. | SEVENHILLS BENEFIT PARTNERS | SEVEN HILLS, A PENSIONMARK RETIREMENT FIRM | SEQUOIA CONSULTING GROUP | ROGERS FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. | RETIRE COASTAL CAROLINA | REDWOOD FINANCIAL, LLC | REDSTONE ADVISORS, LLC | REBORN FINANCIAL SERVICES | RAVANI RETIREMENT & WEALTH SOLUTIONS | QUANTUM FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS | PTG WEALTH ADVISORS | POTOMAC FINANCIAL SERVICES | POINT VANTAGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC | PFG INVESTMENT ADVISORS | PENSIONMARK WEALTH MANAGEMENT | PENSIONMARK WEALTH ADVISORS | PENSIONMARK RETIREMENT GROUP | PENSIONMARK RETIREMENT ADVISORS | PENSIONMARK INVESTMENT ADVISORS | PENSIONMARK FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC | PENSIONMARK FINANCIAL ADVISORS | PENSION INSIGHT | PATTERSON, TURNER & ASSOCIATES, LLC | ONPOINT WEALTH PARTNERS | NOVAWEALTH | NEW LEVEL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | NEW ENGLAND WEALTH ADVISORS | NABTI FINANCIAL | MY PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVISOR | MHK FINANCIAL | MERIDIEN PENSIONMARK | MERIDIEN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. | MERIDIEN BENEFITS, INC. | MCAFEE WEALTH ADVISORY | MBI WEALTH MANAGEMENT | MBI INVESTMENT ADVISORS | M EMPLOYEE BENEFITS | LIBERTAS FINANCIAL GROUP | L.R. WEBBER ASSOCIATES, INC. | KOLINSKY WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC | KAINOS PARTNERS, A PENSIONMARK RETIREMENT FIRM | KAINOS PARTNERS | INTEGRITY TAX AND FINANCIAL | HWM | HORIZON 2K FINANCIAL PLANNING | HOLTMAN FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. | HICKOK & BOARDMAN RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS | HEALEY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | HCI FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC | HAWAII WESTERN INVESTMENT SERVICES | GPS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED | FREEMAN & VANNAUKER | FRANKLIN WEALTH SERVICES | FPN STRATEGIC WEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC. | FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS, LLC | FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS | FINANCIAL POTENTIAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT | FINANCIAL PLANNING CONCEPTS OF AMERICA (FPCA), INC | FINANCIAL PLANNING CONCEPTS OF AMERICA | FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE ADVISORS | FINANCIAL DESIGN & MANAGEMENT, INC. | FIDUCIARY WEALTH MANAGEMENT | FIDUCIARY RETIREMENT ADVISORY GROUP, LLC | FFP WEALTH MANAGEMENT | EXPERIENTIAL WEALTH | EPIC LIFE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | ENDEAVOR RISK ADVISORS | ECM GROUP, LLC | DCS PENSIONMARK RETIREMENT GROUP | CREATIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT | COTA STREET INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT | COTA STREET ASSET MANAGEMENT | COTA ST. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT | COMPASS CORPORATE RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS | CLOUDBREAK FINANCIAL | CLEARVIEW 401(K) CONSULTANTS | CHAITANYA S. PATEL INC | CAMPANIA WEALTH MANAGEMENT | CALIFORNIA CORPORATE RETIREMENT SERVICES | CALIFORNIA CORPORATE BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES | BRIAMONTE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | BOSTON HARBOR WEALTH ADVISORS, LLC | BENEFITMARK | BD FINANCIAL SERVICES | AXIOS ADVISORY GROUP, LTD. | ASSUREDPARTNERS NORTHEAST | ASSUREDPARTNERS | ASSURED PARTNERS COLORADO | ASSURE FINANCIAL SERVICES | ASSET STRATEGY PENSIONMARK | ASSET STRATEGY CONSULTANTS, LLC | ASSET STRATEGY ADVISORS | ASHKA & ASSOCIATES | ASCENSION | ARK FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS, LLC | AJ FUTURE FINANCIAL PLANNERS, INC.
CRD#: 208512 / SEC#: 801-96193
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (5/6/2015 Approved)State Registrations and Notice Filings
Listed states reflect where the advisor is authorized to serve clients under state regulations.
IAR
means the advisor is registered as an Investment Advisor Representative in this state and is authorized to provide investment advice to clients there.RR
indicates the advisor is registered as a Registered Representative in this state, allowing them to offer securities such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds through a broker-dealer.Visual representation of state registrations
RR
Alabama(10/31/2025)
RR
Arizona(10/31/2025)
RR
Arkansas(10/31/2025)
IAR
California(5/21/2015)
RR
California(10/31/2025)
RR
Colorado(10/31/2025)
RR
Connecticut(10/31/2025)
RR
Delaware(10/31/2025)
RR
District of Columbia(10/31/2025)
RR
Florida(10/31/2025)
RR
Georgia(10/31/2025)
RR
Idaho(10/31/2025)
RR
Illinois(10/31/2025)
RR
Indiana(10/31/2025)
RR
Iowa(10/31/2025)
RR
Kentucky(10/31/2025)
RR
Louisiana(10/31/2025)
RR
Maine(10/31/2025)
RR
Maryland(10/31/2025)
RR
Massachusetts(10/31/2025)
RR
Michigan(10/31/2025)
RR
Minnesota(10/31/2025)
RR
Mississippi(10/31/2025)
RR
Missouri(10/31/2025)
RR
Nebraska(10/31/2025)
RR
Nevada(10/31/2025)
RR
New Hampshire(10/31/2025)
RR
New Jersey(10/31/2025)
RR
New York(10/31/2025)
RR
North Carolina(10/31/2025)
RR
North Dakota(10/31/2025)
RR
Ohio(10/31/2025)
RR
Oklahoma(10/31/2025)
RR
Oregon(10/31/2025)
RR
Pennsylvania(10/31/2025)
RR
Rhode Island(10/31/2025)
RR
South Carolina(10/31/2025)
RR
South Dakota(10/31/2025)
RR
Tennessee(10/31/2025)
RR
Texas(10/31/2025)
RR
Utah(10/31/2025)
RR
Virginia(10/31/2025)
RR
Washington(10/31/2025)
RR
West Virginia(10/31/2025)
RR
Wisconsin(10/31/2025)
Exams
State Security Law Exam
State Security Law Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
RR
Series 99TO
Date: 1/2/2023
Operations Professional ExaminationGeneral Industry/Product Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
Principal/Supervisory Exam
Principal/Supervisory Exam
SRO Registrations
RR
FINRA
Current Firm
WI
WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC
AIAS RETIREMENT | ZWC ASSET MANAGEMENT | ZOSH WILLIAMS COSTA ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP | WRIGHT CONSULTING PARTNERS, LLC | WORLD PRIVATE CLIENT GROUP | WORLD INVESTMENTS | WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES | WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC | WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS - BAY AREA | WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS | WORLD INVESTMENT | WORLD ADVISORY SERVICES | WORLD ADVISORS | WEDCO FINANCIAL SERVICES | WEALTHPATH INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC | WEALTH BRIDGE ADVISORY SERVICES | WD PENSIONMARK | WASHCO FINANCIAL | VIRGILIO WEALTH MANAGEMENT | VALTREND, LLC | TWENTYFOUR INVESTMENTS | TUTTON INSURANCE | TUTTON FINANCIAL | TOWER ROCK ADVISORS | TOTAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT | TODAY FOR TOMORROW, INC. | THE WRIGHT GROUP | THE HOGAN FINANCIAL GROUP | THE HAMILTON GROUP | THE CERATO GROUP | TFT FINANCIAL & ESTATE SERVICES | TCG WEALTH MANAGEMENT | T(K)G PENSIONMARK | SYNERGY FINANCIAL SERVICES | SWM PRIVATE CLIENT ADVISORS | SWM ADVISORS | SOURJOHN-KIM RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS | SEVENHILLS PARTNERS, INC. | SEVENHILLS BENEFIT PARTNERS | SEVEN HILLS, A PENSIONMARK RETIREMENT FIRM | SEQUOIA CONSULTING GROUP | ROGERS FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. | RETIRE COASTAL CAROLINA | REDWOOD FINANCIAL, LLC | REDSTONE ADVISORS, LLC | REBORN FINANCIAL SERVICES | RAVANI RETIREMENT & WEALTH SOLUTIONS | QUANTUM FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS | PTG WEALTH ADVISORS | POTOMAC FINANCIAL SERVICES | POINT VANTAGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC | PFG INVESTMENT ADVISORS | PENSIONMARK WEALTH MANAGEMENT | PENSIONMARK WEALTH ADVISORS | PENSIONMARK RETIREMENT GROUP | PENSIONMARK RETIREMENT ADVISORS | PENSIONMARK INVESTMENT ADVISORS | PENSIONMARK FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC | PENSIONMARK FINANCIAL ADVISORS | PENSION INSIGHT | PATTERSON, TURNER & ASSOCIATES, LLC | ONPOINT WEALTH PARTNERS | NOVAWEALTH | NEW LEVEL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | NEW ENGLAND WEALTH ADVISORS | NABTI FINANCIAL | MY PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVISOR | MHK FINANCIAL | MERIDIEN PENSIONMARK | MERIDIEN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. | MERIDIEN BENEFITS, INC. | MCAFEE WEALTH ADVISORY | MBI WEALTH MANAGEMENT | MBI INVESTMENT ADVISORS | M EMPLOYEE BENEFITS | LIBERTAS FINANCIAL GROUP | L.R. WEBBER ASSOCIATES, INC. | KOLINSKY WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC | KAINOS PARTNERS, A PENSIONMARK RETIREMENT FIRM | KAINOS PARTNERS | INTEGRITY TAX AND FINANCIAL | HWM | HORIZON 2K FINANCIAL PLANNING | HOLTMAN FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. | HICKOK & BOARDMAN RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS | HEALEY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | HCI FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC | HAWAII WESTERN INVESTMENT SERVICES | GPS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED | FREEMAN & VANNAUKER | FRANKLIN WEALTH SERVICES | FPN STRATEGIC WEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC. | FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS, LLC | FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS | FINANCIAL POTENTIAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT | FINANCIAL PLANNING CONCEPTS OF AMERICA (FPCA), INC | FINANCIAL PLANNING CONCEPTS OF AMERICA | FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE ADVISORS | FINANCIAL DESIGN & MANAGEMENT, INC. | FIDUCIARY WEALTH MANAGEMENT | FIDUCIARY RETIREMENT ADVISORY GROUP, LLC | FFP WEALTH MANAGEMENT | EXPERIENTIAL WEALTH | EPIC LIFE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | ENDEAVOR RISK ADVISORS | ECM GROUP, LLC | DCS PENSIONMARK RETIREMENT GROUP | CREATIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT | COTA STREET INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT | COTA STREET ASSET MANAGEMENT | COTA ST. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT | COMPASS CORPORATE RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS | CLOUDBREAK FINANCIAL | CLEARVIEW 401(K) CONSULTANTS | CHAITANYA S. PATEL INC | CAMPANIA WEALTH MANAGEMENT | CALIFORNIA CORPORATE RETIREMENT SERVICES | CALIFORNIA CORPORATE BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES | BRIAMONTE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | BOSTON HARBOR WEALTH ADVISORS, LLC | BENEFITMARK | BD FINANCIAL SERVICES | AXIOS ADVISORY GROUP, LTD. | ASSUREDPARTNERS NORTHEAST | ASSUREDPARTNERS | ASSURED PARTNERS COLORADO | ASSURE FINANCIAL SERVICES | ASSET STRATEGY PENSIONMARK | ASSET STRATEGY CONSULTANTS, LLC | ASSET STRATEGY ADVISORS | ASHKA & ASSOCIATES | ASCENSION | ARK FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS, LLC | AJ FUTURE FINANCIAL PLANNERS, INC.
CRD#: 208512 / SEC#: 801-96193
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (5/6/2015 Approved)Upgrade to AdvisorCheck Premium
Get A Biweekly Pulse, AutomaticallyReceive biweekly alerts automatically. Stay informed and proactive.
Catch Firm-Level Red Flags SoonerCatch leadership changes and disclosures early, before issues escalate.
See Trends. Not Just SnapshotsMonitor firm stability metrics like AUM and advisor ratios over time.
Contact information
Main Address
24 E. Cota Street Suite 200, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Mailing Address
Phone number
(888) 201-5488
Established
Firm type
Fiscal year end
# of Employees
413
SEC notice filing (52 States and Territories)
Regulatory assets under management
| Total Number of Accounts | 25,897 |
| AUM (Assets Under Management) | $ 56,284,395,644 |
Red Flags
Disclosures can be potential red flags, including customer disputes, regulatory fines, employer terminations, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, or certain criminal activities.
Check for any disclosures as part of your thorough research when choosing an advisor.
Company Information
WORLD INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC
CRD#: 208512Santa Barbara, CA 93101TRUST BUT VERIFY
Monitor Michael Woods
Get automatic monthly alerts on:Job or Firm Moves
Licensing Changes
Client Complaints
New Red Flags
Contact Information Updates
