Robert D. Smith
THAYER FINANCIAL, L.L.C.
Hickory, NC 28602
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CRD#: 6600354
Professional summary
Robert Deaton Smith III, AIF®, CFP®, who also goes by Deaton Smith, Robert Smith, is a registered financial advisor currently at THAYER FINANCIAL, L.L.C. located in Hickory, North Carolina.
Robert is registered as an IAR (Investment Advisor Representative) and started their career in finance in 2016. Robert has worked at 3 firms and has passed the Series 65, Series 63, SIE and Series 7 exams.
Core Areas of Focus
Baby Boomers
Business Owners
Fixed Fee (Subscription
Retainer
etc.)
Generation X
High Net Worth Client Needs
Investment Advice with Ongoing Management
Biography
I’m Deaton Smith, CFP®, ChFC®, WMCP® and I am the founder of Thayer Financial, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a West Point graduate and OEF Veteran.
I named Thayer Financial after the founding father of West Point because I envision my company as something bigger than me. It embodies the same values and principles of my time at West Point and in the Army: Duty, Honor, Integrity, and Loyalty. These values are at the very core of everything I do and stand for.
The existing business model is drowning in a sea of “trust me” salespeople all riddled with major conflicts of interest and complicated financial products that pay exorbitant commissions. This is why I created my own firm. My values and beliefs did not line up with any of these major firms and I knew that there had to be a better way to serve my clients.
That’s why I launched a fee-only Registered Investment Adviser that is legally obligated to work as a fiduciary 100% of the time.
I don’t accept commissions, referral fees, kickbacks, free vacations, or marketing dollars from insurance companies or investment companies.
The only way I get paid is directly from my clients for the services that I provide, which allows me to work solely in my client’s best interest. It also allows my clients to weigh the true cost of the advice and service they are receiving.
For more information please visit www.thayerfinancial.com
Question & Answer
What are your service offerings?
Retirement Planning
Comprehensive Financial Planni...
Estate Planning
Tax Planning
Investment Planning
Retirement Income Management
Insurance Planning
What is your minimum asset requirement?
500K
Are you a "fiduciary"?
Yes
Aliases
Deaton Smith | Robert Smith
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 Robert Deaton Smith III'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®
CFP®
Start date: 2019
Experience
Current
August 20, 2019 - Present
THAYER FINANCIAL, L.L.C.
Office #1: 439 4th Street Sw, Hickory, NC 28602RIA
CRD#: 304729
Hickory, NC
Past
April 26, 2018 - August 15, 2019
OSAIC SERVICES, INC.
RIA
CRD#: 133763
CORNELIUS, NC
Past
April 26, 2018 - August 15, 2019
OSAIC SERVICES, INC.
BD
CRD#: 133763
CORNELIUS, NC
Past
March 9, 2016 - April 27, 2018
EQUITABLE ADVISORS, LLC
RIA
CRD#: 6627
HICKORY, NC
Past
February 10, 2016 - April 27, 2018
EQUITABLE ADVISORS, LLC
BD
CRD#: 6627
HICKORY, NC
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".
THAYER FINANCIAL, L.L.C.
THAYER FINANCIAL | THAYER FINANCIAL, LLC | THAYER FINANCIAL, L.L.C.
CRD#: 304729 / SEC#: 801-135029
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/2/2026 Approved)North Carolina
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/9/2026 Terminated)Tennessee
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/6/2026 Terminated)Texas
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/6/2026 Terminated)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.Highlighted states indicate IAR registrations
IAR
North Carolina(8/20/2019)
IAR
Texas(9/19/2019)
Exams
State Security Law Exam
State Security Law Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
Current Firm
THAYER FINANCIAL, L.L.C.
THAYER FINANCIAL | THAYER FINANCIAL, LLC | THAYER FINANCIAL, L.L.C.
CRD#: 304729 / SEC#: 801-135029
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/2/2026 Approved)North Carolina
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/9/2026 Terminated)Tennessee
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/6/2026 Terminated)Texas
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/6/2026 Terminated)Upgrade to AdvisorCheck Premium
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Contact information
Main Address
439 4th Street Sw, Hickory, NC 28602
Mailing Address
Phone number
(828) 569-2785
Established
Firm type
Fiscal year end
# of Employees
3
SEC notice filing (4 States and Territories)
Regulatory assets under management
| Total Number of Accounts | 493 |
| AUM (Assets Under Management) | $ 106,449,059 |
Red Flags
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Check for any disclosures as part of your thorough research when choosing an advisor.
