Why Work With Me?
The Short Version: I Left Wall Street to Work for You
I’m Paul Howard, a registered investment advisor in Camas, WA. I’ve spent 30+ years in financial services, from Wall Street to government retirement systems to teaching financial planning at UC Davis.
I could still be working for a big firm, managing accounts for wealthy clients and collecting commissions. Instead, I built something smaller, more honest, and more personal, because I believe ordinary people deserve the same quality of financial guidance that wealthy people have always had access to.
Professional Experience & Financial Expertise
EF Hutton — Wall Street
I started my career at EF Hutton, one of the most recognized names on Wall Street. I specialized in retirement investments, tax-advantaged strategies, trust portfolios, and nonprofit endowments. I learned the financial industry from the inside, and eventually decided it needed to work better for everyday people.
Government Retirement Systems
I managed public-sector employee compensation, benefits, and municipal retirement plans, working directly with the people most firms ignore: firefighters, police officers, health services workers, and other civil servants planning for retirement on modest incomes.
UC Davis — Faculty
I taught in the Financial Planning program at UC Davis before retiring from academia at 55. Teaching reinforced something I already believed: financial knowledge shouldn’t be a luxury.
Education & Credentials
Sacramento State University & UC Davis. Credentialed in Economics and Personal Financial Planning.
Why I Founded PNW Prosperity & Wealth Management
After my wife retired from teaching, we spent years traveling the country. Everywhere we went, I saw the same two things:
- Big-name Wall Street firms that only opened their doors to the wealthy
- Strip mall shops that can charge up to 8.5% of your initial investment—upfront! That won’t happen with me. https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulebooks/finra-rules/2341
Regular people were being underserved, or worse, taken advantage of. That bothered me enough that when we settled in Camas, WA, I came out of retirement to do something about it.
PNW Prosperity & Wealth Management exists to give working families, retirees, small business owners, and everyday folks access to the same level of financial guidance once reserved for the wealthy at a price they can actually afford.
I know almost nothing about finances and never have no matter how hard I’ve tried to understand, but that’s okay because Paul has helped me with my retirement planning for almost 20 years and has taken excellent care of me over that time. He listens, explains, and has always been readily available. No long periods of not hearing from him, no dramatic surprises, just solid, steady advice and excellent results. Hoping for another 20 years!
~ Susan H., Career Educator
What Fiduciary Actually Means
You’ve probably heard the word. Here’s what it means in plain language:
As a fiduciary, I am legally and ethically required to act in your best interest, not mine, not a product company’s, not anyone else’s. If I ever can’t help you, I’ll tell you that and point you toward someone who can.
Most financial advisors you meet are NOT fiduciaries. They operate under a lower standard called the “suitability standard,” which allows them to recommend products that are merely “good enough,” even if those products pay them a commission.
What that means for you: When I make a recommendation, it’s because it’s right for your situation.
Fee-Only:
How My Structure Protects You
- I never get paid by a product company for recommending something to you. No commissions.
- No account maintenance charges, no onboarding fees, no fine print. No hidden fees.
- I work with people regardless of how much they have. No minimums.
- Before we start, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for. No surprises.
You pay me directly. That’s it. Which means every piece of advice I give you is working in your direction, not mine.
What You Actually Get
I keep my overhead low and work alone. No big office, no sales team, no corporate layers passing your account around. What that means for you:
- You always work directly with me, Paul Howard, not an associate or a call center
- 30+ years of experience applied directly to your situation
- Boutique-level financial guidance at a fraction of what traditional firms charge
My Record Is Public
Every registered investment advisor has a permanent record in a federal database. Mine shows registration status, any client complaints, disciplinary actions, and civil litigation history.
I’m proud to say: after 30+ years, my record is completely clean.
Paul K. Howard — CRD# 1297171
Search my record at: adviserinfo.sec.gov