Fiduciary Wealth Management for Wilmington, NC

Canopy Financial Solutions serves Wilmington and the greater New Hanover County area as an independent RIA — bringing fiduciary-standard investment management, retirement planning, and comprehensive wealth strategy to clients who expect more than a one-size-fits-all approach.

What It Means to Work With an Independent Fiduciary in Wilmington

Wilmington has no shortage of financial professionals. What's harder to find is an advisor who is legally required to act in your interest, manages portfolios in-house rather than outsourcing to third-party model managers, and holds advanced credentials earned specifically for the clients they serve.

 

I hold both the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation and the Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC) credential — the latter built specifically for federal employees navigating FERS, TSP, and federal benefit coordination. As a fiduciary, I don't earn commissions on products. My recommendations exist to serve your financial picture, not a sales quota.

 

Canopy operates on a virtual-first model, which means Wilmington-area clients receive the same depth of planning and portfolio oversight as clients who walk into a local office — without the overhead costs that often get passed along to you.

Wealth Management and Retirement Planning Built for Where You Are

Whether you're a federal employee at one of the installations or agencies serving the Cape Fear region, a retiree managing a portfolio in Wrightsville Beach, or a business owner in New Hanover County planning your next chapter, the financial questions you're facing are specific. Generic planning doesn't answer them.

 

My work with Wilmington-area clients typically spans:

 

  • Custom, in-house active portfolio management tailored to your risk profile and timeline — not a model pulled from a national template
  • Retirement income planning that accounts for Social Security timing, TSP distribution strategy, and FERS pension coordination
  • Estate planning coordination through Brick City Law, providing integrated wealth and legal strategy under one relationship
  • Personal and business consulting for small business owners working through succession, retirement plan design, or growth-stage financial decisions
  • Comprehensive wealth management that connects your investment, tax, estate, and income strategies into a single, coherent plan

A Background That Changes How I Work

Before I became a financial advisor, I served as a U.S. Army Special Operations officer — retiring with 4 Bronze Star Medals and 2 Purple Hearts. That background isn't a marketing credential. It shaped how I think about risk, planning under pressure, and the obligation I carry to every client who trusts me with their financial future.

 

The military community along the Fort Liberty corridor and across coastal North Carolina is a significant part of the population I serve. If you're a veteran, active duty service member, or retiring from federal service, I understand the benefit structures, the transition decisions, and the financial complexity that comes with that career in a way most advisors don't.

 

Canopy Financial Solutions was recognized as "Best Independent Wealth Manager in the Southeast USA of 2025" by Best of Best Review. That recognition reflects the standard I hold myself to for every client, whether they're in Sanford, Raleigh, or Wilmington.

Two overlapping speech bubbles with a question mark icon

Frequently Asked Questions — Wilmington Wealth Management

  • Do you work with clients in Wilmington in person or virtually?

    Canopy operates on a virtual-first model, which means I serve Wilmington and New Hanover County clients entirely through secure virtual meetings with no reduction in service quality or planning depth. If an in-person meeting is needed, we can discuss options — but most clients find the virtual model more convenient and just as effective.

  • Are you a fiduciary financial advisor?

    Yes. As a Registered Investment Advisor and ChFC designee, I operate under a fiduciary standard at all times. That means I'm legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest — not to recommend products based on commission or incentive.

  • Do you work with federal employees in the Wilmington area?

    Yes. I hold the Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC) credential and work specifically with federal employees navigating FERS pension decisions, TSP optimization, and federal benefit coordination. If you're approaching retirement from federal service, this is a specialty — not a side offering.

  • What makes Canopy different from other wealth management firms serving Wilmington?

    Three things set Canopy apart: I manage portfolios in-house rather than outsourcing to third-party models, I hold specialized credentials for both advanced financial planning and federal retirement, and I offer integrated estate planning coordination through Brick City Law — so your legal and financial strategy are built together, not in separate silos.

  • How do I get started as a Wilmington-area client?

    The simplest path is to schedule a meeting through Google Bookings, or reach out directly by email at zeke@canopyfinsol.com or by text at 919-275-5105. The first conversation is focused on understanding your situation — there's no obligation and no sales pitch.