2025 Trusted Advisers: Richard Baker

Accredited investment fiduciary Richard Baker uses his communication skills to help take the guesswork out of financial and retirement planning.

The CEO and executive wealth adviser at Fervent Wealth Management LLC, Baker pens a weekly newspaper column, called “Stock Market Insights,” which reaches nearly 500,000 readers, including those at Springfield Business Journal. He’s the author of two books, “Biblical Retirement” in 2015 and “How Do I Retire?” in 2022, and he brings a background as a pastor in Springfield and Nixa. Then there’s his financial career background, which includes his current work founding Fervent Wealth Management nearly four years ago and past roles as executive vice president at Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC and commercial lender and relationship manager at Bank of America.

“I have a knack for explaining complex financial concepts in a way that is easy to understand,” Baker says. “I am not just a financial adviser – being an accredited investment fiduciary makes me legally obligated to put clients’ interests above all else.”

Baker says his personalized financial advisement work is highly valued in an industry where the onset of artificial intelligence and the 24/7 news cycle can sway sentiment.

“I stay up-to-date with the latest trends by daily reading market analysis, listening to market-driven podcasts and attending every significant conference that helps me stay front and center on the topics that affect my clients,” he says. “My role is to provide honest guidance, act in my clients’ best interests and help them make informed decisions throughout each stage of their lives.

“Trust is at the heart of everything I do.”

Client Dennis Webb, pastor emeritus at New Beginnings Fellowship, agrees with Baker’s statement about trust.

“In an area where trust is so very important, I have trusted Richard with my life savings from market corrections and losses with nothing but thankfulness,” Webb says. “Through his guidance and advice, he has positioned me to avoid pitfalls, minimize losses and maximize gains without too much risk.”

Baker’s biblical experience is appreciated as well, says Webb, who notes the financial adviser “motivates his clients to make God the center of their finances and honor him with proper money stewardship.”