Thayer Financial takes its name and foundational values from Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, the visionary leader whose legacy of discipline and character earned him the title “Father of West Point.” For founder Deaton Smith, who carried those principles through the Academy and his service as an Army officer, Thayer Financial was conceived as an organization built around an enduring code of duty, honor, integrity, and loyalty.
The modern financial industry is crowded with commission-driven salespeople operating on a “trust me” premise. We believe true trust is earned through structural alignment, not sales talk.
By operating exclusively as an independent, fee-only Registered Investment Advisor, Thayer Financial eliminates the structural conflicts that plague conventional firms. We accept zero commissions, market no proprietary investment products, and bear a legal, fiduciary duty to serve our clients’ best interests in every recommendation we make. Our allegiance is singular, transparent, and unwavering.
We don’t accept commissions, referral fees, kickbacks, free vacations, or marketing dollars from insurance companies or investment companies.
Duty:
Morally and legally obligated to fulfill our obligations
Honor:
Holding oneself to a higher standard of conduct
Integrity:
Always choosing the harder right over the easier wrong
Loyalty:
Loyalty to a client is the very essence of being a fiduciary
We believe trust begins with total clarity. Thayer Financial is compensated solely through a direct, transparent fee paid by our clients, never through product commissions or hidden incentives. By operating as a strictly fee-only firm, our allegiance remains 100% with the families we serve, ensuring every recommendation is driven by what is best for your balance sheet, not ours.
Deaton & Thayer Financial are proud members of: