About Us - Wilbanks Smith & Thomas

You are why we're here.

Money is personal - so is our commitment to you.

Wayne Wilbanks, firm co-founder and Managing Principal, describes his original vision for WST and describes the firm's enduring mission and values.

A Firm Built On a Client-First Foundation

Since its establishment in 1990, Wilbanks Smith & Thomas has sought to nurture a culture
of progress and innovation anchored by diligent research and tried-and-true best practice.

Over nearly three decades, WST has watched the money management industry grow, evolve and become focused on “one-size-fits-all” efficiencies that benefit the money manager rather more the client. As a result, we are more confident than ever in our client-first approach.

We know we are a more effective partner when we prioritize consultation, listening, and transparency, and what differentiates us is a focus on efficiency in execution, but an aversion to shortcuts in preparation. The types of clients who find a home with WST understand there are few short-cuts worth taking – least of all when it comes to the financial future of a family or organization.

Most importantly, as markets change and market participants evolve, we are steady in our personal commitment. Every member of your team at WST is a stakeholder in your daily experience as a client of our firm. We know investors face a lot of flashy options today, but we strive to be worth your investment of time and trust.

Pillars of Our Business

Customized solutions

Each relationship begins with our listening to you. Your story is the cornerstone of our process and a strategy that is a thoughtful reflection of you and your goals. It is our responsibility to promote confident commitment to your long-term plan.

Disciplined approach

Market volatility can test the nerve of any investor, encouraging short-term decision-making that can lead to disappointing outcomes. We can’t eliminate risk but we can prepare you for it through a disciplined approach that focuses on both reward and risk.

Objective advice

We are grateful to have served many clients for decades and through challenging market environments. We don’t make the right call every time, but every decision upholds our fiduciary duty and aims to honor the trust you place in us.

Transparent process

We believe a clearly defined plan, access to key decision-makers, and goals-based reporting are factors that support partnerships, nurture relationships and differentiate the experience of WST clients. Transparency is a standard you deserve and we demand of ourselves.

Personal commitment

Whatever his or her role, every WST employee takes pride in creating and implementing tailored solutions, exceeding your service expectations and sustaining a client-first culture. You are why we’re here.

Organizational Structure:

Wealth Management

Strategic wealth management

Financial planning
Generational planning
Portfolio management

Customized solutions

Independent research, experienced analysis

Objective advice

Open architecture
Internal & external expertise for portfolio implementation

Serving individuals, families, trusts

Institutional Advisory

Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and institutional portfolio advisory

Serving institutions, profit-sharing and 401k plans

spending policy, liquidity requirements & IPS analysis
definition of long-term strategic asset allocation
portfolio execution

Independent research & analysis

Objective advice, accountability and availability to staff, boards, etc.

Serving institutions, profit-sharing and 401k plans

Advisor Solutions

Strategic partner to intermediaries

Operational and investment support for national platforms and independent advisors
Leverage asset management capabilities to deliver customized portfolio solutions
Facilitate strategic plans to grow practices and better serve clients

Serving as sub-advisor to RIAs, brokers, advisor networks & intermediaries

WST Capital Management

ETF strategist division offering quantitative, rules-based investment solutions across equity, fixed income, alternatives, multi-asset and balanced.

Sophisticated quantitative science joins progressive portfolio design, leveraging the structural strengths of ETFs

Serving institutions, financial intermediaries, Turnkey Asset Management Programs (TAMPS), and sub-advising WSTAM mutual funds & other vehicles

Strategic wealth management

Financial planning
Generational planning
Portfolio management

Customized solutions

Independent research, experienced analysis

Objective advice

Open architecture
Internal & external expertise for portfolio implementation

Serving individuals, families, trusts

Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and institutional portfolio advisory

Serving institutions, profit-sharing and 401k plans

spending policy, liquidity requirements & IPS analysis
definition of long-term strategic asset allocation
portfolio execution

Independent research & analysis

Objective advice, accountability and availability to staff, boards, etc.

Serving institutions, profit-sharing and 401k plans

Strategic partner to intermediaries

Operational and investment support for national platforms and independent advisors
Leverage asset management capabilities to deliver customized portfolio solutions
Facilitate strategic plans to grow practices and better serve clients

Serving as sub-advisor to RIAs, brokers, advisor networks & intermediaries

ETF strategist division offering quantitative, rules-based investment solutions across equity, fixed income, alternatives, multi-asset and balanced.

Sophisticated quantitative science joins progressive portfolio design, leveraging the structural strengths of ETFs

Serving institutions, financial intermediaries, Turnkey Asset Management Programs (TAMPS), and sub-advising WSTAM mutual funds & other vehicles

Our Process

CUSTOMIZE

Strategic Asset Allocation

Strategic asset allocation is a tailored product of
consultation and analysis around investment horizons,
risk appetite and tolerance, goals.

DIVERSIFY

Investment Research & Selection

Rigorous research within an open architecture framework,
seeking to develop efficient core complemented by
satellite and alternative exposures.

SIMPLIFY

Portfolio Construction & Execution

Portfolio structured as a single managed account
focused on the most cost-efficient, liquid profile
achievable within strategic framework.

Scope of Investment Services

Asset allocation

Security selection

Asset management

Performance reporting

Portfolio rebalancing

Global equities

Passive/ asset class funds
Actively managed funds

Equity asset class funds
Alternative strategies
Qualitative/ quantitative analysis

Independent research and analysis

Fixed income

Managed portfolios

Government and corporate bond
Short- to intermediate-duration
Single-state municipal
High income:
- Preferred stock
- High Yield
- MLP/Income Stocks

Active and passive funds/ETFs

Independent research and analysis

Bottom-up equity

Managed portfolios

Independent research and analysis

Alternatives

Liquid alternative mutual fund model

Tactical ETF Portfolios

Equity
Fixed
Multi-Asset
Balanced

Independent research and analysis

This chart is intended to illustrate the firm's capabilities and high-level approach to asset management. It is not intended to represent a recommendation to buy any particular security or pursue any particular investment strategy.