Edward Jones Investments: A Comprehensive Review

Edward Jones Investments is a financial services firm that offers a range of investment products and services. The company was founded in 1922 by Alfred Jones and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

Edward Jones has over 14,000 financial advisors and more than 7,000 branch offices, making it one of the largest financial services firms in the United States. Its advisors work with clients to create personalized investment plans and provide ongoing support and guidance.

The firm's investment products include a variety of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other investment vehicles. Edward Jones also offers retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 401(k)s, to help clients save for their future.

See what others are reading: Odoo Clients

At Edward Jones, you have a wide range of account options to choose from. You can open a regular taxable brokerage account, traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), custodial account, college savings account, and more.

The firm offers several wealth management services, including the Guided Solutions Flex Account, which has a minimum account size of $25,000, and the Point in Time Financial Planning Service, which has no minimum asset requirements.

Edward Jones also offers a variety of advisory programs, such as the Advisory Solutions Fund Models, Advisory Solutions Unified Managed Account (UMA), and SMA Model Portfolios, which provide access to separately managed accounts (SMAs), ETFs, and mutual funds managed by affiliated or unaffiliated managers.

Here are some of the main account options available:

Edward Jones offers a wide variety of account options to suit different needs and goals. You can choose from a regular taxable brokerage account, traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), custodial account, college savings account, and more.

Their advisory programs include the Advisory Solutions Fund Models, which is a wrap fee program that invests in a diversified portfolio of mutual funds and ETFs, managed according to your chosen risk tolerance and investment objectives.

The firm also offers the Guided Solutions Flex Account, which is a client-directed advisory account where you maintain control over final trade decisions, while receiving ongoing investment guidance from an Edward Jones financial advisor.

Here are some of the main account options offered by Edward Jones:

Edward Jones typically uses a buy-and-hold philosophy when investing, prioritizing reliable, long-term growth over short-term plays.

If you're interested in having a financial advisor to manage your investments, Edward Jones offers a range of options.

You can choose from several advisory programs, including the Guided Solutions Flex Account, where you maintain control over final trade decisions, or the SMA Model Portfolios, which offer managed portfolios consisting of equities and ETFs.

Edward Jones financial advisors can also provide active management across various asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and ETFs, through their Financial Advisor Managed Solutions.

However, it's worth noting that Edward Jones advisors are not fiduciaries, which means they are not legally required to put their clients' needs ahead of their own, and may be tempted to recommend investments with higher fees.

To give you a better idea of the fees associated with financial advisors, here are some examples:

Many of Edward Jones' advisors choose to operate as if they are fiduciaries anyway, but it's essential to be aware of the potential conflicts of interest that can arise from their fee structure.

Edward Jones offers two types of investment models: Fund Models and Unified Management Account (UMA) Models. The UMA Models are not discussed in the article sections provided.

Fund Models are a popular option, with over 90 unique mixes of mutual funds and ETFs to choose from. Your advisor will help you select a Fund Model based on your portfolio's objective, which is determined by your age, risk tolerance, income needs, and total portfolio value.

If you select a Fund Model, you'll have to meet the minimum investment requirement of $25,000. Some Fund Models have higher minimums, such as $300,000 for Growth & Income, Balanced Toward Growth, and Growth Focus, or $500,000 for Balanced Toward Income and Income Focus.

Here are some examples of Fund Models:

Edward Jones financial advisors work with a unique business model that's centered around a one-broker-per-office approach. This allows clients to choose their broker directly and deal with that person exclusively.

The company has a large staff of 18,892 brokers, who are all licensed brokers and financial advisors. They work out of more than 15,000 branch offices across the United States.

In the past, clients were directed to a single branch office, but Edward Jones has since introduced a teaming program that allows multiple branches to service clients. This change aims to provide more flexibility and support to clients.

Edward Jones' business model is built around commission-based and fee-based financial products, which can be a point of contention for some investors.

Edward Jones offers two types of investment models: Fund Models and Unified Management Account (UMA) Models.

If you choose to invest with Edward Jones, you'll have the option to select from over 90 Fund Models, which are unique mixes of mutual funds and ETFs.

These Fund Models are reviewed and rebalanced regularly to keep them in line with the research team's criteria.

You'll need to have a minimum investment of $25,000 to get started with Fund Models.

The Fund Models are categorized into six different types, including Growth & Income, Balanced Toward Growth, Growth Focus, Income Focus, Balanced Toward Income, and a few others.

Here are the six Fund Models with their respective minimum investments:

Keep in mind that some of these Fund Models have higher minimum investment requirements, such as $300,000 or $500,000.

Edward Jones offers three main service levels: Select Accounts, Guided Solutions, and Advisory Solutions. Each level provides a different level of guidance and support.

Select Accounts is a basic account with no minimum investment, giving you full control over your investments. You can invest in stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and annuities, and reach out to your advisor for advice.

Guided Solutions offers more research and guidance from your advisor, with a minimum investment of $25,000. Your account will also have "guardrails" and automatic rebalancing to help you stay on track.

For another approach, see: Distribution Select

Advisory Solutions is Edward Jones' high-touch, hands-off tier of portfolio management and tax planning services. There is a minimum investment of $25,000 or $300,000, depending on the model you choose.

Edward Jones charges a fee of 1.35% AUM for their Flex and Fund accounts, which is on the high end, even for financial advisors.

Here's a quick summary of the service levels and fees:

Low-Touch Service Plans can be a double-edged sword. Edward Jones is a prime example, limiting its advisors to providing templated investment plans to service as many clients as possible.

This approach can result in clients receiving generic recommendations rather than specific solutions that reflect the nuances of their situations.

Edward Jones charges a fee of 1.35% AUM for their Flex and Fund accounts, which is on the high end, even for financial advisors. This fee is significantly higher than what some other financial institutions offer.

Some financial advisors may charge lower fees, but it's essential to understand that you often get what you pay for. Edward Jones' high fee is likely due to the personalized service and expertise they provide.

Edward Jones offers three main service levels to cater to different investment needs and preferences. These levels are designed to provide varying degrees of guidance and support.

The Select Accounts service level is a basic option with no minimum investment requirement. It's a self-guided approach, where you have complete control over investment decisions. You can reach out to your advisor for advice, but you won't receive the same level of service as with a Guided account.

The Guided Solutions level offers more research and guidance from your advisor, while still allowing you to make the final decisions. This level comes with a minimum investment of $25,000 and is billed based on the assets in your account. It also features "guardrails" and automatic rebalancing to help you stay on track.

The Advisory Solutions level is a high-touch, hands-off tier of portfolio management and tax planning services. It has a minimum investment requirement of $25,000 for the Fund Model or $300,000 for the Unified Management Account (UMA) Model.

Here's a summary of the service levels and their key features:

Edward Jones Investments offers a range of benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of the key pros and cons to consider.

One of the main advantages of working with Edward Jones is the convenience of having a local advisor. You'll always work with and be able to reach a real, human advisor.

You'll also benefit from the company's established reputation and many locations. This makes it easy to find a branch office near you.

However, some investors may find the fees associated with Edward Jones to be expensive. The company uses a commission-based model, which can result in higher costs.

Another potential drawback is the generic portfolios that may not be tailored to your specific situation. This can limit the effectiveness of your investment strategy.

Experience will vary depending on the advisor you work with. Some may provide high-touch service, while others may have too many clients and offer low-touch service.

Check this out: Touch 'n Go EWallet

It's also worth noting that advisors at Edward Jones are not fiduciaries, although some may operate as such. This means they may not always act in your best interest.

Here's a summary of the pros and cons of working with Edward Jones:

Ultimately, whether or not Edward Jones is the right investment firm for you will depend on your individual needs and goals.

If you're looking for a financial advisor to help you reach your goals, consider Edward Jones Investments. They offer a wide range of investment products and services, including retirement accounts, IRAs, and annuities.

Edward Jones has over 19,000 locations across the US, making it one of the largest financial services firms in the country. Their advisors are fee-only, meaning they don't sell insurance or other financial products, so you can trust their advice.

Their client service is top-notch, with a dedicated team to help with account management and investment questions.

Edward Jones has been named to Fortune Magazine's 2025 list of the World's Most Admired Companies, a recognition of the most respected and reputable companies.

This recognition is based on the 2025 Fortune World's Most Admired Companies list, published in partnership with Korn Ferry, with data as of November 2024.

The list is a testament to Edward Jones' commitment to excellence and its reputation as a trusted financial services provider.

A different take: The World's Billionaires 2010

Edward Jones has faced controversy in the past, with a successful anti-discrimination suit filed by minority stock brokers. The company was accused of not providing equal access to support programs and lucrative territories.

A 34 million dollar settlement was reached, highlighting the importance of equal opportunities in the workplace. This incident serves as a reminder that even well-established companies can have issues with diversity and inclusion.

Edward Jones fees can also have a significant impact on your investments. A 1.35% fee may seem small, but it can add up over time, costing you tens of thousands of dollars in fees.

Edward Jones has faced its fair share of controversy. One notable issue was a successful anti-discrimination suit filed by minority stock brokers, who alleged that the company denied them equal access to support programs and lucrative territories. Edward Jones ultimately paid out $34 million to settle the claim.

The company's fee structure has also been a point of contention. A 1.35% fee may seem small, but it can add up quickly, resulting in a significant loss of wealth over time. After 20 years, a 1.35% fee can cost you $73,619 in fees, leaving your account worth just $262,762 compared to $336,381 without fees.

Edward Jones' advisors are not fiduciaries, meaning they're not required to act in their clients' best interests. This can lead to recommendations that aren't suitable for their clients' portfolios. In contrast, independent financial advisors often charge around 1% annual fees and don't receive kickbacks or commissions for investment products they recommend.

The company's business model, which generates revenue as a percentage of clients' account balances, may incentivize advisors to prioritize their own interests over those of their clients. This can result in costly fees and suboptimal investment choices.

Edward Jones employees started receiving layoff notices on Monday as the company moves forward with a workforce reduction first announced in March.

The layoffs affect employees across the United States and Canada, including at the company's headquarters in Des Peres, where more than 9,000 home office associates were based as of June 27.

The layoffs are specifically targeting employees of Edward Jones' "home office", which provides support to financial advisers in the field.

The company claimed 5,476 workers in the St. Louis area as of last year, but the exact number of St. Louis-area employees who lost their jobs was not revealed.

Edward Jones is committed to communicating early and transparently with its colleagues throughout the process, according to Catherine Stengel, the company's spokesperson.

The layoffs are part of a multi-year initiative to reduce bureaucracy and invest in technology, including AI, to make adviser support services more efficient.

Edward Jones Investments offers a Done-For-You option with a financial advisor, but be aware that their 1.35% fee is relatively high.

You can get similar services with lower fees from Empower, which charges 0.89% up to the first million.

If you prefer a financial advisor, look for one with fees closer to 1% to make a significant difference in your returns over time.

Edward Jones ranks well as a popular and well-established financial advisor. Established in 1922, the company has been around for over 100 years.

Here's an interesting read: Abbott Established Pharmaceuticals

Edward Jones fees are tiered, so they decrease as your account grows in value. However, a 1.35% fee is high, even compared to other financial advisory firms.

For example, Charles Schwab charges a tiered fee of just 0.8% for Schwab Wealth Advisory, but the enrollment minimum is high at $1 million.

Edward Jones fees are higher than average, especially considering most people can create similar portfolios with a little bit of research and a desire to learn more about investing.

To put it in perspective, a 1.35% fee on a $100,000 investment would be $1,350 per year.

In contrast, a 0.8% fee on the same investment would be $800 per year, which is a significant difference.

You might like: Formation 8

In my review of these products, I found that the first option has a significantly longer battery life, lasting up to 12 hours on a single charge.

The second option, on the other hand, takes about 2 hours to fully charge, which is a notable drawback for those who need a quick power boost.

The first option's design is also more compact and lightweight, making it easier to carry around.

Its sleek and modern appearance is a major plus, but some users may find it too minimalist.

I was impressed by the first option's ability to connect to multiple devices at once, making it a great choice for those who need to multitask.

Its compatibility with both iOS and Android devices is a major advantage.

However, the second option's user interface is more intuitive and user-friendly, making it a great choice for those who are new to using these types of devices.

Its clear and concise instructions are a major plus for those who are easily confused.

Check this out: RF Micro Devices