Investment management and wealth planning across generations

Rankin Wealth Management

Rankin Wealth Management has provided generations of families with professional and timely advice in diverse market conditions. Our disciplined, plan-based approach is built on a commitment to developing cohesive, multi-generational relationships, working closely with parents, grandparents and children through every major life milestone.

Each of our clients is important to us. While we have always been invested alongside our clients, Rankin Wealth Management is about more than managing money. We build long-term relationships and friendships through trust, service and integrity.

- Sam Rankin

Pursuing your goals together

Our mission is to provide quality strategies customized to your needs. Our goal is to be your primary source of financial advice. To this end, we concentrate our efforts on developing long-term relationships through a commitment to quality client service.

  • Rick Verdone Jr.

    Rick Verdone Jr.

    Managing Director–Wealth Management

    Financial Advisor

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    • AL
    • AR
    • CA
    • CO
    • CT
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • HI
    • KY
    • LA
    • MA
    • MD
    • MI
    • MO
    • NC
    • NJ
    • NY
    • OH
    • OK
    • RI
    • SC
    • TN
    • TX
    • VA
    • WA

    After 27 years with Smith Barney, Rick moved with Rankin Wealth Management to UBS in 2009. He is responsible for portfolio construction, retirement income strategies, equity and fixed income research and estate planning.

    Rick earned his M.B.A. in finance from Tulane University and a B.S. in industrial relations from UNC Chapel Hill. He has Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses and life, health and variable annuity insurance licenses. Rick was born and raised in Charlotte, where he attended Charlotte Country Day School. He and his wife have three children.

    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

        6100 Fairview Road
        Suite 900
        Charlotte, NC 28210
        rick.verdone@ubs.com
        Rick Verdone Jr.
        6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210
      • Joseph Zentner

        Joseph Zentner, CFP, CPM

        Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

        Financial Advisor

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        • AL
        • AR
        • CA
        • CO
        • CT
        • DC
        • DE
        • FL
        • GA
        • KY
        • LA
        • MD
        • MI
        • NC
        • NJ
        • NY
        • OH
        • OK
        • RI
        • SC
        • SD
        • TN
        • TX
        • VA
        • WA

        Joe has been with Rankin Wealth Management since 1996, starting at Smith Barney and then moving with the team to UBS in 2009. He is responsible for retirement income strategies, team management, portfolio construction and equity and fixed income research.

        Joe earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from The Ohio University. He earned the Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Portfolio Manager designations as well as the Series 7, 31, 63 and 65 securities licenses and life, health, and variable annuity insurance licenses. Joe and his wife, Bonnie, are parents to three daughters.

        • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

            6100 Fairview Road
            Suite 900
            Charlotte, NC 28210
            joe.zentner@ubs.com
            Joseph Zentner, CFP, CPM
            6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210
          • Ellen E. Rankin

            Ellen Rankin

            Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

            Financial Advisor

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            • AL
            • AR
            • CA
            • CO
            • CT
            • DC
            • DE
            • FL
            • GA
            • IL
            • KY
            • LA
            • MA
            • MD
            • MI
            • MO
            • NC
            • NJ
            • NY
            • OH
            • OK
            • RI
            • SC
            • TN
            • TX
            • UT
            • VA
            • WA

            Ellen joined Rankin Wealth Management in 2012 and is responsible for portfolio construction, equity and fixed income research, and business development. Prior to joining the team at UBS, Ellen served as a Director in Fixed Income at Credit Suisse in New York where she focused on structuring and risk management of bespoke securitized products derivatives.

            Ellen earned her M.B.A. in investment management from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, and her B.A. in neuroscience from Colgate University. She is Series 3, 7, 24, 63, 66 and life, health, and variable annuity insurance licensed.

            Born and raised in Charlotte, Ellen is an active member of her community. She is the Incoming 2020-2021 Board Chair of the Women's Impact Fund and serves on the Good Friends Charlotte and YWCA Endowment Boards. Ellen is also a Sustainer member of the Junior League of Charlotte and a member-at-large of the Mint Museum Auxiliary.

            • Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors, 2021The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in February based on information from a 12 month period ending September of the prior year.
            • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.
            • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.
            • Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State, 2022, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in February based on information from a 12 month period ending September of the prior year.

                6100 Fairview Road
                Suite 900
                Charlotte, NC 28210
                ellen.rankin@ubs.com
                Ellen Rankin
                6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210
              • Mason Rankin

                Mason Rankin, CFP

                Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

                Financial Advisor

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                • AL
                • AZ
                • CA
                • CO
                • CT
                • DC
                • DE
                • FL
                • GA
                • HI
                • KY
                • LA
                • MA
                • MD
                • MI
                • MO
                • NC
                • NH
                • NJ
                • NY
                • OH
                • OK
                • PA
                • RI
                • SC
                • TN
                • TX
                • VA
                • WA
                • WY

                With over 15 years in the financial services industry, Mason began his career as a Financial Analyst with Progress Energy in 2002. He joined Rankin Wealth Management at Smith Barney in 2005 before moving with the team to UBS in 2009. Mason is responsible for portfolio construction, equity and fixed income research, estate planning and client service management.

                Born and raised in Charlotte, Mason earned his B.S. in business administration from UNC Chapel Hill. He earned the Certified Financial Planner™ designation as well as Series 7, 31 and 66 securities licenses and life, health, and variable annuity insurance licenses. Mason is married and a father to three children.

                • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

                    6100 Fairview Road
                    Suite 900
                    Charlotte, NC 28210
                    mason.rankin@ubs.com
                    Mason Rankin, CFP
                    6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210
                  • Michael Gould

                    Michael Gould, CFA, CFP, CRPC, CPM

                    First Vice President–Wealth Management

                    Financial Advisor

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                    • AK
                    • AL
                    • AR
                    • AZ
                    • CA
                    • CO
                    • CT
                    • DC
                    • DE
                    • FL
                    • GA
                    • HI
                    • IA
                    • ID
                    • IL
                    • IN
                    • KS
                    • KY
                    • LA
                    • MA
                    • MD
                    • ME
                    • MI
                    • MN
                    • MO
                    • MS
                    • MT
                    • NC
                    • ND
                    • NE
                    • NH
                    • NJ
                    • NM
                    • NV
                    • NY
                    • OH
                    • OK
                    • OR
                    • PA
                    • PR
                    • RI
                    • SC
                    • SD
                    • TN
                    • TX
                    • UT
                    • VA
                    • VI
                    • VT
                    • WA
                    • WI
                    • WV
                    • WY

                    Mike began his career with Ameriprise Financial in 2004 and joined Rankin Wealth Management at Smith Barney in 2007 before moving with the team to UBS in 2009. He is responsible for portfolio construction, equity and fixed income research, portfolio trading, and insurance and annuity analysis.

                    Born and raised in Greensboro, Mike graduated with a B.S. in business administration from UNC Chapel Hill. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst®, Certified Portfolio Manager® and Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designations. He has Series 7 and 66 securities licenses as well as life, health, and variable annuity and long-term care insurance licenses. Mike and his wife, Jenny, have two sons.

                    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

                        6100 Fairview Road
                        Suite 900
                        Charlotte, NC 28210
                        mike.gould@ubs.com
                        Michael Gould, CFA, CFP, CRPC, CPM
                        6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210
                      • Clayton Scholand

                        Clayton Scholand, CFP

                        Vice President–Wealth Management

                        Financial Advisor

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                        • AL
                        • AR
                        • CA
                        • CO
                        • CT
                        • DE
                        • FL
                        • GA
                        • KS
                        • KY
                        • LA
                        • MA
                        • MD
                        • MI
                        • MO
                        • NC
                        • NJ
                        • NY
                        • OH
                        • OK
                        • PA
                        • RI
                        • SC
                        • TN
                        • TX
                        • VA
                        • WA

                        Clay began his financial services career in 1998 working with Legg Mason and Smith Barney. In 2009, he moved to UBS with Rankin Wealth Management. He is responsible for retirement income strategies, business services, investment management, and insurance and annuities.

                        Clay earned his B.S. in finance from Wingate University. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and has Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses and life, health, and variable annuity insurance licenses. Clay has been married for over 10 years and has two children.

                              6100 Fairview Road
                              Suite 900
                              Charlotte, NC 28210
                              clay.scholand@ubs.com
                              Clayton Scholand, CFP
                              6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210
                            • Susan Cross

                              Susan Cross

                              Senior Client Associate

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                              • AL
                              • CA
                              • CO
                              • GA
                              • HI
                              • LA
                              • NC
                              • OK
                              • RI
                              • SC
                              • TN
                              • TX
                              • VA
                              • WA

                              Susan began her career with Smith Barney and its predecessor firm, E.F. Hutton. She has more than 25 years experience in the financial services industry. She earned Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable annuity and long-term care insurance licenses. Susan and her husband, Brett, are competitive bowlers, enjoy country music and love animals.

                                    6100 Fairview Road
                                    Suite 900
                                    Charlotte, NC 28210
                                    susan.cross@ubs.com
                                    Susan Cross
                                    6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210
                                  • Dana Keener

                                    Dana Keener

                                    Senior Client Associate

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                                    • NC
                                    • SC

                                    Dana began her career in 2000 with Uvest Financial Services and joined Rankin Wealth Management at Smith Barney in 2004 before moving with the team to UBS in 2009. She earned a B.A. in finance from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. Dana and her husband, Justin, have two children and enjoy family beach trips and listening to country music.

                                          6100 Fairview Road
                                          Suite 900
                                          Charlotte, NC 28210
                                          dana.keener@ubs.com
                                          Dana Keener
                                          6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210
                                        • Valerie Farlow

                                          Valerie Farlow

                                          Client Associate

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                                            After 20 years in the travel industry, Valerie shifted careers into financial services, joining Smith Barney in 2001 and moving with Rankin Wealth Management to UBS in 2009. She received a degree from Wingate University and has lived in the Charlotte area for almost 50 years. Outside of work, she is actively involved in animal welfare and rescue.

                                                  6100 Fairview Road
                                                  Suite 900
                                                  Charlotte, NC 28210
                                                  valerie.farlow@ubs.com
                                                  Valerie Farlow
                                                  6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210
                                                • Marshall

                                                  Marshall Wyker

                                                  Senior Client Associate

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                                                  • NC

                                                  Marshall, originally from Charleston, SC, graduated from Wofford College with a B.A. in Finance before moving to Charlotte. She began her career with Vanguard and then transitioned to Smith Barney in 2006. She moved with Rankin Wealth Management to UBS in 2009. Marshall and her husband, Bryan, have two children, and she enjoys playing tennis, working out and spending time at the beach with her family.

                                                        6100 Fairview Road
                                                        Suite 900
                                                        Charlotte, NC 28210
                                                        marshall.wyker@ubs.com
                                                        Marshall Wyker
                                                        6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210
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                                                      UBS Year Ahead 2025

                                                      Roaring 20s: The next stage

                                                      Our Chief Investment Office (CIO) looks to what awaits investors in the next half of the decade with the 2025 edition of Year Ahead.

                                                      A dramatic change in US politics, Chinese economic stimulus, ongoing geopolitical developments and falling interest rates are all at play. How should you prepare your portfolio? Let’s talk about how you can move confidently forward in the new year and beyond.

                                                      Read the report

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