| Bryant Arnold, financial adviser with Waddell & Reed Inc. in Silverdale, entered a new career path in financial services after retiring from the U.S. Navy in April 2002.
“I have always enjoyed working with people and helping them solve problems,” he said. “I saw first hand the devastating results of not utilizing financial planning and over the years worked with many people to get them back on track. When I decided to retire, it was a natural choice for me.”
In the Navy, Arnold worked with many young people to keep them organized and guide them in various decisions. He didn’t have any products to sell, but he talked about things like financial planning, credit and paying bills. He says lack of financial planning by people and his desire to help attracted him to the industry.
“Many young people just starting out are not sure what to do first, so I get to work with a very diverse group of people,” he said.
Arnold chose Waddell and Reed because of the company’s track record and the ability to work with people from all walks of life. His youngest client is 22, and he sees more young people now starting to plan for retirement early.
The company offers various retirement programs, using mainly about 60 proprietary mutual funds. He has access to about 6,000 mutual funds, however, so those looking to invest into things like socially conscious funds can also get the service they need.
The best part of his profession is working with people. Arnold, who grew up in the country in eastern Texas, says every person he’s met and every country he’s visited gave him a better understanding of life.
The challenge is the clients’ reaction to “day to day events that cause fluctuations in the markets and the overwhelming amount of frequently conflict advice in newspaper, magazines and on the Internet” — which is why a well-diversified portfolio based on the clients’ tolerance for risk and their long-term goals is so important.
Arnold stays involved in various community activities, giving time and financial support for various causes. He is an active member of the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce, and a supporter of Admiral Theater and a local scholarships board. He has also partnered with the National Endowment for Financial Education to offer a 10-hour High School Financial Planning Program to schools and youth groups. The Endowment provides all the study materials free and he donate his time to facilitate the program.
“We only get from the community what we give,” he said. “I enjoy meeting other people who are committee to making things grow.”. | 
