James Investment

What James Investment does

James Investment Research, Inc., founded in 1972 by Dr. Francis Edward James, Jr. and headquartered on a 35-acre campus in Xenia, Ohio, is a privately held, family-owned investment management firm registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The company operates as a fee-only fiduciary and serves individuals and families, business owners and executives, corporate retirement plan sponsors, and institutional investors, all primarily within Ohio. Leadership transitioned in 2022 when R. Brian Culpepper was appointed President & CEO while Barry R. James retained the Chairman role, preserving family ownership oversight under professional management.

The firm manages four proprietary no-load mutual funds, James Balanced: Golden Rainbow Fund (GLRBX retail / GLRIX institutional), James Small Cap Fund (JASCX), James Micro Cap Fund (JMCRX), and James Aggressive Allocation Fund (JAVAX), whose combined disclosed AUM totaled approximately $514 million as of March 31, 2026. Underlying investment management uses an independent, research-driven methodology focused on three factors — relative value, profitability, and momentum — combined with top-down and bottom-up analysis. Around this core, James Investment has built an integrated wealth services stack: Comprehensive Wealth Management ($250,000 AUM minimum), Institutional Investment Management ($1,000,000 account minimum), Estate & Trust Planning (added 2023), In-House Tax Services (added 2026), Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Strategic Tax Planning, Insurance Guidance, Charitable Planning, and Major Life Events Planning, plus Business Services covering Corporate Retirement Plans (401(k), 403(b), SIMPLE IRA), Cash Management, Bookkeeping, Business Tax Preparation, Business Investment Management, and Employee Estate Planning. Mutual funds are distributed through Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, while wealth and corporate services are sold directly through scheduled advisory consultations with on-site employer support.

Revenue is generated primarily through AUM-based advisory and expense-ratio fees on the mutual funds and separately managed portfolios, supplemented by fees from corporate retirement plan services and professional services for tax, estate, and bookkeeping work. Fund minimums start at $50/month via systematic investment plans to enable retail access, while higher tiers require $250K and $1M minimums. The firm is expanding its Ohio footprint with a new Minster office (announced 2026, under construction) and continues to recruit director-level talent across research, planning, and tax to support the integrated offering.

Name

James Investment

Legal name

James Investment Research, Inc.

Website

https://jamesinvestment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

James Investment Research is a privately held, fee-only wealth management firm based in Xenia, Ohio, managing four proprietary mutual funds and offering integrated investment, estate, tax, and retirement planning to individuals, business owners, employers, and institutional clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wealth Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Open-End Investment Funds (525910)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Wealth Management (FSAEABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Banking & UHNW Wealth Advisory (FSAEABAC), Insurance-Integrated Wealth Managers (RIA + Insurance Solutions) (FSAAACAI)

Keywords

• Wealth management services
• Investment management
• Mutual fund management
• Financial planning
• Estate planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Alpha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wealth Management Fees: AUM-based fees for comprehensive wealth management services including investment management, estate planning, tax planning, and financial planning. Minimum investment of $250,000 in assets under management for wealth management portfolios.
2. Institutional Investment Management: Customized portfolio management for institutional clients and high-net-worth individuals with minimum account sizes of $1 million. Includes separately managed wrap fee accounts.
3. Mutual Fund Management: Revenue from managing proprietary mutual funds through expense ratios. The Balanced: Golden Rainbow Fund (GLRBX) has a 1.23% expense ratio, with $406M in net assets. Other funds include Small Cap (JASCX, 1.51%, $79M AUM) and Micro Cap (JMCRX, 1.50%, $29M AUM).
4. Corporate Retirement Plan Services: Fees for designing, managing, and supporting 401(k), 403(b), and SIMPLE IRA plans for corporate clients. Includes plan design consulting and employee education services.
5. In-House Tax Services: Year-round tax preparation and planning services for individuals, families, trusts, closely held businesses, and estates. Added to service offerings in 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

James Investment is a privately-owned wealth management firm that manages four proprietary no-load mutual funds (Balanced: Golden Rainbow, Small Cap, Micro Cap, and Aggressive Allocation) and provides comprehensive wealth management services. The firm integrates investment management, financial planning, estate planning, tax preparation, retirement planning, and business services including corporate retirement plans and bookkeeping under a fee-only fiduciary structure. Wealth management requires a $250K minimum while institutional investment management requires $1M minimum account sizes.

Product overview

James Investment is a privately-owned wealth management and investment firm offering a comprehensive suite of services centered around four proprietary mutual funds: James Balanced: Golden Rainbow Fund (GLRBX/GLRIX), James Small Cap Fund (JASCX), James Micro Cap Fund (JMCRX), and James Aggressive Allocation Fund (JAVAX). Beyond fund management, the firm provides comprehensive wealth management integrating financial planning, estate planning, and tax strategies, along with business services including corporate retirement plans, bookkeeping, and tax preparation. The firm operates as a unified offering where all services work together in-house, with account minimums starting at $250,000 for wealth management and $1 million for customized portfolio management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• James Balanced: Golden Rainbow Fund: A balanced mutual fund seeking total return through a combination of growth and income with capital preservation in declining markets. Ticker: GLRBX (retail) and GLRIX (institutional). Inception: July 1, 1991.
• James Small Cap Fund
• James Micro Cap Fund
• James Aggressive Allocation Fund

Products and services

• James Balanced: Golden Rainbow Fund A balanced mutual fund (GLRBX retail / GLRIX institutional) seeking total return through a combination of growth and income while preserving capital in declining markets. Invests in equity and fixed income securities with at least 25% in each asset class. For investors seeking balanced long-term growth and income.
• James Small Cap Fund An equity mutual fund (JASCX) targeting long-term capital appreciation by investing at least 80% of assets in small capitalization companies with market capitalizations up to the VettaFi US Equity Small-Cap 2000 Index. For investors seeking long-term growth through small-cap exposure.
• James Micro Cap Fund An equity mutual fund (JMCRX) seeking long-term capital appreciation by investing at least 80% of assets in micro capitalization companies with market capitalizations up to the VettaFi US Equity Micro-Cap TR Index. For investors seeking long-term growth through micro-cap exposure.
• James Aggressive Allocation Fund An aggressive allocation mutual fund (JAVAX) seeking total return through a combination of growth and income with capital preservation as a secondary objective. For aggressive growth investors seeking total return.
• Comprehensive Wealth Management Holistic wealth management integrating investment and financial planning, estate planning, and tax strategies into a comprehensive personalized wealth plan aligned with client goals. Minimum $250K AUM. For individuals, families, and households seeking integrated long-term planning.
• Estate & Trust Planning Comprehensive estate planning including wills, trusts, asset distribution, legacy planning, and gifting strategies to protect wealth and ensure wishes are met. For individuals and families seeking legacy and wealth transfer planning.
• Financial Planning Personalized financial planning covering budgeting, saving, debt management, goal setting, retirement planning, and personalized investment strategies. For individuals and families seeking goal-aligned financial guidance.
• Retirement Planning Retirement planning including Social Security analysis, 401(k) planning, tax-efficient distribution strategies, and pension benefit election analysis. For individuals and couples preparing for or transitioning into retirement.
• Strategic Tax Planning Tax planning services integrating personalized tax guidance with wealth management, including lifetime tax strategies, year-round support, and estate and gift tax planning. For individuals and families seeking integrated tax and wealth management.
• In-House Tax Services In-house tax preparation and filing services for individuals, families, trusts, closely held businesses, including U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns (Form 1040), estate tax returns (Form 706), and trust income tax returns (Form 1041).
• Corporate Retirement Plans Customized retirement plan solutions for businesses including 401(k), 403(b), and SIMPLE IRA plans with concierge-level service, employee education, and plan administration support. Includes on-site employee consultations. For employers offering retirement benefits.
• Investment Management Institutional investment management using three core factors (relative value, profitability, momentum) with top-down and bottom-up analysis. Offers balanced, equity, small cap, and micro cap portfolio strategies. Minimum $1M account size. For institutional clients and high-net-worth individuals.
• Business Investment Management Investment management for business owners integrating business equity, real estate holdings, cash flow needs, and income requirements with tax strategy and long-term financial goals. For business owners seeking integrated business and personal investment management.
• Cash Management Business cash management services including operating account strategy, liquidity planning, short-term investment vehicles, and coordination with overall investment strategy and tax planning. For business owners managing operating capital.
• Bookkeeping Full-service bookkeeping including account reconciliation, transaction recording, financial statement preparation, and coordination with tax preparation and investment strategy. For business owners and closely held businesses.
• Business Tax Preparation Year-round business tax preparation for sole proprietorships, partnerships, S corporations, and C corporations with proactive planning and coordination with investment strategy and financial plan. For business owners across entity types.
• Charitable Planning Charitable giving strategies including appreciated stock donations, donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, and qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). For individuals and families seeking tax-efficient philanthropy.
• Major Life Events Planning Financial guidance for major life events including marriage, divorce, death of a loved one, becoming a parent, college planning, business ownership, home purchases, job changes, and major purchases. For individuals and families navigating life transitions.
• Employee Estate Planning Workplace benefit offering estate planning assistance to employees including wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and coordination with employer-sponsored retirement plans. For employers seeking to offer valuable employee benefits.
• Insurance Guidance Insurance advisory services including risk management, life insurance assessment, employee benefits selection, long-term care funding, and Medicare assistance. For individuals and businesses seeking insurance planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• James Balanced: Golden Rainbow Fund (GLRBX) 10-year average annual return: 5.01%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Cosmos Soccer ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 May 2026Community sponsorship partnership with local Cosmos Soccer Club. James Investment provides corporate sponsorship and funding to support youth soccer organization, aligning with their community giving and local engagement values.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Foster Group: Family-owned, fee-only RIA managing wealth management, retirement plans, and proprietary investment strategies. Highly comparable given private family ownership, integrated services model, and mid-market HNW client focus.
• Buckingham Strategic Wealth: Fee-only RIA providing wealth management, financial planning, and institutional investment management. Comparable as an independent advisor-led firm with similar service breadth and HNW client orientation.
• Homrich Berg: Fee-only wealth management firm offering comprehensive planning and institutional investment management. Comparable as independent RIA with HNW focus and integrated service offering.
• Mariner Wealth Advisors: Large independent RIA offering comprehensive wealth management, tax, estate planning, and investment management. Comparable in offering breadth (integrated in-house services) and fee-only fiduciary positioning, though materially larger scale.
• Ronald Blue Trust: National fee-only RIA offering wealth management, estate planning, tax services, and investment management. Comparable integrated services model and active equity investment approach.
• Sequoia Financial Group: Akron, Ohio-based independent RIA offering wealth management, retirement plan services, and proprietary investment strategies. Closest direct peer given overlapping Ohio footprint, fee-only RIA model, and mid-market HNW focus.

Broad incumbents

• Fidelity Investments: Large incumbent asset manager and broker-dealer offering competing mutual funds, wealth management, and retirement plan services. Competes directly with James's mutual funds and corporate retirement plan practice at scale.
• Charles Schwab: Major wealth management and asset management platform with mutual funds, ETFs, and corporate retirement plan services. Represents a scaled competitor across multiple of James's product lines.
• Vanguard: Global asset manager and mutual fund company with extensive passive and active fund offerings. Direct mutual fund competitor, particularly relevant given James's high expense ratios versus Vanguard's low-cost positioning.

Regional players

• Plante Moran Financial Advisors: Midwest-based wealth management and financial planning practice affiliated with Plante Moran. Comparable in HNW wealth management and retirement plan services, with similar regional mid-market positioning.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/JamesInvestment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/james-investment
• Xx.com/JamesInvt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about James Investment