Oxford-based Reid Sherman team lands Forbes top-five Mississippi ranking

Reid Sherman Investment Group of Raymond James, with offices in Oxford and Tupelo, was named to Forbes' 2026 Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams list, ranking fifth among Mississippi firms. The list, released online Jan. 7, marked the Oxford team's fourth consecutive year on Forbes' state list and the only inclusion from north Mississippi.

The recognition puts a local advisory team in a statewide spotlight and reinforces Lafayette County's growing role as a regional financial center. The announcement, published Jan. 13, included a contributed photo of team members and underscores a period of sustained performance for a small, locally based practice operating inside a national broker-dealer framework.

For local residents, the accolade is more than a prestige point. Wealth management firms that win repeated recognition typically attract new clients and referrals, which can translate into expanded services, deeper local presence and hiring. For homeowners, retirees and business owners in Lafayette County, a recognized local advisory team can mean easier access to financial planning, retirement advice and wealth-transfer strategies without traveling to Jackson or out-of-state firms.

The firm's placement as fifth in Mississippi signals competitive strength against coastal and metropolitan teams where assets and client bases are larger. Being the only north Mississippi team on the list highlights a concentration of qualified financial advice closer to home for residents of Oxford, University of Mississippi faculty and staff, and surrounding small-business owners. That proximity can reduce friction for face-to-face planning and may help keep locally generated wealth circulating within the county economy.

From a market perspective, repeated inclusion on a well-known list tends to boost brand recognition, which can support client retention and growth in assets under management. For Lafayette County, that can mean modest employment gains in professional services, increased use of local legal and accounting firms that coordinate with wealth managers, and stronger financial literacy outreach as advisory teams expand community engagement.

The recognition also fits broader trends: Americans are asking for more holistic, fee-transparent advice as retirement planning grows more complex. Local teams that demonstrate consistent performance are positioned to capture that demand, which matters for counties like Lafayette where an educated workforce and university connections create a steady pool of potential clients.

Our two cents? If you want local financial help, consider meeting with the Reid Sherman team or another nearby advisor to compare fee structures, fiduciary status and experience handling matters common here—retirement income for university employees, small-business succession, and multi-generational planning. Having a reputable advisor nearby can make a big difference when decisions need to be made.