12/12/2025
Filling in the "gaps" about the changes coming from Tim Smith
I first want to apologize to each of you for any distress or confusion that you might have experienced from the email/social media post that Beth Williams shared yesterday about her separation from my practice. I receive dozens upon dozens of messages, calls, and texts, indicating to me, the level of confusion was significant.
The two main questions that were asked of me was …. 1) has something happened with Tim’s long term health and/or are you sick? .. 2) what is really happening to Tim’s practice
ANSWERS:
1) I am totally and completely well. Yes I was in the hospital recently, but that was for appendix removal, and I am 100% healed up. Sadly, not even a really cool scar to show off.
2) My practice is gearing up for a new, big run into retirement income planning, for you, your family, and your friends. … Why was it presented that this was an unknown situation? …. That remains unknown to me.
Unfortunately, and I must apologize, you should NEVER have had to be rushed into making a choice of advisors/firms. I am very sorry that has been forced on you. It also has been forced on me, so I understand.
NEXT STEPS AND YOUR ACCOUNTS
I have made the decision to voluntarily resign from USA Financial on the 18th of December and disassociate all my licenses temporarily. Over the next week or two, I will move various technologies and services away from USA Financials’ management and control. I intend to take a few days of R and R around the holidays (it’s been a very hectic and painful 4 months on me). After that I will select the firm/operation that I believe will be the best and a “forever home” for you, my clients and friends investment assets. Upon that selection and setup process. I will begin to transfer back to my management, all accounts/clients that would like to still have me as your manager.
As Beth stated, nothing is changing with your accounts currently. Nothing that is except I will no longer have management or direction of the accounts. Also some of you have accounts that require licensing that Beth may not hold. Those accounts will move to a “house status”. Activity and trades will have to issue by you to the “house” representative. USA Financial will send you information about this, shortly after my resignation occurs.
All this leads to the point that if you value my management process over the past 20 years, we will want to move as rapidly as possible to reassign the accounts to me. At the same time, I want to make certain that the “home” I select to associate with, has the been business model, tools, and leadership team for the type of client that fills up my book. That is soon/retired clients, who are, or soon will be beginning to support their standard of living from these assets. Let’s face it, there are a significant difference in the technology, the investments, the objectives, and the knowledge base that is required for a 65 yr old taking distributions, and a 35 yr old contributing every paycheck to a company 401k. I will be locating the firm I believe best, and in hopefully a couple of weeks I can begin transferring your assets back under my care and direction. Before my resignation, I will review each and every account, I will do rebalancing and addressing any anomalies. This is usually done about twice a year, so your accounts will likely need very little modification over the next several months. Note though if there is something that is developed that I believe may need addressing during this unassociated time period, I will make the suggestion to Beth Williams to review with you on the correct course of action.
So let me finally close this long epistle with just a couple of final points.
First, thank you. Thank you for the 25+ years I have worked with many of you, your children, and even grandchildren. You are greatly appreciated.
Next, I am very sad about the loss of a business partner and a life partner. But I must, and will move on. I will likely always be one of Beth Williams biggest cheerleaders. I only wish her the greatest of success in an incredibly difficult industry.
Lastly, again I apologize for any part I have played in putting you into a situation where you may feel confused or fearful. I hate the fact that has happened. You should not be put in this spot and you should not be forced to choose. If I had any other option I would have selected it.
All contact information for me will remain the same.
Tim Smith - Financial Ark Builders
1120 Rackham Way, Suite 300, Meridian ID 83642
[email protected]
208.639.6344 PHONE, FAX, and TEXT
Please contact me at any time. I may not be able to be paid for doing brokerage/advisory work, but I can ALWAYS have a cup of coffee with you. Your questions and concerns are appreciated. I promise you will hear more from me as things start to “firm” up.
Thank you again for supporting me, my practice, and my brand for these past decades. Merry Christmas to you and your entire family.
With personalized service for you and your family,
Tim Smith
