Mike Patton

About the Author

Mike Patton

Mike Patton, CFP, AEP, is founder and president of Integrity Wealth Management, an RIA firm in Baton Rouge, La. In addition to his regular blog for AdvisorOne.com, Mike has written a series of articles in Investment Advisor magazine detailing his Road to Independence from wirehouse and bank broker to fee-only independent RIA. 

• The U.S. Tax System: How Did We Get Here? Pt. 2, the Middle Years

  By Mike Patton  |  March 12, 2013

  From the first U.S. default during the Revolutionary War to the first income tax during the Civil War to the 16th Amendment, taxes have been a source of contention.

• The U.S. Tax System: How Did We Get Here? Pt. 1, the Early Years

  By Mike Patton  |  March 4, 2013

  In tax season 2013, a look back at the very beginnings of taxation in the U.S., and Americans' attitudes toward taxes.

• WARNING: Fed Candy May Be Hazardous to Your Wealth

  By Mike Patton  |  February 26, 2013

  An assessment of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet, and questions on what the Fed will do next.

• Conducting Due Diligence on Reverse Convertibles

  By Mike Patton  |  February 18, 2013

  This product can be a great income producer in these low-interest-rate times, but first take these steps.

• Finding Income in Today’s World: Reverse Convertibles

  By Mike Patton  |  February 11, 2013

  In a zero-interest rate environment, using this strategy can provide monthly income.

• Two Overlooked Documents That Make a Financial Plan Even Better

  By Mike Patton  |  February 4, 2013

  A financial plan is itself a great benefit to a client, and you can charge for it, but these two ancillary documents can build a stronger tie. between you and your client

• Advisors' Path to Success: Externalizing the Inner You

  By Mike Patton  |  January 28, 2013

  If your elevator speech doesn't reflect the real you, clients and prospects will sniff it out. What you offer clients should come from who you are, not what you do.

• How’d I Do? 2012 Performance of My Top Mutual Funds and ETFs

  By Mike Patton  |  January 21, 2013

  Using my Fiduciary Scorecard tool, I assess how well my chosen mutual funds and ETFs performed last year in their peer groups.

• In Review Season, More Clients Say They Don’t Need One

  By Mike Patton  |  January 16, 2013

  On the sixth anniversary of traveling my Road to Independence as an RIA, what I’m saying to clients, and what they’re saying to me.

• U.S. Fiscal Policy and the Debt Ceiling: A Troubling Scenario

  By Mike Patton  |  January 7, 2013

  Raising the debt ceiling is neither inherently good nor bad, but in a slow-growth economy, can we continue to service our growing debt?