Kettering, Ohio · Independent · Fiduciary · Fee-Based

Your Financial Future
Deserves More Than Guesswork.

Bayer Financial Group provides independent financial planning, retirement guidance, and investment strategies for families and business owners throughout Kettering, Dayton, and Southwest Ohio.

Schedule a Conversation Watch Matt Explain the Difference
2025 Five Star Wealth Manager
Fiduciary · Fee-Based · Independent
25+ Years Serving Ohio Families
25+
Years Serving Ohio Families
2025
Five Star Wealth Manager
<14%
of Ohio Advisors Earn This Award
98%
Client Retention Rate
Why Bayer Financial Group

Financial Planning
Built Around People,
Not Products.

For more than 25 years, Bayer Financial Group has helped individuals, families, retirees, and business owners make informed financial decisions. As an independent firm, BFG evaluates a wide range of solutions focused exclusively on your goals — not a product shelf, sales quota, or one-size-fits-all process.

We help clients understand what they own, why they own it, what it costs, and how each part of the plan supports the life they want to build.

Learn More About BFG
Matt Bayer, President — Bayer Financial Group
The best financial plan is the one your advisor can explain clearly — and stand behind completely.
Financial Education
Before we talk about your money, let's talk about who's managing it and how they're paid.
01 / 03

Fee-Based vs. Commission-Based

How your advisor is paid can affect the advice you receive. It is one of the first questions every investor should ask.

02 / 03

What Does Fiduciary Really Mean?

A fiduciary is required to act in your best interest — not just find something "suitable." The distinction matters.

03 / 03

Every Dollar Should Have a Job

Purpose-driven investing means every dollar in your plan has a defined role — and you understand what it is.

Fee-Based vs. Commission-Based

Fee-Based vs. Commission-Based: Why It Changes the Conversation

One of the first questions every investor should ask is how their advisor gets paid. In a fee-based relationship, the client pays the advisor directly. In a commission-based relationship, the advisor is compensated by the investment company or product being recommended.

That distinction matters because compensation influences how advice is delivered, how costs are presented, and how clients evaluate value.

Fee-Based (BFG)

  • Paid directly by you
  • No proprietary product quotas
  • Advice-first approach
  • Ongoing planning relationship

Commission-Based

  • Paid when products are sold
  • Sales targets may apply
  • Product-first approach
  • Compensation built into product
Investment portfolio planning
100%
Transparent by design
Portfolio With Purpose

Investing
With Intention

Your portfolio should be more than a collection of funds, accounts, and statements. It should reflect your goals, your risk tolerance, your timeframe, and your need for income, growth, liquidity, and flexibility.

01

Understand What You Own

We walk through every position — what it is, why it's there, what risk it carries, and how it fits your plan.

02

Cost Transparency

You deserve to understand what you're paying, when you're paying it, and whether that cost relates to the value you receive.

03

Purpose-Driven Allocation

We match investments to purpose, timeframe, and risk tolerance — not a generic template.

04

Ongoing Review & Accountability

We review your portfolio regularly and measure performance against your goals — not just the index.

Explore Portfolio With Purpose
Asset Allocation
Risk Management
Cost Awareness
Tax Coordination
Ongoing Review
Our Planning Process

A Plan Built
Around Your Life,
Not a Template.

A strong financial plan is not created from a single meeting or a generic questionnaire. It comes from understanding where you are today, where you want to go, what risks could get in the way, and which tools are appropriate for the job.

See Our Full Process
01

Discovery

We begin by listening. Your goals, concerns, income needs, family priorities — before any recommendations.

02

Analysis

We evaluate your investments, risk exposure, costs, retirement timeline, and income sources to identify strengths and gaps.

03

Strategy

We develop recommendations designed to move you toward defined objectives while matching investments to purpose and timeframe.

04

Implementation

Once direction is clear, we help put the plan into action — explaining each step so you know what's happening and why.

05

Partnership

Financial planning doesn't stop at implementation. We review, communicate, and adjust as markets, laws, and life change.

"The families who arrive at retirement with clarity and confidence started planning well before the date arrived."
— Matt Bayer · Bayer Financial Group · Kettering, Ohio
Recognition

Trusted.
Recognized.
Locally Rooted.

Five Star Wealth Manager Recognition
2025 Five Star Wealth Manager

Recognized for Client Service, Education & Responsible Guidance

Matthew C. Bayer has earned the Five Star Wealth Manager designation — reflecting a continued commitment to client service, education, and responsible financial guidance. Fewer than 14% of Ohio advisors receive this recognition annually.

25+Years Experience
<14%of Ohio Advisors
98%Client Retention
Five Star Wealth Manager 2025
Award · 2025

Five Star Wealth Manager

Fewer than 14% of Ohio financial advisors earn this recognition — reflecting long-term commitment to client service and integrity.

DBJ
Dayton Business Journal

Top Manager · 2013, 2014, 2015

Recognized as a top manager for three consecutive years — reflecting Matt's leadership and client-first culture.

Matt Bayer
25+ Years · Kettering, Ohio

Matt Bayer, BFG President

Matt has served Ohio families for over 27 years as an independent, fee-based fiduciary — every recommendation built around your interests.

Bayer Financial Group consultation

Questions to Consider Before We Meet

Do I know if my advisor is a fiduciary?
Do I understand how my advisor is paid?
Can I explain what's in my portfolio and why?
Am I on track to retire when I want to?
Do I know how much I'm paying in total fees?
Is my plan accounting for taxes and inflation?
Start Here

Clarity Doesn't
Come From Waiting.

A single honest conversation about your financial picture costs nothing — and can help clarify your next steps.

1948 East Whipp Road, Suite D · Kettering, OH 45440
(937) 432-6585  ·  info@bayerfinancialgroup.com
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm EST
Serving Southwest Ohio

Independent Financial Planning
in Kettering, Dayton & Beyond

Bayer Financial Group proudly serves individuals, families, retirees, and business owners throughout Kettering, Dayton, Centerville, Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Springboro, Oakwood, and surrounding communities in Southwest Ohio.

Kettering
Dayton
Centerville
Beavercreek
Bellbrook
Springboro
Oakwood
Southwest Ohio

Ready to Talk About
Your Financial Future?

Schedule a no-obligation conversation and learn how independent financial advice can help you move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Schedule Your Consultation Call (937) 432-6585