James Switzer

James Layton Switzer, Jr is a financial advisor based in Spartanburg, South Carolina specializing in comprehensive financial planning and sound investment strategy. Jim has been in the financial services industry for more than 32 years.

From 1990 to 2008 Jim worked in the Merrill Lynch office in Spartanburg, becoming resident manager in 1998. He was also a First Vice President of Investments.

In October of 2008, Jim was recruited to help open Morgan Stanley’s first office in Spartanburg. Four Merrill Lynch teams followed Jim to help establish the Morgan Stanley office.

In April of 2014, Jim started Switzer Wealth Partners, and aligned with Raymond James. Jim has been a member of Raymond James’s Executive Council* for Independent Advisors each year since 2016. Executive Council honors are presented only to those financial advisors who have demonstrated and proven a high level of commitment to clients through personal service and personal integrity.

Jim is a past trustee of Christ School in Arden, North Carolina and served as the President of the school’s Alumni Association. In 2001 Jim received the Bill Sewell Service and Loyalty Award and in 2016 received Christ School’s Alumni Achievement Award.

Having graduated from Wofford College, Jim ultimately served as The Wofford College National Alumni Association President and also was the director for the Wofford College Terrier Club Board. He now serves his alma mater on the Board of Trustees as of 2023.

Jim is a past member of the Spartanburg Day School Board of Directors.

Jim is a past director of M.S. Bailey & Sons, Bankers in Clinton, South Carolina, which was eventually sold to Anchor Financial.

Today, Jim serves on the investment committee for The Bailey Foundation in Clinton, South Carolina. He is a past member of the investment committee for The Mary Black Foundation.

Jim has a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Wofford College and a Master’s degree in Education from The University of South Carolina.

Jim is originally from Union, South Carolina. He and his wife of 40 years, Betsy, have two children and two grandchildren.

Raymond James is not affiliated with any organizations mentioned above.

*Membership is based on prior fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually.  The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for this award/rating.