Argent Financial Group, a leading independent fiduciary wealth management firm, announced today that it is the winner of two Stevie® Awards in the 19th Annual American Business Awards®, the nation’s premier business awards. This is the fourth year in a row the company has won a Stevie Award.
The Ruston, Louisiana-based company received a silver award for COVID-19 Most Valuable Corporate Response category for its Pay It Forward campaign, which provided all 300-plus employees with $50 to give back to their communities at the peak of the pandemic.
Judges called Argent’s Pay It Forward campaign an “ingenious way to spread kindness during [the pandemic]” and a concept that “should be looked at and adopted by many companies and corporations who have the means to give.”
Argent also won silver in the Lifetime Achievement Award – Business Services Industries category, which honors founder and CEO Kyle McDonald, who has spent more than three decades in the financial services industry. McDonald founded Argent in 1990 and, under his leadership, the company has grown to encompass 30 markets across 12 states. Today, Argent serves more than 6,000 clients across the country and manages upwards of $30 billion in client assets and three million mineral acres.
Judges were impressed with McDonald’s contributions to the financial landscape of Louisiana and his care for employees and clients through trying times. They also noted that his career has a “strong history of accomplishment with admirable results,” calling Argent a “great growth story.”
“The past year has been challenging in so many ways. We are honored to have been recognized for our team’s response to the pandemic and creativity in supporting front-line workers, small businesses and organizations providing essential services across our entire footprint,” said McDonald. “These awards would mean nothing without our employees, who are committed to thoughtfully serving our communities and clients each and every day.”
The American Business Awards were created in 2002 and are widely recognized as the nation’s top business awards. Over 3,800 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in nearly every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories. More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners.
“The American economy continues to show its resilience, and as we’re poised on the beginning of what should be a phenomenal period of growth, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of a wide range of organizations and people over the past 18 months,” said Stevie Awards President Maggie Gallagher. “This year’s Stevie-winning nominations in The American Business Awards are testament to the ingenuity, the commitment, the passion, the adaptability, and the creativity of the American people. We look forward to celebrating this year’s winners during our virtual ceremony on June 30.”
Details about the American Business Awards and the full list of 2021 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.
About Argent Financial Group
Argent Financial Group (Argent) is a leading, independent, fiduciary wealth management firm. Responsible for more than $30 billion in client assets, Argent provides individuals, families, businesses and institutions with a broad range of wealth management services, including trust and estate planning, investment management, ESOPs, retirement plan consulting, funeral and cemetery trusts, charitable organization administration, oil and gas (mineral) management and other unique financial services. Headquartered in Ruston, Louisiana, Argent was formed in 1990 and traces its roots back to 1930. For more information, visit www.ArgentFinancial.com.
About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. The Stevies also produce the annual Women|Future Conference. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.
