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Tim Pagliara
United States
Net Worth
$2B AUM
Source of Wealth
Wealth Management, Shareholder Advocacy
Global Rank
#103 of 157
About Tim Pagliara
Timothy J. Pagliara is the founder, chairman, and chief investment officer of CapWealth Advisors, one of Tennessee's leading independent wealth management firms managing nearly $2 billion in assets. An attorney, author, and decorated financial advisor, Pagliara has been ranked the #1 wealth advisor in Tennessee by both Forbes and Barron's multiple times.
Beyond wealth management, Pagliara is best known as the founder and executive director of Investors Unite, a coalition of over 2,000 individual investors fighting to protect shareholder rights in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He has called the government's Net Worth Sweep 'the largest and most brazen expropriation of private property in the nation's history' and has spent over a decade lobbying Congress, filing lawsuits, and educating the public on the issue.
Pagliara authored 'Another Big Lie: How the Government Stole Billions from the American Dream of Home Ownership' (ForbesBooks, 2021), personally filed the first-ever books-and-records lawsuits against the GSEs, and built an unlikely bipartisan coalition with Ralph Nader to advocate for shareholder restitution. He fought the SEC in federal court over alleged 12b-1 fee violations and won a full acquittal in 2022.
An avid adventurer, Pagliara has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro 11 times and reached Everest Base Camp. Through the Pagliara Family Charities, he helped build Mwenge Catholic University in Moshi, Tanzania, which now enrolls 4,300 students in math and science.
Key Achievements
Founded Investors Unite
Created the premier coalition of individual Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shareholders, uniting over 2,000 investors to fight the Net Worth Sweep and advocate for shareholder rights on Capitol Hill.
#1 Wealth Advisor in Tennessee
Ranked #1 in Tennessee by Forbes (2018, 2020, 2022, 2025) and Barron's (2012-2016, 2018, 2020) — the only advisor to hold both top spots simultaneously.
Beat the SEC in Federal Court
Fought SEC fraud charges over 12b-1 fee disclosures at trial rather than settling — a rare decision in the industry — and won a full acquittal from a Nashville federal jury in November 2022.
Filed First-Ever GSE Books-and-Records Lawsuits
In March 2016, personally filed suit in both Delaware and Virginia to inspect Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac corporate records — the first shareholder demands of their kind in GSE history.
Built a University in Tanzania
Through Pagliara Family Charities, helped build Mwenge Catholic University in Moshi, Tanzania, which now educates 4,300 students in math and science, transforming the community.
Notable Quotes
“The rights of shareholders have been trampled on and their access to information has been blocked at every turn since 2012.”
— Tim Pagliara
“I owe it to the people who have entrusted me with their investments to pursue all avenues to demonstrate that the Net Worth Sweep violates both federal law and, I strongly believe, state law.”
— Tim Pagliara
“The Net Worth Sweep created a loan that can never be paid back.”
— Tim Pagliara
“Shareholders have a right to understand how this sweep of earnings from private companies that trampled the rights of shareholders was conceived and executed.”
— Tim Pagliara
Key Decisions
Began his career at Edward D. Jones & Co.'s first Nashville office, entering the financial industry.
Founded CapWealth Advisors (originally CapTrust Financial Advisors) in Franklin, Tennessee, going independent.
Launched Investors Unite in Washington D.C., organizing individual Fannie/Freddie shareholders into a powerful advocacy coalition.
Filed first-ever books-and-records lawsuits against Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in Delaware and Virginia courts.
Published 'Another Big Lie' through ForbesBooks, documenting the government's theft from GSE shareholders.
Won full acquittal in Nashville federal court after fighting SEC charges rather than settling.
Early Life
Pagliara earned his undergraduate degree and law degree from St. Louis University and is a graduate of the Wharton School Securities Industry Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his financial career in 1983 at Edward D. Jones & Co.'s first Nashville office, later becoming a Limited Partner. He served as a Principal at J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons before founding CapWealth in 2000.
Companies & Ventures
CapWealth Advisors
~$2B AUMFounder, Chairman & CIO · Est. 2000
Independent, SEC-registered investment advisory firm managing nearly $2 billion in assets. Known for individual security selection using Pagliara's 'Sophisticated Simplicity' and 'Provable Integrity' trademarked approaches. GIPS-compliant performance tracking.
Investors Unite
Founder & Executive Director · Est. 2014
A coalition of over 2,000 individual Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shareholders advocating for the preservation of shareholder rights and full restitution of investments seized by the Net Worth Sweep.
Investment Principles
Sophisticated Simplicity
Thoroughly understand a complicated global markets landscape and boil it down to high-quality, straightforward investment ideas using individual security selection.
Provable Integrity
Track and report portfolio performance using GIPS-compliant, state-of-the-art data aggregation — no hiding behind vague benchmarks or cherry-picked time periods.
Think Outside the Box
Defy conventional wisdom when the data supports it. This approach proved most valuable during the tech bubble of 1999 and the financial crisis of 2008.
Shareholder Rights Are Sacred
The rule of law and property rights are the foundation of free markets. When the government violates shareholder contracts, someone must stand up and fight.
Life Lessons & Insights
Fight Even When You're Outgunned
Taking on the federal government and the SEC required courage that most people in the financial industry simply don't have. Pagliara fought both — and won.
Build Unlikely Coalitions
Uniting conservative Tennessee investors with liberal activist Ralph Nader proved that shareholder rights transcend politics when the cause is just.
Adventure Feeds the Soul
Climbing Kilimanjaro 11 times and reaching Everest Base Camp isn't just recreation — it's a metaphor for the persistence required in business and advocacy.
Give Back Through Education
Building a university in Tanzania that educates 4,300 students proves that wealth management is about more than managing money — it's about changing lives.
Philanthropy
Pagliara established Pagliara Family Charities in 2002, focusing on education and social justice globally. His flagship project is Mwenge Catholic University in Moshi, Tanzania, enrolling 4,300 students in math and science. He also partners with the Heritage Foundation, Battle Ground Academy, Carnton Plantation, Saint Thomas Hospital, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Deep Dives
Go deeper into what makes Tim Pagliara exceptional.
Explore More
See how Glen Bradford applies these principles to his own investing. Long Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac junior preferred — and not going anywhere.