Certified Financial Planner, and Founder of TOAMS Financial
Mario Payne is a U.S. Army veteran, Certified Financial Planner, and founder of TOAMS Financial, an independent advisory firm based in Jacksonville, Florida. With over 15 years of experience, he has dedicated his career to helping clients grow their wealth, plan for their future, and alleviate financial stress. Through his work on initiatives like The Relax Estate and Payneful Profits, he has aimed to provide individuals and families with practical solutions for achieving long-term financial security.
Mario J. Payne was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. After completing high school, he attended Tennessee State University and earned a degree in Business Administration. Later, he pursued further education by completing a degree in financial planning through the College for Financial Planning. His dedication to his field earned him the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and the Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation. These accomplishments place him among fewer than 2 percent of licensed African American advisors who hold the CFP® credential.
While attending college, Mario joined the United States Army and served as a Financial Sergeant during Operation Enduring Freedom. In this role, he assisted fellow soldiers in managing their pay, making informed financial decisions, and planning for their futures under uncertain and demanding conditions.
Payne began his career in financial services at American Income Life Insurance Company, where he gained experience explaining financial matters to working families. He later worked at Edward Jones, assisting retirees, business owners, and families in building strategies to manage their finances and plans. These experiences helped him strengthen his client-first approach to delivering precise and thoughtful financial guidance.
In 2013, Mario founded TOAMS Financial, which stands for “Tithes Offering Alms Means Stewardship.” The firm is based in Jacksonville and serves clients across the United States and internationally. Under his leadership, TOAMS became one of the few African-American-owned investment advisory firms registered with the SEC.
He created Payneful Profits, a YouTube channel that simplifies stock market activity, economic trends, and financial planning concepts. His insights have also been shared in Forbes and Cheddar News outlets.
He co-founded LETB, the first Black-owned, AI-backed Exchange-Traded Fund, and Let Bob, an investment tool that helps retail investors make informed, data-driven decisions. Payne also developed The Relax Estate, an AI-powered platform that simplifies estate planning by automating wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
He remains active in his community by serving on the boards of the Jacksonville Public Library, the Tennessee State University Foundation, and Knots 4 Kids, supporting programs focused on literacy, scholarships, and youth mentorship. He helps revitalize properties through House Wars, providing families access to stable housing. Mario Payne’s work has been recognized through honors such as the 100K Day Award and the 40 Acres Entrepreneur of the Year, reflecting his dedication to promoting financial education, equity, and opportunity.
