Our History

Bill Koss, basketball player, and Bill Olinger, swimmer and diver had lockers on the same wall in the old Florida Gym at the University of Florida. The two men became friends.

After graduation, they often crossed paths as they began their similar journeys to become financial planning advocates for clients. They simultaneously decided to seek professional designations as Chartered Financial Consultants and Chartered Life Underwriters, and began studying together for the Board examinations. It was during this time that they first discussed their frustration with a financial services industry that limited objectivity in a professional engagement. Both men wanted the ability to offer a variety of financial solutions, depending on each individual’s needs.

The idea for Koss Olinger was born.

1969: Our Beginnings - 603 Northwest 10th Avenue

Koss Olinger was founded in 1969 on the principle of serving the client’s interests – not those of the financial institutions and insurance companies providing product solutions. The young firm was one of the first to secure innovative arrangements, which allowed them to represent many sources for financial products. It also allowed them to realize the dream of offering objective advice to clients about a wide range of financial options.

“Financial institutions are focused on branding”, said Bill Olinger. “They put a stamp on an advisor’s forehead that says ‘Our Company has unique proprietary solutions for a customer’s planning.’ They spend millions of dollars creating an image, which in reality is very superficial. Bill Koss and I saw an opportunity to work independently in North Central Florida through a business model that assured objectivity and the idea of Koss Olinger Financial Group was born.

1989: Welcome to 2700 Northwest 43rd Street

Koss Olinger has matured from an office in Gainesville, Florida, on the corner of NW 6th Street and 10th Avenue almost 40 years ago to North Florida’s most respected financial and estate planning organization. Located in the prestigious Meridien Centre, Koss Olinger is residence for the most talented group of advisors in the Southeast. Seven individuals, all with letters of distinction, differentiate the Koss Olinger family from its competition.

The business derives its reputation from a commitment to community and client services. Through the years the people of Koss Olinger have energized the community by serving in leadership roles of public service and helping to fund community endeavors, which include Junior Achievement and March of Dimes. From economic development to support for the arts, from public recreation to intercollegiate athletics, Koss Olinger is woven indelibly in the community’s fabric.

Today the firm is responsible for managing millions of dollars for thousands of clients, but their intellectual capital is measured in the trustworthy way each client is represented.

“Koss Olinger builds long-term client relationships”, says Bill Koss. “Through the years we have created an oasis for our friends’ financial well-being. It was our responsibility to make sure that the fundamental core of business values that encourages people to engage us is sustained through succession planning in our business to serve the children and grandchildren of our many clients.” Today the Koss Olinger Financial Group is a totally independent financial and estate planning resource with the objectivity and the competency to address three principal activities: Wealth Creation – Wealth Accumulation – Wealth Preservation.

In the late 1960’s Bill Olinger and Bill Koss shook hands and began working toward their ideals. They treated people the way they would have wanted someone to treat them if they were seeking counsel for financial decision-making. They honored their word and gave people trusted advice. Today’s world is much different than it was in 1969, and today Koss Olinger is a dynamic firm of over twenty people, but the words “Trust Us” never have rung more true.