Opinion

Displaying 2107 results
Finra's fee increase reveals hard of hearing organization
NEWS OPINION NOV 19, 2024
Finra's fee increase reveals hard of hearing organization

Like so many bureaucracies, Finra has a tin ear.

More professional designations mean more success for women advisors
NEWS OPINION NOV 19, 2024
More professional designations mean more success for women advisors

For women financial advisors, professional designations are not just credentials to add after their names, they are vital tools that can accelerate success.

After the election duel, stay cool and manage emotions
NEWS OPINION NOV 19, 2024
After the election duel, stay cool and manage emotions

Our Women to Watch provided professional pragmatism ahead of what will likely be a stormy four years.

IRAs are now the worst assets to leave to heirs
NEWS OPINION NOV 18, 2024
IRAs are now the worst assets to leave to heirs

Tax expert Ed Slott explains what to do when faced with the SECURE Act and the recently related IRS regulations.

A bumpy start to autumn but more positives ahead
NEWS OPINION NOV 18, 2024
A bumpy start to autumn but more positives ahead

This season’s market volatility: Positioning for rate relief, income growth and the AI rebound

Building a competitive edge: technology as a catalyst for advisor growth
NEWS OPINION OCT 30, 2024
Building a competitive edge: technology as a catalyst for advisor growth

Advisors who fear they'll grow obsolete with the rise of apps, AI and algorithms may be missing a future-proofing opportunity.

Time to restore tax deductibility for advice fees
NEWS OPINION OCT 29, 2024
Time to restore tax deductibility for advice fees

With the sunsetting of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the end of next year, leaders on both sides of the aisle have an opportunity to make a change for the sake of Main Street investors.

Calculating the real cost of free: key considerations for RIAs when assessing advisory partner offerings
NEWS OPINION OCT 28, 2024
Calculating the real cost of free: key considerations for RIAs when assessing advisory partner offerings

There's a painfully basic reason why firms going for a bargain-priced platform often end up with less than what they bargained for.

How advisors can fuel growth with client communication
NEWS OPINION OCT 24, 2024
How advisors can fuel growth with client communication

Having a well-defined marketing plan can help focus their strategies and tactics – but that's just the start.

More financial advisors can yield more financial security for more Americans
NEWS OPINION OCT 20, 2024
More financial advisors can yield more financial security for more Americans

With clients suffering from financial anxiety and advisors approaching a demographic cliff of retirement, growing the pipeline of talent for the future is an industry imperative.

4 preparation strategies to help clients navigate the 2026 lifetime exemption sunset
NEWS OPINION OCT 18, 2024
4 preparation strategies to help clients navigate the 2026 lifetime exemption sunset

Advisors to high-net-worth and UHNW clients would do well to understand the implications and take appropriate steps to safeguard their wealth.

Smarter investing: Help your clients keep more of their money with tax-efficient strategies
NEWS OPINION OCT 16, 2024
Smarter investing: Help your clients keep more of their money with tax-efficient strategies

Financial advisors can deliver real value for clients and, in doing so, set themselves apart, says Michael Finke, of The American College of Financial Services

Gen X clients: what advisors need to know
NEWS OPINION OCT 10, 2024
Gen X clients: what advisors need to know

From the complexity of today's investment environment to lingering caution instilled by the 2008 Financial Crisis, the in-between generation is facing down a spectrum of increasingly urgent concerns.

A $40 trillion opportunity for financial advisors
NEWS OPINION OCT 09, 2024
A $40 trillion opportunity for financial advisors

The best investment advisors can make now is in their tax-planning knowledge.

Advisors’ wallets and hearts have to agree before selling their firm
NEWS OPINION OCT 09, 2024
Advisors’ wallets and hearts have to agree before selling their firm

Advisor-owners must acknowledge from the start that the keep/sell decision is a multi-faceted and difficult choice to make.

Huge growth at LPL comes with C-suite drama
NEWS OPINION OCT 08, 2024
Huge growth at LPL comes with C-suite drama

Some of LPL's most prominent advisors loved Dan Arnold because he was a nerd.

Arnold’s abrupt end shows no one is beyond reproach
NEWS OPINION OCT 07, 2024
Arnold’s abrupt end shows no one is beyond reproach

News of firing was a shock but it’s clear LPL decided it had to act.

EIAs should be securities
NEWS OPINION SEP 26, 2024
EIAs should be securities

The world would be a better place if they had never been created.

What’s the market pricing in — geopolitical conflict or elections?
NEWS OPINION SEP 20, 2024
What’s the market pricing in — geopolitical conflict or elections?

Reactions to recent world-shaping events shows financial markets' focus might be misdirected, suggests Saturna Capital's senior investment analyst and portfolio manager.

Back to school means back to basics with referrals
NEWS OPINION SEP 19, 2024
Back to school means back to basics with referrals

If you aren’t actively discussing referrals at every meeting, it’s time to make a change.