Opinion

Displaying 2109 results
Succession planning requires a plan
NEWS OPINION OCT 26, 2021
Succession planning requires a plan

Bring on a junior adviser at least five to seven years prior to retirement, to give both the adviser and clients time to acclimate to the role and those important relationships.

Taking a pass on troublesome clients
NEWS OPINION OCT 25, 2021
Taking a pass on troublesome clients

It’s not easy to tell which prospects are going to pose problems — but it’s definitely easier to say no to a prospect than to terminate a client later.

Evolving investor education in the age of meme stocks
NEWS OPINION OCT 22, 2021
Evolving investor education in the age of meme stocks

The deluge of information available about investing has driven many young people to gravitate toward the largest, loudest and most popular financial influencers on various message boards and online video channels.

Do you have undisclosed crypto? If so, it's time to decide your future
NEWS OPINION OCT 15, 2021
Do you have undisclosed crypto? If so, it's time to decide your future

Claims that crypto is 'untraceable' and the 'perfect tax haven' have been exploded. Those who bought into this mythology have to decide what to do.

A plan for yourself is a plan for the future of your firm
NEWS OPINION OCT 12, 2021
A plan for yourself is a plan for the future of your firm

The No. 1 reason given for the increase in advisory firm M&A is the desire to create a succession plan. Advisers nearing retirement should consider their alternatives.

Bond market dilemma: How to lower duration without sacrificing yield
NEWS OPINION OCT 12, 2021
Bond market dilemma: How to lower duration without sacrificing yield

Investors could benefit from investing in a lower-duration, diversified fixed-income solution that invests in high income-producing sectors, such as high-quality high yield or emerging market debt.

Exposing clients to financial plans in unexpected places
NEWS OPINION OCT 11, 2021
Exposing clients to financial plans in unexpected places

American Express Co. believes a consumer may want to create a full financial plan, complete with toggles for job promotions and inflation as well as important life events. They're not the only company that thinks so.

Congress must help make emergency savings automatic
NEWS OPINION OCT 09, 2021
Congress must help make emergency savings automatic

People already use retirement savings to manage short-term needs through 401(k) plan loans, hardship withdrawals and by cashing out during job transitions. Any retirement legislation should include provisions for emergency savings.

Lessons from Beijing’s toothless crypto ban
NEWS OPINION OCT 08, 2021
Lessons from Beijing’s toothless crypto ban

For crypto-skeptic advisers, the fact that the ban proved to be a tempest in a teapot should be a wake-up call. Crypto as an asset class is here to stay.

Getting to know you: Telling your story in your bio
NEWS OPINION OCT 06, 2021
Getting to know you: Telling your story in your bio

Advisers' biographies tend to be generic, filled with jargon and acronyms. Write a bio that gives prospects the information they need to decide whether they want to talk with you.

How do I market my RIA?
NEWS OPINION OCT 04, 2021
How do I market my RIA?

The compliance friction points that advisers detest the most are almost always centered around marketing.

What we talk about when we talk about risk profiles
NEWS OPINION OCT 04, 2021
What we talk about when we talk about risk profiles

Client risk profiles can be messy and complex, and even the language is confusing. Here are guidelines advisers can use to properly vet the tools they use to create client risk profiles.

The rise of insurtech
NEWS OPINION OCT 04, 2021
The rise of insurtech

Just 10 years ago, there was little crossover between securities and insurance, as insurance agents, health insurance agents and Wall Street advisers traditionally stayed in separate lanes. But that has started to change.

How technology can embrace ‘financial therapy’
NEWS OPINION OCT 01, 2021
How technology can embrace ‘financial therapy’

Advisers can use their tech stack to seamlessly track the opportunities best suited for each client and recommend appropriate actions that result in long-term change.

3 drivers of record M&A activity
NEWS OPINION SEP 30, 2021
3 drivers of record M&A activity

With valuations of financial planning and wealth management shops at record highs and private equity focusing on the space, it would seem prudent for firms to at least research their options.

The next evolution of Monte Carlo analysis
NEWS OPINION SEP 28, 2021
The next evolution of Monte Carlo analysis

Advances in technology and the deployment of Monte Carlo in financial planning means these solutions can support advisers creating stronger, more personalized financial plans.

Dealing with challenging clients
NEWS OPINION SEP 28, 2021
Dealing with challenging clients

Deep-in-debt clients were hoping for a magic solution I didn't have, and didn't appreciate the advice I was able to give them.

Managing operational risks at growing advisory firms
NEWS OPINION SEP 27, 2021
Managing operational risks at growing advisory firms

As changes bring about increased risks, RIAs need to recognize that insurance is a vital component of their risk management strategy.

What can move advisers to create a succession plan?
NEWS OPINION SEP 21, 2021
What can move advisers to create a succession plan?

It seems as though the pandemic should have provided the motivation for advisers to address their continuity needs.

The impact versus the job: Lessons on making a noble profession
NEWS OPINION SEP 16, 2021
The impact versus the job: Lessons on making a noble profession

I believe we can fundamentally change people’s lives for the better through financial advice.