Opinion

Displaying 2109 results
Looking beyond a will: Estate planning as end-of-life planning
NEWS OPINION AUG 12, 2021
Looking beyond a will: Estate planning as end-of-life planning

Estate planning is a lot bigger than just the financial aspects of the estate; it includes family, feelings, values and goals.

Solving the build-it vs. buy-it dilemma for family offices
NEWS OPINION AUG 12, 2021
Solving the build-it vs. buy-it dilemma for family offices

Family offices have always had to consider the trade-offs between customization and price when putting together their tech stacks.

Helping women advisers gain a seat at the table
NEWS OPINION AUG 11, 2021
Helping women advisers gain a seat at the table

While there's some good news about women attaining corporate board seats, progress is still slow. Here are some suggestions on how women advisers can attain leadership roles.

Driving diversity and inclusion in the independent financial services industry
NEWS OPINION AUG 10, 2021
Driving diversity and inclusion in the independent financial services industry

To fulfill our mission of expanding access to financial advice to all corners of the country, our membership and our profession must reflect the makeup of our overall society.

Stop devaluing your business
NEWS OPINION AUG 03, 2021
Stop devaluing your business

If the perceived value of an RIA is tied to the adviser's investing prowess, it makes it hard to develop a succession plan or sell the firm.

When knowledge backfires
NEWS OPINION AUG 03, 2021
When knowledge backfires

Understanding what a company does can skew our perceptions of the risk of investing in the company.

Charitable giving must support children’s mental health
NEWS OPINION AUG 03, 2021
Charitable giving must support children’s mental health

More financial support is needed to combat the gap in financial investment in children’s mental health and improve access to care.

From reactive to proactive: Ramp up your diversity and inclusion efforts
NEWS OPINION AUG 02, 2021
From reactive to proactive: Ramp up your diversity and inclusion efforts

Given the looming shortage of advisers, the industry must improve its diversity and inclusion efforts so it can attract and retain employees from diverse groups.

How firms can effectively communicate an ESG value proposition
NEWS OPINION JUL 30, 2021
How firms can effectively communicate an ESG value proposition

It's critical for wealth management firms to create authentic and compelling narratives around their sustainable investing offerings.

457(b)s: The solution to bad K-12 403(b) plans?
NEWS OPINION JUL 29, 2021
457(b)s: The solution to bad K-12 403(b) plans?

Teachers are eligible for a second supplemental plan. It’s called the 457(b), and it has several key advantages over the 403(b).

Communications glitches between advisers and clients
NEWS OPINION JUL 28, 2021
Communications glitches between advisers and clients

Some of the most engaging practice stories arise from things we tell clients that they don’t hear or don’t remember, things we don’t think to tell them, and things they forget to tell us.

How one breakaway RIA brought over more assets than it expected
NEWS OPINION JUL 27, 2021
How one breakaway RIA brought over more assets than it expected

Not all of our old clients came with us. But the overwhelming majority came and — because of their enthusiasm for our move — some asked us to oversee even more of their assets, while others pointed brand-new business our way.

High-net-worth investors are itching to change advisers
NEWS OPINION JUL 26, 2021
High-net-worth investors are itching to change advisers

Twenty percent of high-net-worth clients say they're likely to switch their primary financial adviser this year, according to a Northwestern Mutual survey.

Why are so many Merrill Lynch advisers leaving?
NEWS OPINION JUL 23, 2021
Why are so many Merrill Lynch advisers leaving?

Whether they're inclined to stay or to go, advisers owe it to their clients and themselves to pay attention to the subtle, but important, changes happening at the company.

A four-step approach to working with clients on sustainable investing
NEWS OPINION JUL 22, 2021
A four-step approach to working with clients on sustainable investing

Advisers should provide a global view and frame conversations around investors' values.

Educating clients on the social of ESG investing
NEWS OPINION JUL 21, 2021
Educating clients on the social of ESG investing

Minding the "s" means recognizing the impact disgruntled employees or suppliers can have on reputations and business operations.

Increase coming in 'introducing custodians' for RIAs
NEWS OPINION JUL 20, 2021
Increase coming in 'introducing custodians' for RIAs

The upstarts will focus on a particular niche of the marketplace they feel is underserved, such as advisers with foreign clients or advisers focused on a particular investment approach.

How advisers can add value to their firms
NEWS OPINION JUL 19, 2021
How advisers can add value to their firms

Some firms mistakenly trim expenses too aggressively to lower their costs and maximize their earnings to attract buyers. It may seem counterintuitive, but the opposite approach can make a firm more desirable.

Rise of 'middle office' providers for RIAs
NEWS OPINION JUL 19, 2021
Rise of 'middle office' providers for RIAs

One option for advisers starting an RIA is to outsource in one fell swoop such responsibilities as custodial relationships, tech stack design and integration, client billion, tamp solutions and marketing expertise.

'Salary plus bonus' will arrive at the wirehouses
NEWS OPINION JUL 16, 2021
'Salary plus bonus' will arrive at the wirehouses

The switch in the compensation model will arrive silently, via death from a thousand cuts.