Nerd's Eye View

MARCH 22, 2024

Also in industry news this week: A recent survey suggests that advisors who best understand their prospects' and clients' unique needs and communicate their value and fees clearly could be best positioned to win and retain clients Why a dearth of advisor talent could spur additional M&A activity and 'poaching', and what firms can do to attract (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Communication Retirement Electronics 246

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 19, 2024

Nevertheless, there is potential for many individual RIAs to expand their staffing further, with the addition of specialized planning and operations roles being seen as a potential avenue to boost firm growth.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Fiduciary Duty Retirement Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

APRIL 26, 2024

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" - this week's edition kicks off with the news that the Department of Labor released the final version of its Retirement Security Rule (a.k.a.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Commission Communication Financial Advisor 246

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 6, 2023

Also in industry news this week: A new advisor benchmarking study indicates that high-growth firms are excelling in 3 areas: client acquisition, "relationship alpha", and strategic scale A recent survey indicates that while advisors increasingly are leveraging home office investment models to save time and scale more efficiently, they often customize (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner CFP Certification Communication 246

Nerd's Eye View

JULY 26, 2024

The study also identified attributes of "top performing" firms across a range of metrics, finding that they are more likely than other firms to have a clear ideal client persona, client value proposition, and marketing plan.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Communication Financial Advisor 246

Nerd's Eye View

APRIL 19, 2024

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" - this week's edition kicks off with the news that CFP Board announced that it has crossed the milestone of 100,000 CFP professionals in the United States, and despite having just celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, just set a record high in the number of advisors sitting (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner CFP Financial Advisor Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Also in industry news this week: How enforcement of FINRA Rule 4111 could further the decline in the number of broker-dealers and registered representatives. From there, we have several articles on investments: How Morningstar plans to simplify its rating system amid continued concerns about its effectiveness.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Strategic Planning Retirement Planning Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

AUGUST 5, 2022

Also in industry news this week: A study suggests that a significant number of brokers who are disciplined by FINRA are engaging in ‘regulatory arbitrage’ by moving to state-regulated insurance companies, making it more difficult for consumers to learn about their past infractions.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Compliance Insurance Financial Advisor 246

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 1, 2022

From there, we have several articles on advisor marketing: How some of the biggest financial services firms are increasing their television advertising and how smaller firms can craft a scalable, cost-efficient marketing strategy. The potential advantages of taking RMDs in stock rather than in cash during the current market downturn.

Financial Planner 245

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Advertising Taxes 245

Nerd's Eye View

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

From there, we have several articles on retirement planning: A survey indicates that while pre-retirees largely understand the benefits of delaying Social Security benefits, only 11% plan to wait until age 70 to claim them, suggesting that advisors can play an important role in influencing clients’ retirement income decision making.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Retirement Planning Numbers 246

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 11, 2024

Also in industry news this week: Edward Jones, which added more new CFP professionals than any other firm last year, announced that it is planning to offer financial planning services nationwide, highlighting the value for RIAs and other firms of differentiating themselves amidst increased competition not only for clients, but also for advisor talent (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner CFP Financial Planning Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 4, 2024

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" - this week's edition kicks off with the news that a recent survey from Charles Schwab indicates that advisors see technology as the biggest driver of change in the RIA industry, with the growing number of AdvisorTech solutions as the most frequently cited tech-related driver (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Clients Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 5, 2024

Also in industry news this week: Recent data show that RIAs are gaining on wirehouses in terms of advisor headcount and assets under management, with these trends expected to continue over the next several years The range of actions independent broker-dealers are taking to keep advisors under their umbrellas From there, we have several articles on (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Retirement Planning Financial Advisor 246

Nerd's Eye View

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Also in industry news this week: Why the announced acquisition of RIA custodian TradePMR by retail brokerage firm Robinhood could prove to be a boon for RIAs on TradePMR's platform, who could receive a wave of referrals from Robinhood's massive base of next-generation retail clients How Morningstar is cutting the "Medalist Ratings" of thousands of (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Retail Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

DECEMBER 16, 2022

From there, we have several articles on practice management: Why it is important for advisors charging on a fee-for-service basis to regularly reassess their pricing, and best practices for letting current clients know about a fee increase. How firms can best leverage their internal data to improve the number of client referrals they receive.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner CFP Financial Advisor Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The SEC this week released its 2023 examination priorities, which include its new marketing rule, Reg BI, and complicated investments The House of Representatives is considering legislation that would broaden the definition of who qualifies as an accredited investor and is potentially eyeing a role for financial advisors (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner CFP Certification Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

JUNE 14, 2024

Also in industry news this week: While an infusion of Private Equity (PE) capital has shaken up the RIA M&A market, the ultimate implications for advisors, their clients, and the PE firms themselves remain unclear A recent study has found that a significant portion of 'DIY' investors are open to working with a human advisor (and paying for the (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Compensation Planning Asset Allocation Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

From there, we have several articles on practice management: A new company aims to train the next generation of planners and provide a valuable outsourced service to advisory firms. We wrap up with three final articles, all about time management: Why scaling your time can be more effective than trying to stretch or save it.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Financial Advisor Education 246

Nerd's Eye View

JUNE 30, 2023

Also in industry news this week: Concerned about the (insufficient) frequency of its examinations of RIAs, an SEC committee has recommended that the regulator allow third parties to conduct these examinations and to request Congressional authorization to charge investment advisers under its purview a ‘user fee’ that would provide steady (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Fee Only Commission Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

From there, we have several articles on advisor marketing: Three tactics advisors can use to improve their ‘close’ rate with prospective clients. While “free” Medicare Advantage plans might sound enticing, advisors can help their clients assess whether a different plan might actually be more cost-efficient.

Financial Planner 244

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Compliance Clients 244

Nerd's Eye View

AUGUST 4, 2023

Also in industry news this week: RIA M&A activity fell in the second quarter compared to the same period last year amid rising financing costs, though continued private equity interest in the RIA space could help buoy deal volume going forward According to a recent survey, RIAs appear to be taking a defensive approach toward the SEC's new marketing (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Compliance Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

FEBRUARY 17, 2023

Also in industry news this week: A court ruling this week vacated Department of Labor guidance that a one-time rollover recommendation from a company plan to an IRA would trigger fiduciary duty requirements under ERISA Vanguard’s CEO this week indicated the firm plans to invest heavily in direct indexing amid the growing use cases for the strategy (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Fiduciary Duty Retirement Planning Compliance 246

Nerd's Eye View

DECEMBER 2, 2022

This increased demand could be particularly acute among younger investors (who might be experiencing an inflationary environment and sustained market downturn for the first time) and those nearing retirement (who might seek professional guidance to ensure their retirement plan is secure).

Financial Planner 241

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Retirement Financial Planning 241

Nerd's Eye View

JULY 28, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The SEC released a proposal that would require firms to take steps to eliminate or neutralize conflicts of interest when using predictive data analytics tools with clients A recent study found that financial advisors remain the top source of financial advice for consumers, with social media coming in well behind From (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Financial Advisor Retirement Planning Financial Advice 246

Nerd's Eye View

AUGUST 25, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The SEC settled its first charges related to its new marketing rule with a firm that advertised 2,700% annual returns A survey suggests that older Americans prefer the term "longevity" to "aging", perhaps informing the way advisors discuss related issues with their clients From there, we have several articles on retirement (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Retirement Planning Advertising 246

Nerd's Eye View

DECEMBER 23, 2022

”, a series of measures that will have significant impacts on the world of retirement planning. From there, we have several articles on advisor marketing: Five tactics advisors can use to make the most of the online referrals they receive. How ‘regifting’ can help save money and reduce waste.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Financial Planning Budgeting 246

Nerd's Eye View

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Also in industry news this week: A legal challenge to FINRA's operations as a self-regulatory organization has the potential to upend the current regulatory system for broker-dealers and their registered representatives A recent study indicates that while many consumers appear confident handling their finances on a 'DIY' basis during their careers, (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Strategic Planning Retirement Planning Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 6, 2023

How planning specializations can help firms and their advisors stand out from the pack. From there, we have several articles on retirement planning: Why an individual’s portfolio of relationships could be just as important as their investment portfolio when it comes to happiness in retirement.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Commission Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

DECEMBER 30, 2022

” has brought a wide range of changes to the world of retirement planning. From there, we have several articles on advisor technology: A recent survey shows that many advisors at large firms are unhappy with their firm’s current tech stack and that client growth has suffered because of it.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Clients Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

APRIL 28, 2023

House of Representatives committee this week approved legislation that would expand the pool of individuals who would qualify as accredited investors able to access certain private offerings Proposed bipartisan legislation would allow individuals to use funds in 529 plans for expenses associated with acquiring or maintaining postsecondary credentials, (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Certification Retirement Planning Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 7, 2022

From there, we have several articles on retirement planning: Defying popular wisdom, a research study argues that younger workers should delay saving for retirement, even if it means foregoing a company match.

Financial Planner 245

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Retirement Economy 245

Nerd's Eye View

APRIL 14, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The Foundation For Financial Planning has gotten a boost toward its goal of connecting 10,000 CFP professionals with pro bono work thanks to increased funding from Orion Advisor Solutions FINRA has resubmitted a proposal, now with tighter rules, that would allow a broker working remotely to supervise other brokers, (..)

Financial Planner 243

Financial Planner Retirement Planning CFP Financial Planning 243

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 13, 2023

From there, we have several articles on retirement planning: The latest rules for 2023 Required Minimum Distributions from inherited retirement accounts. Why relying on Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) to support the bulk of retirement income needs could be risky.

Financial Planner 241

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Compliance Retirement 241

Nerd's Eye View

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The SEC agreed to a series of settlements with 9 RIAs resulting from charges of improper use of hypothetical returns in advertising under the regulator's marketing rule How several CEOs of large RIAs and AdvisorTech companies have found that receiving funding from private equity firms and taking the responsibility for (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Retirement Planning Advertising 246

Nerd's Eye View

DECEMBER 9, 2022

Also in industry news this week: A recent survey indicates that retirement plan sponsors currently using financial advisors to support their plan are overwhelmingly satisfied with the service they receive, which also leads to improved retirement savings for their employees.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Recruitment Retirement Planning Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

From there, we have several articles on investment planning: While I Bonds have received significant attention during the past year, TIPS could be an attractive alternative for many client situations. Pundits continue to expect “SECURE 2.0”

Financial Planner 240

Financial Planner Financial Advisor Retirement Planning Medical 240

Nerd's Eye View

MAY 17, 2024

Also in industry news this week: The SEC this week announced a proposed rule that would require RIAs to collect and verify their clients' personal information in an effort to prevent illicit activity, though many firms likely are taking many of these steps already Why larger RIAs and those that have been acquired tend to have worse client and staff (..)

Financial Planner 238

Financial Planner Wealth Management Retirement Investment Planning 238