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Each week in Weekend Reading For Financial Planners, we seek to bring you synopses and commentaries on 12 articles covering news for financial advisors including topics covering technical planning, practice management, advisor marketing, career development, and more.
Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" – this week's edition kicks off with the news that at a time when brokerage firms' cash sweep programs come under increased scrutiny (and as the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates), Charles Schwab (the largest RIA custodian) continues to slash sweep rates for client (..)
Also in industry news this week: According to a recent survey, advisors are putting an increasing share of client assets into model portfolios, allowing for customization and time savings that advisors appear to be using to provide more comprehensive planning services RIA M&A deal volume saw an annual record in 2024 as a lower cost of capital, (..)
Also in industry news this week: While RIA M&A deal flow hit record levels in 2024 (both in terms of volume and the speed of completing them), firm valuations saw relatively modest gains In its latest annual regulatory oversight report, FINRA joined the SEC in flagging the potential risks to firm and client data from the use of third-party vendors (..)
Also in industry news this week: While many financial advisors are paying close attention to the potential extension of sunsetting measures within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in the coming year, legislation related to retirement savings could be on Congress' agenda as well Fidelity is planning to change the default for its existing RIA non-retirement (..)
Also in industry news this week: Financial Planning Association CEO Patrick Mahoney died this week after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy that includes rejuvenating the relationship between FPA National and its chapters A group of advisory trade groups and broker-dealers have sent a letter to Congressional committees requesting that the (..)
Each week in Weekend Reading For Financial Planners, we seek to bring you synopses and commentaries on 12 articles covering news for financial advisors including topics covering technical planning, practice management, advisor marketing, career development, and more.
By Jake Anderson, CFP ® , Wealth Planner When helping clients begin retirementplanning, the same questions often arise: What should my retirementplan look like? Your lifestyle, goals, family situation, and risk tolerance will give a unique signature to your retirementplan. How much should I be saving?
Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” - this week’s edition kicks off with the news that Congress appears poised to pass a series of changes affecting retirementplanning, dubbed “SECURE ACT 2.0”, ”, by the end of the year. Social Security COLA for 2023.
Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners"– this week's edition kicks off with the news that a recent analysis from Morningstar suggests that the Department of Labor's (DoL's) new Retirement Security Rule (aka Fiduciary Rule 2.0)
Also in industry news this week: A House committee has advanced a bill that would extend several expired business-related tax measures from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and would increase the value of the Child Tax Credit The SEC released its examination priorities for 2024, which include a focus on advisers' adherence to their duty of care and duty of (..)
Among other measures, the proposal would amend the current 5-part test that determines fiduciary status for retirement accounts by defining as a fiduciary act a one-time recommendation to roll funds from a company retirementplan to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), strengthen advice standards for independent insurance professionals, apply to (..)
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 (..)
Also in industry news this week: The SEC this week finalized a series of rules designed to discourage future runs on money-market funds, potentially reducing their liquidity risk A recent study suggests that advisor marketing messages that address prospective clients' emotional concerns, in addition to their technical questions, could be particularly (..)
Also in industry news this week: While the SEC has had the power to restrict mandatory arbitration clauses in RIA client agreements for more than a decade, an advisory committee meeting this week suggests support for such a measure isn't unanimous CFP Board saw a record number of exam-takers during 2024, reflecting recognition of the professional and (..)
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.
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 (..)
In the early days of financial planning, serving clients often meant developing transactional relationships focused on facilitating trades and selling insurance. Over time, advisors shifted toward more analytical approaches, such as investment management and retirementplanning.
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 (..)
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 (..)
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.
Also in industry news this week: While the number of RIA M&A deals has not surged in 2024, the average size of deals has increased, demonstrating interest from (often private-equity-backed) firms in pursuing larger targets Off-channel communication tops the list of concerns amongst RIA compliance professionals, with advertising and marketing coming (..)
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.
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 retirementplan is secure).
Also in industry news this week: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has completed its review of the Department of Labor's new "fiduciary rule ", indicating that it could be released in the coming days or weeks (though, like its predecessors, its ultimate disposition is likely to be determined in the courts) The IRS announced this week that it (..)
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 (..)
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 (..)
”, a series of measures that will have significant impacts on the world of retirementplanning. 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.
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, (..)
How planning specializations can help firms and their advisors stand out from the pack. From there, we have several articles on retirementplanning: Why an individual’s portfolio of relationships could be just as important as their investment portfolio when it comes to happiness in retirement.
” has brought a wide range of changes to the world of retirementplanning. 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.
From there, we have several articles on investments: How Morningstar plans to simplify its rating system amid continued concerns about its effectiveness. The variety of ways individuals approach retirement, from choosing where to live to finding purpose in their daily lives.
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, (..)
From there, we have several articles on advisor content marketing: How advisors can generate topic ideas for content to engage their target audience. We wrap up with three final articles, all about the advisor regulatory landscape: Why better regulation of the insurance industry could make life easier for financial advisors.
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.
From there, we have several articles on retirementplanning: Defying popular wisdom, a research study argues that younger workers should delay saving for retirement, even if it means foregoing a company match.
Within this framework, the concept of the five pillars of retirementplanning emerges as a valuable strategy. These pillars provide a comprehensive framework for building a resilient and sustainable plan. Pillar 4: Estate planning Estate planning is often overlooked and deferred as an end-of-life task.
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, (..)
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 (..)
Also in industry news this week: A recent survey found that while 1/3 of advisory firms are currently using AI tools, another 1/3 are fearful of doing so, indicating that while some firms are eager to be early adopters of this technology, others are taking a wait-and-see approach, perhaps as regulation surrounding this technology evolves over time (..)
From there, we have several articles on retirementplanning: 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.
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.
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 (..)
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 (..)
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