Inside Information

JULY 25, 2024

I can tell you that when I was editor of Financial Planning magazine, I discovered that there is a whole public relations ecosystem churning out favorable press releases and miscellaneous announcements that they would position as ‘news.’ My subscription service is paid for by the user, just like fee-only advisors are paid by their clients.

Fee Only 40

Fee Only Commission Recruitment Advertising 40

Inside Information

JULY 31, 2022

If you’re as old as Methuselah, like I am, you might remember a pivotal moment in the evolution of the planning profession, when Forbes magazine noticed that brokers, life insurance and tax shelter salespeople were starting to call themselves ‘financial planners.’ Pandemonium!

Financial Planner 45

Financial Planner Financial Planning Ethics CFP 45

Inside Information

MAY 30, 2023

This is the time of year when the various industry magazines come out with their broker-dealer surveys, listing the ‘top’ BD rankings based on total revenues or the number of ‘producing’ reps. A national advisory firm presumably wouldn’t have those restrictions.

Communication 40

Communication Sales Insurance Compliance 40

Sara Grillo

AUGUST 14, 2023

If their sole method of compensation is a product, and/or they are taking commissions, then in reality it is less likely they are embracing all the values that the standard requires. Commissions are opaque. Rostad is the author of articles, papers regulatory comment letters and a frequent contributor to Advisor Perspectives Magazine.

Financial Advisor 52

Financial Advisor Fiduciary Duty Insurance Financial Advice 52

Sara Grillo

NOVEMBER 14, 2022

Fee only advisors can now purchase annuities for their clients without having to be licensed agents. Should those with only insurance licenses that allow them to sell annuities and/or life insurance be held to the same “fiduciary standard” as Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) with the SEC or state regulators?

Insurance 59

Insurance Retirement Financial Advisor License 59

Sara Grillo

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

Securities and Exchange Commission. Securities and Exchange Commission. 2022, August 1). CFP® Professional Demographics. 2013, March). Staff of the Investment Adviser Regulation Office. Division of Investment Management. Regulation of Investment Advisers by the U.S. Zweig, Jason, and Fuller, Andrea. 2019, July 30). Wall Street Journal.

CFP 59

CFP Financial Advisor Financial Planner Ethics 59