The number of advisers holding the Certified Financial Planner designation grew 3.9% to 86,378 last year, according to the CFP Board of Standards.
The board noted that Black and Latino CFPs now total 3,259, up 12% last year, while the number of female CFPs grew by 4% to 20,100, breaking the 20,000 level for the first time.
In addition to more effective outreach to women and people of color, the board attributed the overall growth in the number of CFP professionals in part to its encouragement of and support for firms that are moving toward more holistic advice models, requiring that advisers hold the CFP mark.
A new proposal could end the ban on promoting client reviews in states like California and Connecticut, giving state-registered advisors a level playing field with their SEC-registered peers.
Some in the industry say that more UBS financial advisors this year will be heading for the exits.
The Wall Street giant has blasted data middlemen as digital freeloaders, but tech firms and consumer advocates are pushing back.
Research reveals a 4% year-on-year increase in expenses that one in five Americans, including one-quarter of Gen Xers, say they have not planned for.
Raymond James also lured another ex-Edward Jones advisor in South Carolina, while LPL welcomed a mother-and-son team from Edward Jones and Thrivent.
Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.
Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.