Opinion

Displaying 2266 results
Helping a client work through indecision
OPINION APR 29, 2021
Helping a client work through indecision

A widow couldn't decide whether to move to a condo or to a retirement community, as her children were urging. She was just stuck.

By Michael Broad
The ‘adviser in your pocket’ experience: The future of client service
OPINION APR 28, 2021
The ‘adviser in your pocket’ experience: The future of client service

Clients want steady assurance from a seasoned adviser, but they want it integrated with the most vital tool they use to manage their lives — their phones.

By Peter Clemson
To raise your valuation, simplify your business
OPINION APR 27, 2021
To raise your valuation, simplify your business

The more complicated you make your advisory firm, the less valuable it is. Complexity can also reduce the odds of arriving at a fruitful succession plan.

By Scott Hanson
Tips for earning continuing education credits in a virtual environment
OPINION APR 27, 2021
Tips for earning continuing education credits in a virtual environment

It's not easy to keep up with the credits you need under normal circumstances, and the pandemic has made it even harder.

By Jamie Sullivan
3 ways APIs are changing your wealthtech tools
OPINION APR 26, 2021
3 ways APIs are changing your wealthtech tools

Some of the biggest names in financial services are building the wealthtech equivalents of Uber right now, and they’re using APIs to do it.

By Steve Zuschin
The more personal post-Covid client-adviser conversations
OPINION APR 26, 2021
The more personal post-Covid client-adviser conversations

Advisers nearly universally agree that a return to office meetings is key, and that they must change

By Joseph Coughlin
Walmart isn’t after your book of business
OPINION APR 19, 2021
Walmart isn’t after your book of business

The world's largest retailer announced plans to launch a digital advice platform for its 220 million weekly clients. It will likely target lower-income Americans with simple but necessary financial products.

By Sean Allocca
Customer service: The most boring, and important, aspect of your firm
OPINION APR 19, 2021
Customer service: The most boring, and important, aspect of your firm

Clients who feel they’re being ignored or getting second-class treatment will get fed up and leave, especially if investment performance hasn’t been great or the firm has dropped the ball somewhere else.

By Manish Khatta
Providing the building blocks of financial literacy training
OPINION APR 19, 2021
Providing the building blocks of financial literacy training

The pandemic has reminded us that too many Americans are being left behind economically, and the stats for financial education demonstrate that is happening in the classroom too.

By Tim Ranzetta
How the end of Libor might affect your clients
OPINION APR 16, 2021
How the end of Libor might affect your clients

Now is a good time to tell clients to double-check all their loan documents and credit card statements to see if they have any Libor-linked debt.

By Richard L. Sandor
How to help clients plan for health care costs in retirement
OPINION APR 15, 2021
How to help clients plan for health care costs in retirement

Advisers can utilize cutting-edge financial planning tools to help ease clients' concerns by showing them how they can save to cover medical expenses during retirement.

By Tom Burmeister
Election-reform debate poses risks for companies that weigh in on legislation
OPINION APR 14, 2021
Election-reform debate poses risks for companies that weigh in on legislation

Democracy is a systemic issue that's difficult to link to a particular company. But firms take hits by jumping into fights over specific bills.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Competing on customization: Fintech's future in retirement planning
OPINION APR 13, 2021
Competing on customization: Fintech's future in retirement planning

Social Security is forecast to run out of funds by 2035, company pensions (as well as full-time employment itself) are in decline, and millions are facing a squeeze on savings. People planning for their retirement are looking for fresh advice to help guarantee long-term financial security.

By Michael Roth
Should you raise your fees?
OPINION APR 12, 2021
Should you raise your fees?

If you are a competent, caring, hands-on financial adviser, you should charge a market rate for your services.

By Scott Hanson
The BLX Internship Program
OPINION APR 12, 2021
The BLX Internship Program

The BLatinX Internship Program's goal is to provide 100 aspiring Black and Latinx financial planners the chance to obtain a paid internship.

By Luis Rosa
Addressing the financial literacy crisis facing women in America
OPINION APR 12, 2021
Addressing the financial literacy crisis facing women in America

Society must integrate financial awareness into education, as men, and particularly women, need to improve their financial knowledge.

By Cindy Couyoumjian
Coping with a difficult year: How your expert advice can change a life
OPINION APR 12, 2021
Coping with a difficult year: How your expert advice can change a life

Foundation for Financial Planning helps bring free financial advice and planning to people across the country who can’t afford a financial adviser.

By Kate Healy
Mana Money School spreads the wealth
OPINION APR 12, 2021
Mana Money School spreads the wealth

Mana Money School offers bite-sized lessons that cover core topics in personal finance, introducing the basics of wealth management.

By Cristina Livadary
Preparing for higher taxes
OPINION APR 12, 2021
Preparing for higher taxes

Tax-related advice is one of the few areas where advisory expertise so clearly and quickly shows its worth.

By InvestmentNews
How 403bwise.org provides financial education to K-12 employees
OPINION APR 09, 2021
How 403bwise.org provides financial education to K-12 employees

The 403(b) and the 457(b) are defined-contribution plans. This makes financial education on these plans critical.

By Dan Otter