Adviser's new normal

Adviser's new normal
The editorial team has put together a series of stories that examines the “new normal” that COVID-19 has imposed upon the advice community
MAR 28, 2020
We’ve put all our resources behind a special section of this week's magazine that examines the “new normal” that COVID-19 has imposed upon the advice community and society at large. The editorial team has put together a cohesive series of stories that stay true to our core mission and avoid falling into the trap of bombast and overreaction. I’m proud of the effort our team put forth to assemble this issue, and I want to highlight a few of the topics covered. This event could change everything about the advisory profession, so we delved into several angles. Jeff Benjamin answers a burning question: Is there still a need for advisers to work in an office? Bruce Kelly calls out an existential risk faced by all advisers as markets are roiled by the pandemic. From Washington, Mark Schoeff Jr. examines how regulators are monitoring industry activities from home. Emile Hallez writes that advice professionals could see an influx of new clients. And on the investment side, Sean Allocca weighs in on the return of active investing. I hope this helps you sort through this new reality, and, while you all find your own workflows, please let us know what aspects of the new normal outlined here have most or least affected you as this crisis unfolds. We’re looking forward to sharing your reactions in next week’s issue. Stay safe.

Latest News

Mesirow acquires part of flexPATH in second retirement deal of 2026
Mesirow acquires part of flexPATH in second retirement deal of 2026

Chicago-based Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions adds flexPATH's plan-level outsourced fiduciary book, boosting its retirement market reach to $164 billion.

Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida
Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida

Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.

SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme
SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme

It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.

MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products
MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products

Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.

Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations
Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations

Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income