"I came into the industry in 2000, and it has been quite lonely. … I would see the guys [at my previous wirehouse] sharing insight about what they were doing with their clients, and they wouldn't share it with me."
Zanelia Harris
president of Harris and Harris Wealth Management Group.“It is not just that you have to work harder; you have to be over-credentialed and over-qualified just to be at a good starting point. There's almost a 'be glad you're here' mentality with some counterparts because there are so few us. … We live in a constant state of being uncomfortable.”
Lazetta Braxton
founder of Financial Fountains“Because of the wealth disparity problem, you have to get more clients if they are going to be all African American or minority, in order to get to the same numbers [in AUM]. You will have to get double or triple the number of people, which ends up making you work harder and more.”
James Brewer
founder of Envision Wealth Planning“After 27 years in the business, I'm still going to places where I'm the minority.”
Crystal Alford-Cooper
financial adviser“Good mentoring is extremely important and it certainly wasn't there when I started in the industry 20 years ago. … As a senior adviser, being able to mentor with a junior adviser is instrumental not only for them, but for me, too.”
Gerald Loftin
principal, Proficient Wealth Advisors“I have worked harder [at previous firms] than my counterparts not only because I worked 10 hours a day, but I was also working three to four hours after work helping other people who I know really needed the help; they didn't fit into the firm structure. But in my heart I have to help them.”
Rianka Dorsainvil
founder, Your Greatest Contribution
Plus, a $400 million Commonwealth team departs to launch an independent family-run RIA in the East Bay area.
The collaboration will focus initially on strategies within collective investment trusts in DC plans, with plans to expand to other retirement-focused private investment solutions.
“I respectfully request that all recruiters for other BDs discontinue their efforts to contact me," writes Thomas Bartholomew.
Wealth tech veteran Aaron Klein speaks out against the "misery" of client meetings, why advisors' communication skills don't always help, and AI's potential to make bad meetings "100 times better."
The proposed $120 million settlement would close the book on a legal challenge alleging the Wall Street banks failed to disclose crucial conflicts of interest to investors.
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.
