The investment advisory industry has taken steps to improve diversity, but the pace of change is slow, and women and racial and ethnic minorities hold relatively few management or adviser positions, according to a study by Cerulli Associates and the Investment Adviser Association.
The study, Driving Diversity: Opportunities for Action in the RIA Marketplace, found that gender and racial/ethnicity disparities among independent and hybrid registered investment advisers remain pervasive.
Only 16% of advisers at those firms are women, while 3.8% identify as Hispanic, 2.6% as Black or African American, and 2.1% as Asian.
While 52% of respondents reported that their firm is working to increase diversity, equity and inclusion, only 35% described the efforts as having been successful.
“Our profession has a long way to go in matters of diversity, equity and inclusion,” Karen Barr, the IAA’s president and CEO, said in a release.
Merrill's latest hires span Colorado to Louisiana, even as industry-wide recruiting data suggests the firm is losing almost as many advisors as it gains.
The $36 million buy allegedly hid inflated books and a $50 million diversion.
“An award citing emotional distress is very unusual,” an industry executive said.
New EBRI research found workers who participated in employer financial education reported higher confidence, literacy and financial satisfaction.
Beyond operational excellence, the winning advisors of the future are the ones who can reach across multiple disciplines without discarding specialist skills.
Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains
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
