Fee compression is a 'real challenge' for the industry

Fee compression is a 'real challenge' for the industry
InvestmentNews Awards 2024, Advisor of the Year (Western region): Robert Patton, SageView Advisory Group.
MAY 28, 2024
By  Josh Welsh

For Robert Patton, the best part of being a financial advisor is the retirement planning for clients.

“We can really help people with their most important asset, which is their retirement asset,” he said. “Through education, through investment lineups, and through plan design.”

A driving issue the managing director at Silicon Valley, California-based SageView Advisory Group sees the industry facing is fee compression.

“As our industry matures, clients are expecting more,” he highlighted. “Competition is more fierce and price is the first thing that tends to get hit. So how do you maintain fair margins while still growing the business, servicing the business and not losing sight of what we have to do every day, which is make retirement plans better?

“That has been the real challenge for everybody in this business,” Patton added.

Patton is keen on navigating those challenges, especially after being recognized as an InvestmentNews Awards 2024 Excellence Awardee, with the winners announced on June 20 at 583 Park Avenue, New York City in a glitzy, red carpet ceremony. Click here to register to attend.

Noting that SageView is at “the center of the tech universe,” they’re constantly working with the big tech companies “that are changing our world,” Patton says.

“We run an incredibly efficient business with scale, making sure that we're delivering not only the fiduciary advice and services that our clients expect from us but we also deliver a plan design that helps their participants save as much as possible and ease into retirement by offering education so they can go on through retirement,” he added.

Latest News

SEC bars ex-broker who sold clients phony private equity fund
SEC bars ex-broker who sold clients phony private equity fund

Rajesh Markan earlier this year pleaded guilty to one count of criminal fraud related to his sale of fake investments to 10 clients totaling $2.9 million.

The key to attracting and retaining the next generation of advisors? Client-focused training
The key to attracting and retaining the next generation of advisors? Client-focused training

From building trust to steering through emotions and responding to client challenges, new advisors need human skills to shape the future of the advice industry.

Chuck Roberts, ex-star at Stifel, barred from the securities industry
Chuck Roberts, ex-star at Stifel, barred from the securities industry

"The outcome is correct, but it's disappointing that FINRA had ample opportunity to investigate the merits of clients' allegations in these claims, including the testimony in the three investor arbitrations with hearings," Jeff Erez, a plaintiff's attorney representing a large portion of the Stifel clients, said.

SEC to weigh ‘innovation exception’ tied to crypto, Atkins says
SEC to weigh ‘innovation exception’ tied to crypto, Atkins says

Chair also praised the passage of stablecoin legislation this week.

Brooklyn-based Maridea snaps up former LPL affiliate to expand in the Midwest
Brooklyn-based Maridea snaps up former LPL affiliate to expand in the Midwest

Maridea Wealth Management's deal in Chicago, Illinois is its first after securing a strategic investment in April.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

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.