Displaying items by tag: advisors

Many financial advisors endure frustrations with their broker-dealers to avoid the challenges of switching firms, even when better opportunities exist. 

1. Declining service quality is a common issue, as both small and large broker-dealers struggle with staffing shortages and operational inefficiencies. 
2. High costs, including elevated advisory fees, platform charges, and insurance expenses, further add to the burden, often without delivering corresponding value. 
3. Financially struggling broker-dealers also fail to invest in technology, staffing, or advisor support, limiting growth potential. 

Advisors tied to outdated systems and inadequate resources risk falling behind competitors who embrace innovation. 

Finsum: Ultimately, remaining with an underperforming broker-dealer can stifle an advisor’s long-term success.

A separately managed account (SMA) is a professionally managed investment portfolio tailored to an individual investor's needs rather than pooled with others. Unlike mutual funds or ETFs, SMAs provide direct ownership of securities, offering more control over investment decisions and tax strategies. 

Originally created for institutional investors, SMAs have grown in popularity, with assets under management reaching nearly $2.2 trillion by 2023. 

Their key advantages include flexibility in strategy, greater tax efficiency, real-time transparency, and typically lower fees compared to actively managed mutual funds. Investors can customize holdings and optimize tax implications through strategies like tax-loss harvesting. 

Finsum: While SMAs can be cost-effective, additional fees from financial advisors may apply, impacting overall expenses.

For years, wirehouses dominated the wealth management industry, but a growing number of advisors are breaking away to join independent RIAs. What was once seen as a risky move has now become a mainstream trend, with firms like Hightower Advisors playing a key role in accelerating the transition. 

A decade ago, wirehouse executives dismissed concerns about advisors leaving, pointing to stable headcounts, but the shift has proven undeniable. Cerulli data projects wirehouse market share will drop to 27.7% by 2027, with RIAs benefiting from the exodus. In 2024 alone, wirehouses experienced a net loss of 612 advisors, while RIAs gained 856, reflecting the increasing appeal of independence. 

With factors like autonomy, higher earnings potential, and access to cutting-edge technology driving the movement, the trend shows no signs of reversing—raising the question of how much longer wirehouses can sustain their traditional model.

Finsum: We really think technology is adapting how advisors are thinking about their evolution within a firm, wirehouses need to give them the most opportunities. 

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries, with 77% of companies already integrating it and experts predicting a $15.7 trillion economic impact by 2030. Financial advisors are increasingly leveraging AI to enhance efficiency, with 92% already implementing it and 80% using it to automate routine tasks. 

AI applications in finance include real-time meeting transcription, automated document management, and intelligent client communication to streamline workflows and improve client interactions. 

Marketing strategies are also benefiting, as AI enables precise audience segmentation, personalized outreach, and predictive analytics to optimize campaigns. Additionally, AI enhances compliance by securely managing records, tracking version histories, and automating retention efforts. 

Finsum: As AI continues to evolve, financial advisors who embrace its capabilities will gain a competitive edge in a rapidly digitizing landscape.

While direct indexing strategies are gaining popularity, advisors show varied levels of adoption and interest in the approach. A recent survey revealed that 34% of advisors are either using or planning to use direct indexing, while 39% have no intention of adopting it. 

Interestingly, 28% remain open to considering it in the future, reflecting a mix of enthusiasm and hesitation within the advisory community. The high minimum investment requirements, limited familiarity with the strategy, and a preference for traditional active management may explain why some advisors have yet to embrace it. 

Advocates highlight the benefits of direct indexing, such as tax optimization, personalization, and the ability to tailor portfolios to individual values, like ESG or thematic investing. 

Finsum: With costs declining and competition increasing, demand for direct indexing is expected to grow, potentially making it a must-have tool for advisors seeking to remain competitive.