Practice

Market volatility is a special challenge for all fintech companies that connect consumers with digital products: how to handle a highly emotional event with a product that doesn't specialize in human interaction.

“Why should a really good smaller firm that’s growing have a lower multiple than a big firm that’s crappy?” asks Peter Raimondi, president of Boston Private Wealth.

"The more investments and account types a client has, the more complicated their tax picture can become. Add to that the variations between state and federal tax laws, and the complexity increases further," says Greg Steiger, manager of retirement income planning at RBC.

This MD-turned-CFP relies on the “BATHE” psychiatric tool to help discern what’s really going on with clients.

Remember, 529 plans aren't the only game in town. Here are some alternative solutions for clients to fund their kids' educations.

Retired couples may qualify for untaxed dividend income and long-term gains.

Advise both pre-retiree and retiree clients on a strategy to minimize the tax bite.

Celent says "advisors and firms have no choice [but] to continue to adapt to client demands, which is increasingly a digital delivery."

Proponents of advisory firms going public cited “powerful” advantages while detractors point to “hollow” promises.

The primary buyers of advisory firms are RIAs, banks and roll-up companies.