Opinion News from Financial Planning

Authenticity and judgment will emerge as differentiators for financial advisors as AI tools reduce the cost of early-stage analysis.

PE money eviscerates an RIA's client-first culture, leading to advisor burnout and turnover.

RIA leaders are debating "digital employees" but expect service models to expand to meet growing HNW needs, says industry observer Ric Edelman.

Wealthy clients and the firms that serve them should cultivate a "zero-trust" mindset to repel hackers and their increasingly sophisticated digital scams.

Showing up for clients is still crucial, but using AI to deliver on financial goals matters more, says Altruist's CEO.

Default assumptions based on nonexistent children can lead to overaccumulation and unnecessarily delayed retirement.

Donor-advised funds should be temporary vessels, not permanent endowments. Here's how financial advisors can keep them from becoming philanthropic dead ends.

The tech can be smart and speedy, but also tone deaf when it comes to picking up the nuance of client conversations.

Internal succession planning is messier but aligns with a true fiduciary firm's core values, argues Neela Hummel of Abacus Wealth.

Red flags may abound, but so do arguments for an extended equities streak. Keeping clients on an even keel is crucial.

Agentic AI will continue to automate financial planner workflows — and that's a good thing.

As adoption of the dual-wrapper products accelerates, so will questions about timing, pricing and residual balances.

Tax-loss harvesting's overlooked cousin can pay off for clients with low-earning years, concentrated positions or UTMA accounts.

A tiered service model should make clients feel valued while helping the firm scale.

The "in-kind" method allows investors to diversify highly appreciated stock without handing over a chunk of the profit to the IRS.

A detailed to-do list for SEC-registered firms to build a foundation for compliant and effective anti-money laundering protocols.

The epic OBBBA tax law brings glad tidings to most families, but complacency can lead to costs for financial advisors and their clients.

The GENIUS and Clarity Acts and SEC guidance on custody clear a path for advisors recommending digital asset strategies, albeit with expanded diligence protocols.

The broker-dealer veteran saw her firm's revenue model as a fair trade — even a badge of honor — before going independent.

Rethink bonds and hedged funds while prepping clients for a market correction — or worse — in the coming year, counsels the CEO of Toews Asset Management.