Season of Discontent: One in Four Americans Ready to Leave Financial Service Provider

Ninety percent of American investors are frustrated about financial losses in the past year, according to “Make the Move,” a survey by the Charles Schwab Corp. One in four is considering leaving their current financial services firm and/or financial adviser.

That’s no surprise, but this is: Instead of blaming their financial advisers entirely for their situation, the respondents to this online survey say they are dealing with their losses by adopting more disciplined money management routines for the year ahead.

A majority of participants in survey, 76%, say they are only somewhat confident that they receive sound guidance from their investment professionals. And they are willing to cut and run: 25% of respondents are considering changing financial services firms or advisors. Thirty-two percent of investors want better fee structures; 32% desire better advice and 29% want more proactive contact from their advisers.

“Investors are seeking a genuine partner they can trust to help them plan for the long term,” said Andy Gill, a senior vice president at Charles Schwab. “They are understandably frustrated by the last year and have responded by expecting more from the experts they turn to for guidance.”

They also expect more from themselves, according to the survey, which was conducted from June 4 to June 8. Fifty-one percent of investors said they now review their finances at lease once a day, up from the 27% who kept up that routine in 2008. Forty-six percent say they pay closer attention to how much money they have invested or saved; 45% have set stricter budgets for themselves or their households; 38% pay closer attention to financial market movements and 23% say they will keep closer tabs on their financial services providers.

As for why investors might leave their current financial services provider, 48% say they questioned the firm’s financial stability. Forty-seven percent of respondents might consider a move because of the cost of services, and 42% of participants would leave because of the performance of their investments.

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