Practice and Client Management News

Financial Planning's Practice and Client Management coverage includes essential advisor-level strategy and operational insight for firms and solo practitioners. Read how elite advisors build retention-driven practices, manage high net worth relationships and operationalize growth frameworks that go beyond rudimentary 101 topics. Learn the latest financial planning news from expert reporting and analysis that matters to industry leaders.

Wealth Think How sharp is your ax? Five tips for achieving optimum effectiveness

No matter how focused you are on a goal, it’s what steps you take towards that goal that determines whether it’s achievable.

January 27

Chip Munn

Signature Wealth Group
Recruiting

Will Commonwealth’s new breakaway services reel in recruits?

One of the largest wealth managers aims to attract more teams out of the crop of nearly 7,000 advisors leaving employee-channel firms each year.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

January 26
M&A

Midsize IBD to make its first $1B acquisition

Arete Wealth’s niche focus on alts for HNW and UHNW clients has given it a strong foothold in a fractured sector, experts say.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

January 22
Going independent

$2.2B ex-William Blair team opens RIA

The CEO of three-generation family firm says they wanted to remove conflicts of interest and offer banking and trust services to clients.

By Jessica Mathews
Associate Editor

January 22
Diversity and equality

University to launch special needs planning center for underserved clients

Eastern Michigan’s program aims to connect people with disabilities and financial advisors to research and industry resources.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

January 20
Earnings

Buoyed by acquisitions, Morgan Stanley set for growth decade: CEO

Eaton Vance and E-Trade deals expected to boost the firm’s performance.

By Andrew Welsch
Former Managing Editor

January 20
Earnings

How Merrill Lynch weathered a tumultuous coronavirus year

Client acquisition was down compared to 2019, but still higher than in years past.

By Andrew Welsch
Former Managing Editor

January 19

Resources

The latest Financial Planning research and discussion:

Advisor strategies
On-Demand Web Seminar Quarterly Outlook Briefing
Web Seminar The art of asking questions

Asking the right questions is at the heart of every meaningful financial conversation—but how do you know what to ask and when?

Partner Insights from eMoney Advisor
Web Seminar Unlock your potential: Monetize and maintain your independence

Did you know you can monetize, simplify and preserve your legacy, all while bridging to the next generation? Most will wonder "what's the catch?"

Sponsor Content from LPL Financial

Practice & Client Management: Key Questions & Analysis

How should financial advisors rethink client management as they grow their practices?

As advisory firms grow, client management often shifts from ad-hoc relationship handling to processes focused on segmentation, service models and long-term retention. Coverage in this area reflects how advisors are operationalizing client experience as a core business discipline.

What operational challenges are most important in advisor-client relationships?

Advisors face increasing pressure from capacity constraints, rising client expectations and the need to balance personalization with scale. Practice and client management reporting highlights where firms are finding success to maintain service quality while expanding.

How are advisors adapting communication strategies to changing client expectations?

Client communication strategies are evolving as advisors respond to demographic shifts, digital expectations and heightened demand for transparency. Read how firms are adjusting cadence, channels and messaging.

How does client management impact long-term practice value?

Effective client management is often viewed as a driver of enterprise value. Client management is a key area of focus for retention, referrals and succession outcomes. Learn how client experience strategy directly to firm durability and valuation.