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.

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
Earnings

Wells Fargo pledges to cut $8 billion in overhead. Is it enough?

CEO Charlie Scharf’s long-awaited expense-reduction plan got a chilly reception from investors.

By Kevin Wack
Banking Editor

January 15
Larry Fink

Fink weighs ending PAC after ‘assault’ on democracy at Capitol

BlackRock’s CEO joins a chorus of corporate voices reconsidering their roles in the political process in the wake of the Jan. 6 unrest.

January 14
Asset managers

Fund managers donated $1M to GOP election deniers

Pressure is mounting for firms to respond to last week’s violence at the Capitol.

January 14
M&A

In largest succession deal, Cetera buys $4B region

The founding partners of the 300-advisor OSJ will remain in their current roles for three years under the same structure as before the deal.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

January 13
M&A

$815M RIA sells to Mercer in succession plan deal

Nearly three decades after launching their practice, the two founders say they’re looking forward to spending more time with clients.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

January 13
Wealth Think 3 digital trends that will shape financial planning in 2021

Clients have gotten used to less in-person interaction and have reshaped their expectations and behavior accordingly, says Broadridge's Fred Duden.

January 13

Fred Duden

Broadridge Financial Solutions

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.