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.

Tax planning

Savvy ways to gift assets while also cutting tax rates

There are appealing methods to shift investments “upstream” to aging parents or “downstream” to grown children.

By Donald Jay Korn

April 29
Mutual funds

Richest clients wait for new dip in stocks before buying

Equities have rallied more than 20% from March lows, but remain well below 2020 highs.

April 29
Independent BDs

As small firms face even more challenges, LPL buys family-owned IBD

The firm is making another targeted purchase while rivals seek to gain ground with their own deals that reshape the sector.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

April 29
Corporate governance

Few fireworks at Wells Fargo's first annual meeting under Scharf

Unlike recent affairs that were marred by protests, this year's meeting — held online because of the coronavirus outbreak — went smoothly as investors overwhelmingly approved the bank's slate of directors and executive compensation plan.

By Kevin Wack
Banking Editor

April 28
Client relations

UBS sees spike in digital engagement. Could it be the new normal?

The firm may have crammed five years worth of user adoption into a single month.

By Andrew Welsch
Former Managing Editor

April 28
Wealth Think Retirement planning during coronavirus: Muni funds, debt strategies and more

I am advising some clients to ladder maturities to lock in more dependable tax-free income streams — especially for those in states with high income taxes, like California.

April 28

Kimberly Foss

Mercer Advisors
Tax strategy scan

Now is not the time for clients to let their taxes fall by the wayside: Tax Strategy Scan

Despite the July 15 deadline extension as a result of the coronavirus, some taxpayers are advised to file early.

By Andrew Shilling
Manager, Editorial Operations

April 28

Resources

The latest Financial Planning research and discussion:

Web Seminar A holistic approach to delivering advisor alpha

Markets will move. Strategies will evolve. But the real differentiator? How you show up for your clients.

Partner Insights from eMoney Advisor
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

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.