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.

Professional development

A $1.3B RIA finds a middle path to succession

A succession merger deal that was nearly 10 years in the making at Nebraska-based Prairie Wealth Advisors offers a lens into the many factors involved with the wealth management industry's looming financial advisor retirements.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

August 13
Wealth management

Are Altruist's technology and low fees enough to tame the giants?

Altruist has earned legions of fans among financial advisors for sleek technology and low, clear fees. But its critics question whether that is enough to catch up to the giants that have dominated the business for decades.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

August 12
Retirement planning

Supporting clients with caregiving can yield 'return on empathy'

As clients ask advisors for help navigating caregiving resources, advisors who are able to provide trusted referrals may find clients return the favor with referrals of their own.

By Zoe Sagalow
Reporter

August 12
Technology

2 AI platforms tackle the headaches of client, advisor moves

Dispatch and NetLaw target two different kinds of relocation friction. One for advisors switching firms, one for clients crossing state lines.

By Grace L. Williams
Reporter

August 11
Technology

Online misinformation strengthens planners' roles, advisors say

FinTok and AI financial advice have created a new era for wealth advisors — one ripe with online misinformation. But planners say that risky internet advice actually increases their value.

By Kathryn Miller
Reporter

August 11
Wealth management

How to spot a client in crisis — and what to do next

Building client trust is a top priority for an advisor. But when advisors spot potential mental health struggles in clients, what should they do?

By Kathryn Miller
Reporter

August 10
Ask an Advisor

Ask an Advisor: What did your worst client meeting teach you?

Four professionals on the ground weigh in on the lasting lessons they took away from their worst client meetings.

By Grace L. Williams
Reporter

August 7

Resources

The latest Financial Planning research and discussion:

White Paper Marketing strategies for stronger life insurance sales

Improve life insurance sales conversations and ease your clients' paths to in-force coverage with this playbook.

Sponsor Content from Policy Genius
How charitable giving fits into your clients' financial plans — and your firm's business plan

Financial Planner Thomas Pontius of Kayne Anderson Rudnick joins the FP Podcast to discuss what makes charitable giving attractive to clients, and the business benefits that double as food for the soul.

Sponsored by St. Jude Children's Hospital
The RIA custodian helping power your growth

Reimagine with possible in wealth management with Betterment for Advisors, an end-to-end RIA custodian helping advisors scale their practices and deliver a high-quality, personalized client experience. By combining our technology with an advisor's personal touch, we can help you grow your business.

Partner Insights from Betterment

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.