Practice management

Advisors flock to the Financial Planning Association annual conference to rub shoulders with and learn from peers with big client rosters and multibillion-dollar assets under management. But more than 100 attendees of the nearly 2,000 planners here have a far more modest AUM: zero.

To attract clients, brokerage firms should be offering a mix of in-person as well as online, self-directed investing and retirement planning options, according to a recent report by Aite group.

Financial advisors have a bad reputation with women. Most feel slighted by the industry and see it as catering only to male wealth creators. They resent the assumption that women are disinterested in financial matters, are not good with money, and "should not worry their pretty heads about it." They are dissatisfied customers, who have real economic power. And they are unhappy that the financial services industry does not provide products and services to meet their needs

The Salentica Advisor Desk with the Schwab OpenView Gateway is a platform for independent investment advisors to access real-time information on their clients' financial holdings through the Salentica CRM solution.

Are you the financial advisor who has been with the same broker-dealer for your entire career? You keep your head down, take great care of your clients and get along with everyone. Chances are, if you are this person, change doesn't come easy for you. You have habits that have been with you for years. There isn't anything wrong with having loyalty toward the people you love, family and friends. The issue often arises when you have that same loyalty toward an employer or firm you work with.

From New York and Chicago to London and Hong Kong, there are plenty of locations to launch a new financial firm. But where should aspiring entrepreneurs begin?

Some planners, especially those with established practices, may not think it's worth it to cultivate Generation Y clients because they are young. But, a new white paper suggests, that the ramp-up years may be the perfect time to build a new Gen Y clientele.

Most advisors are accustomed to the idea that, for the sake of growth and development, it's important to think of their practice as a business. But, many forget that this makes them the CEO and requires a particular mindset.

Conventional wisdom says there are three generations of workers, at least - here's a guide on the differences and how to approach them.

The Pittsburgh company is among several banks aiming to boost visibility on college campuses in hopes of attracting young consumers who many not have a dime to their names now but could be high earners down the road.

The Birmingham, Ala., regional banking company has quietly consolidated its investment-related groups under one wealth management group. The restructuring was partly spurred by the company's sale of Morgan Keegan earlier this year.

Though banks have always measured customer satisfaction, there is a greater focus now on understanding exactly what drives the customer experience and how it can help the bottom line.

The director of financial planning at R.W. Baird, Tim Steffen, discusses the upcoming elections, what changes to the fiscal landscape are possible, and how advisors should steer clients through the uncertainties and tax issues.

The ultimate test of leadership is the way you handle employees' reactions to innovation.

Our legal analyst explores commission sharing and FINRA disclosure rules.

How to sell a high-priced tier of service to clients and describe how that service is different and more valuable, like front-row seats at an event.

One of the keys to engaging clients is addressing topics that are relevant and emotional in order to bridge to longer-term planning concerns, such as the presidential election.

A run-down of the stories in this issue, including how shifting demographics can open new markets; the special needs of gay and lesbian couples; a look at dividend stocks; and Merrill Lynch's deferred compensation settlement.

Advisors are helping gay and lesbian clients face the unique barriers to achieving their financial goals.

A surprisingly simple business model could deliver financial advice to a much broader segment of the American population.