Retaining Clients And Building Sales Key In 2009: Survey

Asset managers and other financial services executives believe maintaining client relationships and sales are their 2 biggest challenges for 2009, according to Cerulli Associates Inc., Boston.

Among executives participating in a recent Cerulli survey, 41% think maintaining relationships is a top priority, while 34% cited increasing product sales as a top concern.

Difficult market conditions and the high costs of maintaining a retail salesforce are causing asset managers and others to question whether their salesforces are being used as well as possible, Cerulli says.