The 2014 BDOTY; Collaborative Divorce; A Solution for the Human Capital Crisis: IA September Features—Slideshow

In the September issue of Investment Advisor, we present the 24^th annual Broker-Dealers of the Year. Reps at broker-dealers listed in our 2014 BD Reference Guide voted for their broker-dealer on 14 key points, as well as an overall score. Winners were chosen in each division based on the number of reps.

We brought the leaders of the winning firms to Chicago to talk about the industry. This year, instead of turning the mic on and letting them go, we presented them with four scenarios and asked how they would respond. Three they had already encountered, and the fourth they shrugged off as a challenge their reps were already meeting.

Also in this issue, Olivia Mellan and Sherry Christie explain an alternative to messy, drawn-out divorces that leave both spouses—not to mention any children in the no-longer-a-family—worse off.

In a special Soapbox feature, Jon Henschen shares his thoughts on the human capital crisis based on trends he and his firm have identified and proposes a possible solution.

Finally, Mike Patton explains to any brokers wondering how much it costs to go independent just what they should expect to pay once they’re running the show.

Advocates: The 2014 Broker-Dealers of the Year

Throughout the history of the independent broker-dealer industry, the promise and perils of being an IBD have been consistent. The growing trend toward independent advice, the joys of owning your own business, the flexibility that comes with being an independent contractor and the benefits to the BD, the rep and the client of not having to flog proprietary products are well-known. Tight margins, industry consolidation, increasing costs (in both monetary outlays and human capital) to stay compliant and provide the best competitive technology are well-documented.

Yet the veteran leaders of this year’s Broker-Dealers of the Year remain optimistic about their firms’ futures and are clear-eyed advocates for the independent BD model.

Editor-in-Chief Jamie Green and Executive Managing Editor Danielle Andrus spoke with the winners, chosen by their own reps, of the Broker-Dealers of the Year to learn how they respond to those challenges.

Read the full article.

Collaborative Divorce: A Win-Win Dissolution

In the United States, divorce currently terminates one out of two first marriages, two out of three second marriages and nearly three out of four third marriages. At any given time, there’s a good chance at least one couple among your clients is contemplating or already moving toward divorce. That often leads to a financial disadvantage or even disaster for one or both parties, undoing your good work for the couple.