Resource Center

Business leaders who focus on client experience have 100x higher revenue.* If you’re a successful financial professional, you’re probably devoted to exceptional service, which is why you might be wondering whether you really need to worry about client experience. You think you are probably already doing it. But that may not be true. 

Client experience is bigger than just service. It’s an intentional discipline that requires attention to a client’s every interaction with your organization.

Download this white paper now for three keys for creating an experience-centric business, including how to:

• Understand your clients through data acquisition and management.
• Invest in success, including time and monetary resources.
• Create experiences, both in person and digitally.

With a clearer understanding of the differences between service and client experience, you can shift your focus toward sophisticated, revenue-boosting experiences this year!

*Hotjar Team. (2019, Oct. 11). CX trends for 2019. Malta: Hotjar. Retrieved from https://www.hotjar.com/customer-experience/trends-and-stats

Central bank accommodation appears to have put the global economy on a reflationary course. Low or negative yields pose duration risks, but potential opportunities can still be found in credit sectors. We expect technology to continue to disrupt global sectors and industries. Geopolitical events could be triggers for market volatility in 2020.

Nobody knows what the future holds for the stock market and for the economy. Both may strengthen in the short-term, or they may be in for a bumpy ride. A well diversified target date fund (TDF), that weathers ups and downs, can make all the difference for plan participants in achieving their retirement goals. However not just any TDF will do, it’s essential to be thoughtful about the TDF’s level of equity exposure during the crucial years leading up to retirement. This means selecting funds that master the balancing act between continuing to grow assets and providing protection from a potential drawdown.

Download this white paper now for tips on how to select TDFs that manage participant risk in a variety of market conditions and are more than just a target year. This includes choosing a TDF that: 

• Is designed based on real-world participant behavior
• Focuses on participant outcomes
• Has a glide path with an appropriate level of risk at retirement

Selecting the right TDF family requires research and understanding on the part of the plan sponsor and their advisor. Take steps now to make sure you make the right decisions together.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management is the brand name for the asset management business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates worldwide.

You probably already know that many people feel that being enrolled in a company-sponsored retirement plan is all they need to do in order to save for retirement. While that’s an adequate start, it’s often not enough. Plan sponsors look to you for ways to create better plans for their employees and a key way to do this is to understand participant withdrawal patterns. With this information, sponsors can offer target date funds (TDFs) with glide paths uniquely suited to the needs of their employees.

Download this white paper now to get a better understanding of how to create a plan that will get your clients’ employees to their retirement goals. You will discover:

• The unintended consequences of automatic enrollment and how to help clients go beyond it
• How to factor in the impact of loans and acceleration of plan withdrawals as retirement gets closer
• Why it’s essential to define desired participant outcomes, and why those are more important than raw trailing returns when choosing TDFs

Gain insights about plan sponsors and participants and learn how you can help plan sponsors take “real life” factors into account in their plan design features to improve employees’ retirement readiness.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management is the brand name for the asset management business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates worldwide.

The benefits of providing financial planning services are well documented: financial planning helps improve client relationships, align strategies with goals, and drives better investment outcomes for clients. But a majority of financial advisors still aren’t providing these services. It’s time to start asking why.

Download this white paper now for a look at the roadblocks many advisors cite for not offering financial planning, as well as how the right technology can help meet those challenges. 

You will also learn how to:

• Leverage knowledge of industry trends to position your firm for success
• Remove barriers to planning through technology
• Take advantage of the benefits of integrating investment management and planning

If your business model is focused solely on investment management, you have an extraordinary opportunity to differentiate your firm, grow your revenue, and more. Act now to find out how easy it is to get started.

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As the popularity of text messaging continues to grow in the business world, your employees and clients now expect to be able to use it to communicate. Since you don’t want to prohibit the use of this valuable tool, you need to figure out how you can allow use without violating regulations and damaging your firm’s overall reputation. Text messaging doesn’t have to create risks, but you may need to make changes to ensure your firm is protected.

Download this guide now to get crucial information about text messaging and your business, including five proactive steps you can take right now to build a risk-management program that protects your organization while allowing you to use text messaging. These steps include:

• Deciding who will own and operate devices used for text communications
• How to update your policies 
• Picking the appropriate mobile plans/carriers
• Determining if your firm needs to use a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution
• Strategies to retain, supervise, and produce text message data

Fusing these five elements to form your mobile strategy will help ensure that your firm’s compliance, legal, IT, risk management, and other critical teams coordinate and prepare to mitigate text message risks. Act now to make sure your advisors can be truly mobile, without worry.

Working with the right broker/dealer is essential to your short and long-term business success. Deciding to stay with your current firm or to affiliate with a new one may be one of the most important decisions of your career. With this comprehensive scorecard, you'll gain insight into the support and resources that are most important to you and your practice, and have a simple way to determine how potential partners measure up.

Download your scorecard now to help you:

• Assess a potential partner’s technology and tools
• Compare different types of compensation packages
• Determine how a new partner will support you and your clients through a transition
• And more...

Arm yourself with the information you need to choose the partner that will help you grow your business and meet your long-term goals. 

In today’s rapidly commoditized industry, high net worth (HNW) investors are the holy grail: offering advisors the ability to manage more assets with fewer accounts. But HNW investors present advisors with unique challenges, including greater expectations around service, control, and transparency. One solution you can offer to HNW clients are separately managed accounts, or SMAs.

Download this guide now to understand why SMAs are ideal investment vehicles for serving HNW investors. You’ll discover 5 benefits that can help you attract and serve these clients including: 

• Increased flexibility
• Enhanced tax management 
• Portfolio transparency
• And more!

Overcome the limited time, fee compression and regulatory scrutiny you face to grow your business by attracting and retaining HNW investors. Learn how to better serve this demographic by giving them the freedom and stability they want. 

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Despite the inevitability of needing one, only 27% of advisors have formal succession plans in place, and 49% say the biggest challenge of succession is “finding a successor who can grow and manage the business.”* Many financial professionals wait until they’re only a year or two from retirement before they start planning their succession, costing them valuation, flexibility and opportunity. 

Download this white paper now to learn why you should start planning your succession as soon as possible, four key areas you should focus on, and other topics to consider, such as:

• Timeline
• Types of successors and plans
• How and where to find a successor
• Training
• Unplanned exits

With concrete tips to help you get started today, you’ll be able to begin the process of protecting the legacy you’ve built.

*The Succession Challenge 2018: Why Financial Advisers Are Failing to Plan for the Inevitable. (2018). Janus Henderson Investors, Financial Planning Association.

In an increasingly crowded advisor marketplace, it’s easy for your marketing efforts to fall on deaf ears as you try to reach new customers. Whether you’re just starting your business or have been advising clients for years, targeting the right prospects, with the right message, at the right time, can make all the difference in your success. 

Read this article now to learn about five mistakes many of your peers make when trying to bring on new clients and how to avoid them. These mistakes include failing to:

• Call out your niche
• Demonstrate your expertise
• Ask for referrals
• Properly use social media
• Focus on more than just the Internet

Take steps now to ensure you don’t make these mistakes and discover additional prospecting  resources you can take advantage of. Grow faster by targeting qualified prospects that are right for your business!

In our increasingly crowded market, you need to make sure differentiation is more than just another buzzword. As you try to strengthen client relationships, stay on top of new technology trends, and ultimately grow your firm, performing repetitive investment management tasks can eat up valuable time. A good solution could be outsourcing this part of your operations, but some myths may be holding you back.

Download this fact sheet now to help optimize your business by cutting through the noise and dispelling common misconceptions about outsourcing. These myths include:

• A Turnkey Asset Management Program (TAMP) takes control of fees and performance away from me 
• I won’t provide value if I don’t manage day-to-day portfolio decisions
• Outsourcing is too expensive
• My firm isn’t the right size for outsourcing
• There are too many options to make a decision

The decision to outsource isn’t one to take lightly, but the right TAMP may give you the time you need to focus on growth and your clients. Get the facts now so you can make sure your business runs at its best!

The future of financial advising is independent. In fact, in the last five years, the number of advisors moving to the independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) space has increased*, with custodians and platform providers working together to help advisors reach their full potential. The move to independence brings options with it, including unique business models like the hybrid RIA model. Hybrid RIAs maintain both a brokerage and advisory business – a combination that can help better meet the needs of their clients and their businesses.
 
Download this white paper to discover how the hybrid RIA model could help to transform your business.

*The Cerulli Report, U.S. Intermediary Distribution 2018, Exhibit 2.05

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), member SIPC (www.sipc.org).

The Charles Schwab Corporation provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money management and financial advisory services through its operating subsidiaries.

Schwab does not provide legal or regulatory advice. Advisors should consult legal and compliance advisors to address specific circumstances.

ThinkAdvisor.com is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor.com will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

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Go deeper than the headlines surrounding the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) movement. Learn why independence matched with custodians and platform providers is really compelling top teams to break away and redefine the advisor industry.

• Discover the converging forces fueling the RIA movement.
• Learn the advantages teams gain as RIAs.
• Explore the highly evolved support ecosystem.
• See why experts are calling this the dawn of a new RIA era.

ThinkAdvisor.com will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab may use it to contact you and send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

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As the market becomes more competitive, smart advisors know they should explore new and different strategies for their clients. One such strategy could  include direct indexing, which is the process of replicating a broad market index through the direct purchase of individual securities — rather than purchasing the index itself. With ownership of the underlying securities, advisors can add additional tax alpha to client portfolios.

Download this fact sheet now to get a better understanding of how you can use direct indexing and how it generates tax alpha and additional value for clients through:

• Tax-loss harvesting
• Flexibility in trading
• Transparency in holdings

Take steps now to capitalize on the power of direct indexing so you can offer more personalized investment options for clients and possibly increase the overall yield of their portfolios and your bottom line.

Tax alpha is the value created from the tax management of a portfolio.*

Disclosure: This information is prepared for general information only. Information contained herein is derived from sources we believe to be reliable, however, we do not represent that this information is complete or accurate and it should not be relied upon as such. All opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. 

In today’s noisy market, financial advisors are competing in a highly commoditized space—signaling a need to stand out from the crowd.

One way to do that is by leveraging the unique needs of your clients—needs like investment preferences, risk tolerances, tax sensitivities, and cash requirements — without compromising their financial goals. But that kind of deep portfolio customization used to be a time-consuming, unwieldy, and difficult process.

Until now.

Powerful portfolio optimization technology is here, at a fraction of the cost of outsourcing to a third-party vendor.

Download this white paper to find out how you can construct tax-efficient SMA strategies that align with client preferences, risk tolerances, and values — in just minutes.

You will learn how to:

• Use direct indexing to replicate the risk and return of an index for greater transparency and tax alpha opportunities
• Transition legacy assets into a new target strategy, tax-efficiently
• Accommodate socially responsible investment options to align with your clients’ values

Using ASTRO, Orion’s portfolio optimization engine, you’ll be able to simplify portfolio customization, take advantage of tax benefits, and accommodate your clients’ unique needs — all while setting your firm apart.

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The average RIA firm offers their clients a range of model portfolios that cover the basic risk categories of conservative, moderate, and aggressive. But this approach fails to account for unique client preferences, like risk tolerance, tax sensitivity, and investment preferences such as ESG, and sector/industry restrictions—as well as demonstrate your true value.

Download our whitepaper to learn more about how  to increase your value by building custom SMA portfolios based on individual client preferences—in scalable fashion.

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No matter where your new competition comes from, whether it’s robo-advisors or advisors with fiduciary business models, “fee compression” continues to be a key challenge and topic of discussion. Because the future of the industry has many unknowns, it’s important for you to get ahead of the fee compression trend. This requires you to prepare for disruptions now, before one shows up at your front door.

Download this white paper and discover new ways to prepare for heightened competition. You will understand:

• The current state of advisory fees & how your firm stacks up
• How technology tools can help you stay ahead of the curve
• Ways to protect against inefficiencies

Don’t wait for a fee reduction to cripple your business. Act now to ensure your firm can spend less time calculating fees and more time collecting them! 

As your firm brings in new employees, onboards new clients, and sets goals for growth, outdated tools can only slow down the process of moving full-speed ahead. There are countless fintech solutions available in the industry, and each claims it can solve all your problems and is the best solution for you. To make the best choice for your firm, you need to begin with a clear set of criteria that can cut through the fluff and give you concrete answers on which solutions will be the right fit.

Download this eBook now to learn about seven items that should be hallmarks of your portfolio management solution so you can innovate your client experience, find operational efficiencies, and win more of the types of clients you want. These include:

• Easy conversions of historical client data
• Timely reports with accurate reconciliation
• Customization and personalization for your brand and clients
• And much more...

The right system can affect your firm’s growth trajectory and service experience – act now to ensure your technology has you on the path to success!

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The answer to navigating today’s challenging landscape does not lie in more transparency and robust technology alone. You will find it when you understand client expectations, and align your investment strategies with those expectations to create a deeper advisor-client relationship.

Download this white paper now to learn how to manage client emotions so they don’t fluctuate drastically with the market. Asking 3 questions around the following topics will ensure you understand their expectations:

• How they want their portfolio managed in terms of high-risk, high-reward markets
• How much active management they expect during times of volatility
• What clients want you to do during periods of decline

You’ll also learn how to leverage 3 different portfolio construction strategies to  deliver a positive investment experience that is independent of market movement and help you take your practice to the next level.

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With increased competition from robo-advisors, it’s time to ask if you are doing enough with your trading and rebalancing platform to help win your clients’ confidence. You need a tool that offers what a robot cannot: customization with a personal touch. Clients expect you to have a solution that positively impacts portfolios while improving your in-house operations and customer service.

Download this white paper now to understand the importance of a premiere trading and rebalancing platform and how it could help improve your outcomes and customer service by:

• Structuring your process for better review and execution of trade orders to save time
• Providing more flexibility in a way that doesn’t force you to compromise efficiency
• Lowering the chance of placing an incorrect trade
• Creating consistent outcomes across all your clients

Act now to take the first step in changing your business for the better. Don’t let outdated tools put you behind your peers - make a decision that will help you and your clients succeed! 

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When it comes to your portfolio accounting tools, it’s tempting to just live with the devil you know. The idea of moving to a new system can bring up so many concerns; you may not even want to attempt to make improvements. Recent advances continue to change the industry landscape and what clients expect from you. By failing to move forward with better options, you run the risk of being left behind, even if it’s with the “safe” system you have in place now.

Download this fact sheet now to find out if you’re already slipping behind your peers. Take a look at five key areas of your current operation, including:

• The role physical installation plays in your platform
• Whether you outsource data reconciliation
• Any overlays inherent in your current system
• The speed of any updates
• How long it takes to generate reports

Sticking with outdated, under-supported tools may seem like you’re saving money, but eventually, it creates more costs in missed opportunities and wasted time. Make sure you’re equipped to grow your business now!

As today’s biggest digital brands continue to reinvent and improve their service offerings, clients now expect these same enhanced digital experiences across industries — and wealth management is no exception. Consumers expect to get what they want, where they want, and when they want. To keep clients happy,attract new prospects, and grow your bottom line, you must make sure you are ready to meet this challenge.

Download this white paper now to better understand how today’s client experience continues to evolve beyond the client portal and how you can redefine your client experience. Topics and strategies covered include:

• How to marry financial planning with investing
• Ways to turn planning into action
• The importance of client portal integration
• How to narrow the gap between advisor and consumer tech
• The benefits your practice will realize when customer experience improves

Make sure your clients get the service they want by taking steps now to enhance their experience. Position your firm as a leader in new age client experiences.

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The foundation of a successful advisory firm includes three critical components: knowledgeable financial advisors, a robust marketing strategy, and back-office technology that supports an incredible client experience. But that final piece of the puzzle — the back office — can be difficult to build, manage, and maintain. And a poorly functioning back office can mean a host of issues with compliance, billing, reporting, and more. 

Download this infographic now to learn how to create a back office designed to address your business’s unique needs. You’ll discover:

• What challenges come with building your back office in-house
• How to determine what you should value most
• What the (right) price is to pay for business growth

An efficient back office is essential for firm growth as it helps deliver exceptional client service and support. Take steps now to streamline your back office so you can focus on building client relationships.

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The regulatory environment for RIAs is very complex and there is no indication it will get simpler any time soon. The rollercoaster ride that was the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule is just one prime example. However, as the rules change, compliance is even more important to the well-being of your firm, especially because the number of SEC audits is increasing.

Download this guide now to understand what is changing and how you can stay compliant by simplifying. This will help you:

• Save time
• Reduce the burden in the back office
• Increase data security (one system, in-house)
• Alleviate risk of compliance oversight

Takes steps now before you get hit with an audit. Learn how to maintain effective compliance and meet the expectations of your clients!

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The trend for outsourcing investment management continues to explode, as more firms turn to Turnkey Asset Management Platforms (TAMPs). Many advisors find these partners can help them manage client relationships, enhance service, and create economic and operational efficiencies. However, with the rapid increase of TAMPs and complexity introduced by consolidations, it can be difficult to decide what the right solution is for your business.

Download this guide now to get a better understanding of the features, options, and benefits that are available to take your business to the next level. You will receive:

• An overview of industry trends that have spurred the rising popularity of TAMPs
• Top factors you should consider when selecting a TAMP partner
• Insights into the benefits TAMPs can provide for your advisory business
• Examples of real-world advisor success stories

The industry continues to embrace comprehensive technology and it is up to you to act now and get the info you need in order to grow, compete and succeed.

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Sophisticated technology strategies continue to improve experiences when working with service providers across industries — and the financial advisory business is no exception. Advisors today must not only provide their clients with a complete financial picture, but deliver a personalized experience suited to their unique needs and interactions. 

Listen to this on-demand webcast now to find out how the right technology can help you innovate your client experience to build better relationships and ultimately grow your business. You will also learn:

• What your clients expect from you
• How you can show your value through technology
• How the rise of robo-advisors impacts your client interactions

Make sure your business meets all your clients where they are, using tools that make it easier for you to help them, and avoiding a clunky digital experience.

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A growing number of companies are facing secular risks (like new competition, tech advancements, regulatory changes, or changes in customer habits) that could impair their long-term growth prospects. While the stocks of such companies may not be attractive over the long term, investing in shorter-term debt securities in the industries most affected could present attractive opportunities for you and your clients. 

Download this white paper now to learn more about how even companies challenged by secular risk can provide excellent investment possibilities for high yield bond investors. You will also discover why certain industries may be ripe for this type of investing, including:

• Auto
• New generation companies like Netflix, Uber and Tesla that aren’t yet profitable
• Energy and utilities 
• Cable

Take advantage of the disruptive forces that are reshaping the market and use this strategy to grow client portfolios now!

Finding ways to boost your practice’s value is inherently tied your long-term financial success – and it’s not just based on revenue, earnings and portfolio performance. Value is also driven by where your practice is heading. If you increase value in the right way, it will also bring in continuing waves of new clients and lead to a cycle of growth. 

Download this white paper now to understand how to boost your practice’s value, including three proven strategies and insights on:

• When outsourcing makes sense and how it can provide the help you need
• Methods to strengthen existing relationships with clients by incorporating smart customization
• Ways to fill your prospect pipeline by cultivating your influence, serving the underserved, and understanding who your clients are and aren’t

Bringing in new business helps solidify your stability now, as well as improves your practice’s value for the foreseeable future. Start using these three strategies now to make sure your business doesn’t get left behind.

Microsoft Office 365 has become the clear market leader in cloud-based productivity and collaboration solutions, but many in the industry hesitate to move because migrating to a new platform can be full of potential pitfalls – especially for firms in highly regulated or litigious industries. If migrating to this system is the right move for your firm, figuring out how to do it in an efficient and cost-effective way, while maintaining regulatory compliance, is key.

Download this guide now to understand why moving to Office 365 may offer opportunities for your firm. You will learn about:

• Best practices for the migration process
• Common migration mistakes and pitfalls
• How to evaluate native archiving features for compliance use

Discover whether you should fully embrace Office 365 as your firm’s communications backbone or consider other options.

As Baby Boomers continue to move closer to the point where they pass their wealth on to the next generation, many financial advisors are  not prepared. Only 29% of all financial advisors are offering intergenerational wealth planning.* As baby boomers enter their twilight years, an expected $30 trillion in assets will be transferring to their gen X and millennial heirs.** Advisors who’ve built relationships across generations have the best chance at ensuring those assets stay under their management.

Download this white paper now to learn about four key areas of focus for building a multigenerational practice, including:

• Infrastructure
• Technology and communication
• Service model
• Value-add resources

With tips, tools, and real-life examples, you’ll learn how to take tangible steps today to prepare for the pending wealth transfer. Start preparing now so the next generation keeps their inheritance under the management of your firm.

*U.S. Advisor Metrics 2017: The Next Generation of Planning. (2018). Boston, MA: Cerulli Associates. 136

**Stonefield, J. (2018, May 21). Are boomers ready to make the greatest wealth transfer in history? Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2018/05/21/are-boomers-ready-to-make-the-greatest-wealth-transfer-in-history/#6a20a512677d

Growth brings with it a unique set of roadblocks, and preparation for the future requires operationalizing your goals with smart, scalable tools that empower your growth instead of stunting it. You can’t become a whale if you’re stuck in a 5-gallon tank. To address growth challenges, it helps to know which traits all successful firms, no matter the size, have in common.

Download this tip sheet for more information on three distinct commonalities successful firms  have in their approach to their work and their technology, including: 

• Embracing change 
• Prioritizing technology the right way 
• Setting, meeting, and exceeding the right goals

Why wait until the new year to start working on your business resolutions? Take steps now to power your business forward through the end of this year and beyond. 

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There’s an old saying: nothing worth having comes easy. In the investment management world, that means high-net-worth (HNW) investors, who present a unique blend of nuanced challenges and incredible opportunities. But adding HNW clients to your book of business isn’t impossible – you already possess everything you need to do it.

Download this tip sheet now to learn how to translate seven interpersonal relationship skills into strategies that will help you attract, serve, and retain this lucrative audience. These skills include:

• Ways to make a good first impression
• The importance of emphasizing communication
• Keeping clients informed to build trust
• Helping clients take chances
• And more… 

With their individual needs and expectations, HNW investors require a highly targeted approach to service and marketing, but can also create incredible opportunities. Find out how you can easily bring them on board and keep them with your firm.

0108-OPS-9/26/20019 

Over the past year, the SEC and FINRA have been hard at work enforcing communications supervision compliance regulations throughout the financial services industry. Several firms were fined hefty sums of money. Looking at their situations can provide important insights and recommendations that will help solve compliance challenges and reduce risk at your firm.

Download this report now to get a rundown of 10 notable violations from the past year and learn what you can do to avoid the same. This includes what happens when you fail to:

• Stay informed about regulatory updates
• Properly supervise email and all other forms of communication
• Create a supervisory system for ongoing reviews 
• Safeguard against mistakes when using text messaging

Studying how authorities came down on other organizations for violations over the past year can help you make better choices for the future of your firm. Don’t become another headline – bolster your processes for compliance now.

As you enable your employees’ productivity with modernized electronic communication platforms, unforeseen risks are opened up that could cost your organization thousands of dollars or even more. Your advisors want to use text messaging and other tools to ensure they keep up with the speed of business and meet client demands. However, failing to follow rapidly changing federal regulations and compliance requirements can create huge problems for your firm. 

Download this white paper now for an analysis of three key areas you should focus on and what steps you can take to protect your firm. You’ll receive a viewpoint into where things stand now, recommendations of what steps to take next, and learn why it matters to your business. These areas include:

• Mitigating risk: What you need to leverage moving forward and what you need to re-examine
• Architecture: How your firm’s technology and tools  may need to change 
• Enabling productivity: Ways you can be proactive in embracing new tools while staying compliant

Get key insights now to make sure your compliance efforts are on the right track!

While there’s no silver bullet for growing your business, acquisitions come close. In a single deal, you can double your revenue overnight. It’s an attractive prospect that gets many financial professionals excited to grow through acquisitions, but are you truly ready to meet the challenges this strategy presents?

Download this white paper now to learn about five key success factors for buying a financial practice. These include: 

• Intention
• Preparation
• Information
• Patience/Persistence
• Appeal

See how you measure up on each of the factors and get tips for improving your readiness to take advantage of this exciting opportunity for growth.

If you want the flexibility needed to keep your commission-based business, while also having the ability to build an advisory practice, then a hybrid RIA model could be your ideal path forward.

Your business goals and needs can help determine which direction is best suited for you and your clients. In this white paper we'll explore four questions for you to consider:

• What is your business objective?
• What is your investment philosophy?
• What support will you need?
• What are your economic and ownership goals?

No matter which path you choose, custodians and support networks will be ready to help you reach your full potential.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal, or investment planning advice.

Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, Schwab recommends consultation with a qualified tax advisor, CPA, financial planner, or investment manager.

Third-party firms and representatives are not affiliated with or employed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., and mention of them should not be construed as a recommendation, endorsement, or sponsorship by Schwab.

Schwab Advisor Services™ includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), member SIPC (www.sipc.org).

©2019 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

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We live in a world where the pace of change is rapid. Disruption is omnipresent, accelerated by low interest rates and easy credit. Often, it has a “winner takes all” dynamic, with early movers grabbing the lion’s share of the spoils. Old business models can be blown out of the water by new entrants that can compete better on cost and quality. For investors, understanding the economic and market impact of these changes is imperative. At the individual stock level, it is even more crucial, as the return differential for stocks on the right and wrong sides of these dynamics has been substantial.

Download this white paper now to get key insights on global equities and how you can help your clients invest with the changing market in mind. You will learn:

• How an accelerated range of disruptive trends has continued to transform industries and economies
• Options some advisors can use to take advantage of trends to try and positively impact returns for investors
• Strategies that will help you pinpoint companies on the right side of change

Your job often requires difficult choices, but skill, experience, and deep insights can help you invest your clients’ money wisely. Act now to learn ways you may be able to grow clients' portfolios and hopefully boost your business.

With thousands of Baby Boomers reaching retirement each day, this is your wake-up call. You must start focusing on the demographics that will inherit and control the wealth in the future. Sticking with old-school thinking that only focuses on Baby Boomers and middle-aged men is a recipe for failure. You must unlock the extraordinary opportunities and significant challenges created by multigenerational planning.

Download this article now to learn how to ensure your clients’ heirs turn into clients themselves. Get tips and strategies to help you safeguard your business, including:

• Why you need to start early.
• The importance of focusing on female clients.
• Understanding the differences, and how to cater to each generation.

Don’t wait for your clients to retire and watch your business slowly dwindle away. Start making the right moves now to expand your reach to a broader client base. 

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the competition in the financial services industry, especially when you’re up against larger firms with seemingly unlimited resources to support their growth. You need to know how to rely on resources to spur growth, without sacrificing the quality relationships and personalization your clients deserve and expect. With the right approach, you can implement a dynamic system that will both support today’s business needs and your goals.

Download this white paper now to discover how to expand your practice and position it for the future. You will learn:

• The questions you should be asking (and answering) to ensure you’re ready for growth
• The benefits of automated workflows 
• Ways to ensure technology enhances personalization instead of replacing it
• And more...

Find out how you can easily build your business and deliver the quality service and advice your clients demand!

In today’s world and the media Baby Boomers and Millennials seem to get the most attention, with Gen X often flying under the radar. That means Gen X often gets underserved, especially when it comes to their finances. However, if you learn to understand and serve this generation – what they need and what they fear when it comes to finances – it can unlock huge opportunities for your firm. 

Download this article now to get a better understanding of how to connect and communicate with Gen X by addressing their specific needs. This includes:

• Gen X’s unique financial situation and priorities
• How the group feels about their long-term goals
• Ways you can help ease their financial strains

Don’t continue to ignore this demographic for whom retirement is only 15-20 years away. Learn how you can bring them into the fold and boost your business now! 

The oldest Millennials are now in their late 30s and early 40s — no longer college kids. As their lives become more complex and their assets grow, they are increasingly attractive prospects for financial advisors. You need to be able to connect with these “digital natives” online in ways that feel natural to them. While your website is an important “storefront”, you also need the digital equivalents of flyers, bulletin boards, community events, and word of mouth.

Download this white paper now to get a better understanding of various channels for online marketing and how you can effectively use them to reach the Millennial audience. You will learn:

• How Millennials make purchasing decisions and the importance of “freemium” strategies
• Which interactive channels you should embrace and how to do it successfully
• About the importance of consistency and automation in your efforts

Finding the right efforts to focus on can be challenging —  take steps now to ensure you’re effectively reaching this key demographic. Go beyond your website and find easy ways to reach Millennials now.

Even though the worst of investor fears didn’t materialize after markets were in disarray late last year, trade tensions, global growth and political uncertainty are weighing on the economic outlook. Fortunately, economic fundamentals remain generally sound, but for the rest of the year, you should prepare to navigate a challenging environment with periodic volatility.

Download this report now for insights about the latter half of 2019. By focusing on four fundamentals of investing—policy, the economy, fixed income, and equities—you can help keep clients’ portfolios steady. The report includes in-depth predictions on these and more:

• How the economy may change
• The direction of inflation
• The status of fixed income markets
• Ways equity might fluctuate

Get the information you need to focus on what really matters in the markets, and prepare for what’s coming next to help your clients achieve long-term goals. 

The idea of transitioning your business naturally raises questions. What will your payouts be? What technology resources will you have? What is the new firm's culture like? 

To overcome this uncertainty, you must separate myth from reality and build a solid plan for the future.

Download this white paper to learn what you need to know before making a move:

• Debunk the myths about moving to a new broker/dealer
• Learn the three keys to transitioning successfully
• Find the partner that works best with your practice

No one says change is easy, but if done properly, a transition can be the best decision for you and your clients. Act now to prepare for a move that will help you grow your business. 

Advanced professional designations can help you stand out in a crowded field and attract more high-value relationships, but getting the credentials requires a significant investment of your time and, in many cases, money. Before actually doing the work, you should have an understanding of what your return on investment might be. Additionally, since there are more than 250 possible designations or certifications, you must be able to assess the merits of each possibility.

Download this white paper now for four ways an advanced professional designation can drive personal and practice growth and what you should consider when choosing what to pursue. You will learn:

• How clients view and value the different designations and certifications
• How designations may make your client relationships more valuable
• How they might increase earnings and revenue potential
• Ways they can mitigate fiduciary risk

Before deciding to spend the time and money to add letters behind your name, you should understand the true costs and value involved. Get key insights to direct your path forward.

For years, financial advisors have sought the freedom and control that comes with going independent as a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). The model gives advisors more flexibility in how they can serve their clients and grow their businesses. Custodians and platform providers work together to help position advisor teams to reach their full potential. But the RIA channel has become more than a place to break free from traditional advice models. It’s the destination of choice for a mass movement of advisors in search of a better way of doing business—one where advisors and their clients can thrive.
 
Download this white paper to discover the five business models for the modern RIA. 

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), member SIPC (www.sipc.org). 

The Charles Schwab Corporation provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money management and financial advisory services through its operating subsidiaries.

Schwab does not provide legal or regulatory advice. Advisors should consult legal and compliance advisors to address specific circumstances.

ThinkAdvisor.com is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor.com will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

TRG (0519-92P7) (05/19)

The freedom to design your own future doesn’t have to be a dream. Custodians and platform providers are ready to help advisors like you reach their full potential. As an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), you can build your vision and serve clients—your way. You just need someone to help you get there. That’s why Schwab Advisor Services™ brought together more than 30 years of industry-leading expertise and insight in The RIA Roadmap. This guide will help to explain the key steps to take to start your journey to independence.

In this guide, you’ll find guidance on:

• Defining your business strategy
• Preparing for legal and compliance issues
• Connecting with resources to help set up your office
• Converting your accounts
• Strengthening your practice 

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), member SIPC (www.sipc.org). 

The Charles Schwab Corporation provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money management and financial advisory services through its operating subsidiaries.

Schwab does not provide legal or regulatory advice. Advisors should consult legal and compliance advisors to address specific circumstances.

ThinkAdvisor.com is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor.com will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

TRG (0519-92P7) (05/19) 

The RIA channel has been growing steadily for the past several years. More and more advisors are seizing the opportunity to create the future they imagine for themselves and their clients. Custodians and platform providers work together to help position advisor teams to reach their full potential.
 
As an RIA, you determine the shape of your business. You serve clients the way you know is best.
 
Download this white paper and take a closer look at:

• RIA channel growth
• Benefits of independence
• Differences among RIA models
• Economics of RIA firms
• The custodian’s role

You’ll also receive time tested steps and a roadmap for making your own transformation.

ThinkAdvisor.com will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at http://www.schwab.com/privacy.

AHA (0519-92P7) (05/19)

All advisors know that clients do not always act in wise and rational ways when it comes to their investments. In thinking about their future and their families, emotions can start to influence their thought processes. They look to you to be their guide to the right financial decisions and irrational reactions present you with the opportunity to offer helpful coaching and advice.

Download this white paper now to access research and insights that will help you spot potential challenges and navigate through them. You’ll learn about:

• Six common pitfalls and their emotional undertones
• What these missteps may cost your clients
• Actionable steps you can take to help educate your clients and overcome the challenges

Your clients’ emotional reactions can sway them into making dangerous choices with their finances. Make sure you’re prepared to help them navigate tricky times and feel confident about their financial plan.

Modern communication is so much more than email, including direct messages, social media, and platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams. The financial services industry continues to lead the way in integrating new types of communication, but it’s important to stay on top of the new risks these types of tools pose. 

Download this white paper now to get a better understanding of the steps you should take to ensure your organization can avoid compliance violations. You will learn how to create policies that:

• Ensure everyone has a clear understanding of responsibilities
• Are proactive and place an emphasis on spotting infractions early
• Address specific needs of social and mobile communications
• Encourage more participation in new communication channels

Simply trying to prohibit the use of new communication tools is not enough. Many employees will use them anyway, despite a lack of supervision. Take steps now to protect your firm and your clients!

Fidelity’s research helps provide better insight into the recent advisor movement trends and explores the entrepreneurial mindset that’s driving today’s advisors to make a move and to help realize their unique business vision.

With a clearer understanding of advisor needs, firms can position themselves to attract new talent—and keep the ones they have in today’s shifting marketplace. 

As your Baby Boomer clients enter retirement, they begin to draw down their assets, that may also mean drawing down your business. The good news is there are plenty of younger clients who need advice and can help your business thrive. However, the key is knowing how to best connect with this new generation.

Download this white paper now to get tips and insights into how to connect with younger prospects in ways that resonate with them. You will learn:

• The different demographics that may represent the greatest potential for business growth (and the least competition from other advisors)
• Prospecting ideas that are both practical and fun for you and your potential clients
• How to cater your prospecting to different audiences and make them more receptive to your efforts

Don’t wait for your business to dwindle and  your bottom line to be at risk. Act now to embrace new, younger clients and set your organization up for continued success moving forward!

You’ve built a successful practice based on appealing to a wide spectrum of clients. But what if you could maximize your growth and increase your chances of gaining more clients by narrowing your focus?

Download this white paper now to learn how scrapping the one-size-fits-all approach can help you remain competitive and  deliver the customer service your clients need and deserve. You’ll also discover:

• Three methods to help you identify and develop a niche market
• Specific strategies to connect with centers of influence (COIs) who can boost your market access
• Key factors that will help you stand apart from the competition

Take steps now to identify and market to a niche group that will ultimately increase your clientele and bottom line!

As social media’s role in our industry continues to grow, you need practical advice that will help you develop a social media strategy and policy that follows regulations while also pushing your business forward. You must be ready to present your social media records on demand and avoid pitfalls while communicating with clients on multiple platforms.

Download this guide now and discover ways you can be proactive and diligent in your social media use. You will learn:

• Key social media rules and regulations for broker-dealers and RIAs
• Effective strategies for developing a successful and compliant social media presence
• Considerations you must make when creating social media personas and communications
• The value of each social media platform and best practices for social use in your firm

Don’t let the risk of audit or litigation keep you from building personal bonds with clients through social media. Ensure you’re compliant by taking advantage of this guide now!

You understand the value of personalized financial advice — strengthen your offering to help ensure clients and prospects always remember and appreciate what you bring to the table.

Download Cetera’s latest white paper, 5 Ways to Make Your Financial Advice Irreplaceable, to find:

• Five areas where you can enhance your offering to increase the value of your client relationships
• Actionable steps to implement these strategies
• Ways to turn these areas into prospecting opportunities

Act now and you’ll also learn more about a partner who keeps advice at the forefront and is committed to enhancing our profession. 

Like most companies, employees at financial firms demand a modern environment with technology that makes it easy to communicate and be productive. To that end, many firms are increasingly allowing the use of collaboration platforms, instant messaging, file sharing applications and group chat suites. However, this new communication environment comes with a host of compliance challenges. Addressing and overcoming these issues is critical to your employees’ satisfaction and your firm’s success.

Download this white paper now to understand the applicable regulations for these types of communication platforms and how you can comply. You will discover how to:

• Ensure IT implements the proper technology
• Develop Written Supervisory Policies and train employees
• Keep communications efficient but supervised

Workplace communication continues to change - make sure your firm is being proactive with recordkeeping and remains compliant with increasing regulations!

The widespread options for communication in today’s landscape help your firm stay connected to each other and clients. However, while some firms leverage best practices and get the most out of the technology available, others stumble into bad habits that create dangerous vulnerabilities.

Download this field guide to understand what not to do with modern communication tools in order to remain compliant to regulatory obligations. You will understand how to limit risk involving:

• Text messaging
• Social media
• Email
• Other sharing platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams

Don’t just stick your head in the sand with danger on the horizon, act now to make sure you protect your firm and your clients as you embrace the digital age.

Younger clients and tech-savvy employees continue to expect easier and faster ways to conduct business in today’s market – via social media, text messaging and collaboration platforms like Slack. However, you know that bowing to these demands means a drastic increase in the amount of data you need to collect and archive in order to remain compliant to industry regulations.

Download this guide now to understand how to achieve and maintain regulatory compliance while taking advantage of these tools that increase productivity. This guide will also teach you:

• Why “compliant productivity” no longer has to be an oxymoron
• Why text messaging, social media and collaboration platforms are no longer the future of business, but the present, and
• The benefits and risks of this business reality

Modern tools and clever solutions make compliant productivity a realistic goal for your firm if you’re willing to take the necessary steps to achieve it. Act now to improve productivity, morale, and create better connections! 

Anyone who works in the financial services industry knows it’s critical to look for ways to connect with the millennial generation that represents a rising population in the workforce and among customers. Millennials stand to inherit an estimated $30 trillion from the Baby Boomer era. However, it can be very hard to communicate with this demographic and you need to tap into technology they already use on a regular basis: text messaging.

Download this white paper to understand why millennials demand this type of communication with their financial advisors and how your firm can overcome the compliance issues that come with it. You’ll receive 6 tips for developing a compliant texting strategy, including how to:

• Evaluate your firm’s device ownership model
• Update your policies
• Train staff and ensure integration
• And more…

Embrace the future and start using text messaging today to gain a competitive edge and meet the new generation where they feel comfortable.