As identity theft continues to be a serious threat to our industry, now’s a good opportunity to review the Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners’ 11th annual “Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself” campaign

Private business owners are entering a receptive deal market, but many arrive without the paperwork, tax planning or advisory team they need to capture full value, according to a new BNY Wealth study.

As AI becomes more embedded in wealth management, advisors are rethinking where human value stands out most. In this montage from LPL Focus, industry leaders share why relationships, empathy, curiosity, judgment and the ability to communicate advice clearly will remain essential, and how technology could ultimately give advisors more time to focus on the moments and conversations that matter most to clients.

Take a moment and think about the last time someone you knew well mustered up the courage to ask you for help. No doubt, you displayed kindness, and probably empathy as well. As a matter of fact, my guess is that these behaviors came naturally to you because you sensed that person’s vulnerability. That’s how good people treat others they care about, and I’m going make the assumption you’re a good person.

Every few weeks, another headline asks whether artificial intelligence will make financial advisors obsolete. It's a fair question. AI can summarize meetings, draft emails, analyze tax returns, identify planning opportunities, create investment commentary, and answer financial questions in seconds. Many of the routine tasks that once consumed a significant portion of an advisor's day can now be completed in a fraction of the time.

Clients can ask the same financial question until a machine gives them the answer they want. The advisor’s value may be the standing to interrupt.