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Voices My 'beautiful' letter to the SEC I wish I could rewrite

Added on August 2018 in Thought Leadership
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Summary: When the SEC came out with its proposed best interest standard for broker-dealers (and, by extension, for their brokers and reps), I wrote a detailed comment letter in response. It was a beautiful letter. I eloquently pointed out that the “best interest” standard detailed in the proposal was exactly the same as the current “suitability” standard that I helpfully copied for the SEC staff off the FINRA website.

More Fintech and Active/Passive Analysis in Next Year's CFA Exam

Added on August 2018 in Thought Leadership
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SummaryOne of the toughest exams in finance is about to get more topical, and for some, more complicated. Starting next year, Levels I and II of the exam to become a chartered financial analyst will include more in-depth questions on fintech, including machine learning and ethics  tied to the use of technology within a work setting.

Voices Do advisors cave to peer pressure?

Added on August 2018 in Thought Leadership
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Summary: Two recent client stories opened my eyes to something I thought we left behind in high school — peer pressure. Their experiences floored me, and I realized we have to help clients combat much more than just their internal money scripts to achieve financial peace. How do we help them not succumb to the sometimes crippling judgment of others? In turn, how do advisors avoid the same forces?

Advisors are Increasingly Expected to Play a Role in Clients' Healthcare

Added on August 2018 in Thought Leadership
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Summary: Wealth managers believe health insurance is the single biggest healthcare-related issue currently facing their clients, according to a recent study.

Voices Dangers ahead when non-advisors buy planning firms

Added on August 2018 in Thought Leadership
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Summary: I’ve been watching, with increasing dismay, the trend of non-financial planners taking over ownership of planning firms. We have private equity firms buying financial services firms, and financial services firms that are either going public or promising to as part of their rollup pitch to independent advisors. The distress became especially acute when Focus Financial Partners went public and raised just over $600 million from its new shareholders.

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