Ten Critical Recommendations for Independent Advisors Post-Madoff

.

BUY NOW!

 Other reports:

• Affluent Market Insights 2010 (new)
• Retirement Market Insights 2009 (new)
• Retain Your Clients During the Economic Crisis
• UHNW Professionals
• International Investing
• Capturing High Balance IRA Rollovers
• Affluent Women and Financial Decisions
• Communicating Effectively with Investors
• Future Trends in Financial Services
• Insurance Opportunities in the Affluent Market
• Meeting the Financial Needs of the Business Owners
• Privacy Concerns of the Affluent Investor
• The Perfect Advisor: Hiring the Right Skills Sets
• Tax Planning and the Affluent Investor
• The Use of Financial Planning in the Affluent Market

Spectrem's annual compilation includes: Key Findings, Market Sizing, Investor Attitudes, How are they investing, Reacting to the Crisis, Asset Allocation, Primary Advisor, Advisor Relationships, Types of Firms, Firm Sizes, Advisor Relationship, What Type of Firm, Attitudes Towards Firms

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

Spectrem's annual compilation includes Key Findings, Retirement Market Size, Corporate Plan Utilization, Defined Contribution Assets, Corporate DC Growth, 403(b) Assets by Segment, 401(k) Market Segmentation, Distribution of 401(k) Assets, The Year That Was – Plan Sponsors, The Year That Was – Plan Participants

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

The current financial crisis has had a dramatic impact on America’s millionaires, reducing their net worth substantially and threatening their ability to maintain both lifestyles and retirement plans. While they blame the government and Wall Street directly for the situation, many millionaires are not happy with their advisors’ performance and few say they will increase the work they give to advisors. Indeed, just 36% of millionaires feel their advisor performed well during the crisis and only 14% say they will increase their use of financial advisors in the future. How should advisors react?

Spectrem’s newest Advisor Booklet, Retain Your Clients During the Economic Crisis will help you design a strategy to preserve your existing client relationships, and provide the best service for new clients in the near future.

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

Representing about 20% of Ultra High Net Worth household Professionals (defined as Accountants, Attorneys, Physicians and Dentists), vary considerably across a variety of investment-related attitudes and behaviors compared to other wealthy households. To effectively service this important segment, financial providers must tailor their services to effectively meet the needs of these households. Here are some recommendations for financial institutions so you can reach out to this important and vital UHNW group and capture their market share.

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

Investors of all types are increasing their exposure to international investments. While many have been introduced to the concept through international mutual funds in their 401(k) plans, investors are now interested in expanding their individual portfolios to include international investments and using these investments to diversify their portfolio amidst the uncertainty of the US Markets. It is critical for financial advisors and providers to understand this increasing interest in international investments. Investors are seeking advice and information about how to invest internationally as well as the best opportunities. It is critical for investment providers to meet the demands of these investors. This booklet contains actionable information to assist your wealthy clients as they venture into this market.

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

The opportunity to capture the some of the $362 billion of retirement assets that were eligible for rollover last year is a formidable one. Of those who could rollover their assets, 2.7 million chose to rollover approximately $180 billion into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Nearly 60% of participants rolled their assets into an investment offered by a provider they currently use for other financial services. These assets can open the door to many households and their financial holdings. Are you capturing all of the revenue you can? Here are some strategies to help get a more robust slice of that pie.

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

For many years, financial services targeted the affluent male assuming that he was the decision maker for the household. Only recently has the financial community realized that in many cases it is the affluent women in the household who wields more decision making power than ever before. Affluent women are more cautious and demand higher quality service than their male counterparts, and they are very loyal. Here are some ideas for how can you more effectively market and serve this savvy and influential customer.

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

In a world full of cell phones, instant messaging, email and PDAs, investors are expecting higher levels of communication from their advisors. Investors are taking a more active role in their financial affairs and they are better educated about their options than ever before. Standard mailed statements and quarterly or bi-yearly meetings are not enough for this new brand of tech savvy consumer. We offer some strategies and insights to meet their needs.

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

Today’s investors are more demanding, technologically savvy and have less brand loyalty than ever before. So what do they want? With a growing movement towards a one-stop financial shop, especially with younger participants, investors are looking for other ways to combine their financial needs. What trends will appear in the near future and how can you capture and keep consumers business and loyalty?

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

Many insurance products, including cash-value products, life, annuity, and specialty insurance are complex and require the assistance of an insurance professional. There exist many opportunities in the affluent market for insurance products, but how to best approach this segment remains a challenge. Seasoned insurance professionals can enter this market with impunity when they have the right strategy.

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

Business owners make up a high percentage of the affluent. They are self-directed, very risk tolerant and much of their net worth is tied up in their business; they are experts in their field and expect the same from those they work with. They are looking for an advisor who can handle both their personal and business finances since they are linked so tightly. What are the other requirements of the business owner and what is the best way to meet those needs?

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

Millions of people are victims of identity theft each year and it is a growing concern for the affluent. Three-quarters of affluent feel that financial institutions should be doing more to protect them from identity theft. A hefty 96% of affluent investors have taken some steps to protect themselves. How can your financial institution help assuage their fears and build trust with affluent clients and win a larger share of their business?

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

Advisor-client interaction and communication is a huge part of client satisfaction and loyalty. Though perfect advisor varies from client to client, there are traits which investors across the board value. Identifying what each client wants, and training advisors to meet those needs is an ongoing challenge for financial institutions. Here are some recommendations on how to train and retain the perfect advisor.

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

For the affluent, tax planning is an enduring process, not something done once a year. Their needs are unique in the tax world and need to be addressed as an ongoing, ever-changing challenge. Despite the importance of tax planning, many affluent remain ignorant about the laws and practices that could help them the most. Here are some recommendations for financial institutions that can combine financial planning and tax planning services to best serve their clients.

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

There is a growing incidence of financial plans among the affluent as well as increasing usage of financial planners. Part of this trend stems from the change in goals these households are undergoing; wealth accumulation isn’t the only goal, now its wealth preservation and transfer. This shift among others as the Baby Boomers start to retire will trigger a slew of new investing and planning considerations. How can you help your clients plan for the future?

BUY NOW! (open in new window)

---