InvestmentSense

Stories about trust fund kids make great copy on TMZ and as case studies in estate planning law school courses. But planning for future trust distributions when parents and grandparents often overestimate their heirs’ ability and desire to manage money can prove difficult for advisors. What steps can be taken to provide the best beneficiary guidance? Successful families tend to plan and develop their philosophy of money to match the family’s wealth. By providing education and tools to prepare each generation for successful handling of this wealth, the hope is that grantors will become great contributors of society. One step an advisor can take to foster this vision, is thinking ahead about the type and quantity of trust distributions a trustee will disburse to their beneficiaries. Urging grantors to communicate with their beneficiaries on their family’s philosophy of wealth can ensure collaboration and productive use of disbursements. For more on trust distributions, read here.

Transformational changes are sweeping the investments and wealth industry, making it more important than even for advisors to understand key challenges that lie ahead. In the latest issue of Investments & Wealth Monitor, industry thought leaders discuss the ways in which advisors must adapt to emerging investment products, disruptive technologies, and changing demographics, in order to keep pace with the future. The issue begins with, “ Advisor Alpha,” an interview conducted by Todd Thompson...

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have become an important component of the investment landscape with nearly $4.8 trillion invested in these products worldwide — and their popularity is growing. According to Morningstar Inc., U.S. investment in new U.S.-listed ETFs totaled $466 billion in 2017, “almost double the previous annual record of new ETF assets.” In response to this trend, the Investments & Wealth Institute® (formally IMCA) will provide advisors with a greater understanding of ETF...

Maggie and Jamie have worked hard to build their restaurant supply store into one of the largest in the upper Midwest. They spent years of careful planning to not only provide for a comfortable retirement, but to have something that they could pass on to at least one of their three adult children.   While Maggie and Jamie have a clear vision for the future of their business, they may be disappointed to learn that their children might not share in those goals. Less than one-third of family...

Presented at the 2018 Annual Conference Experience in Nashville, the Investments & Wealth Institute honored six professionals and one organization with awards for their exceptional contributions to the investment and wealth industry, including:

• Richard Thaler, Ph.D., recipient of the Matthew R. McArthur Industry Pioneer Award for his outstanding contributions to investment consulting. Professor Thaler is the Charles R. Walgreen Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science and...

When it comes to the strength of the relationship between advisors and their clients, 94 percent of high-net-worth (HNW) clients say they’re satisfied with their advisor and 92 percent say they’re “somewhat likely” to continue working with them (Investments & Wealth Client Research 2017). So how do you stand out when satisfaction and loyalty don’t necessarily set you apart?   While you can differentiate yourself by earning advanced, voluntary designations and credentials, it isn’t enough....