Client engagement

How to talk clients through family troubles

Divorce, death of family members, serious health issues and aging parents are tough family situations you need to be prepared to discuss with clients.

November 28, 2011

3 min read

Planning and Advice

Keeping ETFs, and clients, in-house

The media tells investors they can manage ETFs on their own. How do you stop clients from fleeing?

By Christopher Mason |November 28, 2011

6 min read

Industry

How to avoid lawsuits

You are busy enough comforting clients through volatile markets; the last thing you need on your mind is a lawsuit. But this type of market causes client complaints to jump. How can you protect yourself?

By Melissa Shin |November 8, 2011

7 min read

Planning and Advice

Compensation’s not the issue

Some advisors are worried the surge of ETFs means the death of trailers. That’s wrong-headed. Instead, accept these six realities to create a mutually beneficial relationship with clients

By Jason M. Pereira |November 1, 2011

5 min read

Helping your busy clients: Part Two

While busy discretionary clients may only want face-to-face meetings once a year, Franz calls clients at least quarterly to update them on portfolio performance, and other times to simply ask how a vacation went.

By Melissa Shin |October 25, 2011

4 min read

Helping your busy clients: Part One

Adena Franz's phones were silent on June 2. "Sino-Forest blew up, and we didn't get one call," recalls the Montreal-based advisor. And despite having the beleaguered stock in her clients' portfolios, they won't hear about the hit until their annual reviews.

By Melissa Shin |October 24, 2011

5 min read

Separate clients if they disagree on investing

Rajagopal has always treated Jerry and Judy as separate clients, with separate accounts. “They came to me together, but when we started discussing risk tolerance,” they revealed their divergent points of view.

By Doug Watt |October 1, 2011