Wealth Management
Advisors are increasingly adopting outsourced model portfolios as a way to streamline investment management and redirect their time toward deeper client relationships and higher-value planning work.
Research from Cerulli shows that model users spend just over 10% of their time on investment oversight, enabling them to devote more than 60% of their time to client-facing activity and business development. The trend is especially pronounced among younger advisors running leaner practices, many of whom lack in-house investment staff and rely on models to achieve greater efficiency.
These advisors view outsourced portfolios as a strategic tool, using the time savings to focus on complex planning, attract wealthier households, and sharpen their competitive positioning. High demand for product education, best practices, and access to portfolio managers underscores the need for model providers to keep advisors well-informed.
Finsum: While some advisors avoid models due to concerns about customization or added fees, the overall shift highlights how outsourcing has become central to scaling a modern advisory practice.
Many advisory firms struggle with data overload and disconnected systems, leaving advisors buried in manual reconciliation instead of client work.
After adopting an AI analytics tool that unified his systems, advisors can shift from static, outdated reports to real-time insights that flagged portfolio drift, client engagement changes, and emerging trends. Industry research reinforces this shift, with firms that embed AI reporting major efficiency gains and freeing teams to spend more time on strategic, insight-driven work.
By automating even a single pain point—like performance drift alerts—this advisor’s firm reduced hours of manual tasks each week, improved client communication, and boosted team morale.
Finsum: AI isn’t replacing advisors, but empowering them to make faster, clearer decisions by transforming scattered data into living intelligence.
U.S. stocks climbed for a fourth straight session as renewed strength in the tech sector and rising expectations of a December Federal Reserve rate cut boosted investor confidence. Nvidia’s strong earnings and guidance helped calm last week’s concerns about inflated tech valuations, while Dell’s upbeat revenue forecast added further momentum to the AI-driven rally.
Comments from Fed officials signaling a more dovish stance contributed to growing market conviction, with futures now pricing in an 84.9% chance of a quarter-point cut next month. Travel-related stocks surged as airlines benefited from the year’s busiest travel day, offering a positive signal for consumer health heading into the holiday shopping season.
Economic data showed stronger-than-expected capital goods orders and mixed labor market signals, reflecting both corporate resilience and softening consumer sentiment.
Finsum: All eyes will be on the Fed, as the economy’s positive performance could mean no cuts before the first of the year.
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A massive structural shift is underway as advisors leave traditional brokerages for independent RIA platforms, with billion-dollar breakaway teams now commonplace and virtually no one returning to wirehouses.
The appeal starts with compensation: independent advisors often keep 60–65% of revenue versus 40–50% at big firms, while also gaining ownership, equity value, and access to record-high valuation multiples that can approach 20x EBITDA. Client demand accelerates the trend, as families increasingly prefer the transparency, personalization, and multi-custody flexibility that independent RIAs offer, features once reserved for ultra-wealthy family-office clients.
The independent channel has also matured, evolving into a landscape of large, professionally managed enterprises with advanced technology, acquisition resources, and digital onboarding able to transition billions in weeks.
Finsum: With rising valuations, regulatory tailwinds, and private capital flooding the space, independence is no longer a fringe option.
- London stands out as one of Europe’s most iconic Christmas destinations, radiating festive charm throughout the season. From the dazzling lights along Regent Street and Oxford Street to bustling holiday markets and cozy pub culture, the city embodies the spirit of Christmas in a way few places can match. Its streets, often featured in classic holiday films, come alive with music, decorations, and an unmistakable sense of wonder that draws visitors from around the world.
- Amsterdam offers another magical holiday escape, blending historic canals with sparkling lights and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The city is especially appealing to international travelers thanks to its wide range of Christmas-themed tours offered in multiple languages, making it both festive and accessible.
- Nuremberg, Germany, remains a timeless Christmas favorite, renowned for hosting some of the oldest and most cherished holiday markets in the world. Its medieval streets overflow with handcrafted gifts, traditional treats, and the aroma of mulled wine, creating an authentic Old World holiday experience.
Finsum: Together, London, Amsterdam, and Nuremberg each offer their own distinctive version of Christmas magic, making them three of Europe’s most captivating places to celebrate the season.
Many investors today fear outliving their savings, a concern intensified by market volatility and persistent inflation, creating an opening for advisors to rethink how they deliver reliable retirement income solutions.
Although annuities can address longevity risk, outdated perceptions of high fees and complexity still discourage clients, even though modern, low-cost versions now exist. To rebuild trust, advisors must simplify the experience by focusing on outcomes such as guaranteed lifetime income, downside protection, and tax-deferred growth rather than product jargon.
Annuities also work best when integrated into a broader financial plan, balancing market exposure, liquidity needs, taxes, and estate goals instead of being presented as standalone products.
Finsum: Ultimately, transparency, clear communication, and honest comparisons will help advisors shift annuities from misunderstood products to trusted tools.