Displaying items by tag: recruiting

A recent survey reveals that 83% of advisors who switched firms in the past three years are satisfied with their decision, with many wishing they had made the move sooner. The primary motivations for these changes are improved technology and better compensation, as highlighted by 80% of respondents citing tech as a factor in their decision. 

Satisfaction is closely tied to the quality of the tech stack, with advisors emphasizing tools that enhance efficiency, attract clients, and improve work-life balance. Beyond tech and pay, advisors often cite inadequate support and administrative inefficiencies, such as delays in marketing approvals, as key pain points driving their transitions. 

Mergers and acquisitions also prompt advisors to reassess firm culture and alignment with their goals, particularly amid ongoing industry consolidation. 

Finsum: Firms looking to retain talent might focus on addressing tech frustrations, including better integration, improved client-facing tools, and AI-powered automation to boost advisor productivity.

Recruiting in wealth management has evolved significantly, with major shifts in deal structures and compensation trends. The size of recruiting deals has increased dramatically over time, especially among wirehouses and independent broker-dealers, but these deals are often accompanied by strict performance goals and lengthy lock-up periods. 

Clawback provisions and production guarantees are increasingly common, requiring advisors to meet specific asset transfer thresholds. 

While the large headline numbers may seem appealing, advisors need to carefully evaluate the conditions tied to the offers. Understanding the fine print is essential for making informed transition decisions.

Finsum: The numerical details of these provisions are key to switching and certainly should play a pivotal role in your cost benefit analysis

In 2023, registered investment advisors (RIAs) experienced a notable rebound, with assets under management rising nearly 18% to a median of $542 million, according to Schwab’s RIA Benchmarking Study. 

The median organic growth rate hit 5%, excluding market performance. RIA revenue increased by 6.3%, and the number of clients grew by 4.3%. Top-performing firms saw even higher growth rates of 12%. 

Key strategies for success included having a documented client persona, a solid value proposition, and a structured marketing plan. Client retention has remained steady at 97% over the past decade. Additionally, growing firms are focusing on talent acquisition and developing staff skills to drive future growth.

Finsum: Firms will simultaneously be doubling down efforts on retention and recruiting in 2024.

According to a Ficomm Partners survey, today's retirees are the last generation to rely heavily on referrals for choosing financial advisors. Over the next five to ten years, digital marketing will become increasingly crucial for attracting clients.

While 60% of those over 60 prefer referrals, only 17% of those under 44 feel the same. Instead, 57% of younger investors hired advisors based on digital marketing, compared to 20% of older respondents. 

This shift indicates that advisors must adopt a multi-tactic digital marketing strategy to stay competitive, as younger clients prefer researching and making purchases digitally. Additionally, the survey found that no single digital channel was superior; a mix of channels was necessary for effective marketing.

Finsum: Social media literacy is a must to staying in touch with this new generation of investors. 

Advisors often hesitate to switch firms due to fears of client attrition and contractual issues, even when better opportunities exist. Clients, however, are generally supportive of changes when benefits are clearly communicated. 

The transition process is still cumbersome, involving new paperwork and logins, despite technological advances. Effective communication about the long-term advantages of the move can mitigate client concerns. 

Partnering with a firm experienced in advisor transitions can help streamline the process. Understanding and managing perceptions can lead to a smoother transition and higher client retention.

Finsum: The right affiliate can make this transition much smoother so consider this when making the jump.