Wealth Management
Switching broker-dealers can transform a financial advisor’s career, but it’s essential to approach the process with careful consideration. Start by evaluating potential firms' growth opportunities, ensuring they provide the resources and support needed to advance your practice.
Culture compatibility is equally important; a firm that shares your values and work style can enhance long-term satisfaction. Assess the depth of each firm’s capabilities to ensure they align with your business needs, particularly if you specialize in a unique niche.
Also, consider the firm's brand and history, as a reputable and trusted name can positively influence your client relationships. Finally, trust your instincts after thorough research, and don’t hesitate to seek expert advice for finding the best fit for your business’s future.
Finsum: Considering outside counsel for expert advice is a great way to get a better feel for a new BD.
Outdoor winter workouts can be enjoyable with the right preparation for the elements. Dress in moisture-wicking layers to prevent heat loss from damp clothing, and choose outerwear you can easily remove as you warm up.
Bright, reflective clothing is essential for safety, especially with shorter daylight hours and overcast skies. To keep hands and feet warm, wear insulated, waterproof shoes and gloves, and avoid mesh footwear to prevent snow entry.
Traction aids, such as shoe grips, can reduce slipping on icy surfaces, while covering your head, ears, and face helps maintain body warmth. Finally, stay hydrated by drinking room-temperature or slightly warm water, even if you don't feel thirsty in the cold, because dehydration is a problem in the winter months.
Finsum: There are plenty of ways to maximize your fitness experience outside even in winter months, but staying ahead in December can make those new years resolutions easier!
As major tech stocks like Meta and Microsoft face challenges from rising costs and AI investment, dividend stocks are gaining attention for their potential stability amid election-related uncertainty.
For beginner investors, choosing effective dividend stocks and ETFs remains an essential consideration as dividend growth has historically outpaced inflation over the long term. In one case, a dividend investor on Reddit turned an initial $60,000 retirement account into $1.2 million over 27 years through a disciplined investment approach, later shifting his focus to high-yield dividend ETFs.
His portfolio, which generated around $9,495 monthly, included holdings like JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF and Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF, along with tech-focused funds like Invesco QQQ Trust. With investments like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust and Ares Capital Corporation, the portfolio reflected a mix of income-generating ETFs and steady-growth investments.
Finsum: If rates stall out look to dividends to supplement income streams particularly with ETFs.
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Several Western and Midwestern cities, including Boise, Idaho, and Stockton, California, are projected to join the "million-dollar club" in median home prices over the next decade.
Realtor.com's forecast estimates Boise’s median price will rise from about $464,000 to $1.2 million by 2033, following a strong growth trend seen in previous years. Other cities expected to cross the million-dollar mark include Salt Lake City, Portland, and Colorado Springs. Stockton’s proximity to costly Bay Area markets is driving its prices, with an anticipated median of $1.4 million by 2033.
Denver and Sacramento are also projected for substantial gains, reaching approximately $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively. These forecasts hinge on continued demand and limited supply, but a surge in new construction could temper these projected gains.
Finsum: One key aspect of this to watch is how fast wages are growing in these cities as this is a strong indicator of future home price growth
National brokerage firms are now sharing updates to financial advisors' compensation plans for 2025, a yearly event that often brings new requirements for earning bonuses or changes to how firms prioritize client segments.
Merrill Lynch's 2025 plan, announced Wednesday, surprised many by largely maintaining the current structure, which has been rewarding advisors for onboarding new clients and encouraging existing ones to use Bank of America banking services. Merrill reported 5,500 new client relationships in the third quarter, with client assets reaching $3.5 trillion, an 18% increase from last year.
The only notable adjustment for 2025 is a reduced banking growth award threshold, dropping from 55% to 35% for advisors operating without a nearby Bank of America branch. Other large brokerages, also introduced modest 2025 updates, such as reduced pay on smaller accounts and increased incentives for internal referrals, respectively.
Finsum: These incremental changes reflect the industry's focus on stability while selectively encouraging growth and broader client relationships.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management has partnered with GeoWealth to deliver customizable, open-architecture investment models for registered investment advisors (RIAs). These models, accessible through GeoWealth’s unified managed accounts (UMA) platform, include SMAs, ETFs, direct indexing, mutual funds, and alternatives, allowing RIAs to tailor them to clients’ unique goals and tax considerations.
Starting with mutual fund and ETF models, Goldman plans to expand offerings to include equity SMAs, fixed-income solutions, and direct indexing in the coming months. Responding to demand from RIAs for scalable, personalized portfolio solutions, the partnership aims to streamline account management, simplify paperwork, and boost operational efficiency.
Goldman’s multi-asset solutions team will power these custom models, leveraging the firm’s capabilities with API integrations across 42 tech vendors.
Finsum: These solutions can increase flexibility greatly for RIAs and provide a streamlined process for clientele.