1. How Advisors Can Reframe Fees to Showcase True Value
The majority of advisors still charge using an asset under management (AUM) fee schedule. It’s simple, familiar, and well-ingrained in the profession. But as markets evolve, and as technology and AI continue reshaping client expectations, it’s worth re-examining what the AUM model signals and where it falls short. — Jay Mooreland
2. Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Compounding Change Transforming Wealth Management
Why change in wealth management is speeding up — and what we can do about it/ There’s a saying that one dog year equals seven human years. But it’s also a fitting way to describe what’s happening in wealth management today. A firm that launched five years ago already feels like it’s been through several eras — tech platforms, client expectations, market cycles, and messaging all shifting at once. — Jud Mackrill
3. 5 Charitable Giving Questions Clients May Be Asking at Year-End
Eighty-five percent of households with $1M+ in assets give to charity annually.* For DAFgiving360, around 60% of contributions occur in the last four months of the year, which suggests that not only are donors valuing tax deductions, but perhaps also charitable holiday traditions. — Caleb Lund and Hayden Adams
4. The Fed Cut Rates Again – Here’s Our Take
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced another reduction to its benchmark rate, lowering the target range to 3.75%–4.00%. Markets had largely anticipated this move as signs of a cooling labor market have become more visible. Job openings have declined (JOLTS), hiring has slowed (Nonfarm Payrolls), and several major employers have announced layoffs in recent weeks. While the headline unemployment rate remains near 4%, which historically represents full employment, the underlying data tells a more cautious story. Once cracks begin to form in the labor market, weakness can accelerate quickly, which is likely why the Fed has chosen to act sooner rather than later. — Orion
5. ROI per Advisor: The Hidden Metric Every RIA Leader Should Track (But Doesn’t)
After spending $10M on Facebook ads and booking 30,000+ appointments, Alex shares the exact ROI formula his team uses to evaluate advisor performance. He breaks down why teams of 12 advisors often have just 2-3 people generating 90% of revenue, explains the critical 3x revenue multiplier needed for profitability, and provides a simple framework for matching advisors to the right opportunities based on their strengths. Most importantly, he shows how transparency about these numbers helps both top performers and struggling advisors improve their results. — Alex Khassa
6. Cybersecurity: From National Security to the Corporate Balance Sheet
When people talk about cybersecurity, the conversation often fractures. One camp gravitates toward the macro story: hostile states, ransomware gangs, hospitals or pipelines going dark. The other focuses on the micro: endpoint software, firewalls, identity tools. Rarely are these perspectives stitched into one narrative. Yet they belong together. Cybersecurity is simultaneously a matter of national strategy, corporate resilience and investor opportunity. And, in 2025, all three are colliding. — Christopher Gannatti
7. Inside the UHNW Paradox: The More Wealth, the Less They Talk About Passing It On
Working with ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients, while the goal of many advisors, brings unique challenges, though not necessarily of the negative variety. Obviously, those in the UNHW crowd possess significant wealth and from that, it’s reasonable to infer they’re entrepreneurial, highly educated, sophisticated in multiple pursuits beyond investing or all of the above. There’s also apprehension among advisors that some in the UHNW crowd are less receptive to advice/guidance because they’re accomplished in other fields. — Todd Shriber
8. They Already Have an Advisor? Here’s Why That’s Actually Good News
You’re at a networking event or on a call, and someone says, "I already have an advisor." It might feel like a closed door, but this could be a great opportunity with the right approach. If they already have an advisor, they’re likely serious about financial planning—which could mean they’re an ideal client for you. So, what’s the best way to handle this situation? — Jeff Thorsteinson
9. Organic Growth Is Back: What Will Separate Tomorrow’s Wealth Management Winners From the Rest
Organic growth has become the defining challenge and opportunity for firms in wealth management. Despite resilient demand, many firms struggle to scale sustainably in a market shaped by rising expectations and shifting client demographics. — Daniel Gilmartin
10. This One Thing Builds Instant Credibility
Credibility isn’t about what you say. It’s about what your clients feel when they’re with you. Most advisors think credibility comes from showcasing expertise They believe if they explain enough, prove enough, or share enough, their prospect will trust them. But that’s not how trust works. — Ari Galper
11. How (And When) to Take Crypto Investing Advice From Your Adult Children
Growing up, many of us learned about money at the kitchen table. Parents passed down the basics — save first, avoid debt, work hard, invest prudently. The dinner table was where financial values were served right alongside the mashed potatoes. Fast-forward a generation. Today’s dinner-table money talk often flows in the opposite direction. While parents once taught kids how compound interest works, now it’s adult children explaining blockchain mechanics over Sunday sauce. It’s the era of reverse financial mentorship, especially when it comes to crypto. — David Conti
