Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” – this week’s edition kicks off with the news of President Biden’s executive order creating a “Whole-of-Government” policy on digital assets, which (despite its high ambitions for protecting investors, the financial system, and national security) contains few specifics other than setting high-level objectives and ordering over two dozen government agencies to collaborate on filling in the details…. Meaning that concrete regulation on cryptocurrency (and how financial advisors can incorporate it into their services) may be even farther off than hoped.
Also in industry news this week:
- The SEC examined 16% of the approximately 15,000 SEC-registered RIAs last year, but it may have trouble continuing that pace as RIA firms continue to grow in number while the agency’s examination staffing levels remain flat
- A new research study from Vanguard shows that over 90% of clients of human advisors would not consider switching to a robo-advisor (though there may be future advantages for advisors who integrate digital investment management with human advice)
From there, we have several articles on investments:
- Why TIPS funds do not necessarily go up in value during periods of high inflation, and alternate inflation hedges advisors can consider for their clients
- The tax implications of investing in cryptocurrencies, and how advisors can help ensure their clients’ gains and losses are reported correctly
- How direct indexing has transitioned from a tool of the ultra-wealthy to a strategy available to a wider range of advisors and their clients
We also have a number of articles on practice management:
- Why companies are finding new ways to show their appreciation to employees (and to customize that recognition in a way that will resonate best with each employee)
- Why advisory firms should focus on encouraging and rewarding their ‘star’ performers in proportion to the value they bring to the company (and not necessarily try to treat every employee equally)
- How moving talented employees to new areas or roles within an organization (rather than keeping them in one place) can help organizations better retain top performers as well as attract and breed new talent
We wrap up with three final articles, all about how to live a better life:
- How a ‘reverse bucket list’ can help advisors and their clients discover what is most likely to lead to a lifetime of happiness
- How advisors can help clients better relate to their ‘future selves’ in order to encourage better financial habits today
- The seven books that changed one author’s life, and their lessons on how to become a better person
Enjoy the ‘light’ reading!
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