1. Will You Buy This Hated Investment With Me?
You in? Before you say “yes,” let me tell you about an important person in my life... the guy who introduced me to the stock market… My college professor. I owe him a lot. I used to think investing was just for rich stockbrokers. He taught me differently. Problem was… my mentor was a total pessimist. You know the type… always convinced the next stock market crash was right around the corner. He owned a few stocks, but most of his money was in gold and silver. One day, he even brought in a 100-oz. silver bar in a plastic bag to show me. His arguments for buying hard assets sounded convincing. Soon enough, I threw most of the little money I had into gold and silver. And when governments printed trillions of dollars to bail out banks during the financial crisis, I felt like a genius. — Stephen McBride
2. Banking Crisis Is How It Starts, Recession Is How It Ends
An obvious consequence of a banking crisis is a tightening of lending standards. Given the “lifeblood” of the economy is credit, both consumer and business, the tightening of lending standards reduces that economic flow. Not surprisingly, when banks tighten lending standards on loans to small, medium, and large firms, liquidity constriction ultimately results in a recessionary drag. Many businesses rely on lines of credit or other facilities to bridge the gap between manufacturing a product or service and collecting revenue. — Lance Roberts
3. How RIAs Can Better Support Clients Through Bumpy Economic Times
These days, a lot of people are concerned — if not outright worried — about the state of their investments and the economy, overall. Understandably, there’s an atmosphere of stress in the United States. Financial advisors may be in a tough position, especially when there’s less-than-optimistic news to deliver. — CircleBlack
4. The Preferred Way to Access Preferred Stocks
Clients with income desires and needs may already be familiar with preferred stocks and the related exchange traded funds. Some may even note the trade-off for the high yields offered by this asset class is negative correlations to rising interest rates. — Todd Shriber
5. You’re Fired ... And That’s Good for Investors
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not rooting for people to get fired. But the fact is, a lot of these were bad—or unnecessary—hires in the first place. For example, Google let go of 31 in-house massage therapists during the last round of layoffs. An account strategist at Google recently described her typical day in a video: She gets to the office, then immediately heads to the gym for an hour with the resident personal trainer. Then she grabs a latte. Works for an hour, goes to lunch. Then she takes a nap in one of Google’s napping rooms. Wakes up, has a quick team meeting. Then finishes her day with dinner and cocktails on the clock. — Chris Wood
6. Why Some High-Income Earners Are a Hot Mess
Contrary to popular belief, more money won’t fix your financial problems! If that were true, then celebrities and professional athletes would never go bankrupt. — Christine Luken
7. A Case for Attracting Affluent Women Clients
Traditionally, financial advisors have focused on affluent men as the primary decision-makers in their households. But not anymore! There is a growing case for financial advisors focusing on affluent women. Women are becoming increasingly financially independent and are taking control of their own financial futures. Women are earning higher salaries, running businesses, and accumulating more wealth than ever before, making them a key demographic for financial advisors to target. — Bill Cates
8. Which Wealth Management Firms Fit Investors Needs Best?
The financial industry is the second largest industry in our country, second only to hospitals and medical insurance. This creates an environment where there are a multitude of financial firms for investors to choose from, which can also create confusion on where to go for support and wealth management. This does, however, allow for investors to find the firm that works best for their specific situation and individual preferences. — Catherine McBreen
9. What Are the Opportunities in Municipal Bonds?
After the worst year for bonds on record, bonds are back, providing opportunities for income and diversification at attractive valuations. However, with a potential recession on the horizon and vulnerabilities in the financial system, investors ought to be selective, gearing towards the highest quality areas of the bond market. — Meera Pandit and Margaret Byrne
10. Advisors: People Like Mary and Ed Need Your Help
A HNW couple looking for both protection and tax efficiency in their relationship “do-over” Whoever said you can’t go around twice in life hasn’t met Mary and Ed. Once young professionals embarking on their careers, the couple became invested in their jobs and drifted apart – eventually going their separate ways. Both married and Mary had a daughter – now an adult with her own family. — Steve Gresham
11. Getting the Most Out of Client Testimonials
Thanks to the recent SEC Ad Rule change, you might now be able to use client testimonials to share your value with other clients and prospects. It’s marketing without you needing to say a single word. The client does all the talking. — Laura Garfield