Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” – this week’s edition kicks off with the news that the SEC has recently been cracking down on firms for recordkeeping failures related to electronic communications, including their use of text messaging with prospects and clients. Which could serve as a warning to firms to heighten their supervision of their advisors’ texting practices and whether they are being recorded properly (perhaps with the help of available archiving tools)!
Also in industry news this week:
- A recent survey suggests that advisors who best understand their prospects’ and clients’ unique needs and communicate their value and fees clearly could be best positioned to win and retain clients
- Why a dearth of advisor talent could spur additional M&A activity and ‘poaching’, and what firms can do to attract and retain team members
From there, we have several articles on retirement planning:
- A survey indicates that financial and health planning in the pre-retirement years could lead individuals to have a more enjoyable retirement
- Research suggests that individuals who want to (or have to) work after traditional retirement age will have opportunities to do so, though they might need to switch to a different field where their skills could be applicable
- A growing number of individuals are working into their 80s and beyond, with many choosing this path for the challenge and sense of purpose continuing to work can provide
We also have a number of articles on the new “Spot” Bitcoin ETFs:
- The factors investors can use to determine whether investing in a Spot Bitcoin ETF is right for them and, if so, how to choose among the available funds
- How the creation and redemption process of Spot Bitcoin ETFs differ from more traditional ETFs and what this means for the potential costs issuers and investors might pay
- Why potential regulatory scrutiny might contributing to many advisors’ reluctance to recommend Bitcoin ETFs for client portfolios
We wrap up with 3 final articles, all about real estate:
- How a recent settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and a class of homebuyers could upend how buyers and sellers pay for the services of real estate professionals
- While both home buyers and sellers could benefit from lower commissions as a result of the recent NAR settlement, some buyers might face a cash crunch at closing
- How the recent NAR settlement could impact home prices as well as the negotiation dynamics between home buyers and sellers
Enjoy the ‘light’ reading!
