Written by: TFVstaff • April 23, 2019• Wealth Tips

The Advisors’ Dilemma

A financial advisor is having a review meeting with one of his best clients and presents her with a performance report along with three different indexes. The client asks, “Why are you showing me the performance of so many indexes in addition to my portfolio on this report?” The advisor tries to change the subject as he thinks to himself “Because hopefully my recommendations in your account beat one of the indexes!”

Do you feel like there is a disconnect between you and your financial advisor? Does he or she communicate effectively? Do you believe that they are always acting in your best interest? Or do you need to learn how to file a financial advisor complaint? As we meet with many people looking for a second opinion, we have found that increasingly the answers to these questions are: yes, no, and not always.

It’s important to point out that most financial advisors mean well. They simply feel pressure to satisfy two parties that are often at odds with each other.: the firm they represent, which sets goals and therefore influences advisor behavior and the client, who expect their advisors to make “smart” recommendations that hopefully result in growth or income, or both, for their portfolios. So when you are discussing your financial needs with a Financial Advisor Sydney company or even one based here in Florida, depending on where your assets are, you need to feel assured that you are being heard and can compromise with what is being handed to you.

Perhaps you can relate in your industry? Your immediate boss or general company culture requires that you make “sales” to meet your production targets. Can you see where someone may try to sell you something that perhaps isn’t what you need? In the financial services industry, we see products come in and out of style regularly. In the near future we will address some of these products in more detail, but suffice it to say that if you have worked with an advisor for several years it is likely you have heard conflicting recommendations over time. For example, “annuities are terrible” one year and a few years later “you should consider an annuity!”

What can you do? Work with someone who is a fiduciary. That means that they are required to act in your best interest. You may be thinking, “Aren’t all advisors required to act in the best interest of their clients?” The answer is not necessarily. Brokers and insurance agents (who frequently call themselves financial advisor) are held to a lesser measure called the “suitability standard,”that simply requires them to sell investments they believe are suitable for their clients, not necessarily what is best for the client. A fiduciary has a legal obligation to act in the client’s best interest. Ask your advisor if he/she is a fiduciary. If the answer is yes, ask how much you are paying and why. If your advisor is not a fiduciary, ask yourself if you should get a second opinion. Always use BrokerCheck, (brokercheck.finra.org) to investigate an advisor’s past, licenses and credentials. Also, learn about the firm they are affiliated to. If they work with an insurance company or a firm that owns an insurance company, don’t be surprised if you are offered proprietary products.

Wealth Engage is located at 9155 S Dadeland Blvd Suite 1014, Miami, FL 33156. For more information, please visit WealthEngage.com. You can also reach Gus directly at 786-315-4870 or gus@wealthengage.com

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