How to Select Advisors Category

By: Matthew Arndt, CFA, CPA, CFP | February 22, 2010 | Financial Advisors, How to Select Advisors

When it comes to their money investors must thoroughly investigate the adviser’s credentials; whether the adviser is held to a fiduciary standard (not just a suitability standard); and whether there are any material conflicts of interest that would exist with the investor/adviser relationship.
There are many investment credentials out there and sorting through them can [...]

By: Matthew Arndt, CFA, CPA, CFP | February 16, 2010 | How to Select Advisors, The Regulators

Many investors are confused about the term investment advice and the different types of professionals who can provide it. Most investors do not understand the differences between investment adviser representatives or brokers calling themselves financial advisers; and the standard of care they think they are receiving from each.
Fee only investment advisers are legally obligated [...]

By: Matthew Arndt, CFA, CPA, CFP | December 10, 2009 | Financial Advisors, How to Select Advisors

Is your adviser charging you both a commission and a fee? This practice of receiving compensation from two sources is not necessarily illegal but is a question of ethics and a grave one at that.
Recently this came to my attention when I sat down with a prospective client who was with an adviser at [...]

By: Matthew Arndt, CFA, CPA, CFP | November 4, 2009 | How to Select Advisors, Sales Representatives

Do you currently invest your money with a close friend or a neighbor? Has this person butchered your portfolio through the ups and downs of the market, but you’re afraid to say anything because of the close relationship you have? Is this personal connection blinding you to reality and interfering with the achievement of your [...]

By: Jack WaymirecloseAuthor: Jack Waymire Name: Jack Waymire
Email: jack@paladinregistry.com
Site: http://paladinregistry.com
About: Jack writes for the InvestorWatchdog website and Worth magazine. He worked in the financial services industry from 1976 to 2004. For twenty of those years he was the president of a Registered Investment Advisory firm and a Broker/Dealer. Jack is the author of Who's Watching Your Money? The 17 Paladin Principles for Selecting a Financial Advisor and is a co-founder of PaladinRegistry.com.See Authors Posts (87) | October 22, 2009 | Deceptive Sales Practices, How to Select Advisors

There is an easy way to protect you from unscrupulous financial advisors. All you have to do is require written documentation before you select them. Low quality advisors want you to make subjective decisions when you select financial professionals. Subjectivity plays into their hands because it maximizes the impact of their personalities, brand names, sales skills, [...]