IE - Investment Executive

In this Special Feature

• DRC 2012: Editors discuss key findings

  Pablo Fuchs, senior editor of Investment Executive, and Clare O’Hara, reporter, discuss the results of the 2012 Dealers’ Report Card and why “firms feel just right to advisors”. They outline the key finding’s of this year’s survey. They spoke at the TSX Broadcast Centre in Toronto.

  Industry News  - May 24, 2012 at 09:45

• Advisors find the right fit

  Although dealer firms still have work to do, the majority of advisors surveyed say their firms are offering exactly the right mix of services to make them happy

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00

• 2012 Dealers’ Report Card main chart

  How advisors rated their firms

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00

• A state of stasis exists among reps

  The average advisor at the dealer firms is older, more experienced and less productive than last year. And, overall, it appears that advisors may be working a bit harder just to maintain their position within the financial services industry

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00

• Technology remains a sore spot

  Some dealers still have a lot of work to do when it comes to making their tech tools and advisor desktop accessible to advisors. Other firms, however, are starting to step up their game

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00

• Financial planning in the spotlight

  When it comes to providing support for financial planning, some firms' ratings rose because of technological improvements to their financial planning software, better education and training, as well as increased flexibility

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00

• Inaction causing dissatisfaction

  Firms that haven't restored their grid and bonus payouts to pre-recessionary levels garnered the most displeasure from their advisors. In contrast, advisors were most pleased at dealers that offer a balance among support, independence and payouts

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00

• Marketing grows in importance

  There has been a shift in the expectations advisors have about their firm's promotional tactics in this post-financial crisis environment now, firms' branding strategies are becoming more important, as is marketing support for advisors' practices

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00

• Collaboration is key to satisfaction

  When dealer firms have solid staff in place in their back office and compliance departments to provide support in an accurate, timely and helpful manner - and they do it all free of errors - this pleases advisors to no end

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00

• A source of much frustration

  Dissatisfaction with client account statements

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00

• Blending the right ingredients

  When it comes to support for wealth-management services, advisors want a comprehensive mix

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00

• Communication is a top priority

  Dealers that keep advisors in the loop and make themselves available received top ratings from reps

  Dealers’ Report Card  - May 24, 2012 at 00:00