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…
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…
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…
Dissatisfaction reigned in last year’s Dealers’ Report Card, but the results for the 2011 survey reveal a sector and a financial advisory force that is…
The latest phase of the economic recovery has been a lucrative one for Canada’s mutual fund dealers and their financial advisors. In fact, for an…
The three firms that saw their ratings swing significantly year-over-year cite the importance of communication and visibility of their managers
Although advisors are receiving greater pay, they say non-monetary recognition is equally important in a compensation package (includes chart)
The dealer firms that provide the best ongoing training platforms, advisors say, are those that have put a significant effort into live sessions and conferences…
Advisors need the comfort of knowing they can run their businesses as usual
Advertising campaigns and marketing support that cater to specific regions receive advisors’ praise
Advisors say they are happier with the support services offered by their firms; still, some advisors are not sure what services their firms offer, while…
Advisors are most pleased with the firms that provide technology tools to do business on the go
Client account statements, back office and technology are the areas that leave advisors wanting most
Advisors report that sales of mutual funds are up while assets in high-interest savings accounts drop
Advisors earned less because of the recession and reduced payouts, leading to dissatisfaction at certain dealers (includes chart)
Lower-producing advisors have bigger portions of their books in mutual funds, and so may be getting a hand from the markets (includes chart)
Advisors’ expectations are not being met in a number of areas as performance ratings drop (includes chart, IE:TV)
But firms rated highest in these categories provide well-placed ads and customizable marketing materials
Advisors say good support for retirement planning ranges from clear communication to solid tools
As some dealers move away from providing support to advisors, others are intensifying their services
But that satisfaction ends when it comes to the MFDA itself, which “has gotten to the point of ridiculousness,” says one advisor
Advisors with Global Maxfin and Assante rated their firms much lower in a vast number of categories
Firms are still failing to meet advisors’ expectations when it comes to back office and administrative support
Some firms are trying to restrict their advisors’ insurance business