The Big Picture
AUGUST 12, 2024
I’m deep in my book writing work discussing federal debt when I see a tweet that simply epitomizes the entire genre. Full disclosure: My priors on federal debt are that I don’t know where the line of too much should be drawn, but I do know that none of the terrible things we were warned about over the past 50 years due to excess debt have come to pass.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 23, 2024
According to the federal complaint calling for a class action, the firm’s policies “maximize profits for UBS while at the same time disregarding its clients’ best interests.
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Calculated Risk
AUGUST 19, 2024
Altos reports that active single-family inventory was up 0.8% week-over-week. Inventory is now up 41.4% from the February seasonal bottom. Click on graph for larger image. This inventory graph is courtesy of Altos Research. As of August 16th, inventory was at 698 thousand (7-day average), compared to 693 thousand the prior week. This is the highest level of inventory since June 2020 ; however, inventory is still well below pre-pandemic levels.
Abnormal Returns
AUGUST 25, 2024
Top clicks this week 15 sure-fire ways to lose money in the markets. (awealthofcommonsense.com) Successful investors have a long time horizon. (awealthofcommonsense.com) Stop paying attention to stuff that doesn't matter. (behaviouralinvestment.com) What do you get when you buy a share of Berkshire Hathaway ($BRK.B)? (sherwood.news) It's not your imagination, market moves are getting faster.
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Automation generally supercharges any process and brings its value to the forefront. See how infusing automation such as ART (our month-end close solution), into your close can get you to the next level of closing. We will share a live demo of SkyStem's solution, ART and share the key elements of month-end close automation. Through ART, we'll take a look at: What month-end close automation entails Which process steps can and should be automated Benefits of achieving process automation, and Why i
Nerd's Eye View
AUGUST 28, 2024
Historically, advisors haven't had many avenues to manage clients' 401(k) plan accounts, since unlike traditional custodial investment accounts, advisors generally lack discretionary trading authority in employer-sponsored retirement plans. Which wasn't necessarily a big issue back when most clients hired advisors after they had already retired and were able to roll over their employer plans into an IRA managed by the advisor; but as advisors have increasingly taken on working-age clients (and t
Calculated Risk
AUGUST 7, 2024
From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey Mortgage applications increased 6.9 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Applications Survey for the week ending August 2, 2024. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 6.9 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
Financial Advisor Source brings together the best content for financial advisor professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 14, 2024
The agency doesn’t have the authority to fully forgive fines and interest.
Calculated Risk
AUGUST 5, 2024
From the Federal Reserve: The July 2024 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices The July 2024 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices (SLOOS) addressed changes in the standards and terms on, and demand for, bank loans to businesses and households over the past three months, which generally correspond to the second quarter of 2024.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 12, 2024
Our columnist sees the future of wealthtech in a small band of young entrepreneurs solving the “lead generation” problem.
Calculated Risk
AUGUST 6, 2024
From the NY Fed: Household Debt Increased Moderately in Q2 2024; Auto and Credit Card Delinquency Rates Remain Elevated The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Center for Microeconomic Data today issued its Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit. The report shows total household debt increased by $109 billion (0.6%) in Q2 2024, to $17.80 trillion.
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Where are top advisors focusing in 2025? AcquireUp’s 2025 Industry Index reveals it all. Based on insights from 200+ financial professionals nationwide, discover why 74% say seminars and referrals deliver the best ROI, how automation is helping advisors scale faster, and why only 8% are tapping into niche marketing (a major growth opportunity!). Whether you're refining your client acquisition strategy or scaling your practice, this report gives you the real-world data, benchmarks, and action ste
Calculated Risk
AUGUST 13, 2024
Fannie reported results for Q2 2024. Here is some information on single-family Real Estate Owned (REOs). Fannie Mae reported the number of REOs decreased to 7,179 at the end of Q2 2024, down 10% from 7,971 at the end of the previous quarter, and down 17% year-over-year from Q2 2023. For Fannie, this is down 96% from the 166,787 peak number of REOs in Q3 2010.
Calculated Risk
AUGUST 5, 2024
Altos reports that active single-family inventory was up 1.0% week-over-week. Inventory is now up 38.4% from the February seasonal bottom. Click on graph for larger image. This inventory graph is courtesy of Altos Research. As of August 2nd, inventory was at 684 thousand (7-day average), compared to 677 thousand the prior week. This is the highest level of inventory since June 2020 ; however, inventory is still far below pre-pandemic levels.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 1, 2024
The finding is part of a broader Cerulli report examining the opportunities and challenges surrounding the use of alternative investments in the retail channel.
Calculated Risk
AUGUST 2, 2024
The headline jobs number in the July employment report was below expectations, and May and June payrolls were revised down by 29,000 combined. The participation rate increased, the employment population ratio decreased, and the unemployment rate increased to 4.3%. Construction employment increased 25 thousand and is now 645 thousand above the pre-pandemic level.
Speaker: Claire Grosjean, Global Finance & Operations Executive
Finance teams are drowning in data—but is it actually helping them spend smarter? Without the right approach, excess spending, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities continue to drain profitability. While analytics offers powerful insights, financial intelligence requires more than just numbers—it takes the right blend of automation, strategy, and human expertise.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 13, 2024
The finalization of the actress’ divorce gave her control over her estate plan.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 6, 2024
Financial advisors view the market correction as a normal course of events and a good buying opportunity. “Market volatility is my best friend,” one advisor said. “This is an opportunity to show clients why they pay us a fee, to navigate difficult times with a rock steady approach.
Calculated Risk
AUGUST 6, 2024
Notes: This CoreLogic House Price Index report is for June. The recent Case-Shiller index release was for May. The CoreLogic HPI is a three-month weighted average and is not seasonally adjusted (NSA). From CoreLogic: CoreLogic: Annual US Home Price Growth Below 5% for Second Consecutive Month as June Home Prices Cool • U.S. home prices posted a 4.7% year-over-year gain in June, with only one state posting double-digit gains. • By summer 2025, prices are predicted to slow to 2.3% as home price gr
Calculated Risk
AUGUST 9, 2024
Here is another monthly update on lumber prices. SPECIAL NOTE: The CME group discontinued the Random Length Lumber Futures contract on May 16, 2023. I switched to a physically-delivered Lumber Futures contract that was started in August 2022. Unfortunately, this impacts long term price comparisons since the new contract was priced about 24% higher than the old random length contract for the period when both contracts were available.
Speaker: David Worrell, CFO, Author & Speaker
Your financial statements hold powerful insights—but are you truly paying attention? Many finance professionals focus on the income statement while overlooking key signals hidden in the balance sheet and cash flow statement. Understanding these numbers can unlock smarter decision-making, uncover risks, and drive long-term success. Join David Worrell, accomplished CFO, finance expert, and author, for an engaging, nontraditional take on reading financial statements.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 30, 2024
Advisors need to be diligent when it comes to their third-party technology and terms of service.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 16, 2024
Some athletes might see a tax bill for their Olympics triumphs.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 12, 2024
Estate planning and financial planning are two peas in a pod that are becoming inextricably tied.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 9, 2024
The rollout of the 2025-2026 FAFSA college student admissions form already has been delayed until Dec. 1.
Speaker: Erroll Amacker
Automation is transforming finance but without strong financial oversight it can introduce more risk than reward. From missed discrepancies to strained vendor relationships, accounts payable automation needs a human touch to deliver lasting value. This session is your playbook to get automation right. We’ll explore how to balance speed with control, boost decision-making through human-machine collaboration, and unlock ROI with fewer errors, stronger fraud prevention, and smoother operations.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 9, 2024
Syntax Data's Patrick Shaddow describes how direct indexing is poised to transform the investment landscape.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 9, 2024
The company will now focus on its RIA acquisition strategy in the latter part of this year.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 8, 2024
In recent earnings calls, both alternative asset managers provided updates on their respective products as they plan to enter an increasingly crowded playing field.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 8, 2024
New GenAI-driven technologies can help wealth management firms enhance their customer understanding, streamline operations and deliver more personalized and effective services.
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Like being inches from the end zone, many advisors are frustratingly close to their next level of success. You work hard. You put in the hours. But if your closing rate is stuck or your pipeline feels like a revolving door… something has to change. Most advisors are just one small shift away from dramatically increasing their revenue. The difference?
Abnormal Returns
AUGUST 11, 2024
Top clicks this week Good luck trying to figure out the stock market these days. (sherwood.news) The stock market is not economy, and vice versa. (awealthofcommonsense.com) On the differences between individual bonds and bond funds. (humbledollar.com) What to do the next time the stock market tanks. (tonyisola.com) You may be surprised by what Olympians eat.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 30, 2024
Advisory firms grew 5.7% last year, according to a new study by The Ensemble Practice. It’s a wakeup call for firms to make marketing a vital function.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 27, 2024
Once the deal closes later this year, the combined RIA will have $32 billion in assets under management.
Wealth Management
AUGUST 20, 2024
The more than $50 million investment in Bleakley will help the hybrid RIA launch an equity ownership program for its advisors and enter the M&A game.
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Based off SkyStem's popular e-Book, the book of secrets to the month-end close will be revealed in this one-hour webinar. Learn leading practices when it comes to building a strong and sustainable month-end close that has room to grow and evolve. Learn about the power of precise estimates, why reconciliations are critical to closing the books, how and when to automate, and how the chart of accounts play into your close process.
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