Planning and Advice

Legally speaking: Avoiding liability in uncertain times (Part 2)

Part 2: Letters of engagement and your “get out of liability free” card. This three-part series, advice that reflects lessons learned during past economic downturns, is written to help advisors avoid risk during these turbulent times. Professional financial advisors and planners beware. Clients look to you for advice and rely upon what you recommend. While […]

By Harold Geller |March 31, 2009

5 min read

Fallout (and marketing) advice for advisors

The RSP season has ended and much of the rush has subsided. Looking at March and beyond, it is time to start deciding what’s next. There is no doubt the past six months have been difficult. Gyrating markets and client worry take an emotional toll. With a client base leaning on you for direction and […]

By Shawn O'Brien |March 25, 2009

4 min read

Legally speaking: Avoiding liability in uncertain times (Part 1)

Part 1: Second opinion seekers. This three-part series, advice that reflects lessons learned during past economic downturns, is written to help advisors avoid risk during these turbulent times. Jim Bullock of the Peel Institute for Applied Finance is a well-known industry expert. He says complaints and lawsuits are inevitable because every human needs three things: […]

By Harold Geller |March 24, 2009

6 min read

Out of these markets—opportunities for a ‘new’ kind of advisor

In the small city where I live, a major Canadian investment firm has opened a new office. The full-page ad in our local paper focuses on the experience of the two new “wealth advisors” at the firm and their willingness to provide a review of your portfolio. “If you are not happy with the returns […]

By Barry LaValley |March 19, 2009

5 min read