Over the next 20 years, an estimated $70 trillion is expected to change hands from baby boomers to millennials in the largest wealth transfer in history. As this shift will undoubtedly reshape the investing landscape and redefine what an average investor looks like, now is the time to prepare the next generation of financial advisors for the Great Wealth Transfer.
Millennials are currently 25 to 40 years old, meaning many have just entered a phase in life where they are buying their first homes. Concurrently, they are entering a phase where they will make substantial savings, such as education, to grow their families, and of course for retirement.
The challenge facing many in this generation is that they are relative newcomers to market dynamics. Many savers and investors have been doing so on their own, without having sought experience from tenured financial advisors.
As a parent of a millennial, I recognize I have not properly prepared my own children with either basic or sophisticated goals-based investment strategies. My daughter has shared that many in her generation lack experience investing their own money and understanding what market shifts mean for their wallets.
For many that are also in my situation, I worry the next generation is not properly equipped with the knowledge or tools to manage their family's finances, should that responsibility transition to them sooner than expected.
However, ensuring the wealth transition from older to younger generations happens smoothly is not just a family issue. Many will suggest that the burden falls on financial advisors as well, as they are tasked with understanding their clients' needs and ensuring their financial stability in the long run.
But this is far from a burden; this is a considerable opportunity to manage an important transition of wealth and grow a sustainable business for a new generation of financial advisors.
With the integral role advisors have in passing the baton to young investors, it's important now more than ever that advisory firms ensure their advisors are well equipped to support the new client base. Here's how advisory firms can best prepare the next generation of financial advisors for the Great Wealth Transfer:
1. Lean on younger advisors and their experiences.
Advisors who can relate to their clients with shared common experiences are more likely to gain their trust and understanding. Therefore, as millennials slowly but surely emerge as the dominant consumer group, it is critical that advisory firms hire financial professionals who come from a similar age group.
Generational cohorts have shared experiences and understandings that are irreplaceable. That's why it is critical that we make this industry more attractive for those starting their careers and teach them the skills they need to provide advice to their peers.
Advisors who will have the most success with millennial clients are likely to be those that are younger, tech savvy, and have similar interests. Ultimately, having more diversity of thought by bringing in younger advisors will prove fruitful in the long run as they will in turn attract younger clientele.
2. Teach advisors how to listen.
Once advisory firms have hired younger advisors to reflect their increasingly younger clientele, they must properly train new advisors on the lay of the land and set them up for success.
