For the past two decades, many in the financial services industry have marked April by observing Financial Literacy Month.
The month is dedicated to helping Americans gain knowledge and skills to manage their personal finances effectively and build generational wealth.
This April, as financial professionals discuss educational resources with their clients, it is also the perfect time for those same financial professionals to brush up on their own skills, which has the following benefits:
1. Staying informed drives business growth.
Financial literacy is a critical component of building a successful relationship between financial professionals and their clients.
For financial professionals who incorporate education as part of their check-ins, helping raise their clients' knowledge and self-assurance around managing money can result in more committed and meaningful relationships.
From advancements in technology impacting how business is conducted to the importance of staying on top of the latest regulatory and continuing education certifications, it's never been more critical for financial professionals to stay informed.
Technology is not only impacting the tools and strategies financial professionals use daily but also re-creating their relationships with their clients.
According to Finance 2025: Digital Transformation in Finance, a report by Deloitte, from the way financial advice is delivered to how investment strategies are developed and executed, technology plays a pivotal role in redefining these interactions.
Among these are touchless transactions, operational automation, real-time reporting, self-service and overall digital transformation.
With digital services, financial professionals can attract and retain customers by streamlining operations, reducing manual work and lowering costs.
With these improvements, financial professionals can spend more time understanding and helping achieve their clients' financial goals.
Along with technology, continuing education can assist financial professionals in building their practices.
For example, the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) is offering a new certification that advances skills in evaluating, explaining and implementing retirement income solutions for 401(k) plan clients.
