Page 10 - Investment Advisor January/February 2022
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EDITOR’S NOTE
By Janet Levaux
2022 — Off to a Busy Start
“By any measure, 2021 e hope you are doing well, considering the ongoing issues of the COVID-19
pandemic, as well as the latest twists and turns in the economy and mar-
was a transformational W kets. We know your clients will look to you for guidance across a range of
year in the independent matters in the year ahead, and we’re here to inform and support you in this endeavor.
This month’s cover story — written by Ginger Szala — highlights many of the
wealth space. And 2022 biggest retirement changes and challenges to expect over the next 12 months and
is shaping up to be even beyond. As Wade Pfau of the American College of Financial Services explains:
more evolutionary as “There will be growing recognition that retirees have multiple viable retirement
styles, and advisors able to provide strategies that can resonate with more than one
various macro-trends retirement style will be better positioned to serve more clients.”
Meanwhile, in her Washington Watch piece this month, Melanie Waddell notes that
continue to collide, a recent study has shown a spotlight on why private equity-backed RIAs had a 147%
accelerating change for increase in the percentage of their advisors committing misconduct and 200% increase
advisors, clients and the in the average number of misconduct incidents after the ownership change. “Our results
suggest a tension between advisory firms’ profit motive and ethical business practices,
ecosystem that supports especially when customers are financially unsophisticated,” the report authors state.
In addition, in her Playing Field column, Melanie explains how the Securities
them,” according to and Exchange Commission is set to be very active this year when it comes to levying
contributor Tim Welsh. enforcement actions related to Regulation Best Interest (and more on Form CRS). At the
same time, the Labor Department is poised to push for a fiduciary rule that tightens roll-
over and insurance product recommendations, according to several industry experts.
Meanwhile, columnist and industry consultant Angie Herbers zooms in on the
topic of organic growth in this month’s installment of “The Fast Track.” As she
explains, “Organic growth doesn’t get the kind of headlines dedicated to non-organic
growth in industry publications … . But our firm’s two decades of experience has
taught us that growth is all about a firm’s people. Financial advice is a service-based
business, and the more advisors you have, the more opportunity you have to serve
clients and spread your brand message.”
Finally, Industry Insights contributor Tim Welsh, head of Nexus Strategy, sums up the
changing dynamics in the wealth management space very nicely in his latest piece: “By
any measure, 2021 was a transformational year in the independent wealth space. And
2022 is shaping up to be even more evolutionary as various macro-trends continue to
collide, accelerating change for advisors, clients and the ecosystem that supports them.”
As we move along in this new year, the Investment Advisor team promises to bring
you the best perspectives and insights we can on what promises to be another excit-
ing 12 months in an exciting and innovative industry. Thanks for your continued
engagement and support!
GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
8 INVESTMENT ADVISOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 | ThinkAdvisor.com
