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Tag: financial advisors

  • Wells Fargo repays clients $40 million for excessive investment advice fees

    Wells Fargo repays clients $40 million for excessive investment advice fees

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    Spencer Platt | Getty Images News | Getty Images

    Wells Fargo paid back $40 million to almost 11,000 customers who for years were overcharged on fees for investment advice, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Friday.

    The bank also agreed to pay a $35 million civil penalty to settle SEC charges. Wells Fargo neither admitted nor denied the allegations, the agency said.

    Certain Wells Fargo financial advisors — including those from legacy firms acquired during a merger — agreed to reduce some clients’ standard advisory fees at the time their accounts were opened, according to the SEC.

    However, internal systems failed to account for those reduced advisory fees in some cases, the SEC said. As a result, Wells Fargo overcharged 10,945 accounts — which were opened prior to 2014 — for many years, through the end of last December, the SEC said.

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    According to the agency, the bank’s $40 million reimbursement to affected customers includes more than $26.8 million in excessive fees plus interest.

    The bank and predecessor firms — AG Edwards and Wachovia — didn’t have written policies and procedures to prevent this overbilling, the SEC said. (AG Edwards and Wachovia merged in 2007; Wells Fargo and Wachovia then did so in 2008.)

    “For years, Wells Fargo and its predecessor firms negotiated reduced advisory fees with thousands of clients, but failed to honor them,” Gurbir Grewal, director of the SEC’s enforcement division, said in a written statement.

    Caroline Szyperski, a spokesperson for Wells Fargo, said the firm is “pleased to resolve this matter.”

    “The process that caused this issue was corrected nearly a decade ago,” Szyperski said. “And, as noted in the settlement documents, Wells Fargo Advisors conducted a thorough review of accounts and has fully reimbursed affected customers.”

    How high fees can erode savings

    Studies have shown that many investors are unaware they pay fees for financial services like investment advice or the mutual and exchange-traded funds they own.

    That’s because the financial ecosystem often charges those fees behind the scenes. Customers typically don’t write a monthly check or get money withdrawn from their bank accounts for such services; instead, firms often collect fees from the financial account, like an individual retirement account or a 401(k) plan. Fees are often assessed as a percentage of total assets in the account.

    Excessive fees can amount to large sums of money over the long-term.

    Consider this example from the SEC, in which an investor makes a $100,000 initial investment that earns 4% a year for 20 years: An investor who pays a 0.25% annual fee versus one paying 1% a year would have roughly $30,000 more after two decades — $208,000, versus $179,000.

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  • The 5 U.S. metro areas with the highest single-family rents — 3 are in California

    The 5 U.S. metro areas with the highest single-family rents — 3 are in California

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    Downtown Los Angeles.

    TheCrimsonRibbon | Getty Images

    5 U.S. metro areas with highest monthly rents

    These U.S. metropolitan real estate markets had the highest median single-family monthly rents during the second quarter of 2023:

    1. Los Angeles; Long Beach, California; Anaheim, California: $4,984
    2. San Diego; Carlsbad, California: $4,862
    3. Naples, Florida; Immokalee, Florida; Marco Island, Florida: $4,821
    4. Bridgeport, Connecticut; Stamford, Connecticut; Norwalk, Connecticut: $4,750
    5. San Jose, California; Sunnyvale, California; Santa Clara, California: $4,629

    5 U.S. metro areas with lowest monthly rents

    These U.S. metropolitan real estate markets had the cheapest median single-family monthly rents during the second quarter of 2023:

    1. Little Rock, Arkansas; North Little Rock, Arkansas; Conway, Arkansas: $1,267
    2. Montgomery, Alabama: $1,394
    3. Birmingham, Alabama; Hoover, Alabama: $1,441
    4. Louisville, Kentucky; Jefferson County, Kentucky and Indiana: $1,492
    5. Cleveland, Ohio; Elyria, Ohio: $1,506

    Beware of the ‘hidden’ costs of moving

    Some 40% of Americans are eyeing a move at some point in 2023, according to a recent survey from moving website HireAHelper, and financial pressures are among the top reasons for relocating.

    However, financial experts warn consumers about some of the unexpected expenses.

    “Probably the most overlooked hidden cost is when you are looking for the next job,” said certified financial planner Michael Hansen, co-founder and managing partner of Frontier Wealth Strategies in Walnut Creek, California.

    What you might save in dollars, you may lose in connection, collaboration and community.

    Eric Roberge

    Founder of Beyond Your Hammock

    It may be appealing to move to a cheaper state to work remotely, but telecommuting may not be possible for your next role, he said. Before moving, you should consider your new city’s job market and possible in-person job opportunities.

    “What you might save in dollars, you may lose in connection, collaboration and community,” said CFP Eric Roberge, who recently decided to move back to Boston after living in a lower-cost area.

    “Although you can’t necessarily quantify that and put it in a spreadsheet the same way you can a budget with a rent or mortgage payment, being with your people is absolutely worth something,” said Roberge, founder of financial planning firm Beyond Your Hammock.

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  • Why You Have to ‘Date’ Your Financial Advisor to Find ‘the One’ | Entrepreneur

    Why You Have to ‘Date’ Your Financial Advisor to Find ‘the One’ | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Our money is very personal. We tend to be overly private about it and rarely open up and share our financial skeletons, mistakes, what keeps us up at night, how much we make, how much we have and so on. How many people do you really open up to about your money?

    This is the challenge and opportunity. Most of us need help to understand and manage all aspects of our money, but we have one big roadblock that prevents us from getting help: a lack of trust. It’s scary to open up and let someone into your financial life, so we tend to not let others in and then suffer the consequences of not getting the professional help we need to get the outcomes we desire.

    Connecting with a financial advisor is a lot like dating. Ever been on a first date that went poorly? Most of us have! We can learn a lot from the dating process when it comes to finding the right financial advisor for us. Here are three things you should consider when looking for and hiring a financial advisor so you can become the master of your money and take action to improve your finances.

    Related: The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Financial Advisor

    Where we find our financial advisor matters

    When we are ready to commit to a serious long-term and trusting relationship, be that marriage or with a financial advisor, we tend to look to sources of credibility that instill confidence. I like to compare this to finding your life partner via eHarmony vs. Tinder. Both provide a service that people are looking for but the experience and outcomes are arguably very different.

    When looking for a financial advisor we have a similar situation. Finding a financial advisor by getting served up an ad on Facebook and then getting bombarded with cold calls doesn’t quite feel right. It doesn’t exactly give us the confidence we need to open up about our money. Would you marry an advisor you found this way?

    Instead, people should look in places where a community of advisors already exists, like the CFP Board’s LetsMakeAPlan service. Like dating, this helps us know we are looking in the right place to find that first date that we actually want to go on. But it creates another problem: How do we pick the right advisor for this first date when we have hundreds to choose from?

    How we choose our financial advisor matters

    Ever heard of the jelly conundrum? Basically, when we are given more than five or so jelly choices on the shelf at the grocery store, we shut down and don’t pick any of them. The same holds true when trying to figure out which advisor to pick. Serving up a list of hundreds of potential advisors is overwhelming, we simply won’t pick one at all. Imagine having to pick your first date from 100+ people, forget it!

    The importance of advice engagement is becoming more and more important. It is essentially how well an advisor connects with and listens to us which in turn instills trust and confidence so we will take action. Connecting with a financial professional is of the utmost importance since getting help with our money requires us to open up and take action.

    If we don’t connect with our advisor on a deep level of understanding, then chances are we won’t open up about our money, let alone take action on any recommendations they have for us, so the first step is finding and connecting with an advisor we can trust. We know from the paradox of choice that we won’t make a choice when we have too many options to pick from so we have to find a place or service that helps us narrow down the choices from hundreds to three or four.

    Our brains can handle this. The challenge here is that most “refining” processes only let us refine via things like where we live or the type of credentials an advisor might have. Both are helpful, but we don’t connect with other human beings based solely on our ZIP code.

    How to connect with a financial advisor matters

    I love this quote from former President Theodore Roosevelt: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

    When dating to find and marry your life partner your first and second dates will cover topics like your interests, your background, what you went to school for, what you like to do for fun, etc. We talk about these things since we are wired to connect with other people like us based on a variety of shared commonalities, philosophies, interests, etc. But eventually, we get to the topics of money, employment, faults, quirks, family baggage and so on. In other words, once we know we like each other, we start to dig into the less glamorous yet equally important topics.

    The same should happen when we’re looking for and trying to connect with a financial advisor. It’s important to get to know your advisor on a human level first. Do you like each other? Do you have share commonalities, etc.? Once you feel like you could work with a particular advisor you can then dig into asking more business-related questions.

    People should look for ways to connect with their financial advisor like they would with someone they might date. Do you have shared commonalities, experiences, interests and philosophies? Connecting on these levels will set the stage for trust and opening up about your money. Trust is a byproduct of what I refer to as human dimensions. Once we connect on these dimensions, then it becomes very important that the advisor we’re considering has the experience and credentials to best help us — hence the above quote from Roosevelt.

    Relationships matter. When it comes to finding the best financial advisor, consider these three tips. Getting help with your money is just as important as where and who you’re getting the help from.

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    Derek Notman

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  • Why Charles Schwab became a financial ‘supermarket’

    Why Charles Schwab became a financial ‘supermarket’

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    Charles Schwab Corp. is the largest publicly traded brokerage business in the United States with $7.5 trillion of client assets, and is a leading service provider for financial advisors, among the top exchange-traded fund asset managers and one of the biggest banks.

    “It would be fair to characterize Charles Schwab as a financial services supermarket,” Michael Wong, director of North American equity research and financial services at Morningstar, told CNBC. “Anything that you want, you can find in Charles Schwab’s platform.”

    Over the decades, Charles Schwab helped usher in a low-cost investing revolution while surviving market crashes and fierce competition — even when the game was taken up a notch to zero-fee commissions in 2019. 

    “Inherently, this is a scale business. The larger you are, the more efficient you are from an expense perspective,” Alex Fitch, portfolio manager for the Oakmark Select Fund and the Oakmark Equity and Income Fund, which invests in Charles Schwab, told CNBC. “It enables you to cut prices.”

    Various facets of Charles Schwab’s business compete against many legacy full-service brokers and investment bankers, including Fidelity, Edward Jones, Interactive Brokers, Stifel, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and UBS. And, it has to battle in the financial tech market against companies like Robinhood, Ally Financial and SoFi. 

    The melee reached a turning point in 2019 when Charles Schwab announced it was slashing commissions for stock, ETF and options trades to zero, matching the fees offered by Robinhood when it entered the market in 2014.

    Quickly, other companies followed suit and cut fees, which damaged TD Ameritrade’s business enough that Charles Schwab ended up acquiring it in a $26 billion all-stock deal less two months later.

    Charles Schwab was among the firms that benefited from the growth of retail investing during the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s now facing the consequences of Federal Reserve’s aggressive interest rate hikes. 

    That’s because of Charles Schwab’s huge banking business that generates revenue from sweep accounts, which are when the firm uses money leftover in investors’ portfolios and reinvests it in securities, like government bonds, to help turn a profit. 

    Charles Schwab told CNBC it was unable to participate in this documentary.

    Watch the video above to learn more about how Charles Schwab battled the ever-evolving financial services market – from fees to fintech – and how the reward doesn’t come without the risk. 

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  • You can still score a 2022 tax break with pretax IRA contributions — here’s how to qualify

    You can still score a 2022 tax break with pretax IRA contributions — here’s how to qualify

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    There’s still time to make a pretax individual retirement account contribution for 2022 — and possibly trim your tax bill or boost your refund — if you qualify.

    For 2022, the IRA contributions limit was $6,000, with an extra $1,000 for investors age 50 and older, and the tax deadline this year is April 18 for most Americans.

    You can make your 2022 IRA contribution through the April tax deadline in 2023, as long as you designate the deposit for tax year 2022. But you need to know the IRA deductibility rules before making a contribution, experts say.

    More from Smart Tax Planning:

    Here’s a look at more tax-planning news.

    “The deductibility rules for pretax IRA contributions can be confusing,” said certified financial planner Kevin Brady, vice president at Wealthspire Advisors in New York.

    That’s because eligibility depends on three factors: your filing status, modified adjusted gross income and workplace retirement plan participation, he said.

    How to know if you qualify for the tax break

    Eligibility is simplest for a married couple filing together when both spouses don’t participate in a workplace retirement plan, according to Julie Hall, a CFP at Vision Capital Partners in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

    “They can both deduct and it doesn’t matter what their income is,” which may be appealing to higher earners, she said.

    However, it gets more complicated if either partner has retirement plan coverage at work and participates in the plan. “Participation” may include employee contributions, company matches, profit-sharing or other employer deposits.

    Depending on your filing status and income, you may be able to deduct all, part or none of your IRA contributions.

    The 2022 income thresholds for IRA deductibility

    “It’s important to understand there are deductibility limitations,” said Malcolm Ethridge, a CFP and executive vice president of CIC Wealth in Rockville, Maryland. With a workplace plan, some or all of your contributions may not be deductible, depending on earnings.

    For 2022, single investors with a workplace retirement plan may claim a tax break for their entire IRA contribution if their modified adjusted gross income is $68,000 or less.

    Although there’s a partial deduction before reaching $78,000, the tax break disappears after meeting that threshold.

    Even if you maxed out the plan at your current company, your income could still be low enough to make a tax-deductible [IRA] contribution.

    Malcolm Ethridge

    Executive vice president of CIC Wealth

    Married couples filing together can get the full benefit with $109,000 or less in income, and they can receive a partial tax break before hitting $129,000.

    You can see the full IRS chart for 2022 on IRA deductibility here.

    “Even if you maxed out the plan at your current company, your income could still be low enough to make a tax-deductible [IRA] contribution,” Ethridge said.

    How to know if a pretax IRA contribution makes sense

    Of course, just because you qualify for a deduction doesn’t mean you should make the pretax IRA contribution, Hall said.

    Before making the deposit, investors need to weigh their investment goals, along with their current tax brackets versus expected tax bracket in retirement, she said.

    Plus, you may consider your other buckets of retirement savings — and the tax consequences upon withdrawal, such as capital gains, regular income taxes or tax-free income. 

    “Yes, you can benefit from the deduction today,” Hall said. But you may opt for further tax diversification by adding more to another type of account, she said.

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  • Don’t Need Your Life Insurance Policy Anymore? Sell It. | Entrepreneur

    Don’t Need Your Life Insurance Policy Anymore? Sell It. | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    You signed up for life insurance in an effort to provide a financial safety blanket for your loved ones after your death, but what if you don’t need it or simply can’t afford it anymore?

    Did you know that it can be turned into cash while you’re still alive to get you out of a financial crisis? You could even use it to build supplemental income for your golden years.

    That’s right. You can sell your life insurance policy just like any other private property. This transaction is called a life settlement.

    Maybe you need the cash to cover a major (and unexpected) expense or simply want to rid yourself of paying the monthly premium. Often, a life settlement is the only lifeline for many older adults struggling to cover heaps of medical bills after they fall critically ill or need long-term care in retirement.

    Those unaware of this option end up selling their cars or homes or pile up huge debts while paying for care, not knowing that their insurance policy could get them the same amount (or more) of cash than what their vehicle is worth or the total equity in their property.

    If you ever think of going down the same route, please don’t. Selling your life insurance policy to an individual or entity may be a smart move, depending on your unique circumstances. Knowing how to sell it and determining if it’s even the right move for you is critical to your financial future.

    Related: Life Insurance: What to Consider As a Business Owner

    Understanding life settlement: What is it and how does it work?

    A life settlement is when you sell your life insurance policy to a third party for a lump sum that’s less than the net death benefit but more than the cash surrender value.

    Sellers usually receive a lump sum, and afterward, the buyer assumes responsibility for the policy, paying the premiums and receiving the full death benefit when the policyholder passes away.

    As the policy owner, you can avail several advantages from a life settlement. Some of these include the following:

    • It provides an immediate source of cash that you can use for any purpose, from paying off debts to funding a business venture and covering major expenses that may have arisen unexpectedly.
    • You no longer have to keep track of the premiums that must be paid to the life insurance company.
    • You no longer have to stress over saving to pay for the premiums if you can’t afford the policy anymore and don’t want it to lapse.
    • You can use the lump sum to create a retirement fund or supplement your retirement income by purchasing an annuity.
    • You can reserve the cash to pay for long-term care needs that may arise.

    A life settlement is also an attractive option for those who have a policy with a high cash surrender value but don’t need the death benefit. For example, you may have purchased a life insurance policy to secure the financial future of your spouse or children, who are no longer dependent on you. With them becoming financially independent, the policy may no longer be needed.

    The same goes for seniors who may have purchased a policy when they were in good health, but now, with their deteriorating health, they may be struggling to afford the premiums. A life settlement can help them eliminate this burden and improve their quality of healthcare and life.

    Related: Why Life Insurance Has to Be Part of Your Wealth-Building Plan

    Eligibility requirements for a life settlement

    Generally, you must be 65 or older and your policy must have a minimum face value of $100,000 to qualify for a life settlement. This is because investors wouldn’t want to pay premiums on a policy for you if you could continue to live for decades.

    Also, many states require you to wait at least a couple of years after a life insurance policy is issued before you can sell it. In some states, the waiting period is five years.

    Are there any drawbacks to a life settlement?

    The only drawback of a life settlement is that you’ll no longer have life insurance coverage. But if your family’s financial future is secure and you don’t need the policy, there’s nothing to lose in a life settlement transaction.

    Ready to make the big decision?

    Whether you need the cash or want to free yourself of the premiums, life settlements are a big decision.

    You must carefully assess your circumstances and consider all the benefits and drawbacks of selling a life insurance policy before making the final decision. Also, make sure you fully understand the laws in your state regarding life settlements to avoid getting into trouble.

    If you think a life settlement is the best way forward for you, get in touch with a life settlement broker or financial advisor to discuss your options. It really helps to shop around before sealing the deal because some companies tend to make less than lucrative offers. A professional can help you make sure you get a fair price for your policy.

    As soon as a suitable prospect is found, you and the buyer will have to sign a contract outlining the terms of the sale. Once the contract has been signed, you’ll receive the agreed-upon amount in a lump sum from the buyer.

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    William Schantz

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  • A Financial Advisor’s Secret Weapon: Their Digital Marketing Strategy

    A Financial Advisor’s Secret Weapon: Their Digital Marketing Strategy

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    You’ve done a lot to build your brand as a financial advisor. Your business is prominently displayed on bus benches, billboards and even at local little league sports games — but now, you could be missing the bigger opportunity.

    The internet isn’t just where people will find out the name of the actor that’s on the tips of their tongues or check the weather; the internet has become the one-stop shop for everything.

    With unlimited information at our fingertips, the world has gone digital and isn’t turning back. If you’re not taking advantage of digital marketing options, chances are your marketing strategy could use an overhaul. The internet is a treasure trove of new clients just waiting to be discovered, and here’s why you should be taking advantage of it.

    Related: 7 Things to Know about Digital Marketing

    Brand compliance and digital marketing can co-exist

    Just about every business industry has taken to the internet to attract new customers. However, the financial services industry, specifically financial advisors, has been slow to hop on the bandwagon. The reason is simple. As a financial advisor, you have a fiduciary responsibility to your customers that’s heavily regulated. Both brand and regulatory compliance are important, and you’re not willing to risk compliance issues to put your brand online.

    Well, what if you didn’t have to?

    When you partner with a strong marketing vendor that can provide the digital marketing strategy and automation needed to reach your prospects, your chances of actually converting these prospects into clients skyrocket. First, it’s important to understand why a solid online presence is key for your business.

    Why you should embrace this new age of opportunity

    Even if you don’t feel like you’re embracing digital marketing opportunities, there’s a strong chance that you’re already online. These days, customers share their experiences on social media and review websites, which have become crucial to building client trust in a new audience.

    If you take advantage of the opportunity to use online tools, you have more control over your brand’s identity online and the opportunity to tap into a vast audience you may not have known even existed.

    That’s why more than half of the companies in the United States are using some form of marketing automation.

    Related: The Top 5 Perks of Marketing Automation

    Get to know your options

    There are several ways you can go about advertising online. Some of the most popular options for advertising online financial services include:

    • Social Media: Social media is a hotbed for online activity. To put the power of social media into perspective, Facebook has more than 2.9 billion active users. That means nearly a third of the global population is on it.
    • Search Engine Optimization: Google started as a brand name but has become a verb. If you don’t know something, you “Google” it. So, what happens when a customer in your area googles “Financial Advisor Near Me?” Are you on the list? Search engine optimization (SEO) can help.
    • Local Listings: Online local listing websites are free to use and have massive audiences. You can use these local listing websites to expand your clientele.
    • Paid Search: You can also take advantage of pay-per-click advertising. This allows you to show up at the top of search results and only pay a small fee when someone clicks your link.
    • Display Ad Campaigns: Banner ads on websites could expose your brand to thousands of potential customers for a minimal cost. CPM, or cost per mil (cost per thousand views), advertising campaigns allow you to put banners on popular websites for between $10 and $20 per thousand views, in most cases.
    • Online Videos: You might be amazed at the response you get from creating YouTube videos. A few short videos telling people things they may not already know about finances and the financial industry could drive customers through the door.
    • Email Marketing: Keep in touch with previous customers to ensure they come back when they need services next time.

    Marketing automation is your biggest ally

    Of course, there are several moving parts to a solid online marketing plan, but technology has also created incredibly efficient solutions for that. Marketing automation is a hot ticket and continues to rise in popularity. You can automate everything from paid search, organic and social posting to display campaigns. With the help of a solid digital marketing strategy and marketing automation, you get to focus on what you’re best at – providing financial advice to your clients.

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    Adam Chandler

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  • Zoe Financial Recognized for the Second Year as NerdWalletʼs 2023 Best-of Awards Winner for Best Online Financial Advisor

    Zoe Financial Recognized for the Second Year as NerdWalletʼs 2023 Best-of Awards Winner for Best Online Financial Advisor

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    Press Release
    –

    Jan 4, 2023


    NEW YORK, January 4, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe Financial was selected as a winner for NerdWalletʼs 2023 Best-Of Awards for the category of Best Online Financial Advisor. With this award, the New York-based company becomes a two-time winner for this recognition. Zoe is a wealth platform that connects people across the country with the top 5% of financial advisors to guide them through their retirement planning, investment management, tax strategy, and other financial planning services.

    “Winning this award two years in a row reaffirms what we have known since the beginning: As long as we focus on improving people’s lives, the output will be an amazing client experience. Our client-centricity makes Zoe the best online financial advisor,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA, CEO & Founder of Zoe Financial.

    Over 10 companies that either provide financial planning services online or connect users with a financial advisor are reviewed to select NerdWalletʼs Best Online Financial Advisor Award. NerdWallet uses comprehensive scoring formulas to assess the features of each financial product/service and weigh them according to their importance to consumers.

    During 2022, Zoe Financial provided thousands of tailored matches between clients and highly vetted financial advisors. Additionally, the company released several new features to its platform. “The purpose of each new feature is making the experience of finding, hiring, and working with a financial advisor seamless and frictionless for the client,” said Dillon Ferguson, CFP®, Zoeʼs VP of Product and Financial Planning. Today, people can find their ideal advisor matches, learn about them, schedule a free call, visualize their financial situation, link their financial accounts, calculate their net worth, and even submit hiring documentation through Zoeʼs user-friendly platform. In addition to the dashboard features, the wealth platform provides free tools (such as retirement and investment calculators) for users to get a sense of their financial situation.

    Zoeʼs team is mission-driven, with the end client as its north star. They aim to improve people’s lives and financial well-being rather than just sell them a service. Zoeʼs concierge team offers clients unbiased guidance and support while finding the right advisor for their needs. This year, they enabled new personalized communication channels, such as text, to make it convenient for people to reach out to their Zoe contact.

    “This award is not just ours. We’ve created a curated wealth management platform, and each advisor who works with us deserves this recognition too. Being the best online financial advisor is a testament to all the clients who have trusted us with something as important and life-changing as their financial advisor choice,” commented Garcia-Amaya.

    The two-time winner of NerdWalletʼs Best-Of Awards, emphasizes its commitment to helping people grow and protect their wealth. By providing them with tools to gain financial literacy, Zoe ensures each client sits on the same side of the table as their advisor. Last year, Zoe hosted 14 workshops featuring Zoe Certified advisors and published over 71 original articles. This content allows clients to interact with vetted professionals and access high-quality information that ultimately leads to better money decisions.

    “As we dive into 2023, we are more energized than ever. We are always looking for ways to improve the end-to-end wealth management experience. We aspire to continuously raise the bar for ourselves and the advisors we work with in the upcoming years,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA.

    Learn more about Zoe Financial at www.zoefin.com

    About Zoe
    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding, hiring, and working with a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will connect with Zoe-Certified Financial Advisors across the United States based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated Network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country. Contact: press@zoefin.com

    About NerdWallet
    NerdWallet is on a mission to provide clarity for all of life’s financial decisions. As a personal finance website and app, NerdWallet provides consumers with trustworthy and knowledgeable financial information so they can make smart money moves. From finding the best credit card to buying a house, NerdWallet is there to help consumers make financial decisions with confidence. Consumers have free access to our expert content and comparison shopping marketplaces, plus a data-driven app, which helps them stay on top of their finances and save time and money, giving them the freedom to do more. NerdWallet is available for consumers in the U.S., UK and Canada.

    “NerdWallet” is a trademark of NerdWallet, Inc. All rights reserved. Other names and trademarks used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    For more information on NerdWallet’s Best-Of Investing winners, visit: https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/awards-investing-2023. A complete list of NerdWallet’s 2023 Best-Of Awards winners can be found at: www.nerdwallet.com/awards 

    Source: Zoe Financial

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  • How the Federal Reserve affected 2022’s stock market

    How the Federal Reserve affected 2022’s stock market

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    The Federal Reserve, over its more than centurylong existence, has emerged as a leading force in the stock market.

    This stature was bolstered by the central bank’s adoption of two unconventional policy tools in the 2000s – large-scale asset purchases and forward guidance.

    Large-scale asset purchases refer to the Fed’s emergency buying of government debt and mortgage-backed securities. Forward guidance refers to the central bank’s public communications about the future trajectory of monetary policies. The guidance often hints at the expected path of the federal funds interest rate target in advance of a policy change.

    Central bankers in 2022 repeatedly told the public to expect tighter economic conditions as it battles inflation. Economists believe this has contributed to months of declining prices across the S&P500.

    “I think they know they gambled and lost and that they have to do something serious in order to get inflation back under control” said Jeffrey Campbell, an economics professor at Notre Dame University and former Federal Reserve economist. “I fear that they took a gamble that inflation wasn’t too real at the beginning of 2021.”

    The Fed has reacted to hotter-than-expected inflation with seven interest rate hikes in 2022. These higher rates can weigh on publicly traded companies, particularly growth stocks in tech.

    Meanwhile, the Fed’s asset portfolio has decreased more than $336 billion since April 2022.  Experts tell CNBC that the full combined effects of this economic tightening are unknown.

    That has many people on Wall Street waiting for the central bank to pivot, and bring interest rates back down. At the same time, many financial advisors are calling for caution.

    “If you have somebody that has a thumb on the scale or has a decided advantage about what’s going to happen, whether we think good things or bad things are going to happen, it’s best not to fight that policy.” said Victoria Greene, founding partner and chief investment officer at G Squared Wealth Management.

    Nonetheless, many experts believe that central bank policy is only one piece of the puzzle. Both black swan events and investor sentiment play a massive role in shaping the trajectory of markets, too. “Sure don’t fight the Fed but … don’t believe too much that the Fed is all powerful,” said John Weinberg, policy advisor emeritus in the research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

    Watch the video above to learn how the Fed shaped 2022’s stock market.

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  • Zoe Announces Partnership With Award-Winning Firm Beacon Pointe Advisors

    Zoe Announces Partnership With Award-Winning Firm Beacon Pointe Advisors

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    Press Release
    –

    Jul 5, 2022


    NEW YORK, July 5, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe, a wealth platform that accelerates wealth creation, announced its partnership with Beacon Pointe Advisors. After being qualified by Zoe’s rigorous vetting process, the registered investment advisory firm (RIA) is now a Zoe Certified Firm. Through their proprietary due diligence process, Zoe ensures to connect clients only with premier advisors who lead with comprehensive financial planning, provide fee transparency and honest services, and deliver value and peace of mind for their clients. 

    Beacon Pointe provides clients with objective and thoughtful investment and financial guidance. The firm’s mission is to improve people’s lives by finding alignment between each client’s goals, wealth, and priorities. Founded 20 years ago, Beacon Pointe is now one of the largest female-led RIAs in the country. Its corporate leadership team has a 50% female representation, and there are 15+ female-led wealth advisory teams across their 35 locations nationwide. Moreover, the firm has received several industry awards, such as Forbes’ Fastest Growing Firms, Barron’s Top 50 RIA Firms, Financial Advisor Magazine Top 50 RIAs, and Barron’s Top Women RIA Firms, among others. 

    “It is an honor to partner closely with a firm such as Beacon Pointe. This RIA embodies all the advisor characteristics that clients deserve. Not only are they experienced and experts, but they are also trustworthy, knowledgeable, unbiased and, most importantly, focused on the clients’ best interests,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA, Zoe’s Founder & CEO. “We are confident that having them as part of the Zoe Advisor Network will provide great value to hundreds of clients nationwide,” he added. 

    Beacon Pointe offers private wealth management and institutional consulting services. In both cases, their advisors focus on building strategic solutions tailored to their clients’ goal achievement, wealth accumulation, and long-term preservation. In addition, they share a holistic view of wealth management, understanding that for their clients to achieve peace of mind, they deserve more than simply knowing their risk tolerance, having an investment portfolio in place, or saving for retirement. Instead, they need clarity and alignment on their life’s money decisions. 

    For over 10 years, the firm has managed the Women’s Advisory Institute (WAI) to provide female clients and their families with peace of mind. This area of the firm offers unique and holistic wealth advice catered to the financial needs of women. They have expertise in several topics such as Divorce Financial Planning, Multi-Generational Wealth Planning, and Spousal Wealth Planning. 

    Beacon Pointe manages $24 billion in assets for over 10,000 clients across the country. Their comprehensive services include specialized solutions for multi-generational families, entrepreneurs, business owners, and individuals experiencing life transitions. They understand the complexities of life and are committed to guiding each client and making the experience as smooth as possible from a wealth management perspective. With a broad understanding of how personal passions and values drive a person’s decisions, Beacon Pointe advisors assist clients in determining what matters most to them and create financial plans that accurately reflect their priorities. Their impact investing approach aims to reflect the particular values of the client. It incorporates SRI (Socially Responsible Investing) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) factors and is custom to each client. 

    “Working with Zoe has been great for us. We share the belief that clients deserve high-quality advice and guidance to reach their goals in a way that feels right for their unique situation. Our advisors enjoy working with a business partner that understands the great impact a wealth advisor can have in someone’s life,” said Matthew B. Cooper, Partner and President at Beacon Pointe Advisors. 

    Learn more about Zoe at www.zoefin.com. 

    Find your wealth advisor: https://my.zoefin.com/onboarding. 

    Learn more about Beacon Pointe Advisors: https://beaconpointe.com/ 

    About Zoe 

    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding, hiring, and working with a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will connect with Zoe-Certified Financial Advisors across the United States based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated Network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country. 

    Contact: press@zoefin.com

    Source: Zoe Financial

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  • Zoe Announces Partnership With Virginia-Based Wealth Planning RIA, Craftwork Capital LLC

    Zoe Announces Partnership With Virginia-Based Wealth Planning RIA, Craftwork Capital LLC

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    Press Release
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    Jun 15, 2022


    NEW YORK, June 15, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe, a wealth platform connecting clients with the top five percent of wealth advisors in the U.S., announced its partnership with Craftwork Capital LLC. Zoe, recognized as one of Fast Company’s 2022 Most Innovative Companies, has a vetting process to identify and feature the top advisors nationwide. By pre-qualifying advisors admitted to its Network, Zoe ensures that prospective clients receive the advice they deserve directly from educated, trustworthy, credentialed, experienced, and knowledgeable wealth professionals. 

    Craftwork Capital, a Virginia-based registered investment advisory (RIA) firm, was founded with a mission to guide clients toward positive outcomes by offering tailored and actionable advice while delivering powerful investment performance. The firm prides itself on forming long-lasting relationships where mutual trust is foundational. They define success based on their clients’ satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. Craftwork Capital’s name derives from its view of financial management as a craft combining art and science elements. Their passion for employing their knowledge to craft financial plans to help clients confidently transition from their current situation to fulfilling their desired wealth goals inspired their name. 

    “Working with Craftwork Capital advisors is a constant reminder of how great wealth professionals accomplish impressive results when they dedicate their time and effort to getting to know their clients. Then, they carefully and thoughtfully create each strategy in a way that makes sense for the client based on their goals, risk tolerance, values, and priorities,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA, Zoe’s Founder and CEO, referring to the partnership. 

    The RIA manages $32 million in client assets and serves over 100 clients through financial planning or investment solutions. They offer world-class investment solutions and planning guidance while remaining focused on each client’s specific needs when making decisions. Craftwork provides clients a unique value proposition where they bring the personal touch of a boutique firm, paired with the powerful investing strategies associated with large ones. Each of the firm’s advisors uses their expertise and experience to help clients craft a better future. “We are aware that financial goals without a plan are just wishes. We are passionate about understanding each person’s concerns and building strategies that will enable them to achieve all those goals,” said Ross Anderson, CFP®, Founder and Principal at Craftwork Capital.

    Craftwork’s in-house Investment Committee creates and tailors investment portfolios for each client to ensure they reflect each client’s unique goals, circumstances, pain points, and aspirations. They plan for the person rather than the moment. Craftwork takes a hyper-personalized approach to wealth planning, aspiring to guide clients toward positive outcomes over the long term. Their level of customization sets clients up for success, yielding financial roadmaps that clients can achieve rather than overcomplicated plans that clients typically abandon before starting. Clients seeking financial planning, investment management, and wealth consulting services can connect with Craftwork advisors through the Zoe Platform. 

    “We enjoy working with Zoe’s team to create unique experiences for each client. Our partnership has enabled us to meet clients for whom we have the right solutions and are the perfect match. In addition, partnering with Zoe has allowed us to meet people we wouldn’t have met otherwise,” said Daniel Messeca, CFP®, Founder and Principal at Craftwork Capital. 

    Learn more about Zoe at www.zoefin.com. 

    Find your wealth advisor: https://my.zoefin.com/onboarding 

    Learn more about Craftwork Capital at https://craftworkcapitalllc.com. 

    About Zoe 
    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding, hiring, and working with a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will connect with Zoe-Certified Financial Advisors across the United States based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated Network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country. 

    Contact: press@zoefin.com 

    Source: Zoe Financial

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  • Zoe Financial Reveals How They Select Their Award-Winning Advisor Partners

    Zoe Financial Reveals How They Select Their Award-Winning Advisor Partners

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    Press Release
    –

    Jun 9, 2022


    NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe, a wealth platform that accelerates wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology, revealed the meticulous vetting process that qualifies advisors accepted onto their platform. Zoe, recognized as one of Fast Company’s 2022 Most Innovative Companies, connects clients with the top 5% of wealth advisors in the country. Today, Zoe shared the characteristics that all registered investment advisory (RIA) firms must embody. 

    “The value of finding the right financial advice is immense. Zoe aims to help clients find the highest-quality guidance to manage and grow their wealth. The way to deliver on that promise is to partner only with the top advisors nationwide, which is where our vetting process becomes crucial,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA, Zoe’s Founder and CEO. “Each of our Network Advisors works to deliver the great advice and experience their Zoe clients deserve.”

    The nationwide company has established a five-step process to guarantee the quality of the advisors with whom they connect each client. Once Zoe’s team has confirmed the education and credentials of advisors, they review advisors’ work histories to ensure that they have at least five years of relevant client-facing experience. Then, to fulfill their promise to help each client identify the best fit for their financial goals, Zoe’s experts interview the advisors. Only those who are objective, unbiased, and have reasonable fees for clients move to the next step. Next, wealth advisors are assessed on their subject-matter expertise, communication skills, financial and investment processes, and operational efficiency. Finally, the Zoe team evaluates the overall client experience offered to ensure advisors lead with and provide comprehensive wealth planning tailored to clients’ needs and goals. After completing this rigorous process, out of the total of applicants, only the top 5% of financial advisors in the United States get accepted. 

    Clients can connect with high-caliber firms through the Zoe Platform to manage their wealth, knowing that they are among the best independent practices in the country. In addition to Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA, receiving a nomination for RIA Intel’s Industry Advocate Award, Zoe is proud to partner with firms honored by prestigious industry recognitions. The company is in partnership with several RIAs nominated for this year’s RIA Intel’s Inaugural Awards, WealthManagement.com’s “Wealthies,” and InvestmentNews’ 40 Under 40 awards. To mention a few, Creative Planning, Beacon Pointe Advisors, CAPTRUST, and Falcon Wealth Planning are finalists for RIA Intel’s 2022 Firm of the Year Award.

    Zoe-Certified Advisors are personable and client-centric in every decision. They focus on helping clients grow and protect their wealth while making their journeys enjoyable. For example, Jacky L Petit-Homme, CFP®, nominated for RIA Intel’s Advisor of the Year, embodies the values Zoe seeks when interviewing candidates for their Advisor Network. Moreover, Zoe-Certified Advisors such as Breanna Stott continuously demonstrate leadership qualities within the wealth management industry. Because of this, Breanna was honored as one of this year’s InvestmentNews 40 Under 40. 

    As a result of its vetting process, Zoe partners with professionals who aspire to create a significant impact and work every day to accomplish it. Individuals who exemplify this include Kevin Disano, Chief Growth Officer at Beacon Pointe Advisors; Gabriel Shahin, Principal and founder at Falcon Wealth Planning, Inc.; and Kara Duckworth, Managing Director of Client Experience at Mercer Advisors. This year, they are all finalists for WealthManagement.com’s Rising Stars award. 

    “We are pleased to congratulate the vast number of Zoe-Certified Advisors who are finalists for various prestigious wealth management industry awards. These wins for our Partners further validate the high standards of our vetting process and the rigor with which we qualify advisors. Guaranteeing the top 5% ensures that investors who use Zoe’s cost-free services connect only with the best wealth managers,” said Garcia-Amaya, CFA. 

    Learn more about Zoe at www.zoefin.com. 

    Find your wealth advisor: https://my.zoefin.com/onboarding.

    Join the Zoe Advisor Network at www.zoefin.com/join-as-an-advisor. 

    About Zoe 

    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding and hiring a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will connect with Zoe-Certified Financial Advisors across the United States based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country. 

    Contact: press@zoefin.com

    Source: Zoe Financial

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  • Zoe Announces Partnership With Ohio-Based Firm, Defiant Financial Services, LLC

    Zoe Announces Partnership With Ohio-Based Firm, Defiant Financial Services, LLC

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    Press Release
    –

    May 12, 2022


    NEW YORK, May 12, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe, a wealth platform recently recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, announced Defiant Financial Services, LLC as one of the RIAs (Registered Investment Advisor firm) of their exclusive Advisor Network. Thanks to their rigorous vetting process, Zoe only connects clients with the top 5% of wealth advisors nationwide. 

    With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Aaron Vaughn, J.D., CFP®, APMA®, BFA®, founded Defiant Financial Services, LLC to offer clients a life-planning pathfinder, compass, and shield. Defiant educates and guides clients on the most optimal path to navigating their financial planning, estate planning, and wealth management needs with this three-pillar approach. 

    “Clients tend to have a clear definition of their financial goals, which become the north star of their financial plan. However, it can be tough to clearly see the money decisions they must make to achieve their desired wealth situation. As one of the firms qualified to be part of the Zoe Network, Defiant Financial Services, LLC has a unique way of guiding clients through their financial journey,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA®, Zoe’s Founder and CEO. 

    Defiant’s ultimate goal is to help its pathfinding partners (how they refer to clients) live with abundance and peace of mind. To do so, the firm systematically, comprehensively, and regularly approaches clients’ financial well-being. They start by uncovering and understanding each person’s expectations and goals, then using their full picture vision and expertise to design a financial plan tailored to each client’s unique needs. 

    Defiant takes a comprehensive view of investments and leverages its wealth and tax management expertise to help clients achieve their desired financial outcomes. Through the Life Planning Pathway™ process, the firm uncovers and addresses all the potential opportunities or detours related to clients’ financial lives. 

    “Growing my firm with Zoe has been a great experience! It’s motivating to know that since our partnership started, we have been able to help several clients maintain and grow their wealth. I look forward to helping more people nationwide achieve their life goals with a clear and structured wealth plan,” said Aaron Vaughn, J.D., CFP®, APMA®, BFA®, Founder and Managing Member at Defiant Financial Services, LLC. 

    Learn more about Zoe at www.zoefin.com. 

    Apply to join the Zoe Advisor Network at www.zoefin.com/join-as-an-advisor/. 

    Learn more about Defiant Financial Services, LLC at https://www.defiantservicesllc.com/.

    About Zoe 

    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding and hiring a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will connect with Zoe-Certified Financial Advisors across the United States based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated Network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country. 

    Contact: press@zoefin.com

    Source: Zoe Financial

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  • Zoe Announces 3 Years in Partnership With Metanoia Financial

    Zoe Announces 3 Years in Partnership With Metanoia Financial

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    Press Release
    –

    May 5, 2022


    NEW YORK, May 5, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe, an innovative wealth platform that connects potential clients with the top 5% of wealth advisors nationwide, announced its third year in partnership with Metanoia Financial. In April 2019, after being qualified by a meticulous vetting process, the RIA was accepted into Zoe’s exclusive advisor network. 

    Registered in 2010, Metanoia Financial seeks to help clients honor their priorities, manage their assets, and structure financial plans to bless their families for generations to come. Bobby Cremins, CFA, CFP®, CKA, founded the RIA to shift the focus from shareholders and executives at large financial institutions to clients and their well-being. Metanoia advisors are clients’ long-term financial partners, helping them sort out every aspect of their financial lives without stress or confusion. 

    Metanoia helps individuals and families with a desire to make wise and informed financial decisions at the right moment. Their team of experts has over 20 years of experience guiding people through the ups and downs of financial, retirement, and tax planning. The firm currently provides advisory services for over 106 clients for whom they manage $81 million in assets. Part of the firm’s promise is to give each client the attention they need to make money decisions that will guide them to a better financial future. Clients can connect with Metanoia advisors through the Zoe platform. 

    “Trust is the most solid foundation for a successful advisor-client relationship. Since the beginning of our partnership three years ago, Metanoia Financial advisors have proven to be a great addition to our exclusive network. They take the time to learn what their clients want and then create tailored and strategic plans to achieve those goals,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA®, Zoe’s Founder and CEO. “We know that each client who gets connected to a Metanoia advisor will be meeting an interest-aligned, trustworthy, and expert advisor,” he added. 

    The Philadelphia-based firm is committed to offering an outstanding experience, ultimately geared towards becoming the household CFO (Chief Financial Officer) for each client. Their advisors are experts in all financial matters and are devoted to enabling clients to manage their wealth successfully. Metanoia advisors thrive in helping clients create strategic and unique retirement plans that cover every scenario. Their approach includes estate planning and legacy planning to ensure each client can feel stress-free about what will come next. In this way, their guidance is crucial to helping clients keep track of all the numbers, accounts, organizations, and rules that may affect their future.

    “Zoe has been a great partner for us. We enjoy working with others who stand by what we believe in, helping people achieve their life-long dreams through educated and confident money decisions. We look forward to working together to bring financial wisdom into the lives of more individuals, families, and businesses,” said Bobby Cremins, CFA, CFP®, CKA, Founder and President at Metanoia Financial. 

    Learn more about Zoe at www.zoefin.com. 

    Apply to join the Zoe Advisor Network at www.zoefin.com/join-as-an-advisor/

    Learn more about Metanoia Financial at www.metanoiafinancial.com/

    About Zoe 
    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding and hiring a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will connect with Zoe-Certified Financial Advisors across the United States based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated Network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country. 

    Contact: press@zoefin.com 

    Source: Zoe Financial

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  • Zoe Announces Partnership With Michigan-Based RIA, Pathway Financial Planning

    Zoe Announces Partnership With Michigan-Based RIA, Pathway Financial Planning

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    Press Release
    –

    Apr 28, 2022


    NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe, an innovative platform that accelerates wealth creation by connecting potential clients with the top five percent of wealth advisors nationwide, announced Pathway Financial Planning as one of the RIAs in its exclusive Network. Recently recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, Zoe has a meticulous vetting process to accept the advisors who join their Network. Clients can connect with Pathway Financial Planning advisors through the Zoe Platform.

    In 2011, Greg Brown, CFP®, founded Pathway Financial Planning. With over three decades of investment experience, Brown’s purpose was to help people build wealth and plan for their future strategically. He sought to create a new type of financial planning that allows people to achieve their goals without the headache of complex jargon and the undeniable biases of hidden incentives.

    The Michigan-based firm works under the belief that with the proper guidance, a client can align their money with their goals and dreams to make them come true. With expertise in risk assessment, taxes and investment management, and retirement and financial planning, Pathway Financial Planning employs a three-step approach to removing the guesswork from their clients’ financial lives. First, they get to know their clients personally, develop a unique plan, and then help each client implement it and hold them accountable for the expected results. 

    “Sometimes, wealth management can seem overwhelming from a client standpoint. But great advisors find the right ways to simplify it and help their clients understand how making the right money decisions enables the achievement of their goals and dreams. That is exactly what Pathway Financial Planning does with each of its clients. We are happy to have them in our exclusive advisor network,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA®, Zoe’s Founder and CEO. 

    One of the firm’s core values is transparency, and they always act in the clients’ best interest. Pathway Financial Planning is a fee-only wealth management firm, which means they only work for the client and get paid by the client. They don’t receive third-party commissions for product selling. Their philosophy is to simplify people’s financial lives. To do so, Pathway provides clients with a whole support system for driving their financial lives. The advisor acts as a household CFO, serving as clients’ accountability partner, wealth coach, professional organizer, financial planner, investment advisor, and sounding board throughout their ongoing relationships.

    “It is an honor to work with Zoe to help more people build and protect their wealth. Our shared client-centricity makes them the right partner for us to scale our business growth to align with our values and what we stand for. We look forward to helping more people take the guesswork out of their financial lives,” said Greg Brown, CFP®, Founder at Pathway Financial Planning.

    Learn more about Zoe at www.zoefin.com. 

    Apply to join the Zoe Network at www.zoefin.com/join-as-an-advisor.

    Learn more about Pathway Financial Planning at https://www.pathwayplanning.com. 

    About Zoe

    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding and hiring a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will connect with Zoe-Certified Financial Advisors across the United States based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated Network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country.

    Contact: press@zoefin.com

    Source: Zoe Financial

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  • Zoe Announces Hiley Hunt Wealth Management as Part of the Zoe Advisor Network

    Zoe Announces Hiley Hunt Wealth Management as Part of the Zoe Advisor Network

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    Press Release
    –

    Apr 21, 2022


    NEW YORK, April 21, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe, a wealth platform that connects potential clients with the best-suited advisors to build and grow their wealth, announced its partnership with Hiley Hunt Wealth Management. 

    Hiley Hunt Wealth Management was founded by Jason Hiley, CFP®, and Andrew Hunt, CFP®, in 2012. Jason and Andrew founded the firm to help women and family stewards achieve their lifelong dreams through prudent wealth management. Their inspiring mission comes from Jason’s own life story. Growing up, Jason observed the unique financial challenges that widows, like his mom, often face. As a result, their firm works with female breadwinners and business leaders, divorcees, and widows. They are known for working collaboratively with their clients to define their values, develop their goals, and create unique plans to position them for success. The firm currently manages $165 million in Assets under Management.

    Zoe, recently recognized as one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies, accepts only the top Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) into its Advisor Network. After vetting Hiley Hunt Wealth Management, Zoe recognized the firm as one of the top 5% of RIAs nationwide. Clients can connect with Hiley Hunt advisors through the Zoe Platform, thanks to the partnership. 

    “Part of what makes the role of wealth advisors so challenging is the great responsibility their job entails. Not just because of the amount of money they manage on their clients’ behalf, but because of the impact the plans they make may have on people’s lives. Hiley Hunt Wealth Management advisors understand this, which makes them the right partner to have in our exclusive Advisor Network,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA®, Zoe’s Founder & CEO. “They recognize wealth management as the convergence point where money and values meet,” he added. 

    Hiley Hunt’s philosophy is that the true measure of wealth is not the sum of one’s financial assets, but the life experiences made possible by those assets. They leverage their expertise and many years of experience to help widows, divorcees, and family stewards make the right financial decisions to increase the value of their wealth. As a fee-only wealth management firm, Hiley Hunt prioritizes transparency throughout the wealth planning process. Under this fee structure, their advisors are compensated solely by the client instead of receiving third-party commissions for selling products. 

    “Partnering with Zoe was a strategic decision. We like working with people we trust and who are as invested as we are in helping female clients achieve what they dream and deserve,” said Jason Hiley, CFP®, Partner & Co-Founder at Hiley Hunt Wealth Management. 

    Andrew Hunt, CFP®, Partner & Co-Founder at Hiley Hunt Wealth Management, also referred to the partnership: “We want every single one of our clients to feel peace of mind. This is why our partnership with Zoe makes sense. We want to continue helping more clients nationwide build towards a better future,” he said. 

    Learn more about Zoe at www.zoefin.com. 

    Learn more about Hiley Hunt Wealth Management at https://hileyhunt.com/ 

    About Zoe 

    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding and hiring a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will be matched with Zoe-Certified Financial Advisors across the United States, based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated Network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country. 

    Contact: press@zoefin.com

    Source: Zoe Financial

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  • Zoe Announces Partnership With JNBA Financial Advisors, RIA With Over 4 Decades in The Market

    Zoe Announces Partnership With JNBA Financial Advisors, RIA With Over 4 Decades in The Market

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    Press Release
    –

    Apr 12, 2022


    NEW YORK, April 12, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe, a leading wealth platform recently recognized as one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies globally, announced their ongoing partnership with nationally ranked JNBA Financial Advisors. The Minneapolis-based firm qualified for and passed Zoe’s rigorous due diligence process as one of the country’s top five percent advisory firms, allowing clients to connect with JNBA advisors through the Zoe Platform. 

    Founded over 40 years ago with a mission to help guide people through life’s most important decisions, JNBA’s advisory team puts clients first by delivering customized financial life planning and investment strategies that help maximize their resources. The independent firm currently manages $1.4 billion in investable assets for nearly 1,000 clients and has maintained a 97% client retention rate since it began tracking in 2001. 

    The fee-only firm has received industry recognition, most recently CEO Richard S. Brown and JNBA being ranked by Barron’s as the top financial advisor in Minnesota for the second year in a row. This was in addition to being named to Barron’s Top 100 Independent Advisors in the country for the past seven consecutive years. 

    “Wealth advice should come from professionals who truly know you. Forming a deep understanding of a person’s pain points, passions, principles, and pursuits is the first and most important way to set a solid foundation for quality advice. JNBA has kept this at the core of their advice-driven by advocacy® approach for over four decades, which is why we partnered with them and are confident when connecting our clients with their advisors,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA®, Zoe’s Founder & CEO. “They strive to not only be financial advisors; they seek to be their clients’ financial advocates. This mindset translates into wealth advisors who are devoted to the clients’ best interests at all times, consistently striving to find ways to use wealth as a tool to improve overall well-being.” 

    JNBA Financial Advisors leverages a team approach, reviewing client portfolios every 10 business days and driving the planning process, including strategy development and implementation with estate, tax, and risk professionals as appropriate. To help create a customized and integrated experience, each client works with a dedicated advisory team composed of professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise. JNBA’s guidance can cover all the aspects of a person’s financial life, including estate and legacy planning, investment and risk management, retirement planning, and ESG investing. 

    “More and more, individuals and families are turning to online tools and resources to help find the right financial advisory team for their unique situation. We understand the positive impact forming a long-term relationship with a financial advisor can have on an individual and family’s life. Our partnership with Zoe supports that philosophy and has allowed us to meet clients nationwide,” said Kim Brown, President of JNBA Financial Advisors. 

    Learn more about Zoe at www.zoefin.com. 

    Learn more about JNBA Financial Advisors at https://jnba.com/.

    About Zoe 

    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding and hiring a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will be matched with Zoe-Certified Financial Advisors across the United States, based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated Network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country. 

    Contact: press@zoefin.com

    *As seen in the 2/22/10, 2/21/11, 2/20/12, 2/18/13, 2/24/14, 2/23/15, 8/24/15, 3/7/16, 8/29/16, 3/6/17, 9/18/17, 3/12/18, 9/17/18, 3/11/19, 9/16/19, 3/16/20, 9/14/20, 3/15/21, 9/20/21, & 3/14/22 issues of Barron’s magazine. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Please Note: Limitations: Neither rankings and/or recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if JNBA is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Rankings published by magazines, and others, generally base their selections exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. Rankings are generally limited to participating advisers (see link as to participation criteria/methodology, to the extent applicable). Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, JNBA did not pay a fee to be included on any such ranking. No ranking or recognition should be construed as a current or past endorsement of JNBA by any of its clients. ANY QUESTIONS: JNBA’s Chief Compliance Officer remains available to address any questions regarding rankings and/or recognitions, including the criteria used for any reflected ranking. Please see important disclosures information at www.jnba.com/disclosure

    Source: Zoe Financial

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  • Zoe Launches the 2022 Client Acquisition Best Practices Report for Wealth Advisors

    Zoe Launches the 2022 Client Acquisition Best Practices Report for Wealth Advisors

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    Press Release
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    Mar 30, 2022


    NEW YORK, March 30, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe, a leading New York-based wealth platform, launched an insightful resource for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) looking to improve their client acquisition strategies. The 2022 Client Acquisition Best Practices Report is the culmination of a rigorous cumulative research and analysis process. Zoe reviewed over 50,000 prospective client-advisor calls, thousands of emails, and hundreds of feedback forms submitted by prospective clients and Zoe Network Advisors. 

    Zoe, recently recognized as one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies globally, accelerates wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. To connect clients with the best interest-aligned advisors nationwide, Zoe has a rigorous vetting process to select the advisors who join their Network; only the top 5% of advisors are admitted. Wealth management firms that qualify have access to Zoe’s dedicated partnership benefits, such as pre-qualified prospects, one-on-one coaching sessions, practice analytics, exclusive content, sales enablement tools, tailored marketing tools, and more. 

    This week, the company launched its 2022 Best Practices for Client Acquisition Report. The report encompasses the entire client acquisition process and includes data, sales process suggestions, and templates for advisors to convert prospects into long-term clients effectively and efficiently. In addition, it creates a seamless roadmap for advisor success by including how to prepare before meeting new prospective clients; the ideal agenda an advisor should lay out in an introductory call; the best ways to set next steps and to follow up, as well as the dos and don’ts for the second meeting. “I can’t emphasize enough how awesome this report is. Absolutely pivotal for our business operations and client acquisition processes that we’re continually trying to improve,” said John A. Herbert, CFP®, CPFA®, Managing Partner at Bowline Financial and Zoe Certified Advisor. While some of the information in the report is exclusive to advisors in the Zoe Network, the company has made a public version of the document, granting access to advisors outside of the Network as well. 

    The company hosted an exclusive pre-release session for Zoe Certified Advisors, where they disclosed additional insights from the Report. “We’re aware of how important it is to have great advisors on our Platform, and while our due diligence process validates a large part of this, we also feel entailed to help them become better at what they do every day,” said Christy Matzen, CFP®, Director of Financial Planning at Zoe, after hosting the live session. 

    “Zoe is the premier growth partner for advisors. We take this role seriously, and we continuously find ways to help RIAs in the Zoe Network improve their business and scale their growth,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA®, Zoe’s Founder & CEO. “Our Best Practices Report is just one of the strategies we have developed to give advisors all the tools they need to deliver the high-quality service that clients deserve,” he added.

    Apply to the Zoe Network at https://zoefin.com/join-as-an-advisor/ 

    Find an Advisor at www.zoefin.com 

    About Zoe 

    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding and hiring a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will be matched with Zoe Certified Financial Advisors across the United States, based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated Network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country. 

    Contact: press@zoefin.com

    Source: Zoe Financial

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  • Zoe Announces Partnership With Female-Led RIA, SignatureFD

    Zoe Announces Partnership With Female-Led RIA, SignatureFD

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    Press Release
    –

    Mar 29, 2022


    NEW YORK, March 29, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoe, a leading wealth platform that connects clients with objective and interest-aligned wealth advisors, announced its partnership with an Atlanta-based, independent registered investment advisory firm (RIA). SignatureFD was qualified by Zoe’s rigorous vetting process and chosen as part of the top 5% of advisory firms nationwide. This partnership enables clients to connect with SignatureFD advisors through Zoe’s Platform, recently recognized as one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies globally. 

    SignatureFD has been established since 1997. They provide advisory services to over 1,500 client families, for whom they manage $6.9 billion in investable assets. The firm uses a comprehensive approach to help clients achieve their wealth goals. SignatureFD’s philosophy consists of understanding the difference between wealth and worth, knowing that what matters most is the achievement of better, rather than just the accumulation of money to have more. Each of their advisors believes and executes their day-to-day activities based on the importance of wealth planning personalization. In addition, they take the time to understand each client’s unique perspective and mindset to help them find the shortest path to Net Worthwhile™. 

    Ranking among Barron’s List of Top RIA firms for 2021, SignatureFD is recognized for paying particular attention to everything their clients consider important, focusing on helping them make confident money decisions. Six main values guide the firm, referred to as “The 6 Gs”—Greatness, Growth, Gratitude, Grace, Grit, and Generosity. 

    “We are honored to be one of the firms in the Zoe Advisor Network. This partnership is another way we are able to continue fulfilling our mission of helping 10,000 families achieve their Net Worthwhile™,” said Heather Robertson Fortner, MS, IACCP®, Partner & CEO at SignatureFD. 

    “Clients entrust us with a great responsibility when they choose us to find them the right advisor. When we connect them with an advisor on the SignatureFD team, we are confident that they will find high-quality guidance, focused on the unique ways their wealth can help them build their future,” said Andres Garcia-Amaya, CFA®, Zoe’s Founder & CEO. 

    Learn more about Zoe at www.zoefin.com.

    Learn more about SignatureFD at https://signaturefd.com/.

    About Zoe 

    Zoe was founded with one mission: to accelerate wealth creation through exceptional client experience and innovative technology. The company’s human experts, alongside powerful technology, remove the friction from the process of finding and hiring a financial advisor. Through Zoe’s Platform, you will be matched with Zoe-Certified Financial Advisors across the United States, based on your unique financial situation and objectives. Zoe’s thoughtfully curated Network of interest-aligned financial advisors includes only the top 5% in the country. 

    Contact: press@zoefin.com

    Source: Zoe Financial

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