I work with a good deal of financial advisory firms, many of which are grappling with how to attract and engage younger investors to maintain a strong continuity of client base. And while this is increasingly important, it is also worth noting that the financial advisory needs of the Baby Boomers are not going away. In fact, they are likely to grow. Relationship-oriented service businesses should not assume that all Boomers have established relationships with providers. An article in U-T San Diego quotes a 2013 study by the PNC Financial Services Group states that only 43% of Boomers surveyed have… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Financial ServicesCame across this commentary on inspiring Millennial employees in Forbes the other day and thought it was worth sharing. The theory and tips and “story behind the story” of managing across the generations that our team provides to clients around the country is important. But sometimes it’s helpful to hear it straight from the folks in the trenches figuring out how to make things work. This guy gets it – and what’s even better, he admits he didn’t always get it. Change can lead to good things. Author Ty Kiisel confirms the experiences I’ve had over the years and what… Read More
Categories: Financial Services, Generations, WorkplaceMerrill Lynch recently released a white paper Millennials and Money that surveyed some of the most affluent members of the youngest generation currently in the workforce and found them to be at odds with many of the stereotypes typically applied to this group. Michael Liersch, director of behavioral science for Merrill Lynch writes: These young people aren’t rebelling against the traditional investment approaches advocated by their parents—not only do most say they would have no objection to using their parents’ financial advisors, they are also most likely to describe their investment philosophy as “buy and hold.” They aren’t turning to… Read More
Categories: Blog, Financial ServicesJust last week we were talking about how 50% of Gen Xers are confident in their retirement savings. Today, we’re hearing that the confidence may not match up with the bank accounts. The Associated Press reported on the findings of a recent Pew study of the retirement readiness of Boomers and Gen Xers. While retirees are advised to have enough savings to replace 70% of their income, Gen Xers are on track to replace only 50%. The report seems to point to the timing of major economic events during the Gen X lifetime – where Boomers largely benefited from the… Read More
Categories: Financial Services, Generations, Recession EconomyAs the stock market indexes reach unprecedented heights, Millennial employment and wealth are still stuck at recession like levels. Despite the emerging “green shoots” in recent economic news, including declining overall unemployment, Millennial unemployment has been stuck around 11%, with a “real” rate of about 16% (including those who are not actively looking for work). This disparity, observers suggest, will only worsen the disconnect and distrust between the Millennial generation and the financial markets, as prosperity, in the Millennials’ view, seems to be available to everyone but them. Without the financial means to participate in the investment economy, they may… Read More
Categories: Financial Services, Generations, Recession EconomyThe two youngest generations, Millennials and Generation X, are the ones most concerned about their spending, saving, and investing, according to a TD Canada Trust survey. In contrast, 80% of Boomers feel they are managing their money well, even if 56% feel they don’t have enough of it. Millennials are most likely (65%) in the survey to worry that they are spending too much, compared with 56% of Xers and 44% of Boomers. Millennials are also most likely (55%) to want to learn more about finance and money management. Meanwhile, Generation X has the most competing financial concerns, including retirement… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Financial Services, Generations, Wealth, WorkMillennial investors are more conservative and less trusting than other generations of investors, according to a recent Accenture survey. 43% describe themselves as conservative and say they prefer (27%) the “tried and true” compared to 31% and 19% of Boomers, respectively. Millennials are also much more likely to consult other sources and not rely solely on the advice of a financial professional (28% vs. 7% of Boomers). 44% of Millennials say they do a lot of independent research before deciding to buy or sell. The good news for financial advisors: over 40% of Millennials say they are determined to build… Read More
Categories: Blog, Financial ServicesThe wealthier the Baby Boomer, the more likely he or she will seek financial advice, according to an analysis by Millionaire Corner. Meanwhile, middle income or “Mass Affluent” (net worth between $100K and $1M) are more likely to self direct their finances. Only a quarter high net worth Boomers (>$5M) self direct their investments even though, as a group, they consider themselves very knowledgeable about finance. Meanwhile, 40% of the Mass Affluent group calls their own financial shots even though only 7% consider themselves “very knowledgeable.” Mass affluent are also the most likely (32%) to use an advisor on an… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Financial Services, WealthNearly half of Generation X (46%) cites retirement as a top-10 reason for saving and investing but less than a third of Millennials see it the same way. So says a new survey by LIMRA that assessed the younger generations’ attitudes about saving and investing. While Xers seem to focus more on their retirement needs as they inch closer to that milestone, Millennials aren’t there yet. They cite travel and vacations ahead of retirement as motivations for saving and are more likely to save up for cars and household purchases than Xers. In addition to retirement, Xers cite home improvements… Read More
Categories: Financial Services, WorkOn average Millennials (83%) are more concerned about retirement security than other generations (75%) according to a Bank of America survey. So what are they looking for in order to get started? Some financial advice they can relate to, says the study. 78% of them want to learn more about financial products. 75% say they’re looking for a one-stop-shopping type source to get a complete picture of finance and investments. And 74% just want advice from a qualified financial advisor. Millennials are warier of the markets that older generations and they have specific communication and marketing preferences. However, this and… Read More
Categories: Financial Services, Work