Recently the Securities and Exchange Commission announced a change in the rules covering registered investment advisors.

Since 1940, advisors have not been allowed to use testimonials in their marketing materials.

This is about to change.

Soon advisors will be allowed to have existing clients share how much they love their advisor with the world.

So, what’s wrong with that?

Well, I’m sure the testimonials will be genuine, but keep in mind, like any business, an advisor is likely to solicit testimonials only from clients that will speak favorably of them.

While the testimonial might be an accurate reflection of the average client experience, it can also be incredibly misleading.

When deciding on whether or not to hire a financial advisor, be sure to consider much more than a testimonial. Look at the depth of planning and analysis the advisor will offer. And be sure to listen to your gut. In the end, it’s all about whether or not you feel you can trust the professional.

We understand the need to trust, so we challenge every new client to tell us why they feel they need our help. It’s an important question, and often we surprise the client by suggesting we may be the right advisor for them.

That level of openness, in my opinion, is worth far more than any testimonial.

To learn more about our process, click here or call 513-563-PLAN (7526) to schedule an appointment.

Regards,
Nikki Earley, CFP®