Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” – this week’s edition kicks off with the news that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week released its list of examination priorities for 2026, which includes a combination of focus areas from previous years (e.g., RIAs’ use of emerging technologies, data security, adviser-broker dual registrants) and topics such as the operational complexities and potential conflicts of interest surrounding RIA mergers and acquisitions activity (amidst a record pace of dealmaking) and the use of alternative investments (including advisers’ consideration of costs, risks, and conflicts of interest when it comes to alts such as private credit).
Also in industry news this week:
A CFP Board report identifies four potential scenarios for financial planning amidst developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, from a world in which advisors thrive by providing a deeper level of service to (more) clients by incorporating AI tools across their firms to one where big tech firms come to dominate the financial advice sphere, with human advisors specializing in the most complex client cases
The SEC appears to be taking a lighter touch towards enforcement of off-channel communications issues in recent months (particularly when it comes to historical compliance) but firms are likely to continue to face questions regarding their thoroughness in archiving required communications (and ensuring that all team members are aware of their responsibilities in this area)
From there, we have several articles on retirement planning:
An end-of-year checklist for financial advisors and their clients saving for retirement, from making desired contributions to workplace retirement plans to identifying tax-loss harvesting opportunities
How advisors can help their clients avoid Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) surcharges in the years ahead
As the end of the year approaches, advisors and their clients could consider their Roth conversion strategies for 2026, which could include “conversion-cost-averaging” or a “barbelling” approach
We also have a number of articles on advisor marketing:
Strategies advisors can use to boost their rankings when consumers query search engines for “financial advisors near me”
Four ways financial advisors can boost their presence in AI search results, from building FAQ pages to being cited by trusted media outlets
How financial advisors can increase their visibility and relevance in their local communities to become the go-to source of advice for their neighbors
We wrap up with three final articles, all about handling challenging situations:
The value of sorting thorny problems into those that could have a single, ‘silver bullet’ remedy and those that require a deeper level of analysis and a more complex solution
Why choosing to take on challenging tasks isn’t necessarily about appearing ‘tough’ in the eyes of others or achieving a certain accomplishment, but rather conditioning oneself for the inevitable challenges that arise over time, better focusing on the task at hand, and feeling more in control of one’s life and outcomes
Four ways to better handle uncertainty, including being honest about the problem at hand and trying ‘experiments’ that don’t require committing to a particular plan
Enjoy the ‘light’ reading!
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