In this episode, Brent Beardsley, head of advisor solutions at Vanguard, explains how modern advisory firms can add value for clients and coexist with new technology.

Listen now for:

• How financial advice has evolved over the last 25 years.
• What advisors can outsource to free up time for client engagement?
• What advisor activities truly add value for investors.

You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.

Additional resources:

• Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/financial-advisor-value-proposition
• Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice
• Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter

Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

AllianceBernstein’s Global Head of ETFs, Noel Archard, joins Big Picture in Practice to discuss the evolution of ETFs, their adaptability to changing markets, and the rising demand for tailored investment solutions. From the emergence of active ETFs to the integration of alternative wrappers like interval funds and SMAs, Noel sheds light on how these tools empower financial advisors to better serve their clients.

In this episode:

• The evolution of ETFs and their role in modern investing
• Active ETFs and their alignment with transparency and cost-efficiency
• The importance of liquidity and tax efficiency in portfolio management
• How interval funds and private credit solutions complement traditional portfolios

You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.

Additional resources:

• Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcast/big-picture-in-practice/etf-interval-fund-trends
• Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice
• Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter

Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

In this episode: 

• Understand the importance of aligning growth strategies with client needs and preferences.
• Learn practical techniques to enhance client engagement while pursuing new business opportunities.
• Explore how prioritizing client satisfaction can lead to sustainable growth in the wealth management sector.

Additional resources:

• Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice
• Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter

Questions or ideas? Email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

In this episode: 

• Alternative investments offer unique diversification opportunities.
• Interval funds provide liquidity and access to private assets.
• Tokenization could reshape access to alternative markets.

Additional resources:

• Read a summary of the episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcast/big-picture-in-practice/future-of-investing-alternative-assets
• Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice
• Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter

Questions or ideas? Email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

In this episode:

• How advisors can focus on services over products to meet client needs.
• Why holistic guidance and treating the practice like a small business can help drive success.
• How staying informed on global trends and embracing continuous learning fosters long-term success.

You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.

Additional resources:

Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/financial-advisor-client-success

Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter

Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

Dimensional Fund Advisors’ Katie Hendrix and Bryce Skaff dive into the firm’s new UMA platform.

In this episode:

• Differences between unified managed accounts, separate accounts, and direct indexing.
• A look inside UMA platform technology.
• How UMAs address tax considerations.

You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.

Additional resources:

Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/tax-managed-separate-accounts

Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter

Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

Schwab’s Jason Diefenthaler breaks down the inner workings of tax-exempt investment strategies.

In this episode:

• The basics of tax-managed fixed income.
• Tax management tactics for separate accounts.
• Tips to measure client outcomes and manage expectations.

You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.

Additional resources:

Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/tax-managed-separate-accounts
Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter

Disclosures

There are risks associated with any investment approach, the Wasmer Schroeder Strategies have their own set of risks. The Wasmer Schroeder Strategies invests primarily in fixed income instruments and as such the strategies are subject to various risks including but not limited to interest rate risk, reinvestment risk, credit risk, default risk and event risk. Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The material provided is for informational purposes only and contains no investment advice or recommendations to buy or sell any specific securities. The statements contained herein are based upon the opinions of Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., dba Schwab Asset Management™, and the data available at the time of the presentation which may be subject to change depending on current market conditions. This presentation does not purport to be a complete overview of the topic stated, nor is it intended to be a complete discussion or analysis of the topic or securities discussed. All opinions and views constitute our judgments as of the date of writing and are subject to change at any time without notice. Schwab Asset Management does not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or any part of this presentation. This report should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment and may contain numerous assumptions. Different assumptions could result in materially different outcomes. Please contact Schwab Asset Management for more complete information, including the implications and appropriateness of the strategy or securities discussed herein for any particular portfolio or client.

Wasmer Schroeder Strategies are available through Schwab's Managed Account Connection® program ("Connection"). Please read Schwab's disclosure brochure for important information and disclosures relating to Connection and Schwab's Managed Account Services®.

Portfolio Management for the Wasmer Schroeder Strategies is provided by Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., dba Schwab Asset Management, a registered investment adviser and an affiliate of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Both Schwab Asset Management and Schwab are separate entities and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.

In the complex world of financial advising, one size doesn't fit all. The diversity among investors is vast, with hybrid investors, millennials, Gen X, and women each bringing unique preferences, concerns, and goals to the table. This presents a powerful yet perplexing challenge to financial advisors: how to tailor their services effectively to each group.

Listen to our in-depth conversation with Brie as she shares the distinctive needs of four primary investor cohorts and her views on the digitization and personalization of financial advisory services.

Additional resources:
Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/serving-diverse-investor-needs
Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter

Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

In this episode:

• Benefits and drawbacks of RIA consolidation.
• What investors want from financial advisors.
• How financial advisors can explain their value in a sea of sameness.

You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.

Additional resources:
Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/ria-consolidation-rollups
Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter

Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

In this episode:
• The benefits of model portfolios for advisors and investors.
• BlackRock's approach to model portfolios.
• How technology is transforming portfolio management.

You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.

Additional resources:
Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/model-portfolios-evolution
Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter

Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].