Financial Advising During a Pandemic

September 22, 2020/admin/Comments Off on Financial Advising During a Pandemic

The pandemic has been hard on nearly everyone, and it’s particularly difficult for professionals who normally meet with clients in an office setting. Fortunately, financial advisors have been able to adapt to this “new normal.”

Our goal is to be our clients’ trusted advisors. Once that relationship is established, we can work with clients by phone, email, and even via a Zoom or Facetime call if they prefer. But make no mistake — we’re still here. We understand what it’s like to go through difficult times and a big part of our job is to help you weather challenges just like the one the country is facing now.

One way we do that is by keeping you informed on topical news, from the government’s stimulus package to key factors driving the market. While our job is to build you a financial plan designed to withstand a variety of economic conditions, it’s also important to stay flexible. If you could use advice regarding appropriate financial products for your situation, feel free to contact us. We are always here for you.

Since most financial advisors have long embraced technology to help engage with clients, this has been a true advantage during this time. In fact, the head of one wealth management firm recently observed that client-satisfaction levels have increased during the pandemic because of the many ways that advisors are staying in touch with clients, including phone calls, emails, texts and social media. In many cases, the immediacy and frequency of these interactions have helped facilitate a more substantive and ongoing dialogue between advisor and client.1

As financial advisors, it’s important for us to monitor not just investment performance, but the long-term outlook of U.S. businesses. According to a recent PwC COVID-19 US CFO Pulse Survey, today’s top concerns among the nation’s finance leaders include:2

  • The financial impact on their business, including effects on operations, liquidity and capital resources
  • The potential for a global recession
  • A reduction in workforce productivity
  • A decrease in consumer confidence and reduced consumption
  • Supply chain disruptions

By tracking these trends, we can help clients stay on track toward their goals and make course corrections when necessary. Ideally, your investment portfolio is designed to meet long-term goals, so temporary economic or market fluctuations should not precipitate drastic moves. One of our biggest challenges is reassuring clients and discouraging them from making decisions about their money based on panic and fear.

While “robo” advisors have become an alternative model for offering financial recommendations, it’s times like these when you can appreciate the difference between and electronic algorithm and a real-life advisor.3

A financial advisor helps you establish a plan that incorporates a whole host of considerations, such as:

  • Focusing on your specific goals, such as asset allocation, college funding or retirement income
  • Taking a broader look at your entire financial picture, not just your investments
  • Taking into account the potential for various types of disruption, whether economic or personal
  • Helping you navigate challenges to continue moving toward financial goals despite any future challenges

Remember, our reliance on technology and digital tools is designed to help you stay connected to your accounts with 24/7 access from any device. They also enable us to stay in touch virtually in a private and safe environment.

Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications.

1 Jason Bisnoff. Forbes. May 21, 2020. “Merrill Lynch Head Predicts Bull Market For Financial Advice After Covid-19 Stock Selloff.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbisnoff/2020/05/21/merrill-lynch-head-predicts-bull-market-for-financial-advice-after-covid-19-stock-selloff/#4118bdb39f75. Accessed Aug. 19, 2020.

2 PwC. April 22, 2020. “How COVID-19 is affecting the asset and wealth management industry.” https://www.pwc.com/us/en/library/covid-19/coronavirus-asset-and-wealth-management.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2020.

3 Craig Hawley. June 4, 2020. “Don’t Go it Alone: 4 Benefits of Having a Financial Adviser.” https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/t023-c032-s014-4-benefits-of-having-a-financial-adviser.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2020.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

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