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In the News As a broker/dealer, it’s our job to work behind the scenes for our advisors. But once in awhile, we attract attention from the media. Here’s a selection of articles, news stories, and press releases to help you learn more about us.Media Kit Complete Media Kit
Articles and Press Releases 2010Commonwealth Financial Launches Unified Account Program* Wall Street Journal 1/10 Commonwealth Financial to Match Haiti Relief Donations From B/D’s Staff and Advisors* Investment Advisor 1/10 Commonwealth’s Tere D’Amato, Expert’s Corner: Acing Financial Aid Planning* With portfolios still poorer, how to advise clients with college aid needs. Investment Advisor, 1/10 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, Estate Taxes and the Carryover Basis* Planning for income in respect of a decedent continues in light of estate tax repeal. Wealth Manager, 1/10 2009 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, Income Tax Planning with Pooled Income Funds* Another way to give, and live, well—reaping tax benefits along the way. Wealth Manager, 12/09 Commonwealth’s Tere D’Amato, Expert’s Corner: Look Before You Give* Weighing the pros and cons of charitable gift annuities. Investment Advisor, 12/09 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, Do You Put a Business in Writing Each Year?* FPA Practice Management Center Blog, 12/09 2009 Software and Technology Survey* Independent reps have been telling us for years that Commonwealth leads in technology, and the survey numbers agree. Financial Planning, 12/09 Commonwealth Financial & Advisors Give, Grow* Research, 12/09 Commonwealth: ‘Record 2009 Recruiting;’ New FA-Revenue Tops $60 Million* Commonwealth’s average revenue per new, or recruited, advisor increased 40 percent year-over-year, reaching $350,000 in gross dealer concessions (GDC). Research, 12/09 Commonwealth’s Scott Schutte, A New Game Plan* In Monopoly, players accumulate as much real estate/equity and cash as possible while forcing fellow players into financial hardship and bankruptcy. But if you look beyond these cutthroat objectives, you may find lessons you can apply to your business and your clients. Financial Planning, 11/09 Commonwealth Employees Knit for a Purpose* Boston.com, 11/09 Commonwealth’s Amy Glynn, 401(k) Plans Need You* In the past, the defined contribution plan business was generally regarded as too much work for too little pay. But times have changed. Registered Rep, 11/09 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, Leverage in Life—and Death* Sometimes paying life insurance premiums with borrowed money can pay off. Wealth Manager, 11/09 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, Expert’s Corner: Bringing Structure to Discussions* A structured discussion process can help you make better decisions. Investment Advisor, 11/09 Commonwealth’s Scott Schutte, A New Game Plan* Financial Planning, 11/09 “Commonwealth Rolls Out Retirement Consulting Program”* The broker/dealer’s retirement program gives advisors access to the retirement marketplace and lets them offer plan-sponsor and participant-level advice. Research, 10/09 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Today’s Struggles Are Tomorrow’s Strengths”* A crisis is a terrible thing to waste; advisors are encouraged to learn and improve from the economic downfall. Solutions, 10/09 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Getting the Max from a Conference”* Maximize the time spent at a conference to yield a healthy ROI when you get back to your office. FPA Practice Management Center Blog, 10/09 Commonwealth’s Amy Glynn, “Take Your Practice into a New Retirement Arena”* Advisors can implement eight steps into their practice to stay on the cutting edge of the marketplace. Boomer Market Advisor, 10/09 Commonwealth’s Scott Schutte, “Generational Transfer”* By starting slow and passing along lessons, the next generation can learn from turbulent times. Financial Planning, 10/09 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “Why Now Is a Good Time to Review Clients’ Charitable Giving Strategies, Especially Private Foundations”* Advisors should take the opportunity to look back at previously implemented charitable planning and explore new strategies for prospects. Wealth Manager, 10/09 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “Are There Still Wealth Transfer Opportunities for Clients?”* GRATs can help clients move forward, even now. Wealth Manager, 09/09 Commonwealth’s Brad McMillan, “Making 20 years of hindsight pay off”* Applying the lessons of the markets in 2000 and 2009 will help advisers avoid the same mistakes. InvestmentNews, 09/09 Commonwealth Offers Retirement Plan Consulting* Financial Advisor, 09/09 Commonwealth Advances Fiduciary Education for Advisors* Financial Planning, 09/09 Wagner Law Group Endorses Retirement Plan Consulting Program* MarketWatch, 09/09 Press Release (9/22/09): “Wagner Law Group Endorses Retirement Plan Consulting Program” Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Steps to lure clients to your practice.”* With clients anxious to switch advisors, it’s a good time for prospecting through referrals. InvestmentNews, 08/09 Commonwealth’s Tere D’Amato, “Seeing Clearly Now.”* Financial turmoil makes it a perfect time to breathe new life into estate plans. Financial Advisor, 08/09 Commonwealth’s Tere D’Amato, “Time to Talk Insurance.”* Get over your reluctance to talk to clients about their coverage. Investment Advisor, 08/09 “Commonwealth scoops up three teams managing $1.25B.”* Groups hail from B/D networks on the block. InvestmentNews, 07/09 “10 Questions for: Wayne Bloom.”* Interview with Wayne Bloom Boomer Market Advisor, 07/09 “Best Practices From Top Planners and Experts.”* Featuring Joni Youngwirth Solutions, 07/09 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “Heading for the Exit.”* An ESOP can ease the pain of departure for a business owner, while acting as a great motivator for employees. Wealth Manager, 07/09 Commonwealth’s Scott Schutte, “Lesson Plans.”* By helping your clients transfer their own financial wisdom to their children, you can create a new generation of responsible investors. Financial Planning, 07/09 Commonwealth’s Tere D’Amato, “When A Sure Thing Goes Bust.”* Stranger-owned life insurance comes home to roost. Investment Advisor, 07/09 Commonwealth’s Brad McMillan, “Is modern portfolio theory dead?”* Advisers seem to think so, but a close examination shows the idea worked well. InvestmentNews, 07/09 “Commonwealth Adds Portfolio with Alternative Asset Classes.”* Commonwealth Financial Network announced the addition of three portfolios with alternative asset classes to its lineup of in-house managed portfolios. Plan Adviser, 06/09 “San Diego Business Journal’s Best Places to Work 2009.”* Commonwealth ranked the #1 midsize company in San Diego. San Diego Business Journal, 05/09 “Boston Business Journal’s Best Places to Work 2009.”* Commonwealth ranked the #6 midsize company in Boston. Boston Business Journal, 05/09 “Computerworld 100 Best Places to Work in IT 2009.”* Commonwealth ranked the #4 best place to work for IT professionals in the small category (companies with less than 2,500 employees) and #10 in training. Computerworld, 06/09 Commonwealth’s Cynthia Jeffries, “A silver lining in client claims.”* The increase in claims has given you a golden opportunity to increase your number of contacts with clients and to take a concentrated look at their entire investment pictures. Boomer Market Advisor, 06/09 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, "At Home or Abroad?"* Choosing a trust strategy to protect client assets from creditors or lawsuits is a complex area of the law. Wealth Manager, 06/09 Commonwealth’s Brad McMillan, “How deep is the investment canyon?”* One analysis suggests the Dow could hit bottom at 4,000 and the S&P 500 at 400. InvestmentNews, 06/09 “Stepping It Up.”* Broker/dealers are enhancing the technology they offer to advisors. Financial Advisor, 06/09 Press Release (6/16/09): “Commonwealth Portfolios Aim to Minimize Volatility with New Framework” Press Release (5/27/09): “In Sea of Change, Commonwealth Remains Steady” “Making over Boys and Girls Club.”* 70 Commonwealth advisors and home office employees help out with a project at the Boys and Girls Club in Paukukalo, Hawaii. The Maui News, 05/09 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Why Set Goals?”* Setting goals, and carefully measuring your progress toward them, is more important than ever. Investment Advisor, 05/09 “Commonwealth Shares Growth Strategies.”* Research, 05/09 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “A Family Investment.”* Wealthy clients want their heirs to inherit their values, as well as their wealth. Wealth Manager, 05/09 “Advisors with Heart.”*, featuring Commonwealth advisor John Ledford. Registered Rep, 05/09 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “How to Select a Consultant.”* There are times when advisors find using a consultant helpful, but there are a wide range of consultants and services to consider. Solutions, 05/09 Press Release (4/16/09): “Commonwealth Achieves Record for New Advisor Revenue, Adds Leading Wealth Management Firms to Network” “The Long View.”* Commonwealth advisor Debra Brede looks at how markets have behaved in the past to help convince clients that things will get better—eventually. Investment Advisor, 04/09 “Simply Indispensable .”* Hands-on leadership is the style of Wayne Bloom, Commonwealth’s new CEO. Research, 04/09 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “Losing Your Concentration.”* Diversifying a portfolio may be more important than ever. Wealth Manager , 04/09 “Believe it. ”* Q&A with Commonwealth advisor, Jeff Karelis, on using annuities in retirement planning for boomer clients. Boomer Market Advisor, 04/09 “Business Challenges .”* Round table with Andrew Daniels. Transitions, 04/09 “The Commonwealth Case Study ”* Investment Advisor, 03/09 “Changing of the Guard, Sort of.”* Wayne Bloom’s accession at Commonwealth signals business as usual for the independent broker/dealer, with a twist. Investment Advisor, 03/09 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “Timing May Not Be Everything.”* It’s just as important to know which assets don’t belong in a charitable remainder trust. Wealth Manager, 03/09 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “PR for Planners.”* Strategies for gaining credibility and getting results. Practice Management Solutions, 03/09 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Building Improvement into Business Plans.”* A systematic approach allows advisors to adapt to change in a straightforward fashion. InvestmentNews, 03/09 “Tech Tools for a Tough Economy.”* Hard times demand that you make your practice smarter, faster, and more efficient. Your custodian or broker/dealer may have the software you need to do the job and at the right price—free or close to it. Financial Planning, 03/09 Commonwealth’s Scott Schutte, “The Best Defense"* With assets down and clients expecting planning services, it may be fairer to them—and to yourself— to charge based on a pricing menu. Financial Planning, 02/09 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, ”A Noteworthy Strategy.”* In our current economic climate, self-cancelling installment notes present an opportunity to shift assets to family members at low cost. Wealth Manager, 02/09 Press Release (02/10/09): “Top Advisors Analyze Current Market Climate with Harvard Business School Professors” “Got Game?”* Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth describes how a simple, four-page plan can keep you in the game, regardless of the economic and financial weather. Investment Advisor, 01/09 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “A Silver Lining.”* The proper wealth transfer vehicle can ease the road to preservation. Wealth Manager, 01/09 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “What’s Getting in the Way of Your Succession Plan?”* Advisors typically don’t have an agreement in place to transition their biggest asset: their own business. Boomer Market Advisor, 01/09 “Commonwealth Taps Bloom as New CEO”* InvestmentNews, 01/09 “At the Bell: Bloom Replaces Deitch as Commonwealth CEO”* InvestmentNews, 01/09 “Commonwealth Names New CEO”* Financial Advisor, 01/09 “Bloom Tapped as CEO at Commonwealth”* On Wall Street, 01/09 “Bloom Named CEO at Commonwealth”* PlanAdviser, 01/09 Press Release (01/23/09): “Wayne Bloom Named CEO of Commonwealth” “Biz Buzz: Commonwealth Financial Network”* The Boston Globe, 01/09 2008 Commonwealth’s Tere D’Amato, “Family Feuds.”* Prominent estate plans gone awry. Private Wealth, 12/08 “Commonwealth Leaders, Advisors Fired Up”* Research, 12/08 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “Right Time, Right Trust.”* Current market conditions make charitable lead trusts an attractive alternative for the high-net-worth client. Wealth Manager, 12/08 Commonwealth’s Scott Schutte, “Setting Yourself Apart.”* Better-heeled retiring baby boomers may already have financial advisors. To convince them to switch, offer to be their financial coordinator. Financial Planning, 12/08 Commonwealth’s Scott Schutte, “Use a Pitchbook.”* Pitchbooks should highlight your planning wisdom and your process and procedures; most important, they should address how this process has an impact on the prospective client’s financial planning issues. AdvisorMax, 12/08 Press Release (11/12/08): “Commitment to Quality, Community, and Creativity Earns Commonwealth Highest Employee Satisfaction Rating.” The Boston Globe Ranks Commonwealth Financial Network the #1 Midsize Place to Work in Massachusetts. Commonwealth’s Scott Schutte, “Linking Life’s Stages.”* Proactive financial planning is the key to forging a rust-resistant financial chain for your clients. Financial Planning, 11/08 “Tech-Savvy Indies a Draw for Some Advisers.”* Quality of rep support boosts Commonwealth. InvestmentNews, 11/08 Commonwealth’s Iliana Kline, “Should Your Entire Staff be Licensed?”* Your support staff can have significant impact on your office efficiency. Boomer Market Advisor, 10/08 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Wellness Critical for Advisers in Stressful Times.”* During rough patches, scheduled exercise and eating right are even more important. InvestmentNews, 10/08 Commonwealth’s Tere D’Amato, “Go Your Own Way.”* Estate planning for the nontraditional couple remains a challenge. Private Wealth, 10/08 “B-D Execs See Opportunity in Wall Street Ashes.”* Financial crisis improves their profile, yet they strive to service brokers. Round-table discussion with broker/dealer executives, including Commonwealth’s Wayne Bloom. InvestmentNews, 10/08 “Foreign Aid.”* Commonwealth advisor John Ledford makes an impact on the lives of small business owners worldwide with micro-lending. Investment Advisor, 10/08 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “All in the Family.”* For the right clients, a dynasty trust is a complex—but effective—estate planning tool. Wealth Manager, 10/08 “A Well-Timed Promotion.”* OK, so the timing wasn’t perfect—or was it? InvestmentNews, 10/08 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “The Effective Defective Trust.”* Intentionally defective grantor trusts can be an effective planning tool. Wealth Manager, 09/08 Commonwealth’s Brad McMillan, “Dancing to the Wrong Tune.”* Investment management is based on a theory that may not always serve investors well. InvestmentNews, 09/08 Commonwealth’s Rob Molinari, “Covering Your Assets Through a Self-Audit.”* A self-audit is a useful tool for getting to know your business. Boomer Market Advisor, 09/08 Press Release (08/20/08): “ASBPE Awards Commonwealth Business Review High Honors in Editorial, Design.” American Society of Business Publication Editors presents four Azbee Awards of Excellence to Commonwealth Financial Network’s proprietary publication, Commonwealth Business Review. Commonwealth advisor, John Ledford, “The 2008 Socially Responsible Advisor of the Year—Macro Success from Micro Strategies.”* Boomer Market Advisor, 08/08 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Career Development in a Small Office.”* If you want to hire the best and that best person is career-oriented, be prepared with an honest response about what you will provide. National Underwriter, 07/08 Commonwealth’s Scott Schutte, “Valuing your Services.”* As clients enter the decumulation stage, many advisors will face a profit pinch. Changing your pricing model is one way out. Financial Planning, 07/08 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Looking Out for Number Two.”* Make it your priority to foster the career development of your employees, and not just the youngest ones. Investment Advisor, 07/08 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Scalable Processes Fatten Profits.”* Beware of replacing sloppy manual methods with sloppy automated ones. InvestmentNews, 06/08 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “Executive Privilege.”* Clients with large caches of employer stock can stave off taxes by topping net unrealized appreciation with a charitable remainder trust. Financial Planning, 06/08 Commonwealth’s Tere D’Amato, “The Golden Goose.”* Various strategies can help the ultra-affluent manage their concentrated stock positions. Private Wealth, 06/08 “The Power of Two.”* The complementary competencies of Commonwealth Advisors Dave Root and Carrie Kuntz benefit their middle-class millionaire clients. Investment Advisor, 06/08 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Focus Like a Winner.”* If there is a skill that distinguishes those at the top of their game, it is a well-honed ability to focus. Financial Planning, 06/08 “Lookin’ Good, Broker Dealers.”* Despite the troubled economy, the picture was rosy for the top 50 broker/dealers as revenues and payouts soared to record highs. Financial Planning, 06/08 Commonwealth’s David Juliano, “Knowing the Financial Aid Misconceptions—and How to Position Assets to Enhance Aid Eligibility.”* Life Insurance Selling, 05/08 Commonwealth’s David Juliano, “Transferring a Business Using a Family Limited Partnership.”* Some advice for keeping it in the family. National Underwriter, 05/08 “To Each His Own.”* Coaching can serve many purposes, depending on your goals, so make the process uniquely your own. Financial Planning, 05/08 “Pros With Heart.”* The 28th annual Outstanding Advisor Awards honor 10 of the most able, and most philanthropic, financial advisors in the industry, including Commonwealth advisor William Lervaag. Registered Rep, 05/08 Press Release (04/15/08): “Tiburon Study Ranks Commonwealth #1 in 8 Key Technology Areas.” Tiburon Strategic Advisors finds Commonwealth Financial Network’s advisors most satisfied with their firm’s technology. Commonwealth’s Scott Schutte, “Kathleen Casey-Kirschling, Your Next Client.”* Serving as a vanguard of the nation’s most-documented generation, her progress through retirement will be on display, especially as more and more of her compatriots head into retirement. Boomer Market Advisor, 04/08 Commonwealth’s Tere D’Amato, “Family Values.”* An incentive trust may motivate heirs, but avoiding pitfalls in setting one up is crucial. Private Wealth, 04/08 Commonwealth’s Gavin Morrissey, “Up the Down Staircase.”* A qualified personal residence trust can help clients benefit from a down real estate market. Investment Advisor, 04/08 “Special Report: Practice Management.” Chairman and CEO, Joe Deitch, featured on cover of Financial Planning magazine. Financial Planning, 03/08 “Commonwealth FAs Go Back to Class.” Top advisors study with Harvard Business School professors. Research, 03/08 Commonwealth’s Brad McMillan, “Rx: Canned Goods and Ammunition.”* Real assets will help provide diversification, inflation protection and a wager on growth. InvestmentNews, 03/08 “Kicking It Up a Notch.”* Broker-dealers are introducing more tech tools to reduce time spent on tedious tasks. Financial Advisor, 03/08 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “There Is No Tenure for Advisors.”* Planners who love what they do keep doing it long after reaching “retirement age.” Investment Advisor, 03/08 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Becoming a Thriving Enterprise.”* The aim is to grow into a market-dominating firm with more than $5 million in revenue. InvestmentNews, 03/08 Press Release (02/26/08): “New Alerts Eliminate Guesswork for Advisors.” Commonwealth Financial Network releases enhancements to online alerting system. Press Release (02/12/08): “Study Results Confirm Commonwealth’s Practice Management Services Increases Advisor Revenues” Commonwealth’s Brad McMillan, “Hedge Fund Advice from an Old Sage.”* In celebration of spring training, we interpret and apply the wisdom of Yogi Berra. InvestmentNews, 02/08 “Tech Bits: Commonwealth Improves Automated Alert System.”* InvestmentNews, 02/08 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Set Tough Production Expectations for Yourself.”* It’s the time of year to think about future business. Boomer Market Advisor, 02/08 Commonwealth’s Tere D’Amato, “Seamless Transition.”* Culture shock and language barriers aside, living in another country can be fraught with property taxation and ownership issues. Private Wealth, 02/08 “Meet the Indies.”* Q&A with Joe Deitch on Commonwealth Financial Network. Registered Rep, 01/08 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Business Discipline.”* The difference between a practice and a business is more than just a word—does yours measure up? Round the Table, 01/08 Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, “Taking Adviser Firms’ Finances Seriously.”* Business owners must find a way to calculate how much their firms should spend on overhead. InvestmentNews, 01/08 “Special Report: Outlook 2008.”* Commonwealth’s Darren Tedesco on using technology in the workplace. InvestmentNews, 01/08 2007 “B/D Briefing: A Trend Confirmed?”* Advisory fees overtake commission revenue at Commonwealth. Investment Advisor, 09/07 “Payouts Up, Fees Down at Commonwealth”* Research, 05/07 “Commonwealth Sends Top FAs Back to Class.”* Top advisors gather for annual Chairman’s Retreat. Research, 04/07 “The Harvard of Broker-Dealers”* Research, 03/07 *Certain links are not associated with commonwealth.com. Commonwealth is not responsible for the content of these sites. |
 
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