Media Coverage
Top headlines featuring Commonwealth and our thought leadership.
Building a strong culture to inspire your team. How can a firm achieve a successful workplace culture? Chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, discusses the importance of a clear mission in her latest article. InvestmentNews, 08/10/2023
Markets Continue to Climb a Wall of Worry, and That Will Likely Continue [video]. CIO Brad McMillan spoke with Jill Malandrino and explained why he remains positive when it comes to the economy, markets, and inflation. Nasdaq, 08/01/2023
Commonwealth's Price says emotional tug-of-war will keep market, economy flat [video]. Brian Price, head of investment management, joined Money Life with Chuck Jaffe to share his thoughts on the market and his expectation for economic growth. Money Life with Chuck Jaffe, 07/26/2023
The Secrets Behind Commonwealth's Award-Winning Advisor Satisfaction. In an in-depth, transparent interview with ThinkAdvisor, CEO, Wayne Bloom, shares what he considers to be our "secret sauce" and the reason we've been ranked #1 in independent advisor satisfaction by J.D. Power for 10 consecutive years. ThinkAdvisor, 07/14/2023
Considering an equity ownership structure? Here are 4 questions to consider. Are you considering an equity ownership structure at your practice? If so, it's important that the strategy aligns with the firm's growth goals. Chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, discusses the key questions to ask before mapping out a plan in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 07/12/2023
Markets And Economy Off to a Good Start for Summer. Recent market and economic performance have been surprisingly strong. So what's the bad news? Such strong growth can cause inflation to heat up, but in his latest for Forbes, CIO Brad McMillan says the data is still moving in the right direction. Forbes, 07/06/2023
Advisor satisfaction with firm hinges on time spent with clients: J.D. Power. Wayne Bloom, Commonwealth CEO, explains, “Time is our advisors' most valuable commodity. Little things like technology integration that only requires advisors to enter client data once, or integrating reporting technology with calendar and CRM software to automate reports, help advisors accomplish their required tasks better and faster.” InvestmentNews, 07/05/2023
2023 Midyear Outlook: Do Equity Markets Warrant Caution Ahead? Portfolio manager Chris Fasciano explains what investors could expect from equities in the second half of the year. Advisor Perspectives, 06/29/2023
Can the Fed Pull Off a Soft Landing? CIO Brad McMillan explains that the markets are functioning as they should, and the outlook is much better than the headlines suggest. Forbes, 06/23/2023
We're seeing tremendous labour hoarding by companies. Brad McMillan, CIO, joined BNN Bloomberg to discuss the U.S. jobs report, the economy, and his thoughts on the chance of a recession. BNN Bloomberg, 06/21/2023
How Mentoring Programs Can Empower Next-Gen Advisers—and Their Firms. “Mentoring has proved so beneficial that 71 percent of Fortune 500 companies offer mentoring programs to their employees.” David Israel, vice president, field outreach, explains how to create an effective mentoring program in his latest article. Journal of Financial Planning, 06/20/2023
Are IBD And RIA Channels Converging? In a recent interview, CEO Wayne Bloom explained, "Throughout a more than 40-year fee-based journey, Commonwealth's platform has evolved to compete on a multidimensional, competitive field that includes IBDs, RIAs, pure-play technology firms, and major custodians." Wealth Solutions Report, 06/19/2023
Commonwealth Adds $881M Firm From Securian. Christopher J. Hackley, president and managing partner of Foundations Financial Partners, explains how he plans to use Commonwealth's offerings to find an acquisition pace that would double his firm's assets and advisor number within five years. WealthManagement.com, 06/14/2023
May CPI Report: What the Experts Are Saying About Inflation. Peter Essele, head of portfolio management, explained to Kiplinger that he believes the likelihood of 3 percent inflation by year-end is within reach. Kiplinger, 06/13/2023
Retiring advisors seek greater flexibility in their succession plans. As more advisors start creating their succession plans, flexibility has become a bigger topic of conversation. Kristine McManus, chief advisor growth officer, explains the pros and cons of a retire and remain strategy in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 06/07/2023
10 IBDs with the most CFPs in 2022. According to InvestmentNews, 43.2% of our advisors have achieved the CFP® certification, a higher percentage than other independent broker/dealers. It's another testament to how hard our advisors work to do what's best for their clients, and it makes us proud that they've chosen to partner with us. InvestmentNews, 05/26/2023
How qualified expenses for 529 plans have expanded in the past decade. Do you know about the recent changes to 529 plans and how they could affect planning for future expenses? Learn more about this change from David Haughton, team lead, advanced planning, in his recent article. InvestmentNews, 05/26/2026
Commonwealth Recruits Megateam from Rival Lincoln Financial. Commonwealth lands its largest recruitment so far in 2023. Read more about the $1.2B team, Aegis Consulting Group, LLC, and how they plan to grow their practice nationally with Commonwealth's resources, technology, and support services. Barron’s, 05/23/2023
10 IBDs with the highest average payouts in 2022. We're thrilled to be recognized again for offering the highest average payout per advisor. Check out the InvestmentNews 2023 Independent Broker-Dealer Survey to see the numbers. InvestmentNews, 05/18/2023
High-Net-Worth Clients 'Are Not Monolithic' [video]. With more than 40 years of experience working with high-net-worth clients, Ryan Fleming of Commonwealth-affiliated Armstrong, Fleming and Moore, Inc., says there's one key factor to helping them. Financial Advisor IQ, 05/16/2023
Plan for the Clients You Have, Not the Clients You've Had. Are you prioritizing your clients' values as well as their balance sheets? In his latest article, David Haughton discusses the importance of individualizing the client experience. Journal of Financial Planning, 05/11/2023
Creating an equity ownership track: Look before you leap. Has your firm created an equity ownership track? Chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, explains the importance of considering your options before making the leap in her latest article. InvestmentNews, 05/10/2023
Some banks will 'fail' in the next year: Brad McMillan. [video] CIO Brad McMillan joined Fox Business's Mornings with Maria to discuss the rebound of regional bank stocks and more. FOX Business, 05/08/2023
Will It Be a Rocky May for Markets? Is the economy growing? Is a recession still on the horizon? And what's next for markets? CIO Brad McMillan addresses these questions in his recent article. Forbes, 05/04/2023
Build (Customized) Flexible Estate Planning Strategies In a Constantly Changing Political Landscape. In a constantly changing political landscape, advanced planning consultant, David Haughton, shares estate planning techniques and solutions with a focus on flexibility in a guest contributor article on Michael Kitces' blog. Kitces.com, 05/04/2023
How advisors can better understand their scale and capacity. Learn how financial advisors can free up capacity and achieve strategic growth from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, in her latest InvestmentNews article. InvestmentNews, 04/19/2023
Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Establishing Judicial Nominating Commission and Appoints Commissioners. Peggy Ho, general counsel and chief risk officer, was appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission by Massachusetts' Governor, Maura Healey. EIN Presswire, 04/12/2023
Seven Ways New Advisers Can Fine-Tune Their Skills to Position Themselves for Success. New financial advisors can achieve growth and success by refining their professional skills. Learn how from Kristen Terpstra, manager, advisor HR consulting, in a recent article. Journal of Financial Planning, 04/11/2023
IBDs Invest In Reps' Succession. Ranking highest in average gross revenue per advisor is a testament to the advisors we support. They push us to improve, so they can better serve clients and run their businesses on their terms. See the full ranking in Financial Advisor. Financial Advisor, 04/01/2023
Bond markets are pricing in an upcoming recession, says Commonwealth Financial Network's McMillan. [video] Is a recession inevitable? Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan thinks so. Learn why in this quick clip of his interview with CNBC. CNBC, 03/24/2023
Market Focus Moves From the Fed to Financial Crisis. With the banking crisis continuing, markets are worried less about the Fed and more about another financial crisis. Is this a solvable problem? Brad McMillan assesses the risk in his latest article. Financial Advisor, 03/23/2023
M&A Is Slowing. Advisors Need to Plan for Succession Well in Advance. In a Barron's featured story, our practice management expert, Kenton Shirk, explains that the winds in the M&A space are changing and shares how important it is for succession-minded financial advisors to chart a course toward their eventual exit. Barron's, 03/22/2023
Bank Failures, the Fed, and a Financial Crisis Rerun? As the fallout from the bank failures continues, how will the Fed react? And could we see a rerun of the Great Financial Crisis? Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan sheds light on these questions in his latest for Forbes. Forbes, 03/17/2023
Beyond Zip Codes: How a Virtual Mindset Creates Prospecting Opportunities. Learn how a shift in mindset creates room for growth from Kristine McManus, chief advisor growth officer, in her recent article. Wealth Solutions Report, 03/17/2023
How advisors can achieve growth in difficult markets. What's the best path for achieving growth in challenging markets? Learn more from Kristine McManus, chief advisor growth officer, in her latest article. InvestmentNews, 03/17/2023
Will the Bear Market Come Roaring Back? With so much uncertainty in the air, what (really) matters for the economy and markets? CIO Brad McMillan says it comes down to four key signals. Read his insights. Financial Advisor, 02/28/2023
Commonwealth's Hajjar On Keys to Recruiting Success. In an interview with Wealth Solutions Report on keys to recruiting success, Becca Hajjar, chief business development officer, said, "As a leading independent RIA with broker-dealer and insurance capabilities, Commonwealth is well-positioned to provide greater choice and flexibility for its advisors." Wealth Solutions Report, 02/23/2023
Commonwealth Sets Recruiting Record in 2022. As covered by ThinkAdvisor, Commonwealth experienced its strongest recruiting year in its 43-year history—with new assets nearly doubling from 2021—and welcomed advisors from across the wealth management spectrum. ThinkAdvisor, 02/16/2023
Commonwealth Transforming Into Large National RIA With B-D Platform. In a recent interview about Commonwealth's record recruiting year in 2022, Becca Hajjar, chief business development officer, explained, "The thing that differentiates Commonwealth is that we will help advisors evolve as they grow and change their methods of affiliation if they want." Financial Advisor, 02/16/2023
Consumers are 'going to keep feeling good' through boosted retail, experiential spending: Strategist. CIO Brad McMillan joined Yahoo Finance! Live to discuss consumer confidence and the Fed's interest rate hike outlook. Yahoo! Finance, 02/15/2023
Inflation Report: Don't Believe the Hype. What’s all the hype around the January inflation report? In his latest for Forbes, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan takes a closer look. Forbes, 02/14/2023
Commonwealth exploring how best to help family-run firms. With a growing number of family-run firms affiliated with Commonwealth and many interested in support for such teams, our practice management offering is expanding to help advisors navigate family dynamics in their practices. Financial Planning, 02/14/2023
What do firms need to keep growing? A move beyond client referrals. If you're looking for ways to continue growing your firm, are referrals enough? Learn more from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 02/09/2023
Could a Recession Be a Positive for the Markets? No one wants a recession, but could it be a positive for the markets? In his latest for Forbes, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan puts the recession risk into perspective. Forbes, 02/02/2023
Commonwealth Launches Certificate Program to Help Advisors Land HNW Clients. In an interview with Financial Advisor IQ on our newly launched CPWA® program, Kenton Shirk, VP, practice management, shares, "Our intent was to provide an educational program to help our most seasoned advisors be even more competitive in the high-net-worth space." Financial Advisor IQ, 02/02/2023
Recession And Debt Ceiling Fears Loom Large for Investors. Could a recession and debt ceiling confrontation lead to a systemic collapse? In his latest for Forbes, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan puts current worries into context. Forbes, 01/20/2023
The U.S. Hits the Debt Ceiling (Again): Now What? With the U.S. hitting the debt ceiling (again), do investors have cause for concern? In a recent article, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan discusses the risks and where we go from here. Financial Advisor, 01/19/2023
Commonwealth Recruits Advisors With $1 Billion From Edward Jones. Breakaway $1 billion firm Cedarwood Financial Partners goes independent with Commonwealth to gain freedom, flexibility, and top-notch support as they look to broaden their capabilities, optimize client experience, and grow their footprint. Barron’s, 01/17/2023
Kol Chu Birke on Choosing Technology that Works for You. It can be challenging to figure out which tech solutions meet your business needs. Kol Chu Birke, managing principal for community and technology engagement, discusses tools that improve efficiency and build client trust. WealthManagement.com, 01/17/2023
How advisors can take control of their success in 2023. Learn how to attract and retain next-gen talent for your firm from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 01/11/2023
Is the Debt Ceiling a Real Risk for The Markets? What would a debt ceiling crisis mean for the economy and markets? In his latest for Forbes, CIO Brad McMillan assesses the risk. Forbes, 01/10/2023
Fed: Easing inflation 'a question of when, not if,' strategist says. [video] CIO Brad McMillan joined Yahoo! Finance to share his thoughts on the markets, future rate hikes, and what bank earnings can tell investors about the economy. Yahoo! Finance, 01/09/2023
December Jobs Report Beats Expectations: What the Experts Are Saying. Commonwealth's head of portfolio management, Peter Essele, spoke with Kiplinger about the December jobs report and what it could mean for the markets in 2023. Kiplinger, 01/06/2023
Commonwealth Nabs FA Team from Cambridge. Strategic Planning Group, Inc., joins Commonwealth's network of financial advisors, looking to Commonwealth’s sophisticated technology solutions and investment management expertise to bolster its customized approach to optimize client outcomes. Financial Advisor IQ, 12/28/2022
Commonwealth: Next Gen Advisors Idealistic, Social And Savvy. What next-gen advisor trends are driving change in our industry? Kristine McManus, chief advisor growth officer and lead of Commonwealth’s NextGen Business Development Group coaching program, sheds light on this topic in a recent Q&A. Wealth Solutions Report, 12/26/2022
Is the Market Pullback an Opportunity for Investors? In his latest for Forbes, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan says while current market volatility is worrisome, it's also both normal and necessary. Forbes, 12/16/2022
Investors remain 'defensive, but hopeful' as Q4 wraps up: Brad McMillan. On the heels of a weaker-than-expected November retail sales report and a Fed rate hike, CIO Brad McMillan joined FOX Business's Mornings with Maria and shared his reaction and outlook for 2023. FOX Business, 12/16/2022
Commonwealth Finds Its Stride With Fee-Only Advisors. Alex Hansen, SVP, RIA compliance, and Brian Lampron, VP, RIA services, spoke about the growth of Commonwealth's fee-only and RIA business. Financial Advisor Magazine, 12/13/2022
Trap Kloman on the Value of Community. [video] Want a recipe for success in multigenerational organizations? Watch COO Trap Kloman's interview to learn how inviting veteran staffers to give back to junior teammates builds community. WealthManagement.com, 12/12/2022
Commonwealth Leadership on Accelerating Growth. [video] Commonwealth experts share how advisors can increase business growth. Learn tips from our leadership panel for evaluating your client value proposition, defining your mission, and more. WealthManagement.com, 12/12/2022
Nancy DiBattista on Making Transitions Successful. [video] Financial advisor transitions have changed over the years as businesses have expanded. In this interview, Nancy DiBattista, senior vice president of transition, explains how and details the steps for making a move. WealthManagement.com, 12/12/2022
Kristine McManus on Having a Next-Gen Focus. [video] Practices must plan for the aging of both advisors and their clients. Kristine McManus, vice president of business solutions and practice management, presents the benefits of a next-generation view. WealthManagement.com, 12/11/2022
Matt Chisholm on How Outsourcing Can Work for You. [video] Outsourcing offers many benefits, including helping advisors maximize efficiency. Matt Chisholm, senior vice president for RIA services and practice management, describes three perks of using this approach. WealthManagement.com, 12/11/2022
Karen McColl on the Changing Roles of Financial Advisors. [video] How can financial advisors become holistic coaches? Karen McColl, senior vice president of wealth management, discusses how an expanded tool set can serve clients. Watch her interview. WealthManagement.com, 12/10/2022
Kenton Shirk on Building Enduring Advisory Businesses. [video] Today, many practices adopt enterprise models to drive value and growth. Vice president of practice management, Kenton Shirk, describes five critical factors in making this approach work. Watch his interview. WealthManagement.com, 12/10/2022
Justin Duft on a Consultative Approach to Client Service. [video] For advisors looking to deepen client relationships, Justin Duft, vice president of advanced planning, suggests a holistic approach. Watch as he offers strategies for increasing client retention in the new year and beyond. WealthManagement.com, 12/9/2022
Heather Zack on the Power of Charitable Planning. [video] The giving season is upon us, but charitable planning presents a unique opportunity to expand an advisor's client base year-round. Watch Heather Zack, manager of advanced planning, share insights. WealthManagement.com, 12/9/2022
Peter Essele on Inflation and Fixed Income Investments. [video] What’s the outlook on inflation, and why are longer-term fixed income investments becoming more attractive? Watch our own Peter Essele share his thoughts. WealthManagement.com, 12/9/2022
Brad McMillan on Communication Strategies for Uncertain Times. [video] CIO Brad McMillan talks about the importance of maintaining strong communication with clients in volatile times. Watch as he explains how we help our advisors better support their clients during challenging markets. WealthManagement.com, 12/9/2022
Sharing and Transparency Between Financial Advisors. Following our National Conference, Trap Kloman, president and COO, joined AdvisorHub's Industry in Transitionpodcast to talk about several topics, including the significance of community across our advisor network. AdvisorHub, 12/9/2022
Mukund Ravipaty on Implementing a Better Cybersecurity Process. [video] Cyber threats are more sophisticated today, breaching security walls and wreaking havoc on financial institutions. Mukund Ravipaty, chief information security officer, outlines five steps to safeguard advisors and their clients in a recent interview. WealthManagement.com, 12/8/2022
3 ways you can attract next-gen advisers. Learn how to attract and retain next-gen talent for your firm from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, in her recent InvestmentNews article. InvestmentNews, 12/7/2022
Commonwealth cuts RIA custody fee, toggles Fidelity and Schwab as sub-custody and co-custody partners, and explains why its model puts $1 trillion of (mostly) RIA assets in reach. In an interview with RIABiz, CEO Wayne Bloom speaks candidly on Commonwealth's major strategic initiatives "in the context of continuing to transform the company into what amounts to a national RIA." RIABiz, 12/7/20222
Slowdown Ahead? A Jobs Report Preview. Expectations for job growth are down, but CIO Brad McMillan says Friday's jobs report might spell good news for the markets. Forbes, 11/30/2022
Market 'has some legs' headed into the holidays: Brad McMillan. CIO Brad McMillan discussed what a Fed pivot on rate hikes would do for the markets when he joined FOX Business's Mornings with Maria. FOX Business, 11/23/2022
Have We Reached Peak Inflation? In his latest for Forbes, CIO Brad McMillan says inflation has peaked here in the U.S., which has many positive implications for the economy and the markets. Forbes, 11/21/2022
InvestmentNews' 2022 Women to Watch Award. Commonwealth home office leaders Jessica Fougere, SVP, community, and Scarlett Abraham Clarke, chief diversity and inclusion officer, were named Allyship Champions at the InvestmentNews' 2022 Women to Watch awards. InvestmentNews, 11/21/2022
Commonwealth becomes latest IBD to invest in adviser firms. Commonwealth became the latest IBD to invest in adviser firms; it plans to buy minority stakes in the firms that use its brokerage and RIA. InvestmentNews, 11/21/2022
Minnesotans managing $750 million join Commonwealth from Lincoln. The five-adviser firm, Ryan Financial Group, is a family-run business that has been around for more than 70 years and has offices in Hibbing and White Bear Lake. InvestmentNews, 11/21/2022
Commonwealth Now Aiming for $1T in Assets. Commonwealth has set a strategic goal of reaching $1T in assets under management. This was one of three new major business growth initiatives disclosed to advisors at its annual National Conference. ThinkAdvisor, 11/17/2022
Commonwealth Sets $1T Growth Goal As It Leans Into RIA Market. CEO Wayne Bloom discussed our expanded suite of services for advisors and plans in the RIA market. WealthManagement.com, 11/11/2022
How to give gifts that will delight clients. Discover how to make your yearly client gifts stand out and leave a lasting impression from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 11/10/2022
Commonwealth Execs Lay Out Plan to Quadruple Assets. In an interview with Financial Advisor IQ, Commonwealth executives shared more details about major business growth initiatives announced at its annual National Conference. Financial Advisor IQ, 11/10/2022
Where Does Inflation Go From Here? Will inflation be high for years to come? CIO Brad McMillan takes a look back at inflationary trends to figure out where we go from here. Forbes, 10/28/2022
The road to loyalty is paved with exceptional customer experiences. Discover how to drive growth and create loyalty with the power of client experience from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 10/12/2022
Technology Trends that are Reshaping the Advisor Profession. In the latest Advisor Perspectives podcast, Patrick Daniel, director, advisor technology solutions, talks about how the right tech platform with the right integrations and support is critical to the success of an advisor's growth and client engagement. Listen now. Advisor Perspectives, 10/11/2022
Stocks End Month With Worst Losing Streak in 20 Years. Sam Millette, fixed income strategist at Commonwealth, provides his thoughts on the higher-than-expected increase for the Consumer Price Index in August. Barron’s, 09/30/2022
Rates to Blame for Recent Market Volatility? The headlines are warning the bear market is back, and the average investor is worried that current volatility could get worse, which is a valid concern. CIO Brad McMillan shares where we go from here. Forbes, 09/30/2022
5 Money Managers Share Top Strategies for Navigating a Bear Market. Head of portfolio management, Peter Essele, shares his tips for navigating bear markets. Business Insider, 09/28/2022
Markets React to Inflation Surprise. The latest inflation numbers drove markets down, but CIO Brad McMillan sees signs of improvement ahead, according to his latest article. Financial Advisor Magazine, 09/24/2022
No Doves In Sight At Latest Fed Meeting. In his latest for Forbes, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan breaks down what the Fed's focus on inflation could mean for the markets and economy. Forbes, 09/22/2022
The Fed is 'building in a lot of uncertainty' while fighting inflation: Strategist. Brad McMillan weighs in on the latest Fed rate hike and its effects on fighting inflation. Yahoo! Finance, 09/21/2022
How Emotional Intelligence Can Deepen Your Client Relationships. In her recent article, Kristine McManus, chief advisor growth officer, discusses how advisors can better serve their clients using the power of emotional and social intelligence. Journal of Financial Planning, 09/15/2022
When Will Inflation Return to Normal? Peter Essele, head of portfolio management, discusses the potential impact of declining oil prices on the economy. Forbes, 09/13/2022
How women advisers can create white space for new ideas. Learn about how women advisors can help their ideas shine by creating "white space" in their schedules from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 09/12/2022
Financial Planning IBD Elite 2022. Commonwealth was ranked #1 in advisor payout by Financial Planning in their latest IBD study, which is a testament to the success of our advisors (more than 85 percent of advisor revenue is fee-based) and our sophisticated solutions. Financial Planning, 09/12/2022
WealthManagement.com Recognizes Top Companies at 2022 Industry Awards. Commonwealth’s innovative, in-house Virtual Transition Support program wins a 2022 Wealthies award. WealthManagement.com, 09/09/2022
Why Is the Market Going Down? CIO Brad McMillan answers the big market question that is on everyone's mind in his latest article. Advisor Perspectives, 09/01/2022
Is the Labor Market Moving Ahead? A Jobs Report Preview. With recession worries rising, all eyes are on this Friday's jobs report. What should we expect? CIO Brad McMillan provides a preview in his latest article. Forbes, 08/31/2022
Commonwealth Snags New Privacy Chief and Counsel from LPL. In an article on Michelle Kelley joining Commonwealth, Peggy Ho, SVP, general counsel and chief risk officer, shares, "Her expertise will be invaluable as we continue to position ourselves at the forefront of an evolving regulatory landscape and industry." Financial Advisor IQ, 08/30/2022
How Will Markets Fare At the End of Summer? [video] Brad McMillan joins Paul Sweeney and Matt Miller on Bloomberg Radio to talk about the markets and investing. Bloomberg Radio, 08/16/2022
Commonwealth adds firm's largest incoming recruit of the year. In an interview, Larry Witzel of Strategic Financial Solutions discussed his motives for bringing his billion-dollar retirement plan and wealth practice to Commonwealth and how he and his team intend to grow revenue as part of our new partnership. Financial Planning, 08/16/2022
Commonwealth Lures $165M Team from Securities America. According to Commonwealth, Censia is a fiduciary and mainly a fee-based business. It provides investment management and retirement planning guidance, specializing in serving clients who are nearing or already in retirement. Financial Advisor IQ, 08/11/2022
Investors 'can't really separate' inflation and job market prints: Strategist. [video] Brad McMillan, CIO, discusses new inflation and CPI data, earnings season, and the semiconductor industry. Yahoo! Finance, 08/10/2022
Is the Yield Curve Warning of Recession Ahead? Is a recession imminent? In his latest for Forbes, CIO Brad McMillan says the yield curve indicates that we may have more time on the clock. Forbes, 08/10/2022
Outsourcing can increase firms’ scale and efficiency. Learn how advisors can grow their practice by taking advantage of different outsourcing options from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 08/09/2022
Tech sector has two 'unique' paths to prosperity: Market expert. [video] CIO Brad McMillan reveals what unique features could catapult the technology space to higher profits on The Claman Countdown. FOX Business, 08/05/2022
Looking Back at the Markets in July and Ahead to August 2022. July saw a significant rebound in markets, even as economic fears grew. So, what does this mean for August? CIO Brad McMillan takes a look ahead. Advisor Perspectives, 08/04/2022
Earnings Numbers Aren’t Great—But Are They Good Enough? In his recent article, Brad McMillan says that the latest earnings numbers aren't great, but they may be more than good enough. Forbes, 07/27/2022
Commonwealth Launches New Community Business Unit. In a recent interview, Wayne Bloom spoke about our new Community business unit, how it's a "point of differentiation" for the firm, and what its dedicated team sets out to achieve for our independent advisors. WealthManagement.com, 07/22/2022
Housing market slows in June as sales, mortgage demand tumble. Head of portfolio management, Peter Essele, discusses how consumers are combating inflation with tighter budgets and the effect it's having on the housing market. The Washington Post, 07/20/2022
Does the 60/40 Portfolio Still Make Sense? After a terrible start to the year, does the 60/40 portfolio still makes sense for investors? In his latest for Forbes, Brad McMillan says that a return to a normal cycle is key. Forbes, 07/15/2022
Nothing is saying recession at this point: Brad McMillan. [video] CIO Brad McMillan reacts to a report that states there is more than a 50 percent chance of recession on The Claman Countdown. FOX Business, 07/11/2022
Brad McMillan Drive to Close. [audio] Are inflation and interest rate woes behind us? Brad McMillan, chief investment officer, discusses investing and the markets with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. Bloomberg, 07/07/2022
Human Capital Roundtable: Fun Summer Internships Yield Serious Results. Jane Moyer, CHRO, joined an exclusive human capital roundtable hosted by Wealth Solutions Report to discuss the value of summer internship programs. Commonwealth's program continues to evolve while remaining a vital part of our overall hiring and growth strategy. Wealth Solutions Report, 07/06/2022
J.D. Power's 2022 financial advisor satisfaction rankings. J.D. Power ranks Commonwealth #1 in independent financial advisor satisfaction among financial investment firms, nine times in a row. Financial Planning, 07/06/2022
How financing options can help advisers drive growth. Learn how independent advisors can grow their businesses by using flexible financing options from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 07/06/2022
'Trend Is In the Wrong Direction': Experts React to Consumer Expectations Hitting 9-Year Low. Brian Price, head of investment management, shares how Americans are struggling with rising credit card and mortgage rates and what this means for the Consumer Price Index. Business Insider, 06/28/2022
Are Politics a Problem for the Markets? Do politics have the power to derail the markets? In his latest for Forbes, CIO Brad McMillan gets to the truth of the matter. Forbes, 06/24/2022
Meet the LUMINARIES Class of 2022 Finalists. We’re honored to be recognized by ThinkAdvisor as a 3x Luminaries Class of 2022 Finalist. ThinkAdvisor, 06/22/2022
Succession plan services gain traction as tool for recruiting, making acquisitions. Kenton Shirk, vice president of practice management, shares the importance of having a strategic partner firm that independent advisors can look to for navigating their succession or driving growth through acquisitions. InvestmentNews, 06/21/2022
Should Investors Keep Calm and Carry On? [video] CIO Brad McMillan joins Nasdaq TradeTalks to discuss the current decline and why it is fairly typical in market history. Nasdaq, 06/21/2022
Commonwealth Details New Financing Suite. In a recent interview, Matt Chisholm, SVP, RIA services and practice management, shares his take on the advantages of our new suite of flexible financing options and how it will help our advisors with succession planning and growth. Wealthmanagement.com, 06/16/2022
The Key Drivers of Advisor Recruitment. Listen to our chief business development officer, Becca Hajjar, give her take on advisors navigating the transition to a new firm while seeking better outcomes for their clients. Advisor Perspectives, 06/15/2022
S&P 500 closed in bear market, losing nearly 4% in one day as investors ready for a Fed meeting this week. Brian Price, head of investment management, explains why he's keeping an eye on buying into the bond sell-off. Yahoo! Finance, 06/13/2022
More Than One-Third of Advisors Plan to Leave Industry in Next Decade. Based on findings from a Cerulli Associates study, Kenton Shirk, vice president of practice management, explains that successful independent firms are thinking about the legacy they will leave behind for their clients and adopting business models designed to endure. Barron’s, 06/13/2022
Beware of the Bear? Are we headed for a bear market? In this latest article, CIO Brad McMillan looks to interest rates for answers. Forbes, 06/09/2022
‘The commission business is a dying business’: Commonwealth eyes RIA-only advisors. In a recent interview, CEO Wayne Bloom discusses our ongoing efforts to attract and support RIA-only advisors. Citywire, 06/09/2022
How advisers can drive growth in any environment. Learn more about how advisors can achieve growth by using the power of connection from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 06/08/2022
Inflation, Fed blackout period, CEOs' doom and gloom. Peter Essele, head of portfolio management, explains that the jobs release sent affirmation to investors that the recovery is in full force, but the flip side is that inflation will continue to be an issue. Yahoo! Finance, 06/05/2022
Looking Back at the Markets in May and Ahead to June 2022. There was good news for the markets in May, but can we expect more of the same in June? In a recent article, CIO Brad McMillan takes a look ahead and likes what he sees. Advisor Perspectives, 06/03/2022
WealthManagement.com Announces 2022 'Wealthies' Finalists. We are thrilled to be named a 3x Wealthies finalist in the WealthManagment.com 2022 Industry awards. WealthManagment.com, 06/01/2022
Managing the DC Plan Investment Menu. In a recent webinar, Mat Powers, director of retirement consulting services, explained that it's early days for including lifetime income products and advised plan sponsors to examine the participant demographics when considering including one. PLANSPONSOR, 05/25/2022
Retirees seeking income clarity, better communication most of all. [video] Becca Hajjar, managing principal and chief business development officer, explains that advisers need to educate their clients, especially when it comes to income streams in retirement and charitable giving. InvestmentNews, 05/24/2022
‘This business is built for women’: Commonwealth’s Hajjar. [video] Managing principal and chief business development officer, Becca Hajjar, discusses how the pandemic sparked virtual success as Commonwealth adapted its new women’s career development programs to a series of online events and tools. InvestmentNews, 05/24/2022
10 IBDs with the most CFPs. A whopping 42.3 percent of Commonwealth advisors hold the CFP Board certification, the standard of excellence in financial planning. That's the highest percentage among firms, according to the InvestmentNews 2022 independent broker-dealer survey. InvestmentNews, 05/24/2022
‘Put your money where your heart is’: Commonwealth’s McManus. [video] Chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, discusses how clients urgently want to support causes and charities that resonate with their values, communities, and investing priorities. InvestmentNews, 05/20/2022
Is It Time to Check Our Assumptions? In his latest for Forbes, CIO Brad McMillan says in a world that's constantly changing, checking our assumptions can help identify both risks and opportunities. Forbes, 05/17/2022
Bitcoin slides, Dow, S&P 500 drop but Nasdaq rebounds late to end higher. Brian Price, head of investment management, discusses the dramatic pullback seen in growth stocks, particularly in tech. USA Today, 05/12/2022
Worries Rise as Markets Drop. How low can the markets go? In a recent article, CIO Brad McMillan says that much depends on what happens with stock valuations and interest rates. Advisor Perspectives, 05/11/2022
4 top planning needs for sophisticated advisory firms. Learn more about the importance of community and conversation among COOs from our chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus. InvestmentNews, 05/11/2022
Duo managing $380 million at Wells Fargo Advisors joins Commonwealth. Dana Pollard and Justin Mishacoff of Lumitas Wealth Strategies of Woodbury, Minnesota, bring more than 40 years of combined experience in financial services and wealth management to Commonwealth. InvestmentNews, 05/10/2022
Wall Street, dragged down by tech stocks, racks up more heavy losses. Head of investment management, Brian Price, explains that positive developments on the geopolitical front or a weaker-than-expected consumer price index report could help turn the tide for investors. The Boston Globe, 05/09/2022
Extreme Market Volatility Demands Engagement. Chief investment officer, Brad McMillan, shares that April was a hard month for the markets, with growth stocks being hit the hardest. PLANSPONSOR, 05/06/2022
Commonwealth: Advisor Adoption of Brand Studio Has ‘Exceeded Expectations’. In a recent ThinkAdvisor article, Sarah Howes, VP of advisor marketing, explains that Brand Studio was designed to help advisors drive business growth through optimized marketing that attracts ideal prospects and converts them to clients. ThinkAdvisor, 05/06/2022.
Infuse meaning in milestones to attract, retain women clients. During the InvestmentNews Women Adviser Summit, Kristine McManus, chief advisor growth officer, explained that women advisors understand that clients don't just want their money in the bank, they want it to do something for them. InvestmentNews, 05/05/2022
Mindy Diamond on Independence: An Inside Move from IBD to RIA. On a recent podcast episode, Commonwealth advisor, Andy Harris, president and wealth manager of Evergreen Wealth Solutions, shares his story of transition from IBD to RIA and provides key learnings for advisors considering this move. WealthManagement.com, 05/05/2022
The vital role of financial advisors in stopping fraud and elder abuse. In a webcast for the North American Securities Administrators Association, Heather Murphy, deputy chief AML officer, discusses how advisors and their firms can work together to mitigate the exploitation of the elderly. Financial Planning, 05/04/2022
10 IBDs with the highest average payouts. Commonwealth tops the list as the #1 independent broker-dealer with the highest average payout per advisor, according to the InvestmentNews 2022 Independent Broker-Dealer Survey. InvestmentNews, 05/04/2022
How Will the Stock Market Respond to a 0.5% Increase? Brad McMillan explains how the markets reacted historically to rate hikes and offers investors a glimpse at how markets will react this time. Investor’s Business Daily, 04/29/2022
Why Is the Market Going Down? Commonwealth's Brad McMillan addresses why the market is going down and if it will continue. Financial Advisor Magazine, 04/26/2022
U.S. Stocks Finish Volatile Session With Gains. Head of investment management, Brian Price, shares his take on the market, growth stocks, and interest rates. The Wall Street Journal, 04/25/2022
To Connect with Clients, Stop Using Jargon. Kristine McManus, chief advisor growth officer, explains that for advisors to achieve good communication, they must eliminate jargon from their language to better help clients. Journal of Financial Planning, 04/18/2022
Higher gasoline prices flatter U.S. retail sales; consumers remain resilient. Head of portfolio management, Peter Essele, provides commentary on U.S. retail sales and the potential for a slowdown in consumer demand in the latter half of 2022. Reuters, 04/14/2022
Are We Close to Peak Inflation? Chief investment officer, Brad McMillan, discusses if we’re close to peak inflation and what it means for investors. Forbes, 04/12/2022
Why women make great financial advisers. Chief advisor growth officer, Kristine McManus, celebrates women in this industry and explains why women make great financial advisers. InvestmentNews, 04/08/2022
No Doves Here: Fed All In On Higher Rates. CIO Brad McMillan explains that the economy still has substantial momentum, and the labor market is stronger than it has been in the past decades. He encourages readers to be watchful but not to don’t panic about a recession anytime soon. Forbes, 04/07/2022
WSR Names Commonwealth's Peggy Ho Woman General Counsel of the Year. Peggy Ho, SVP, general counsel and chief risk officer, was named Woman General Counsel of the Year. She shares thoughts on the current legal challenges facing our industry, the path that brought her to Commonwealth, and the importance of investing in areas that make it easier for internal clients and advisors to work with our Legal and Risk teams. Wealth Solutions Report, 04/05/2022
Financial Advisor Magazine's 2022 Independent Broker-Dealer Ranking. Commonwealth tops other independent broker-dealers for the highest gross revenue per advisor, according to the 2022 Financial Advisor Magazine Independent Broker-Dealer Ranking. Financial Advisor Magazine, 04/01/2022
The Big Blur. Commonwealth was named one of the top 10 broker-dealers by Financial Advisor Magazine. Andrew Daniels, managing principal of community engagement, explains how Commonwealth is a nationally registered investment advisor with an accommodative broker-dealer built in. Financial Advisor Magazine, 04/01/2022
Women-owned $220 million hybrid shifts to Commonwealth from Triad. A female-owned hybrid managing $220 million has moved its broker-dealer affiliation to Commonwealth. InvestmentNews, 03/30/2022
Stock Market Today: Stocks' Win Streak Snapped Despite Good Jobs News. Peter Essele, head of portfolio management, discusses the job growth witnessed in the natural resources and mining sector and what it could mean for the long term. Kiplinger, 03/30/2022
Key part of yield curve inverts, blaring recession warning. Anu Gaggar, global investment strategist, discusses the yield curve inversion and the growing concerns about the future state of the economy. Yahoo! Finance, 03/30/2022
What Is Inflation...and Where Is It Going? Our CIO, Brad McMillan, takes a look at what inflation actually is and where it’s going. AdvisorPerspectives, 03/28/2022
Broker-Dealers Keeping Clients Engaged Through Mobile Apps. Miriam Manning, senior vice president and chief information officer, discusses how our mobile app has features that keep advisors and their clients informed and connected. Financial Advisor IQ, 03/25/2022
US durable goods orders slip in February, marking first decline in 5 months. Peter Essele explains that it’s too early to determine the impact the war in Ukraine will have on global supply since most economic indicators are still in robust territory. FOX Business, 03/24/2022
US will suffer from oil and food shock, but will be fine 'overall'. (video) Brad McMillan discusses inflation and rising energy prices. FOX Business, 03/23/2022
Five Ways to Take Charge of Your Productivity. Interested in spending more time with your clients but not sure how to drive productivity and maximize efficiency? Kenton Shirk, VP, practice management, shares 5 steps that may help you run a more efficient practice. Wealthmanagement.com, 03/21/2022
Getting Real About Interest Rates. In his latest for Forbes, CIO Brad McMillan talks about interest rates, plans from the Fed, and what investors can expect for the rest of the year. Forbes, 03/18/2022
The Russian Invasion of Ukraine: A Lesson in Stakeholder Capitalism? Our own Peter Essele offers his view on the world pivoting toward a stakeholder capitalism model. Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, 03/16/2022
Deliberating Growth vs. Value, Interest Rate Hikes and Decarbonization. Peter Essele, VP of investment management and research, discusses growth versus value, interest rate hikes, and other timely questions for advisors seeking expert insights. Wealthmanagement.com, 03/16/2022
Commonwealth Demonstrates Rapid Diversity Progress Is Achievable. Scarlett Abraham Clarke shares the diversity progress Commonwealth has made since she joined. The interview also covers our initiatives to invest in women and develop successful DEI programs to support our community. Wealth Solutions Report, 03/14/2022
What Do the Markets Make of The Ukraine War? Despite the headlines and the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine itself, markets have largely shrugged off the conflict so far. Brad McMillan, CIO, addresses the details in this recent article. Forbes, 03/10/2022
Another Inflation Jump Resumes Stocks’ Tumbling Ways. Peter Essele addresses Wall Street’s reaction to inflation’s continued increase. Chief Investment Officer Magazine, 03/10/2022
Creating connections: How answering the ‘why’ can attract prospects. As an advisor, it’s important to highlight your strengths and create value for your prospects—but is there a secret to standing out? Learn how to lean into your "why" from business development expert Kristine McManus in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 03/08/2022
When Planning Gets Complex: Meeting the Needs of High-Net-Worth Clients. HNW clients require new tools but bedrock advisory skills. Justin Duft, VP, advanced planning, shares how advisors should tap into their firm partner's diverse and comprehensive expertise to drive sustainable organic growth. Barron’s, 03/07/2022
Lessons from Turmoil: Taking Advantage of Volatility. In a recent Q&A, Peter Essele shares his expert analysis on current events affecting market volatility, including the Russian invasion, anticipated interest rate hikes, and his latest thoughts on ESG investing. Advisor Perspectives, 03/04/2022
Market strategist details sectors best positioned to combat inflation. (video) Anu Gaggar joins Yahoo! Finance Live to discuss the market outlook and inflation amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Yahoo! Finance, 03/03/2022
Commonwealth Rolls Out Virtual Admin Program. As seen in ThinkAdvisor, our new Virtual Administration Program pairs advisors with in-house support specialists, giving them time back to focus on clients and other core needs. Read more on how the program works and will continue to grow. ThinkAdvisor, 03/01/2022
Russia-Ukraine crisis, Powell testimony, jobs report: What to know this week. Our head of investment management, Brian Price, explains how the ambiguity regarding the situation in Ukraine will continue to challenge risk assets. Yahoo! Finance, 02/27/2022
Key inflation gauge hits 6.1%, highest level since 1982. Peter Essele, vice president of investment management and research, shares his thoughts on the inflation gauge and what this means for consumers. CBS News, 02/25/2022
Markets Do Well During Wartime. (video) Commonwealth's CIO Brad McMillan discusses how the Russian invasion of Ukraine will impact markets. FOX Business, 02/24/2022
Market Expert Reveals ‘Diamonds in the Rough’ as Geopolitics Roils Portfolios. (video) Our global investment strategist, Anu Gaggar, joined Liz Claman on The Claman Countdown to discuss the effect of geopolitical risks on the U.S. economy and the ongoing market volatility. FOX Business, 02/22/2022
Five Ways the Right Partner Helps You Master Efficiency in Independence. Kenton Shirk, vice president, practice management, shares five ways the right firm partner can help you master efficiency in independence. Advisor Perspectives, 02/22/2022
Could Things Get Worse for the Stock Market? In his latest article, CIO Brad McMillan says the current market volatility is typical—but that doesn’t mean it can’t get worse. Forbes, 02/18/2022
What Will Rising Interest Rates Do to the Market? CIO Brad McMillan looks into rising rates, market expectations, and the recession risk in his latest Forbes article. Forbes, 02/16/2022
Overcoming imposter syndrome: Why advisers deserves success. When it comes to growing a business, even a seasoned CEO can struggle with insecurity. Practice management expert, Kristine McManus, discusses why advisors deserve their success. InvestmentNews, 02/11/2022
ESG Demand in the Early Stages. Peter Essele, vice president of investment management and research, discusses the dramatic increase in interest for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing over the past decade. Advisor Perspectives, 02/10/2022
Why IBDs Are Changing Their Recruiting Deals. Citing that Commonwealth is more like a national RIA than it is a broker-dealer, CEO Wayne Bloom shares this new method better “reflects how we do business today.” ThinkAdvisor, 02/09/2022
Why some investors are getting the jitters when it comes to tech street. (audio begins at 3:15) Our CIO Brad McMillan was recently invited to speak on NPR’s Planet Money, discussing tech stock performance, inflation, and economic implications. NPR’s The Indicator from Planet Money, 02/09/2022
Commonwealth Rolls Out Business Development Program for Next-Gen Advisors. Our practice management expert, Kristine McManus, discusses how our new NextGen Business Development program will help advisors, who may take over a firm one day or be part of a succession plan, succeed by giving them the skills they need. WealthManagement.com, 02/09/2022
Commonwealth Starts Business-Building Program for Next-Gen Advisors. Practice management expert, Kristine McManus, shared how the next-gen program offers equal parts strategic guidance, peer reinforcement, and accountability. ThinkAdvisor, 02/09/2022
Wordle, Investing, and Russia/Ukraine: What’s the Connection? What’s your Wordle strategy—and could you apply it to investing? CIO Brad McMillan explains this connection. Financial Advisor Magazine, 02/08/2022
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Would Have Wider Geopolitical Implications. (video) Anu Gaggar, global investment strategist, discussed how global supply chains could be disrupted even further by an armed conflict in Ukraine. Cheddar News, 02/03/2022
Commonwealth Draws $110M Husband-Wife Team from LPL. 4th Quarter Wealth Management, led by husband-and-wife team Mike and Aimee Hebert, moves their bespoke financial advisory practice to Commonwealth. Financial Advisor IQ, 02/02/2022
Will Chinese Equities Roar In the Year of the Tiger? Will a shift in China's monetary policy see Chinese equities roaring in the coming year? In a recent article, our global investment strategist, Anu Gaggar, considers the factors in play. Financial Advisor Magazine, 01/28/2022
Uncertainty Driving More Market Volatility. In his latest article for Forbes, CIO Brad McMillan puts recent market volatility into perspective. Forbes, 01/25/2022
Commonwealth Gatekeepers Boost Bond Rec List, Eye ESG Expansion. Brad McMillan and Brian Price spoke with Citywire about the newest additions to their recommended list. Citywire, 01/24/2022
A Preview of Q4 2021 Earnings. Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan shares why this earning season will be especially important and two key issues we need to watch. Advisor Perspectives, 01/14/2022
Bank Stocks Decline Despite Q4 Earnings Beat, Forecasted Growth. (video) Anu Gaggar, global investment strategist for Commonwealth Financial Network, breaks down the headwinds facing banks and spotlights industries with potential growth. Cheddar News, 01/14/2022
Inflation Rises 7% Over the Past Year, Highest Since 1982. Brian Price, head of investment management, discusses the shock some investors might feel with the December CPI report of a 7 percent increase in inflation over the last 12 months. CNBC, 01/12/2022
Commonwealth: Our FAs Get More Client Face Time, Study Shows. Kenton Shirk, vice president, practice management, spoke about the findings of our recent study with Cerulli Associates and shared his insights on the extensive support our firm gives to help advisors scale their businesses. Financial Advisor IQ, 01/10/2022
Where Will The Markets and Economy Go From Here? In an article for Forbes, CIO Brad McMillan says 2022 looks like it might be a repeat of 2021 for the markets and economy—just at a lower volume. Forbes, 01/07/2022
Securities America Team Managing $195 Million Switches to Commonwealth. Opus 111 Group of Seattle and Spokane, Washington, joins Commonwealth. InvestmentNews, 01/05/2022
Correcting the Blind Spots in Our Practice. It’s easy to follow your own business roadmap, but how do you avoid blind spots when it comes to helping clients? Practice management expert Kristine McManus discusses the 4 most common oversights advisors encounter in her recent article. InvestmentNews, 01/04/2022
Where Top Advisors Find More Hours to Spend With Clients. A Cerulli Associates study found that our top advisors spend nearly twice as much time meeting with clients than advisors affiliated with other firm partners. Kenton Shirk, vice president, practice management, shares why advisors should think holistically about how to spend their time. RIAIntel, 01/03/2022
Three Growth Resolutions for 2022. (available to subscribers only) By sticking to these three growth resolutions in 2022, you can set your practice up for success, writes Kristine McManus, vice president, chief business development officer, practice management, in her latest post. Financial Planning Association, January 2022
'Advisors Must Build and Invest in Their Brand': Commonwealth's Kloman. Trap Kloman, president and chief operating officer, aims to build on the success of Commonwealth and its community of advisors by ensuring that everyone has the tools and resources they need to remain competitive. In a candid Q&A, Trap shares his perspective on industry trends and opportunities, including the importance of advisors investing in their brand. ThinkAdvisor, 12/29/21
From real estate to inflation, here's what to expect from the economy in 2022. Brad McMillan, managing principal, chief investment officer, looks ahead to 2022 and questions the impact that inflation and supply chain issues will have. NBC News, 12/27/21
U.S. stocks close up as Omicron fears fall; 'Santa Claus rally' may be muted. Anu Gaggar, global investment strategist, addresses the slightly lower Santa Claus rally and its impact on the volatility seen in December. Reuters, 12/22/21
Jerome Powell faces turbulent 2022 as Fed walks economic tightrope. Brad McMillan, managing principal, chief investment officer, highlights the significant headwinds the economy faces in light of supply chain problems and rising inflation. FOX Business, 12/22/21
Stock Market Today: Stocks Notch Second Straight Day of Gains. Brad McMillan, managing principal, chief investment officer, discusses how Covid-19, rising inflation, supply chain issues, and a challenged global economic recovery have created uncertainty for investors. Kiplinger, 12/22/21
The 10 biggest transitions among independent brokerages this year. Nancy DiBattista, senior vice president, transition and field operations, receives additional coverage from her interview on Commonwealth's new Virtual Transition Support offering. Financial Planning, 12/21/21
How to Uncover Clients' Real Charitable Goals. Commonwealth's Heather Zack, manager, advanced planning, offers tips for uncovering your clients' charitable giving goals and, ultimately, strengthening your relationship. ThinkAdvisor, 12/20/21
Omicron fears weigh on market as stocks tumble. (video) What is moving the market right now? Brad McMillan, managing principal, chief investment officer, appeared on FOX Business and spoke about Covid-19, interest rates, retail, and more. FOX Business, 12/17/21
Commonwealth to Potential Breakaways: We'll Take Client Onboarding Off Your Plate. Commonwealth's new Virtual Transition Support accelerates the client onboarding process and lessens administrative tasks for transitioning advisors. Nancy DiBattista, senior vice president, transition and field operations, shares more on this service and how her team works closely with each advisor to support their needs and preferences. Financial Advisor IQ, 12/16/21
2022 Market and Economic Outlook: Finding the Upside. As we enter 2022, can the momentum of 2021 continue? Brad McMillan, managing principal, chief investment officer, reflects on 2021 and looks ahead to 2022. Financial Advisor, 12/14/21
Why ESG Investing Just Makes Sense. Brad McMillan, managing principal, chief investment officer, says investors don't have to agree with the politics of ESG advocates to see the value of the mindset—or take advantage of it. Forbes, 12/10/21
Going fee-only can be catalyst for growth. Fee-only advisors cite several reasons for their breakthrough growth, including having a simpler story to tell, writes Kristine McManus, vice president, chief business development officer. InvestmentNews, 12/10/21
Commonwealth Draws $120M Father-Daughter Duo from RBC Wealth. Commonwealth's new Virtual Transition Support, which provides newly independent firms with operational assistance for transferring clients, guided V & V Financial as it transitioned its multigenerational planning firm. Financial Advisor IQ, 12/09/21
Commonwealth Creates Mentorship Program for Female FAs. Commonwealth's newly launched mentorship program aims to enhance support and career development for its community of women advisors. Financial Advisor IQ (Also picked up by ThinkAdvisor and NAPA), 12/07/21
Are Policy and Politics Rising Risks for the Markets? In his latest for Forbes, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan discusses policy and political risks faced by the economy. Forbes, 12/02/21
ADP: Payrolls Increased by 534,000 in November as Job Market Recovery Continues. Brad McMillan, managing principal, chief investment officer, discusses the unexpected effects the Omicron variant could have on the economy and the markets. U.S. News & World Report, 12/01/21
Next-Gen Advisers Embrace Collaboration. [available to subscribers only] In a recent article, Kristine McManus, vice president, chief business development officer, shared takeaways from a webinar she hosted with some of Commonwealth's best and brightest next-gen advisors. They discussed what is driving growth, including lead generation programs, digital marketing, and working with clients to gain introductions to next-gen investors. Journal of Financial Planning, December 2021
Will Omicron Lead to More Market Volatility? Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan shares his expert take on the market's reaction to the Omicron variant. Financial Advisor Magazine, 11/30/2021
Finding the Pockets of Opportunity for Active Management. Brian Price, senior vice president of investment management and research, discusses opportunities for active managers. ETF Trends, 11/30/2021
Commonwealth Plans Big Tech Investments as More of Its Advisors Ditch FINRA. In a candid interview with Think Advisor, CEO Wayne Bloom shares Commonwealth's successes from the year and divulges key priorities and investments underway, including advisor-facing tools and cybersecurity initiatives. ThinkAdvisor, 11/29/2021
Sync up your retirement planning practice. Dan Collins, retirement marketing program manager, shared the importance of syncing up your retirement planning suggestions with cultural expectations. Adopting a multicultural planning strategy could help diversify and expand your roster by creating a more connected experience for your prospective and existing clients. Financial Planning, 11/23/2021
What Does Inflation Mean for Investors? Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan shares what inflation means for investors. AdvisorNews,11/22/2021
Inflation And Investing. In his latest article, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan discusses inflation and investing and what it means for you. Financial Advisor Magazine, 11/19/2021
Want to improve your acquisition success rate? As we approach the end of the year, it's a great time to evaluate your acquisition strategy—and prepare your business to seize these opportunities, writes Kenton Shirk, vice president, practice management. InvestmentNews, 11/15/2021
The stock market might soon be faced with the reality that it can’t keep talking to itself. Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan discusses how interest rates have responded to inflation and its impact on people’s reactions. Marketwatch, 11/13/2021
Anu Gaggar Drive to Close. (audio) Global investment strategist, Anu Gaggar, discusses the markets and investing with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. Bloomberg, 11/10/2021
Continued Economic Improvement Ahead? Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan says as we move further into the fourth quarter, we will likely see more economic improvement. Forbes, 11/9/2021
US STOCKS-Wall St extends record rally on strong jobs report, Pfizer COVID-19 pill cheer. Peter Essele, vice president, investment management and research, discusses the economy and the impact of the Santa Claus rally. Yahoo! Finance, 11/5/2021
Latest Fed Move Signals a Return to Normal. In his latest for Forbes, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan says the economy is moving toward normal—and the Fed has now responded. Forbes, 11/4/2021
Unique Ways to Make Planning a Core Offering. (audio) Accessibility is a priority for Commonwealth's Advanced Planning team of attorneys and CFP® professionals. In a new Gaining Perspective podcast, Justin Duft, director, advanced planning, discusses what makes our support so unique, why holistic financial planning is critical to future success, and more. Advisor Perspectives, 11/2/2021
Helping small-business owners with retirement plans. (video) With many advisors serving small business owners and putting retirement plans in place, what opportunities exist to support plan participants? Karen DiStasio, vice president, retirement consulting services, shares her thoughts from InvestmentNews' recent RPA Convergence Roundtable and Think Tank for Broker-Dealers. InvestmentNews, 10/25/21
Markets and Economy Retain Momentum—But Risks Remain. Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan discusses improvements on the medical front and the ongoing economic uncertainty. Advisor Perspectives, 10/25/21
Investment adviser on third-quarter earnings: Markets will ‘continue to see some upside’. Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan forecasts some volatility after earnings season. FOX Business, 10/25/21
Tesla earnings: Will investors be burned by expectations? Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan weighs in on the automaker's quarterly performance and other market earnings. FOX Business, 10/18/21
What Does Climate Change Mean for Investors? Do investors need to keep an eye on climate change? In his latest for Forbes, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan assesses the risk. Forbes, 10/18/21
What’s behind the lackluster September jobs report. Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan speaks on the decline in unemployment and returning to work during a pandemic. NBC News, 10/8/21
Getting to know you: Telling your story in your bio. Writing a bio that speaks to prospective clients while maintaining the brand you wish to convey to existing ones can be tricky. Consider these tips for balancing the personal with the professional from practice management expert Kristine McManus. InvestmentNews, 10/6/21
Broker-Dealer Recruiting After the Covid Age. In this interview, Andrew Daniels, managing principal of business development, discusses Commonwealth's recruiting efforts and the overall year we’ve had as a firm. Financial Advisor Magazine, 10/1/21
Looking Back at the Markets in Q3 and Ahead to Q4 2021. U.S. markets pulled back significantly in September, but are there brighter skies ahead? Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan explains this drop. Advisor Perspectives, 10/1/21
Anu Gaggar Drive to Close (Audio). (audio) Anu Gaggar, global investment strategist, joined Bloomberg News Radio’s Businessweek to discuss the markets and investing. Bloomberg, 10/1/21
Commonwealth Lures $60M Practice from Edward Jones. This article features coverage of 7 Grains Planning & Investments joining Commonwealth. Financial Advisor IQ, 09/15/21
Recruiting Roundtable: An Uptick in Year-End Recruiting? LPL, Cetera, Commonwealth Discuss. Becca Hajjar, senior vice president, field development, is featured in a recent Recruiting Roundtable discussion, offering insight on advisor recruiting trends and how Commonwealth continues to support the complex needs of prospective advisors. Wealth Solutions Report, 09/10/21
WealthManagement.com Recognizes Top Companies at 2021 Industry Awards. We’re proud to win two industry awards in the Broker/Dealer category from WealthManagement.com. Business Consulting Services, our suite of solutions for wirehouse advisors seeking to break away, won the Practice Management Award and Brian Sullivan, senior vice president, chief marketing officer, was honored as Chief Marketing Officer of the Year for his brand-building vision. WealthManagement.com, 09/09/21
Great service is assumed. A full client experience is not. What is the customer experience, and why does it matter? It involves more than good service, according to Kristine McManus, vice president, chief business development officer, practice management. InvestmentNews, 09/07/21
FINRA Names Vanguard CEO, Commonwealth Lawyer as New Governors. Peggy Ho, senior vice president, general counsel, is appointed to the FINRA Board of Governors. Peggy, who brings leadership and expertise to the Board's Independent Dealer/Insurance Affiliate seat, begins her three-year term immediately. ThinkAdvisor, 09/02/21
IBD Elite 2021. Financial Planning has published its annual IBD Elite survey, and we are pleased to share that Commonwealth maintains the highest average payout per advisor among independent broker/dealers. Financial Planning, 09/01/21