In this episode of our NextGen in 10 podcast, host Alanah Phillips, MBA speaks with Jordan Murray, CFP® about whether or not practice acquisitions live up to the hype, and the tough lessons he's learned going through the process.

Jordan Murray, CFP®, is an advisor with Acord & Fong Wealth Strategies and Lincoln Financial. Murray began his career as a financial planner immediately after college and has risen to become a partner in the practice. As a CFP® professional, he maintains a fiduciary standard with his clients and is held to the higher CFP® certification standard of ethics. He works mostly with retirees and small business owners primarily through personal introductions from existing clients.

Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are the hosts’ and guests' own and do not necessarily represent those of The American College of Financial Services.

In this episode of our Shares podcast, host Jared Trexler speaks with Derek Notman, CFP®, founder and CEO of fintech company Couplr.AI. Couplr recently announced a partnership with The College to offer College alumni free access to its platform, which endeavors to match advisors to their ideal clients. Trexler and Notman discuss their respective visions for where the profession is headed and the role of technology in making The College’s mission of benefiting society a reality.

Derek Notman, CFP® is a dad, world traveler, and fintech rebel dedicated to fixing our relationship with money using AI (and flip-flops). He is a global nomad and loves adventure in all forms, as well as being a husband and father, car enthusiast, aspiring surfer, and skydiver. He is also an award-winning financial advisor, including a recognition as NAIFA Leading New Advisor, and is the founder and CEO of Couplr.AI: a business dedicated to using data science to tackle client acquisition and orphan client problems in the investment and insurance industries. He co-hosts the Rethink Financial Advice Podcast and loves connecting with and meeting new people.

Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are the hosts’ and guests' own and do not necessarily represent those of The American College of Financial Services.

Kitces.com | The Latest In Financial #AdvisorTech
June 3, 2024

Financial guru Michael Kitces discusses The College’s partnership with Couplr.AI and how it benefits College alumni as well as the health of prospecting in the industry.

ThinkAdvisor | A Conversation with American College of Financial Services Researchers Kaylee Ranck & Eric Ludwig
June 4, 2024

Director of College research Kaylee Ranck, PhD, and RICP® Program Director Eric Ludwig, PhD, CFP® discuss results from The College’s 2023 Retirement Income Literacy Study along with approaches to research in the field as a whole.

ThinkAdvisor | American College to Roll Out Tax Planning Certification
June 5, 2024

Jeffrey Levine, the industry thought leader behind The College’s upcoming Tax Planning Certified Professional™ (TPCP™) Program, discusses how the program will enhance the advice of advisors across fields of expertise.

InvestmentNews | A Philosophical Lesson in Servant Leadership
June 6, 2024

In recognition of College President and CEO George Nichols III, CAP®’s position as a finalist for the InvestmentNews CEO of the Year Award, this profile looks at President Nichols’ background and where his drive to benefit the industry and society comes from.

ThinkAdvisor | 8 Reasons Retirement Has Gotten Harder for the Affluent
June 6, 2024

WMCP® Program Director Michael Finke, PhD, CFP® explores why those with more resources may still face difficult years when entering retirement.

ThinkAdvisor | Why Advisors Love the Retirement Planning Field
June 7, 2024

Director of College research Kaylee Ranck, PhD, and RICP® Program Director Eric Ludwig, PhD, CFP® speak with ThinkAdvisor about how they came from disparate backgrounds and became researchers in the retirement planning space.

In 2004, Troopathon, formerly known as Move America Forward, was founded by Melanie Morgan as a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide emotional and tangible support to active-duty troops as well as offer assistance and resources to military families and veterans in need. Since its founding, Troopathon has sent over 1,000 tons of care packages to troops on the frontline thanks to the unwavering support of thousands of pro-troop civilians, veterans, and military families nationwide.¹

The organization hosts an annual Troopathon fundraiser, which is the largest and only nationally televised annual care package telethon. It aims to send as many military care packages as possible to our troops on the front lines.

Troopathon provides numerous opportunities to get involved including donating, volunteering, and spreading awareness.

With months of dedicated research and design, Wright Research Fellow Alisha Cook and director of research Kaylee Ranck, PhD, have developed a strong foundation for understanding the career interests and intricacies of the next and upcoming generation of financial professionals, Generation Z. As the financial services industry evolves, understanding and harnessing the potential of these emerging professionals becomes paramount for the future success of institutions and the clients they serve.

The survey aims to understand the career interests, experiences, and preferences of Gen Z individuals (aged 18-27), who are either interested in or already within their first three years of a career within the financial services industry. It covers a range of critical topics including but not limited to:

Career interests and experiences

Perceptions of the financial services industry

Financial literacy, digital skills and AI adaptiveness

Career advancement goals and aspirations

Consisting of over 40 questions and around 15 minutes in length, the survey dives deep into the minds of Gen Z, capturing the nuances of their career motivations and expectations. Participants' involvement will have no foreseeable risks and responses will remain anonymous, ensuring their safety and confidentiality.

By participating in this survey, Gen Z professionals will provide critical insights that can help shape the future of the financial services industry. These insights will empower institutions to tailor their recruitment and retention strategies more effectively, aligning them with the expectations and needs of young professionals.

We invite all eligible Gen Z individuals to share their perspectives and contribute to this important research. This survey will provide valuable data that can help shape the future of financial services, ensuring that it remains responsive to the next generation of talent. To participate, simply click the link below:

https://theamericancollege.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4IBCrNvFQvXefA

The InvestmentNews Women Advisor Summit provided a unique platform for advisors and their supporters to explore the latest industry trends, practice management strategies, and career development opportunities. The American College of Financial Services, serving as the education partner, was proud to contribute its expertise to this talented group of financial professionals.

Returning from the summit, attendees, including myself, felt inspired and equipped with practical ideas, new tools, and invaluable connections with peers and industry leaders. Some of the key lessons that resonated with me included the following:

• The practice of a financial professional is to become a translator and speak the language of your clients
• Spend the time getting to know your clients during all seasons of life and put in the reps to develop a rapport with clients
• Organic growth aside from M&A takes concentrated effort

At the Wealth Management EDGE conference, discussions centered on the future of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the industry. Representing The College, I had the privilege to discuss how the industry can increase awareness and accessibility for diverse communities. Addressing the obstacles that hinder entry into the financial services industry and ensuring firms retain and invest in diverse talent is crucial.

As the financial services industry continues to evolve, embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment will be key to its sustainability and success. By engaging with passion and committing to DEIB principles, the industry can ensure a bright and equitable future for all professionals and clients. Read more about the discussion here.