Fighting for a Better, Richer & Happier Tomorrow...Happy 4th of July

Fighting for a Better, Richer & Happier Tomorrow

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born.

Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave" so they can begin their own American Dream.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." ~Thomas Paine

With the daily barrage of bad news painting a bleak outlook for our country, I encourage you to set aside time this weekend to relish our many freedoms, rekindle hope and move forward with renewed strength and courage. We as a country prepare to tackle the many challenges that lay ahead.
"What we need are critical lovers of America - patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it." ~Hubert H. Humphrey

Fire up the barbeques, spark up fireworks and soak up time with your family and friends. From myself and everyone at Advisors Excel, thank you for your hard work to protect American's retirements. Your dedication to providing hope and security for so many individuals and their families (so their American Dreams can become a reality) is impressive.
"This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith." ~Lyndon B. Johnson

Make this time with your family and friends valuable, you deserve it.


Matthew J Neuman, Vice President of Marketing
Click Here for More on "The Advisor's Advisor"

825 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 510
Topeka, KS 66612
Toll Free: 866.363.9595
Fax: 785.271.1448
matt.neuman@advisorsexcel.com

Regulators Close 5 Banks...Worst Single Day Since 1992

2009 bank failures jumped more than 10% in a single night last week.

Federal and state regulators shut down 5 banks totalling over $1 billion in assets late Friday. These moves singled the largest number of failures in a single night since the end of the savings and loan crisis.

To read the full On Wall Street article click: http://www.onwallstreet.com/news/regulators-close-5-banks-2663099-1.html

Contact me if I can do anything else to help your business and make it a great week!


Matthew J Neuman, Vice President of Marketing
Click Here for More on "The Advisor's Advisor"

825 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 510
Topeka, KS 66612
Toll Free: 866.363.9595
Fax: 785.271.1448
matt.neuman@advisorsexcel.com

Double Digit Inflation & No COLA for SS

Here are the 2 articles I ran across that coupled together should have a profound impact with prospects.

Article #1 – Martin Feldstein (Harvard economist & member of Obama’s Independent Economic Advisory Board) projects 7-10% inflation down the road.
http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2009/20090422154308.aspx

Article #2 – Social Security, for the first time ever, will have no COLA for the next 2 years. Also in the same article, it references 2016 as the magical year that Social Security benefits are more than tax revenue (1 year earlier than they thought last year).
http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-bzsaul3012762555may28,0,7368854.column

Take a look and the goal is you can always use my materials to help clients make better decisions.

The Opportunity is Now...2009 Senior Survey Results

The July, 2009 edition of Senior Market Advisor magazine came out recently. If you haven't taken a careful look at it; you should.
Inside they revealed results from their national poll of seniors age 60+. It gives you insight to what they're thinking and where your opportunity for the second half of 2009 could come from.

Let me share some of these polling results with you:

• 2.6 million affluent seniors do not have a financial advisor

Who do seniors turn to for financial advice (can choose more than one answer)?

• 51% Financial Planner or Advisor, 35% Certified Financial Planner, 34% Family or Friend, 11% Stock Broker, 10% Certified Public Accountant, 9% Accountant, 7% Banker, 6% Insurance Agent or Broker, 6% Attorney, 3% Other

How important are the following from someone offering financial advice? How does your current advisor rate?

Importance Current Advisor
Honesty 90% 63%
Trustworthy 89% 63%
Knowledgeable 85% 56%
Acts in My Best Interest 84% 54%
Understands My Needs and Goals 78% 55%
Gives Objective Advice 76% 54%
Gives Good Advice 75% 50%
Communicates Effectively 74% 53%
Explains Fees Clearly 70% 45%
Meets Goals 66% 43%

• 41% of seniors routinely seek the advice of others when it comes to financial matters.

To what extent do you trust each of the following when it comes to financial matters?

All Respondents/Have a Planner
Myself 61% 54%
Financial Planner or Advisor 26% 42%
Certified Financial Planner 23% 36%
Certified Public Accountant 21% 20%
Accountant 18% 20%
Family Member or Friend 15% 16%
Banker 11% 12%
Attorney 7% 7%
Insurance Agent or Broker 6% 6%
Stock Broker 5% 8%
(numbers were estimated from a graphical representation of the data)

70% of those surveyed are either retired or are only working because they want to.
66% of seniors believe the economic situation will be very good in 10 years.
19% say the economic downturn has had a very significant personal impact.
11% have delayed their retirement more than 10 years.
32% have delayed their retirement for 1-2 years.
89% of seniors say “trustworthiness” is a very important quality in an advisor.


When do you anticipate retiring from your main career or job?

Within the next year 2%
1 – 5 years from now 32%
6 – 10 years from now 28%
More than 10 years from now 6%
Will never retire 15%
Don’t know 17%


If you have investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, 401(k) or personal retirement accounts, which is your highest priority now?

Stay the course 23%
Keep Investments from Declining in Value 18%
Minimize Losses 15%
Have Both Income and Growth in Investments 15%
Continue to Invest as Planned 9%
Maximize Current Income from Investments 7%
Follow Advice or Plan Developed By Advisor 6%
Increase Size of Investment Portfolio 4%
Move From High Risk to Lower Risk 3%


Some quick thoughts as a result (shared with me from another very successful advisor I work with):

1) Retirees perceive no significant difference between CPAs and accountants.
2) Only 10% of seniors turn to CPAs for financial advice.
3) CPAs should, therefore, align themselves with a financial planner (51% seek their advice on financial matters) to enhance their overall practice.
4) Only 32% of seniors with investments intend to do nothing (stay the course – 23% and continue to invest as planned – 9%).

What you do with this information is up to you - put I see opportunity (as do many of my advisors) everywhere!
Call me if you'd like this published report.

Matthew J Neuman, Vice President of Marketing
"The Advisor's Advisor"
Click Here for More on "The Advisor's Advisor"
825 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 510
Topeka, KS 66612
Toll Free: 866.363.9595
Fax: 785.271.1448
matt.neuman@advisorsexcel.com

Welcome to The Advisor's Advisor Blog

Welcome to The Advisor's Advisor Blog!!!

This is a a place I created to regularly share ideas given to me from some of America's elite financial advisors.
You might see sales scripts, business-building ideas, reference articles or a number of other items that (when implemented) will increase your business.

If your looking to better your client's situation(s), build your practice, and learn from the 85 advisors I work with who will do over $300 million in annuity production this year - you've found the place.

Welcome and here's to a successful journey together.

Matthew J Neuman, Vice President of Marketing
"The Advisor's Advisor"
Click Here for More on "The Advisor's Advisor"
825 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 510
Topeka, KS 66612
Toll Free: 866.363.9595
Fax: 785.271.1448
matt.neuman@advisorsexcel.com