- Shifting From Chaos To Catharsis
Financial advisors can help Americans enact change to bounce back after a tumultuous 2020
2020 was a year of chaotic change in America: the COVID-19 pandemic, its resulting recession, an adjustment to work-from-home life and more. After a year of re-learning and reflection, Americans want to take advantage of the new year by making intentional changes to their personal finances.
read more - For Asset Management Industry, Codifying Diversity & Inclusion
An industry committed to making progress; Managing what you measure
The first publicly available results from industrywide surveys by the Investment Company Institute (ICI) and Independent Directors Council (IDC) drive home the need for greater representation of women and minorities in all levels of asset management. At the same time, a survey of ICI member firms’ diversity and inclusion (D&I) policies indicates members’ commitment to…
read more - Americans Aren’t Advancing Themselves With Their Pandemic Free Time
A once in a generation opportunity, but does this signal a looming crisis in the talent pipeline?
Many Americans have found themselves with much more free time during the coronavirus pandemic, as a result of travel lockdowns and businesses and in-person entertainment shutting down. At the same time, the workplace is changing rapidly. Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield told the BBC, “What we can say with certainty is that the sudden shift to…
read more - Total Structured Finance Loss Estimates Fall Despite Pandemic
Though losses should be contained due to structural mitigants and the limited number of speculative-grade ratings
Fitch Ratings-Frankfurt/London-03 March 2021: Forecast losses on structured finance (SF) bonds have fallen despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Fitch Ratings says in a new report. Asset performance was strong pre-pandemic and SF losses should be contained due to structural mitigants and the limited number of speculative-grade ratings.
read more - Productivity In 2021 & Beyond
5 Pillars for a more effective workforce
COVID-19 has severely disrupted the financial services industry, ending a decade-long positive credit cycle and all but guaranteeing that ultra-low interest rates are here for the foreseeable future. The pandemic also has exacerbated existing productivity challenges. Many firms have had increasingly unsustainable cost–income ratios—and if they don’t take action, they’ll face an existential threat.
read more - Fourth Quarter U.S. Single-Premium Pension Buy-Out Sales Jump 21%
Representing the highest quarterly sales total recorded since fourth quarter 2012
The U.S. single premium buy-out sales totaled $13.7 billion in the fourth quarter, up 21% from fourth quarter 2019, according to the Secure Retirement Institute® (SRI®) U.S. Group Annuity Risk Transfer Sales Survey.
read more - Qualified Plan Advisors To Tackle New Retirement Planning Challenges During Virtual Summit
Fiduciary event gathers industry experts to navigate recent legislation, outlook and trends
Qualified Plan Advisors (QPA) will host a virtual Qualified Plan Fiduciary Summit this April to educate retirement plan sponsors and advisors on recent legislation changes and trends that impact the retirement planning landscape.
read more - Growing Digital Divide In The Workplace Is Forcing Employers To Rethink The Ways They Communicate With Employees
How has work-from-home changed our thinking on things like corporate culture and collaboration?
In March 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic forced countless employers around the globe to send their non-essential employees home. Few organizations had a contingency plan for such a scenario, meaning the overwhelming majority of employers had to rethink their operations and communication functions on the fly. According to more than 800 employers from 45 countries…
read more - 2021 Emerging From The Pandemic
In the shadow Of 2020, U.S. businesses are contemplating a new normal
Employers are preparing benefits plans for a ‘new normal’ and hybrid workforce and are highly focused on addressing behavioral health issues.
read more - Nearly 50% of Customers Want Financial Institutions To Act As A Conscientious Advisor On Major Spending Decisions
Customers want hyper-individualized financial services; They’re even willing to share personal data and pay more as a tradeoff
According to research findings released today by NTT DATA, there is ample opportunity for financial institutions to harness the power of AI to build more meaningful connections and experiences with customers — vastly improving both retention and acquisition. In the global study, customers provide striking testimony about what they would like their financial institutions to…
read more - States With The Fewest, And The Most COVID Restrictions
As vaccines roll-out, is it still too early to ease up on safety protocols?
With states opening up more but a full reopening only possible once most of the population has been vaccinated, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released updated rankings for the States with the Fewest Coronavirus Restrictions, as well as accompanying videos and audio files.
read more - How Might Today’s Stimulus Shape The Future?
History suggests where zero interest rates and big spending may lead
Since 2020, when economic activity began to shut down amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the federal government has slashed interest rates and committed to spend trillions of dollars to try to offset the impact on businesses, consumers, municipal governments, and financial markets. In response, stocks have risen, liquidity has increased in bond markets,…
read more - It’s Time To Reimagine Where And How Work Will Get Done
How remote working is transforming work itself
Nine months into a monumental shift to work-from-home, business leaders are more convinced about the productivity gains achieved, but some are no closer to giving up the office.
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