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When people think of a financial advisor, what comes to mind are Roth IRA conversions, tax planning and investing your 401(k). Nobody thinks a financial advisor has the power to save somebody’s life.

Every so often, it’s great to get some motivation from the top. We were honored that our CEO Stephen Distante was able to speak with internationally recognized thought leader Jed Emerson, an impact investing strategic adviser known for his work helping individuals and institutions seeking to leverage the greatest financial, social and environmental impact from their investments.  His words give us great insight into the meaning and purpose of capital and how financial advisors can best integrate impact investing into their practice.

Being a young financial advisor is no easy road. In addition to clients perceiving you as “green behind the ears”, it is a gargantuan task to convince someone to trust you with his or her money when you have less than $10MM in assets under management. This is all changing, however, with shifts in investor demographics and a growing consumer preference for more socially and environmentally friendly strategies. Unlike ages past, demographics are now working in favor of younger advisors. Another factor working in young advisors’ favor is the graying of the industry. Now is the time for young advisors to partner with the more senior advisors who are looking to exit within the next 5 to 10 years. This will create continuity for their practices and a viable succession plan.  There is such a shortage of young advisors in the industry that the opportunity there is ripe for the taking!

Many advisors are still hesitant to jump into impact investing. We asked Managing Partner at TriLinc Global, Joan Trant, to share her thoughts on this increasingly talked about approach to investing.

We’re excited to be co-sponsoring the NYC Sustainable Investment Conference which will be held next Thursday. Gitterman Wealth Management chose Vanderbilt Financial Group as their new Broker Dealer this past summer, and we couldn’t be happier to participate n this event, which is so well aligned with our mission as the Sustainable Broker Dealer.