Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” – this week’s edition kicks off with the news that while 2025 was a fruitful year for RIAs, as firm leaders look ahead to 2026, several key themes and decision points are on the horizon, from navigating the recent calm market environment (which is supportive of client portfolios and firm AUM, but could make certain clients or prospects complacent about their need for professional advice) to increasing industry movement (both in terms of the brisk pace of RIA dealmaking and advisors moving to RIAs from other industry channels and between RIAs themselves), all while firms look to boost their organic growth and create the operational (and staffing) capabilities needed to maintain a high level of client service. Which could make 2026 a key year as many firms look to be opportunistic while ensuring they remain prepared for a future economic or market downturn.
Also in industry news this week:
- A survey finds that only one-quarter of advisors are at least “very satisfied” with their firms’ tech stacks, though many firms appear to be looking to improve them, whether in terms of enhancing core functions (e.g., CRM or financial planning software) or exploring opportunities with AI-enabled software
- The U.S. House of Representatives in December passed the INVEST Act, which could lead to more RIAs qualifying as “small entities” (entitling them to certain regulatory relief) and to more individuals qualifying as “accredited investors” with access to certain private market investments
From there, we have several articles on tax planning:
- While Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is the metric used to determine eligibility for several deductions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the exact types of income MAGI includes for the purposes of OBBBA measures remains unclear in the absence of IRS guidelines
- How financial advisors can potentially save clients thousands of dollars in taxes by ensuring they coordinate their Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) with other IRA withdrawals when it comes to fulfilling their Required Minimum Distributions
- How helping clients navigate the capital gains “bump zone” can help them avoid unexpected large increases in the marginal tax rate they face in a given year
We also have a number of articles on investment planning:
- How advisors with clients interested in cryptocurrency investments can offer value by calibrating an allocation that meets their particular risk-return preferences and investment goals
- Why the timing of investments in (often volatile) cryptocurrency ETFs plays a large role in determining an investor’s ultimate returns
- While Bitcoin is sometimes referred to as “digital gold”, Bitcoin and physical gold have shown quite different performance characteristics in recent years
We wrap up with three final articles, all about New Year’s resolutions:
- Why setting reasonable goals and being kind to oneself are key tactics for fulfilling New Year’s resolutions
- New Year’s resolution opportunities for financial advisory clients, from reviewing their estate plans to reassessing their liquidity needs
- 11 daily habits that can help lead to success in achieving one’s goals in the coming year and beyond
Enjoy the ‘light’ reading!
Source: Weekend Reading For Financial Planners (January 3–4)
