In this Swift Chat episode, Marie Swift speaks with Kevin Knull, CFP®, President of TaxStatus, a cutting-edge IRS account monitoring and tax data platform designed for financial professionals and the clients they serve, about how this innovative fintech solution is helping financial advisors enhance client services through seamless integration with IRS data. Knull shares how TaxStatus enables continuous monitoring of client activities, providing real-time notifications on new filings and offering advanced analysis capabilities that help advisors prevent tax fraud and improve the financial advice they provide.

The conversation delves into how TaxStatus streamlines the client onboarding process by simplifying data collection and offering easy access to historical tax data. This not only enhances financial planning but also empowers advisors to make more strategic, data-driven decisions on behalf of their clients. Knull also shares how financial advisors can use TaxStatus as a tool for prospecting new clients by offering a unique value proposition rooted in tax efficiency and compliance monitoring.

Looking ahead, Swift and Knull explore future developments, such as integrating AI capabilities to automate further and enhance the system’s functionality. Knull also outlines a trial process available to financial advisors, allowing them to experience firsthand the efficiencies and benefits of the platform.

Learn more about Kevin Knull and TaxStatus at https://www.taxstatus.com

In this Swift Chat conversation, Marie Swift speaks with John O'Connell, founder of The Oasis Group, a leading consultancy for the wealth management industry. Their leadership position includes identifying, reviewing, and discussing new technologies and capabilities for the wealth management industry. The Oasis Group offers award-winning consulting services, industry-leading research, and compelling on-demand training for wealth management firms and the service providers who serve the wealth management industry.

Wealth management firms can unlock new levels of efficiency, personalization, and client engagement by adopting AI. John strongly recommends that firms begin to leverage AI to gain familiarity with its capabilities and concerns, to learn new skills like prompt engineering, and to clearly identify how they plan to leverage AI in projects. Leveraging AI now enables firms to discuss their compliance posture and to develop their AI policies.

Check out this AI WealthTech Map, which can serve as a handy reference tool:

The Oasis Group also recently launched a new research series called Vantage Point Peaks, which provides in-depth reports and competitive analysis on a range of service providers in the wealth management industry. The reports are designed to help wealth management firms become more informed buyers when breaking away or looking for new wealthtech solutions. The first study of the research series, available now, is the Vantage Point Peaks for Custodian Platforms, which focuses on the registered investment adviser and broker-dealer custodian market and is available to RIA and BD executives, as well as family offices and private wealth firms, interested in new custodian relationships.

If you are going independent, looking to add another custodian, or just interested in the RIA ecosystem and how the various custodians compare and contrast, check out The Oasis Group research on custodians.

As cybersecurity risks grow more complex and the SEC introduces additional cybersecurity regulations for financial services firms, it’s critical to ensure that financial advisorys teams are well equipped to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities while maintaining compliance. O'Connell, who is an industry veteran and cybersecurity expert, talks about the issues and refers people to his comprehensive course aimed at helping them gain an understanding of the evolving cybersecurity landscape in financial services, as well actionable strategies for protecting their financial advisory firm and their clients.

Click here to learn more about the cybersecurity training course.

Learn more about John O'Connell and his award-winning team at https://www.TheOasisGrp.com

In this Swift Chat conversation, Jonny Swift speaks with Alex Khassa, founder of Clients Blackbox, a marketing partner to some of the fastest-growing financial advisory and retirement planning firms in the USA, about transforming financial advisor marketing through precision-engineered video ads. Khassa explains his approach to helping advisors capture more clients by creating highly targeted, short video ads on Facebook and Instagram that replace the traditional, slower webinar funnels. By focusing on the "speed to lead" principle, his strategy significantly reduces lead loss, offering clients immediate access to educational content and fast-tracked appointments. This method enables rapid scaling, delivering a superior return on investment.

He shares success stories of advisors who have grown their businesses through his system, including one client who closed a $13 million virtual deal. Khassa also highlights a new partner program for smaller advisors that allows them to leverage the systems of larger, successful advisors without creating their own video content or virtual sales process.

Learn more about Alex Khassa and Clients Blackbox at www.ClientsBlackbox.com

In this Swift Chat conversation, Marie Swift speaks with Meir Statman, Professor of Finance at the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University, to discuss the field of behavioral finance. Renowned for his research, Meir Statman has recently authored a new book called "A Wealth of Well-Being: A Holistic Approach to Behavioral Finance," which offers profound insights into the psychological underpinnings of financial decisions and their broader implications for personal well-being.

Statman delves into the core themes of the book, unraveling how our emotions and cognitive biases shape our financial behaviors in ways that often defy traditional economic theories. He also shares practical strategies for making more informed and rational financial choices, emphasizing the importance of understanding the human elements that drive our decisions.

Whether you're a finance professional looking to enhance your understanding of behavioral economics or simply interested in the interplay between money and human behavior, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and thoughtful insights. Tune in to discover how to navigate the complex financial landscape with greater wisdom and clarity.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in behavioral finance. A Wealth of Well-Being is available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers.

In this Swift Chat conversation, Marie Swift speaks with Derrick Kinney, Best-Selling Book Author, Keynote Speaker, and Host of the Good Money podcast, to unpack the secrets behind his success and the strategies that have helped countless individuals achieve financial freedom. He also shares advice for financial advisors who might be looking to emulate his success in building a multi-million dollar financial advisory business then selling it a few years ago to focus on what he calls "Derrick 2.0" wherein he now has more time to focus on coaching/mentoring other advisors, and addressing groups of financial advisors at hosted events.

Kinney shares his personal journey, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped his career and the lessons he learned along the way, emphasizing the crucial role of passion in achieving professional success. He also delves into the power of a positive mindset, its role in overcoming challenges, and the significance of building and nurturing strong partnerships. Throughout the conversation, Kinney offers practical advice on navigating the complexities of the financial world, from investment strategies to retirement planning -- and for building a highly successful financial advisory firm.

Learn more about Derrick Kinney and his Success For Advisors program at SuccessForAdvisors.com

In this Swift Chat conversation, Marie Swift speaks with Jane Wollman Rusoff, Contributing Editor with ThinkAdvisor and a two-time AZBEE award winner from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. Jane's career journey is as diverse as it is fascinating. From delving into consumer electronics during the tech revolution to interviewing some of the biggest names in entertainment, Jane's experience spans multiple industries. She shares anecdotes from her interviews with iconic figures like Dustin Hoffman, John Bogle, Ray Charles, Steve Allen, and William Shatner, giving us a glimpse into their lives beyond the spotlight.

Jane is also the founder of Family Star Productions, where she helps ordinary individuals create legacy profiles, capturing their memories, values, and philosophies for future generations. These private profiles serve as a timeless treasure, preserving the essence of a person's life story. Jane shares insights into her unique approach to profiling individuals, including those with cognitive challenges like Alzheimer's. She emphasizes the importance of capturing memories before they're lost and reveals the surprising depth of recollection even in advanced stages of dementia.

You can learn more about Family Star Productions at www.FamilyStarProductions.com

​In this Swift Chat conversation, Marie Swift speaks with Steve Atkinson, Speaker, Leadership Coach, and Growth Expert with Admired Leadership. The conversation delves into the realm of leadership and its practical applications in the financial advisory world. Steve shares insights and anecdotes that shed light on what it means to be an effective leader. He emphasizes the idea that leadership is not merely a title or a position but rather a set of behaviors and choices that anyone can adopt.

​Throughout the discussion, Steve highlights the importance of credibility, feedback, and the creation of a team of leaders. He illustrates how admired leaders, identified through years of study, excel not only in achieving results but also in fostering strong relationships and followership. By focusing on character, competence, and the ability to give impactful feedback, advisors can enhance their leadership skills and ultimately make a positive impact on their clients and teams.

Learn more at https://www.AdmiredLeadership.com

Listen to this special conference compilation podcast episode recorded live in the T3 Podcast Station, powered by LPL Financial, at the 2024 T3 Technology Tools for Today Advisor Conference - which also celebrated the event's 20th anniversary. Host Marie Swift chats with conference speakers, industry thought leaders, and advisors about what's hot and happening at #T32024. From intriguing presentations on the main stage to all the fintech on display in the exhibit hall - and all the celebrations in between - hear the biggest takeaways and insights from:

• Dan Skiles of Altruist
• Jamie Hopkins of Bryn Mawr Trust
• Laura Garfield of Idea Decanter
• Dominic Tully of Powder
• Erkko Etula of Brooklyn Investment Group
• Haik Sahakyan of ARQA
• Matt Kadnar of Nebo Wealth
• Vamshi Yamsani of AssetSprout