Spectrem's annual trust report reviews the growth of the trust industry, including the number of trust assets and accounts held by major financial institutions.  It reviews the growth and usage of collective investment funds as well as amount of assets managed by institutional trustees. New this year - state trust assets as reported by each state! 

Investor Attitudes and Ownership of Insurance Products seeks to understand the reasons behind insurance ownership as well as the reason some investors avoid insurance ownership.  It can also be used to gain a greater understanding about whom investors seek out when making the actual purchase of the policy. 

The Financial Literacy Gap Among Millionaires tests the knowledge investors have regarding various investment products. Their knowledge (or lack thereof) is then compared to their perceived knowledge level as well as the actual investments they own. They are quizzed on their understanding of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, hedge funds, annuities and other familiar products. 

Investor Perceptions of Socially Responsible Investing demonstrates the level of interest that exists in pointed investing, as well as the types of environmental and social efforts which garner the most interest. 

Three traits used to describe affluent investors is their knowledge of financial and investment matters, their tolerance level for risk in investment products, and their dependency upon a financial advisor for making investment decisions. Those three traits relate to each other in a balanced manner that advisors need to understand. 

Communicating with investors is a crucial part of the provider-client/advisor-client relationship.  Wealthy investors have for years expressed that communication, or lack thereof, can determine whether an investor stays with their current advisor.  How can advisors and providers ensure investors are satisfied with their communication techniques, methods and frequency?   

Widows and Divorcees represent a significant portion of households. Widows and Divorcees: Empowering Women in Transition is an impactful study that will give advisors and providers a clear understanding of how they can best serve these clients who are highly motivated to set financial goals, take stronger control of their finances and be more active stewards of their own financial future.  

Investors today are required to pay close attention to events and announcements that come from the government. The new tax laws obviously impact investment decisions, and the partisan politics which have such a strong hold on American government can impact the economy as well.

Market Insights provides managers and decision-makers tools which can help shape a firm’s vision and aid in the determination of where to spend development dollars.  It is an indispensable tool profiling the state of the market and how investor demographics, preferences and behaviors have changed in a world economic environment where markets are volatile and uncertainty prevails.  

For many households, receiving an inheritance is a tipping point on whether to engage a financial advisor.  With this influx of money comes questions, concerns and opportunities for which investors may seek the expertise of a financial professional.