open CommuniCation: Third-party Marketers resource guide exploring the Bank Advisor/TpM Relationship A SUPPLEMENT TO 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 1 8/18/10 2:19:34 PM The TRUTH about bank brokerage. A2 10-FID-0099 FID-Ad-BIC.indd 1 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 2 5/14/10 3:44:51 PM 8/18/10 2:19:39 PM H Keeping the Lines of Communication... There are many factors that affect the strength of a bank/TPM partnership. We examine the current state of that relationship and suggest paths to improvement. Open A3 14/10 3:44:51 PM 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 3 8/18/10 2:19:47 PM When it comes to the relationship between banks and their third-party marketers (TPMs), the good news is that most program managers and bank advisors—four out of five queried—seem to be content enough that they are not contemplating changing partners. The bad news is that one in five is thinking about making a change, and that many bank reps have criticisms of some aspect of their TPM relationship. How satisfied are you with your TPM’s problem resolution abilities? Very Satisfied 45% Somewhat Satisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied 8% 12% Have you considered switching TPMs recently? WhatSatisfied the survey found was that in each area of inquiry, the majority of Somewhat 60% responding reps said they were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their Satisfied TPM’s performance,29% while between 11% and 38% said they were very dissatisfied or somewhat dissatisfied. ar m pl fri Somewhat Very Looking at specific areas of Dissatisfied Dissatisfied the survey, TPM product offerings fared the best, 4% saying they were very satisfied and 29% saying they with 60% of 7% respondents wereHow at least somewhat likely are you satisfied. Only 7% said they were very dissatisfied with to changeand TPMs the offerings, theinremaining 4% noted they were somewhat dissatisfied. the next year or two? ba de to wh tra re Also relatively strong were reps’ opinions about their TPM’s compliance services (85% positive, 15% negative); problem resolution abilities (80% Very Unlikely positive, 20% negative); processing operations (80% positive, 20% negative); 59% (80% positive, 20% negative); technology platform (76% training and support Somewhat Unlikely positive, 24% negative); and sales support (75% positive, 25% negative). NO 80% 18% YES The biggest area with room for improvement was recruiting, with 21% of respondents saying their TPM was very unhelpful with recruiting efforts and Very Likely another Somewhat 17% saying their TPM was somewhat unhelpful. Just over a quarter Likely 7% of the group 16% said their TPM was very helpful, with the largest group, 37%, characterizing TPM How satisfied areassistance with recruiting as somewhat helpful. 20% How satisfied are you with your TPM’s training and support? you with your TPM’s pr th pr Somewhat Satisfied 43% Very Satisfied 37% 43% A4 32% Very Dissatisfied 4 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd ad re It sales is difficult to know exactly how these responses—in addition to financial support? considerations such as fee splits between parties—might play out in terms of a decision by a bank to keep its current TPM or move to another provider. Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied On op im sim Very 35% Very Dissatisfied InHow Junesatisfied of this are year, Bank Investment Consultant asked readers to share theiryou thoughts on TPM’s their TPMs’ services on topics such as product offerings, with your product offerings? sales support, technology and problem resolution. Eighty-two bank reps took time out of their busy schedules to answer multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Somewhat Dissatisfied 7% 13% Somewhat Dissatisfied 10% Very Dissatisfied 15% How satisfied are 8/18/10 2:19:47 PM are ngs, ook ded of heir at- est, hey ith . nce 0% ve); 6% of and ter %, cial ms der. In the technology platform arena, some respondents called for more upgrades and more user-friendly systems. One thing is certain, however, a move can cause numerous disruptions to bank operations, bank reps and especially bank customers. Resolving problems and improving the relationship between the bank and its TPM may in the end be a simpler and more satisfying solution. In that regard, some of the suggestions in the survey are instructive. In the area of recruiting support, for example, a number of respondents suggested more prescreening of the candidates offered to the bank. In the technology platform arena, some respondents called for more upgrades and more userfriendly systems. On the question of problem resolution, which is a critical piece of the TPM/ bank relationship, the most common suggestions for improvement were having How satisfied areresponding you designated go-to people, having more and better-trained staff and with your TPM’s problem to problems or questions from bank reps more quickly. “Have a team of people resolution abilities? who own the problem, rather than passing the buck all the time,” said one frustrated respondent. Another rep said that TPMs “could do a better job of letting reps and program managers know where they go for different problems.” Somewhat How satisfied are you with your TPM’s product offerings? Very Satisfied Satisfied Very Satisfied face-to-face 35% time, as In terms of training, reps said they’d like more well as additional online learning opportunities. One rep noted45% that “more sale-related revenue-producing ideas” would be beneficial. 60% Somewhat Satisfied 29% Somewhat Over the next several pages, we offer additional survey findings, and Dissatisfied discuss Very 8% Dissatisfied practical tips and strategies from advisors and TPM executives to help improve the relationship and better understand the reasons that lead to12% banks changing providers. n Very Dissatisfied 7% A5 Very Unlikely NO 80% 5 4% How likely are you to change TPMs in the next year or two? Have you considered switching TPMs recently? 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd Somewhat Dissatisfied Somewhat Unlikely YES 20% 18% 59% 8/18/10 2:19:48 PM Changing Third-Party Marketers Harold Baker, the assistant vice president and manager for Clearfield Bank & Trust in Clearfield, a small town located in central Pennsylvania, knows a lot about changing broker-dealers. When he and other bank officers decided a year ago that it was time to make a switch, Baker says he wanted to make sure things went better than they did in one of the earlier switches he participated in at another institution. “We had a big problem with that one,” he recalls, “because there was a timing issue between when the final statements went out to clients from the old TPM and when the new initial statements went out from the new company.” He explains, with a wry laugh, “You see, the old firm’s statements all said the clients had an account balance of zero. And they weren’t getting their new statements for several days. I’m telling you, I had people coming into the office ashen-faced thinking they’d lost everything they had! I was making calls late into the evening that day to my clients, so people wouldn’t be going to bed thinking they were penniless!” Esse Preparation is Critical Clearly, says Baker, preparation is the key when a bank decides to jump ship and move to a new TPM. “The big thing is communication,” says an executive with one large brokerage who has been involved in a number of such changeovers at banks. “You don’t want your financial advisors to be unhappy or confused, and you don’t want to surprise your clients, the bank customers. Especially in a down market like we’re in right now, when people have to open a new account. You can easily lose them.” ENS you Plea sale of o A6 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 6 8/18/10 2:19:51 PM l k t e e n d e Essex National Securities, Inc. 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Please call (800)228-7531 or email us at [email protected] to schedule a web demo with one of our new business officers. www.ensinet.com 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 7 Providing the talent & tools to support your success 8/18/10 2:19:51 PM Bu IN I cred over can b enue must expe ing b build three techn help expe of th A large arise more comp robu toda the k A office less natin reps tates for c prog also ship and avail tools and i H cal a just value inves shou vativ grow A Personal Touch in a High-Tech World At INVEST, our passion is to make your life easy again. Hands-on client-centered service means real people ready to make your life easier every step of the way. • Paper-Free Workflow with E-Signature Technology • AdvisorPath™ Practice Management Platform and Virtual Sales Assistant Program • Million Dollar Practice™ Marketing Platform Geared Toward Making Every Rep a Million Dollar Producer • Choice of Clearing Platforms: Pershing or National Financial • Flexible Advisory Services Program and Comprehensive Product offerings • Attractive Transition Packages • High Payouts www.investfinancial.com | 8745 Henderson road • suite 300 | tampa, fl | 33634 | 800-245-4732 11fe8390_BIC_butler-ad.indd 1 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 11fe8390-0711-72595 How Can We Make Your Life Easier, Today? Help grow your business with the support of INVEST Financial Corporation. Call Connie Gregory and let her make your life easy, again: 800.245.4732 Or email: [email protected] www.in member finra, sipc 7/9/2010 11:58:05 AM 8 8/18/10 11fe8738_BIC_b 2:19:52 PM d e the oration. er ial.com pc 2010 11:58:05 AM A D V E R T I S E M E N T Building a successful financial institution investment program with INVEST Financial Corporation is I easy. n the current economic environment, financial institutions are facing tight profit margins and looking to add fee-based services to achieve growth. A bank or credit union’s investment program enhances the overall value proposition of the institution and can be an important component of boosting revenue. But in order to really thrive, the program must be efficient and deliver a quality service experience for clients. For broker-dealers serving banks and credit unions, helping institutions build successful investment programs involves three main components: Innovative, integrated technology; practice management solutions to help advisers grow their business; and a service experience that supports the unique challenges of the financial institution environment. As mature financial programs accumulate large client bases, service challenges inevitably arise. Providing quality service becomes even more demanding as customers’ needs grow more complex and regulatory concerns increase. A robust technology platform is the foundation of today’s most successful brokerage programs and the key to elevating customer service. A broker-dealer’s back office system and front office applications should ideally create a paperless operating environment for advisers. Eliminating paperwork not only saves time and allows reps to focus on client interaction, it also facilitates compliance reviews, reduces processing time for customers, and makes the entire investment program more efficient. The technology should also be fully integrated with customer relationship management (CRM), account aggregation and straight-through processing functionality all available on one cohesive platform. Finally, these tools and resources must be easy for reps to use and incorporate into their practices. Helping reps learn to use technology is a critical aspect of management support, but it’s really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the value broker-dealers can add to an institution’s investment program. Banks and credit unions should seek out B/D partners that provide innovative tools and resources to help representatives grow their businesses. A truly comprehensive practice management program includes assistance with marketing, generating referrals both inside and outside the branch, and strategic business development initiatives. Extensive training and educational opportunities that can be accessed in a variety of ways, from online to onsite, are also crucial to helping reps continue to build their knowledge and expertise. With time management and client service being such critical elements of a brokerage program, innovative staffing solutions can create a huge boost in productivity and efficiency. One option gaining traction is to outsource support staff to the broker-dealer home office. By having a “virtual” sales assistant who is trained and managed by the B/D, the adviser saves the considerable time and expense of hiring a traditional in-house assistant. The arrangement is essentially transparent to clients – they receive a high level of service from a fully-licensed professional who understands the adviser’s practice. Compliance support, too, is a critical component of any investment program. Banks and credit unions must adhere to specific, complex regulations. As such, firms that have experienced working with financial institutions and possess a thorough understanding of their unique regulatory issues are the most valuable partners. Ultimately, the institution needs to be comfortable relying on the broker-dealer to navigate the increasing complexity of compliance requirements and the sweeping regulatory changes that are on the horizon. By outsourcing this expertise, financial institutions can focus on the things they can control – generating revenue and delivering an exceptional service experience for clients. Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t address the matter of the broker-dealer’s relationship with the financial institution. Trust is one aspect, which I touched on above in discussing the importance of the institution being able to rely on the B/D for compliance support. But it is also a matter of understanding how the financial institution environment differs from the independent space, and tailoring support and services to the representatives in that channel. Serving financial institutions involves dealing with multiple layers, Steve Dowden President and CEO INVEST FINANCIAL CORPORATION from the parent organization down to the individual branch level. All must be integrated into the broker-dealer’s overall strategy. From the institution’s perspective, not only must the bank’s management and staff trust in the broker-dealers’s experience and expertise, they must also view the investment program as an integral part of the institution’s core service offering. Without complete buy-in and support on behalf of the financial institution, the brokerage division – and its representatives – can never reach its fully potential. Additionally, in order to ensure a long-term relationship, financial institutions should seek out broker-dealers with strong financials that have demonstrated stability throughout these turbulent times. The most successful investment programs are those built on a true business partnership between the institution and the broker-dealer. Out of that partnership comes increased operational efficiency for the institution, improved productivity and satisfaction for advisers and, most importantly, elevated service for clients. How Can We Make Your Life Easier, Today? member finra, sipc www.investfinancial.com | 8745 Henderson road • suite 300 | tampa, fl | 33634 | 800-245-4732 11fe8738_BIC_butler-ad_supplemen1 1 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 11fe8738-0711-72596 7/9/2010 11:56:11 AM 9 8/18/10 2:19:52 PM fied are you TPM’s problem abilities? How satisfied are you with your TPM’s product offerings? Changing continued Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied 35% 60% Somewhat Satisfied 29% Very atisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied 8% 12% 7% Somewhat Dissatisfied 4% How likely are you to change TPMs in the next year or two? onsidered TPMs recently? Very Unlikely Somewhat Unlikely 18% YES 59% How satisfied are you with your TPM’s problem resolution abilities? 20% Very Likely SomewhatSomewhat Likely Satisfied 7% Very Satisfied 16% 35% 45% How satisfied are you with your TPM’s sales support? fied are our TPM’s nd support? Somewhat Satisfied 43% Very atisfied 13% Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Somewhat Dissatisfied There can be a lot to explain. Some products—annuities or mutual funds offered by the former TPM for example—may no longer be available through the new provider, so people with those particular investments need to be taken care of. If the new TPM uses a different clearing operation than the old one, the repapering process can be even more complicated. At the same time, the very need to communicate with clients can be an opportunity. Paul Vitiello, a financial advisor at the Honesdale National satisfied bank are in HonesBank, aHow community you with your TPM’s dale, Pa., says the repapering proproduct offerings? cess done during his bank’s recent conversion from Uvest to PrimeVest, while “cumbersome at times,” gave Very Satisfied him an excuse to go over all his clients’ 60%was Somewhat accounts. “This especially useful Satisfied with the smaller account holders,” he 29% says. “The ones with maybe no more than $3,000 invested.” Very Dissatisfied 8% Somewhat Dissatisfied 4%find people Sometimes, he 7% says, he’d 43% who hadHow onlylikely $600areinyou their accounts Very Have you considered to change TPMs in and had not been doing anything with Satisfied switching TPMs recently? the next year or two? the money. These clients were being 32% Somewhat Dissatisfiedcharged inactivity fees of $35 by Uvest. Somewhat 10% “Often we’d agree they Very might be better Dissatisfied Very Unlikely 7% off moving that money into a CD,” he Dissatisfied NO 59% 15% says. Other times, he’d find clients with Somewhat 80% Unlikely How satisfied are inactive accounts holding $2,000 to 18% YES you with your TPM’s $3,000, and he’d ask them why they 20% technology platform? weren’t doing anything with the money. Veryend Likely “You know, Somewhat very often they up deLikely 7% Somewhat ciding they want to invest more when Satisfied 16% you talk with them!” 38% Satisfied 12% Very Satisfied 38% How satisfied are you with your TPM’s training and support? How satisfied are you with your TPM’s For his part, Ray Ceccotti, senior sales support? Somewhat Dissatisfied vice president for retail banking at Honesdale, says, Somewhat “We actually picked Satisfied up some old customers during the pro43% cess of conversion.” He says there were Very Satisfied inevitably issues that came up, “but we 13% Somewhat Very Satisfied Dissatisfied Very 11% Satisfied 43% 37% 32% Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied 7% 13% 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd A10 talked everything through as we went.” In the end, the conversion, which took about 90 days to complete, cost roughly $10,000, with PrimeVest agreeing to absorb most of that amount. W “There’s a lot of pre-transition work that needs to be done by the bank and the two TPMs,” says Dan Mallard, director of strategy and consulting at Raymond James. “And you need a lot of communication. The more everyone involved knows, the better.” Another key to a successful transition is “full cooperation” between both TPMs. “I think for the most part, everyone does that,” he says. B T R th ap te se or Prime Considerations Paul Werlin, principal at Human Capital Resources, in St. Petersburg, Fla., says there are three things a bank needs to think about when considering a change in TPM. “First you have the actual work that will be involved to get it done, and what it will cost you. Second is the impact on your reps, because they are going to have to learn a new system and new products. Third is the impact on your customers, who are going to be worried that you’re changing because of some problem.” is pr or D at m pr pa al a Werlin say that no matter how seamless it all might look during the planning stage, “a change of TPMs is going to be disruptive. You want to make sure that the payback for converting is worth the disruption.” TPM pr H pe w This statement may explain why our survey found that, despite some level of dissatisfaction with some aspects of the bank/TPM relationship reported by respondents, only one in five reps polled said they had considered switching TPMs recently. n Somewhat Dissatisfied 10% Very Dissatisfied 15% 10 How satisfied are you with your TPM’s 8/18/10 2:19:52 PM t.” ok ghng ork nd rd, at lot ne her ull “I oes an rg, nk erave ed ost ps, arn ird ho ’re ” ow he Ms ant for hy me aship in id- W Why Banks End Their Third-Party Marketer Relationships There are many reasons banks might drop their TPMs, but the three most common ones appear to be price, a desire to gain improved technology or dissatisfaction with the level of service, whether it’s problem solving, training or recruiting new advisors. “I’d say the main reasons banks come to us is because they’re looking to get a broader product array and more experienced talent, or to strengthen recurrent revenue,” says Dan Mallard, director of strategy and consulting at Raymond James. “And I’d have to say the main reason they leave us is when it’s all about price. Someone else may be promising a lower payout, or the bank may feel they’re not using all our products—but frankly we don’t see a lot of people dropping us.” “The revenue split between the bank and TPM is a big issue,” agrees Paul Werlin, principal at St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Human Capital Resources. “A couple of percentage points more revenue either way can make a big difference.” Reduced Services Another issue, says Werlin, is service. “I’m hearing more and more complaints that TPMs, because of the current economic environment, have made cutbacks in their personnel. They’re providing less service and are slower about fixing problems, answering questions from bank advisors, etc.” Valerie Seyfert, president and CEO of CUSO Financial Services and Sorrento Pacific Financial agrees. “Right now, a lot of moves by banks to new TPMs are happening because of the changes taking place in the broker-dealer community, such as going public, reductions in staff and services and so on. When a company changes ownership, or begins to operate in a different way, a bank may say, ‘Hey, this isn’t a good match for us anymore.’” A11 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 11 8/18/10 2:19:55 PM in Ove exp To a advi to c mee the with rele cust unloCk the true pote ntial of your practice The good news for financial advisors is that most people need financial services. So if they’re not getting them from you, they’re getting them somewhere else. Forw com Inve inve and prac Capture your share of the financial services market in your community There are customers out there who could be yours – IF you know how to talk to them and can offer customized products and services that will enhance their long-term financial security. Fou finan miti and prov curr insti to o bran Con Inve 200 and 200 Brok In a com one thre ContaCt us today to reCe ive your “Unlock Your True Potential” k it 800-923-4220 www.invpro.com ke tur NO BANK GUARANTEE | NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE All Securities and Advisory Services offered through Investment Professionals, Inc. (IPI), a Registered Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor and member FINRA and SIPC. The investment services offered by IPI are in no way affiliated with or offered by the bank or credit union where IPI may maintain an office. Customers work solely through IPI with respect to their investment, brokerage and securities transactions. IPI does not offer or provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney and/or tax advisor for such services. The products offered by Investment Professionals, Inc. are not insured by the FDIC, the NCUA or any other agency of the government, are not deposits or other obligations for the bank or guaranteed by the bank and involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal amount invested. Source 1: Most recent study done in 2008 national “Studies of Bank Brokerage and Retail Investment Services” conducted by American Brokerage Consultants (ABC), St. Petersburg, FL, and Bank Investment Consultant Magazine, New York, NY. In the most recent 2008 study, a total of 2,024 banks offering retail investment programs were surveyed and 14.6% responded. ABC asked banks to rank their individual investment programs; responses were aggregated and compared against the results of all broker-dealers in the survey. Past ABC rankings may not be indicative of future rankings. In seven studies performed by American Brokerage Consultants’ Studies of Bank Brokerage and Retail Investment Services over the last 12 years from 1997-2009, IPI has received over 2,200 survey responses from bank executives and has been rated the most highly rated bank/brokerage firm. Source 2: San Antonio Business Journal. Rankings based on three-year annual revenue growth rates of companies headquartered in greater San Antonio. Data analysis by an independent auditing firm. Source 3: 2009 study sponsored by the Texas Association of Business, TSCSHRM and Best Companies Group. Confidential survey and data analysis conducted by an independent research firm. © 2010 Investment Professionals, Inc. BIC_AD_REV.indd 1 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd IPI c in M Mar was in A surv is a test how 8/2/10 11:51 AM 12 8/18/10 BIC_AD_REV.in 2:19:56 PM investMent proFessionals, inC. A DV E R T O R I A L Over the next 20 years, baby boomers are expected to transfer trillions in wealth to their heirs. To attract these assets to their practice, financial advisors must develop more effective strategies to communicate with prospects and clients and meet more of their needs. If you’re partnered with the right broker-dealer, you can go head-to-head with even the biggest full-service banks that are relentless in their quest for a bigger share of prime customers’ wallets. Our marketing programs are designed to enable frequent communication with clients and prospects so that the advisor is top-of-mind when a need arises. From marketing strategies for building quality prospect lists to a fully-stocked Marketing Library of topical articles, our resources boost advisor productivity. IPI also works with our bank partners to build their brands and prestige in the community, further driving prospects to your doorstep. Our strategies are market neutral – they are as effective in small town America as they are in larger metropolitan areas. Forward-thinking bank financial advisors can compete more effectively by partnering with Investment Professionals, Inc. (IPI) in a collaborative investment program. Based on shared objectives and rewards, working alongside IPI can put your practice on a path to sustainable success. Founded in 1992, IPI is a private, Texas-based financial planning, asset management, and risk mitigation firm with $4.2 billion under management and 45,000 clients nationwide. IPI is a leading provider of on-site bank investment programs and currently partners with more than 130 financial institutions with assets ranging from $35 million to over $7 billion. IPI also operates three retail branches in Texas. In seven American Brokerage Consultants’ Studies of Bank Brokerage and Retail Investment Services over 12 years from 19972009, bank executives nationwide (cumulatively and over) cast over 2,200 votes in favor of IPI. In 2008 IPI was voted the Most Highly Rated Bank Brokerage Firm for an unprecedented fourth time.1 In addition to being one of the fastest-growing companies in San Antonio,2 IPI has been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas for three years in a row.3 keys to suCCess: turnkey MarketinG proGraMs tment tment omers gal or s, Inc. ank or study ultants 2,024 tment ay not Retail nd has annual : 2009 nalysis ls, Inc. 8/2/10 11:51 AM IPI continues to excel in the bank brokerage industry in Marketing Effectiveness, Marketing Expertise, Marketing Materials and Marketing Scope. IPI was ranked No. 1 in all four marketing categories in American Brokerage Consultants’ (ABC) 2008 survey of 261 bankers nationwide. Our approach is about building turnkey marketing programs, testing them and coaching financial advisors in how to use them for maximum effectiveness. BIC_AD_REV.indd 2 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd keys to suCCess: FinanCial advisor traininG, CoaChinG and 360° support In the 2008 ABC study IPI received a No. 1 grade for Quality & Effectiveness of Sales Management – an achievement tied to our focus on addressing individual financial advisor challenges. And for the third year in a row IPI was ranked No. 1 in Quality of Training (please source) – a result related to the substantial resources we allocate to this key function. In the first year of each bank investment program, we spend over $32,000 on average training a new financial advisor to do business using IPI’s proven approach to success. Advisors attend a three-day training session in our San Antonio headquarters and participate in our StartRight program. Both start-ups and replacement programs benefit from the solid foundation we establish during the first 90 days of a new program. In addition to our regular schedule of ongoing training in weekly and monthly modules, IPI principals travel to conduct special advisor trainings on-site. Our ability to help advisors boost revenues is linked to our unique focus on and affinity with community banks and their customers. According to Scott A. Barnes, IPI’s Founder, “Our business grew up building profitable investment programs for community banks – with IPI team members who also grew up in smaller community environments. This is how we’ve developed the insights, methods and relationships that have propelled IPI to a record of acclaim rivaling any broker-dealer in our industry.” 8/2/10 11:51 AM 13 8/18/10 2:19:56 PM 7% Likely 16% How satisfied are you with your TPM’s training and support? How satisfied are you with your TPM’s sales support? Somewhat Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied 43% 37% Very Dissatisfied WHY Very continued Satisfied 43% 32% Somewhat Dissatisfied B H s Somewhat Dissatisfied 10% Very Dissatisfied 7% 13% 15% How satisfied are you with your TPM’s technology platform? Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied 38% 38% Somewhat Dissatisfied 13% Very Dissatisfied 11% One way the changes show up, she says, is in reduced service. “A bank may have had a person at their TPM that the program manager and the reps related to well, and then suddenly that person’s gone. Or there may have been things that had been promised to them and suddenly those services are no longer provided or have gotten worse.” Cutbacks in staffing and level of services at TPMs are felt most at smaller banks. According to one executive at a TPM firm, TPMs are looking for the advantages of scale, and often see the smaller banks that have only a handful of advisors as not profitable, so they tend to reduce their services to those institutions. Better Technology An additional reason banks move to another TPM, says Seyfert, is improved technology. “If a bank’s program is growing, it may be a good reason to move,” she says. “Investment services may represent a small percentage of a bank’s customers, but that means that there is a lot of upside potential, and the easier it is to reach everyone the better.” For Harold Baker, assistant vice president at Clearfield Bank & Trust in Clearfield, Pa., all three of these reasons figured into the decision to change TPMs. “The first issue was finances,” he says. “I felt we weren’t satisfied receiving an adequateHow payout for theare you with your TPM’s problem work we were doing with our existresolution abilities? ing TPM. In addition, it seemed like their service was deteriorating. Every time we called, we’d get a new Somewhat Very know Satisfied person, and he or she didn’t all Satisfied 35% the answers to our questions. Plus 45% their internal relationships person would take days to answer an email Somewhat or return a call. Finally I felt that Dissatisfied Very the technology could be better. They 8% Dissatisfied were still using a lot of paper.” 12% Baker says in doing his due diligence you at considered about the switch, heHave looked 10 switching TPMs recently? broker-dealers and had face-to-face meetings with six, before settling on Sorrento Financial Services. He says the firm offered a goodNOfee split, great service and a web-based 80%system with customer records online. “Our YES costs are probably 20% to 25% lower 20% now, and we’re making about 10% to 12% more from the investment side than we were with the old TPM,” he says. How satisfied are “It’s actually a good to beTPM’s you time with your shopping for a new TPM,” says training andone support? executive in the industry who has worked at both broker-dealers and Somewhat Satisfied banks. “It’s gotten very competitive 43% out there, and TPMs Very are offering Satisfied a lot to capture new clients.” He adds 37% that with products and services becoming increasingly “commoditized,” Somewhat Dissatisfied banks are freer to negotiate on price, Very 7% which he says “is very much aDissatisfied matter 13% for negotiation.” n H y p H y t H t t Somewhat Unlikely 18% H y s How satisfied are you with your TPM technology platfor Somewhat Satisfied A14 Very Satisfied 38% 38% 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 14 8/18/10 2:19:56 PM Very Dissat Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied Very Satisfied 35% 45% 60% Somewhat Satisfied 29% Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied 8% 12% 7% Somewhat Dissatisfied 4% Best Practices How likely are you to change TPMs in the next year or two? Have you considered switching TPMs recently? Very Unlikely for Banks &Third-Party Marketers 59% NO heare you M’s problem tilities? ke vw omewhat atisfied all 35% us on ail Somewhat at Dissatisfied Very ey 8% fied How satisfied are you 80% with your TPM’s product offerings? Somewhat Unlikely 18% YES 20% What creates a durable working relationship between a bank and its TPM? Here’sSomewhat what peopleVery on Likely both sides of the equation have to say: Very Satisfied Likely 60% 16% Somewhat Satisfied Communication is key. The consensus among the program managers, TPM How satisfied are executives and bank advisors interviewed seems to be that chief among virtues you with your TPM’s on sales the list of best practices is communication. “This is critical,” says Paul support? Werlin, principal at Human Capital Resources, in St. Petersburg, Fla. He says this is especially true in today’s post-crisis environment, with short staffing everywhere.Somewhat “TPMs don’t have a lot of bodies working with the banks to explain Satisfied the services they provide, so a lot of banks don’t even know what’s available to 43% them Very and their customers. Those TPMs that do the best job of explaining what Satisfied value they are providing do the best job of hanging on to their clients.” How satisfied are 29% you with your TPM’s training and support? Somewhat Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Somewhat 4% 7% Satisfied 2% ce sidered 10 Ms recently? ce on ys it, m ur YES er 20% % nt ,” How likely 43% are you Very to Satisfied change TPMs in the37% next year or two? Very Unlikely Very Dissatisfied 59% 13% Somewhat Unlikely 7% bank or reps want, they shouldn’t say they can. They should also talk about what they’re doing when they’re trying to solve a problem,” says Werlin. Very Likely 7% 16% How satisfied are you with your TPM’s sales support? Somewhat Satisfied Give every bank client equally good service. Very Satisfied 38% Very Satisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied 10% 15% Create a strong culture of cross-selling and teamwork. By having a strong cross-selling process in place, banks can maximize referrals of customers to their financial advisors. Find a good fit. “We see some banks and TPMs that are very highly auto- mated and self-service, and others that are highly personal,” says PrimeVest President and CEO Catherine Bonneau. “Things work best when those cultures match.” n How satisfied are you with your TPM’s technology platform? Somewhat Satisfied A15 38% Somewhat Dissatisfied 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 13% Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Have knowledgeable people in charge at the bank, and top-quality Dissatisfied financial industry well,” says Dan Mallard, director of strategy and consulting at Raymond James. “And you need to have the best financial advi11% sors possible.” 43% Very Dissatisfied 38% are ignored. Very knows the Dissatisfied 32% 3% A big complaint among 38% smaller banks is that TPMs focus only on top customers, while smaller banks reps. “You 13%need someone in the role of program manager at the bank who Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied Somewhat How satisfied are you with your TPM’s Don’t overpromise or under-deliver. “If a TPM can’t do something the technology platform? Somewhat Likely as nd mewhat tisfied ve 3% ng ds e,” Somewhat Dissatisfied ce, Very 7% fied er 32% But even within banks there can be communication problems. Things work best, Dissatisfied says one executive at a brokerage house with long experience in the banking 10% Very have good internal communication between their banksector, when banks Dissatisfied ing and investment sides. “In many banks, there’s not much communication 15% between the bank managers, lending officers and financial advisors,” he says. Somewhat Dissatisfied 18% are rbeTPM’s ne support? 7% 15 8/18/10 2:19:57 PM She wore several \´ka-r ts\ hisfinger. win was on her e Everyone said the result of Think all broker-dealers sound alike? You’ll like our well-defined difference: we speak Financial Institution. Just because a broker-dealer says they offer wealth management services doesn’t mean they’re talking about what your financial institution is looking for. What you hear isn’t always what you get. Our multi-faceted approach to wealth management encompasses holistic financial planning, insurance and advisory services to help you grow the relationships your clients have with your institution. Plus, we cultivate seasoned financial professionals and develop new investment advisors to drive deeper engagement with your clients. To talk with someone fluent in your language who can help you grow your program’s success, contact Sean Casey at 800.245.0467, ext. 65014. You won’t just like what you hear; you’ll like what we mean. © 2010 PrimeVest Financial Services Inc. But at PrimeVest, we speak Financial Institution. With more than 25 years devoted to building investment programs in financial institutions, it’s our native tongue. W e a lt h M a n ag e M e n t advIsorY Insurance We speak Financial Institution. PrimeVest Financial Services Inc. is a registered broker-dealer. 400 First Street South, St. Cloud, MN 56301 14436_BIC_TPMsupplement_TP.indd 10_0581_Karets_8.5x11.indd 1 16 brokerage For use with financial professionals only. 8/18/10 2:19:57 PM 7/15/10 10:10 AM
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