Last week, sixty UBS Wealth Management Americas financial advisors began a three month test drive of the “UBS FA Mobile” a byproduct of a collaboration between the firm and FrameHawk, a San Francisco-based developer of mobile applications.

The application is password-secured and runs behind the UBS firewall on an “internal cloud” computing network that lets FAs tap into research, client materials, account and contact data as well as analyst reports and their e-mail accounts.

Basically, it’s their office computer on the iPad. If the test is successful, UBS plans to release the app to all of its more than 6,000 advisors in March.

According to Larry Barrett, reporting for OnWallStreet, their timing could not be better. Financial Planning Tech surveyed more than 3,200 advisors and more than 40% already own a tablet and of those 85% own the iPad.

More and more clients are using devices like the iPad to conduct their business and to meet their demand, UBS appears to be ahead of the game as more and more firms are racing to either develop their own mobile apps or find vendors to do it for them.

“To that end, UBS also made an undisclosed investment in FrameHawk at the same time they were collaborating on the UBS FA Mobile” reported Barrett.

I’d call that a smart move.

Financial Advisor Recruiters - Recruitment Firm for Financial Advisor Jobs

Not according to the consensus of Bank Insurance and Securities Association members who attended its Third Party Marketer Forum this month.

Not only are they not adapting well, but the banks seem to have cooled to going after the wirehouse reps. This is a big turnaround from a year ago when they were in the midst of financial straits and mergers and doing all they could to bring reps on board from the big wirehouse firms.

According to several participants at the forum, the wirehouse reps were having trouble adjusting to the “team culture” of banks. One member contended that “wirehouse reps could not adjust to the fact that bringing in clients is a group effort”.  Not really sure this should be a generalized statement, though we have seen trainee numbers increasing in the banks.

More significant, I think, is the increase in the number of banks getting help from recruiters to grow their wealth management departments by hiring the “right” rep, not just any rep. Quality, not quantity seems to be the trend…

Financial Advisor Recruiters - Recruitment Firm for Financial Advisor Jobs

Well, here we are again. Another holiday season beginning. Can’t believe it has rolled around again…and what at year it has been! Can’t think of anyone who would not agree that it’s been quite a “ride.”

But you know what? We HAVE survived and the “doomsday” forecast of a year ago did not occur.

So, as I began Thanksgiving week and loaded up two cars with my wife, three kids, two dogs and 5 bikes and headed across the desert for the grandparents and California beaches, I reflected on those I needed to express my gratitude…

On top of the list, the servicemen and women who have given so much to each and every American. Then there are my family and friends who have given of themselves so selflessly; my business partner and associates at Willis-Consulting, Inc. whose hard work and dedication have given me the ability to live well, and our clients who have remained loyal throughout some tough times this year.

So to all of you I say “THANKS” for your giving to me. May you all have a giving and blessed holiday season!

Financial Advisor Recruiters - Recruitment Firm for Financial Advisor Jobs

I was scoping out some blog material over the weekend and something really caught my eye and stuck in my gut… (maybe it was because it validated some anal habits of my own?).

But I think it is worth sharing and reflecting on during stressful and uncertain times, so thank you Katherine Vessenes for your scenario in AdvisorMax coaching session on April 10…

“Going into every meeting your mindset should be to assume the sale.

Very few advisors understand that the financial services business is really a lot like theatre. Your stage is your office and needs to be very tidy and professional looking…you need to create a “wow” experience and think of your client as your audience.

You are playing the role of ???, viewing yourself as confident, in charge, powerful and about to nail your role. Your mindset should be to assume the sale.

Go into every meeting thinking that of course they will do business with you because you know you are really good at what you do and you have your clients’ best interest at heart.

When you put these two things together, that’s a killer combination…”

Ok, I don’t know if my office could be described as “tidy and professional looking”, but it does create that “WOW” feeling… (I think I have mentioned before my obsession with sports and their motivational effect on me?).

I do most of my recruiting “in the field” anyway, but I will agree that confidence and creating the right “stage” is crucial in closing more sales.

Financial Advisor Recruiters - Recruitment Firm for Financial Advisor Jobs

I see where Oppenheimer has picked up some mid to lower producing advisors of the Stanford Financial Group… the courts have “unfrozen” some of their assets, and the Stanford CFO is now “cooperating” with the SEC in the investigation.

Controversy over judicial jurisdiction of foreign assets continues… This one will take awhile to play out, but in the meantime, many of the unknowing and victimized advisors are looking to regain control of their books and move on.

In the past three weeks with the uptick on the Dow, financial recruiters at Willis Consulting have been experiencing heavy volume in applicants – from all arenas. Our clients in wealth management are searching for talent out there, but beware…the scrutiny is tight and we’re spending more and more time on “quality control.” Efficiency and effectiveness are key in this tight market…the ball game continues to change.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that there has been a 30% increase in the demand for executive protection? Now, THERE is a good recruiting idea!

Job Application

Financial Advisor Recruiters - Recruitment Firm for Financial Advisor Jobs

Hats off to Drexel Hamilton brokerage founder Lawrence Doll in Philadelphia! And to David Zucchino, reporter for the Los Angeles Times, “Column One” feature on Saturday, March 14^th – THIS one warmed my heart…

Who would have pinpointed our courageous wounded veterans as the next heroes on Wall Street?

Well, as Zucchino reports, Doll, a disabled Vietnam veteran himself, did and his firm’s program prepares wounded veterans to pass the exams required to become licensed securities brokers.

The six months of training pays all expenses and costs about $19,000 per veteran, and if they pass they’re guaranteed a job either at Drexel Hamilton or another brokerage company. Doll said:

“These are the guys who sacrificed to keep us free. If you don’t trust them, you don’t trust anybody.”

Doll’s firm is dominated by brokers who serve in the Pennsylvania National Guard. Joel Canfield, a National Guard lieutenant and Drexel Hamilton broker who runs the program, says this is a chance for firms to help restore faith in the market, one veteran at a time.

“People want integrity and responsibility. Who can you trust more with your money than a guy who has made a tremendous sacrifice for his country?”

One of the current trainees, John Jones, is convinced the leadership and decision-making skills learned in combat make veterans like him perfect candidates for the intense competition within the industry.

“Discipline, decisiveness, the ability to lead people and solve problems under duress…Leadership is the key. It’s what America needs. It’s what the finance and business world need. We have it.”

I couldn’t agree more…this is a great, feel good article!

Financial Advisor Recruiters - Recruitment Firm for Financial Advisor Jobs