Most risk tolerance questionnaires get a bad rap. For many advisers, they are simply a compliance tool to appease the regulator. They add some value, but if it weren’t mandated, they probably wouldn’t use them. This negative mindset is rightly deserved due to the abusive...
In recent years there has been a plethora of risk tolerance tools releasing features to help advisors acquire more clients. The theory goes by assessing a client's risk tolerance we can know what investments best suit their psychology, a portfolio they will "stick with". However, this...
We can learn a lot from our neighbours, including how to manage a client's suitability for a certain investments. The U.S., U.K, Canada, Australia and a number of other countries have produced guidelines around client suitability including the use of risk tolerance questionnaires. Below is an overview...
Assessing your clients' risk tolerance and overall risk profile (which includes risk capacity, risk needs and behavioral biases) is essential to building suitable portfolios, running an efficient practice and meeting compliance requirements. But what is the ideal way to do it? Tip: It's not just about...
All financial advisors collect Know Your Client (KYC) information about their clients. Not only is it a regulatory requirement, it's good business. It helps you build a winning investment approach by requiring you to collect your clients vitals. History Of Risk Questionnaires Unfortunately, as KYC requirements expanded in...
It’s almost universally accepted by advisors and prescribed by regulators (e.g. FINRA, FCA, and MFDA) that advisors assess a client’s risk tolerance before recommending investments. Knowing how much risk someone is willing to take is essential in building a suitable plan. However, assessing someone’s risk...
I recently had a discussion on Facebook with two financial advisors about risk tolerance questionnaires. The advisors expressed their frustrations with managing client behaviour. In one advisor’s words “there is an emotional element that is difficult to quantify” in questionnaires. Pocket Risk helps here but...
Pocket Risk is now more mobile friendly for clients completing the questionnaire. Clients can complete the online questionnaire on their mobile devices. This will allow people to complete the questionnaire on the go and avoid the need to use a desktop. Previously it was was possible...
Understanding risk tolerance should not be a guessing game especially when dozens of academic studies can point us in the right direction. Below is a list of important academic studies in the field of risk tolerance. Financial risk tolerance revisited: the development of a risk assessment...
There are many risk questionnaires used by financial advisors and the most common appear to be bundled in with software an advisor is already using. Morningstar is a popular tool used by financial advisors for investment research and financial planning. I often get asked my...