New Reports

New In-Depth Reports

Mass Affluent 2012, Volume 1 - Changing Investment Attitudes and Behaviors

The Mass Affluent investor in 2012 is worried about the economy. Fearful that he or she may not have enough for retirement, yet less interested than other wealthy investors in the investment process, they are reluctant to hire advisors due to the cost.

 

Millionaire 2012, Volume 1 - Changing Investment Attitudes and Behaviors

Millionaires are worried about the national debt and the political environment and these factors will continue to influence their investment decisions. In early 2012, financial fears were beginning to ease but protecting principal was still a primary concern. This philosophy has probably been helpful in the volatile markets of 2012.

 

Ultra High Net Worth 2012, Volume 1 - Changing Investment Attitudes and Behaviors

The Ultra High New Worth (UHNW) represent the most desired clients and prospects for financial services providers and advisors. In 2012 these investors are somewhat cynical about investments and the overall economic situation. How should financial and investment providers respond to these attitudes?

 

Ultra High Net Worth 2011, Volume 3 - Relationships with Advisors

Ultra High Net Worth Investors, those with $5 million to $25 million of net worth, not including their primary residence, are very satisfied with their advisors. Relying primarily on Full Service Brokers as their advisor of choice, their satisfaction levels have climbed along with their loyalty and their willingness to refer their advisors to their friends and family.

Millionaire 2011, Volume 3 - Relationships with Advisors

Millionaire investors are satisfied with their advisors but still lack many of the services that may be beneficial to them as they begin to navigate the waters of retirement. With most of the population already retired, almost half do not have a financial plan and many have not discussed their liquidity needs with their advisors.

Mass Affluent 2011, Volume 3 - Relationships with Advisors

Mass affluent investors are much less satisfied with their advisors than wealthier households, but the likelihood they will change advisors in the short term remains low. This report focuses on the relationship between the advisors and these investors who are primarily still working and who are somewhat frustrated by the economic environment.

Middle Market Plan Sponsor

Firms with 401(k) plans having assets of $10-200 million constitute the Middle Market of the 401(k) business.  These sponsors are large enough to want to include advanced features in their plans and quite often want to have at least some customization of materials.  They are also, however, quite conscious of the cost they are paying for the plan.  They often use consultants or TPAs to assist them in provider selection and evaluation.  Spectrem's Middle Market Plan Sponsor study looks at provider evaluation and selection within this group. 

IRA Rollover 2011

The first Baby Boomers will reach age 65 in 2011.  As they begin to retire over the next few years, the assets available for rollover to IRAs or a variety of income arrangements will grow rapidly.  This market will be the primary arena of competition to see which firms will be most successful in capturing and managing these assets through the Baby Boomers' retirement years. 

New eZines

Effectively Servicing Professionals

The domestic and global markets remain in a state of instability, while macroeconomic challenges and political disorder continues to affect the way financial service providers and advisors maintain and service client relationships. Professionals represent a significant portion of wealthy households in the U.S. and therefore provide a great opportunity for financial providers and advisors.

Women In Transition: Widows and Divorcees - Quarter Two

As women face large transitions in their lifetimes, they are often likely to change their advisory relationships. Becoming a widow or a divorcee places enormous financial and emotional challenges upon women investors and they are likely to seek out advice. How can financial advisors and providers attract these women in transition and ultimately how can they make them customers for life?

Business Owners: Planning In A Volatile Environment - Quarter Three

Business Owners provide financial firms and advisors with potential opportunities throughout their lifetime. Not only are they driven by the needs of their businesses, balancing the issues of cash versus ongoing investment, but they have significant issues as they consider retirement

The Expectations Of Investors In 2013 - Quarter Four

After facing several years of a challenging and volatile investment and economic market, what do investors expect of financial providers and advisors in 2013?  How have long term and short term investment behaviors changed in the past 5 years and what does it mean for the financial services industry?

Wealthy Women

The financial concerns of affluent women are sometimes in marked contrast to their male counterparts.  What attitudes and preferences set them apart from men?  How do these differences translate into opportunities to grow your business or better engage with existing women customers?

Changing Investment Behaviors

Recent economic volatility combined with the experience of the 2008 market crash have changed the fundamental attitudes and behaviors of wealthy investors. Regardless of whether they have $500,000, $1 million, $5 million or more, investors have generally become more conservative in their investment philosophy and more involved in the day-to-day evaluation of investments. This eZine, based on Spectrem’s quantitative research with several thousand Affluent household as well as focus groups and one-on-one interviews with wealthy investors, will highlight these changes in behavior. Analysis will include changes in overall portfolios, appetite for risk, and interest in future investment types. Cash deposits will also be compared historically and between wealth segments. Recent volatility and its actual, as well as emotional, impact will be analyzed and recommendations for financial providers will be included.

Future Trends in the Wealth Markets

Investment trends have changed dramatically in the past 3 years.  This report provides the most in-depth analysis of Spectrem's key strategists regarding the future trends for wealthy investors.  Using market research from the past to predict the future gives Spectrem the ability to identify trends in the making.  This report includes information on investment behaviors, the use of technology and and its impact on the markets, the role of legislation and regulation in shaping the future investment environment, and changing investor demographics.  Included with the quantitative in-depth research are qualitative video clips highlighting the future opportunities for financial advisors and providers.

Social Media and Affluent Households

People are embracing social media as their go-to source for information -- replacing traditional media and other forms of communication. More than half of wealthy investors are spending time with LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and other peer-to-peer sites. Are you part of the conversation? Have you thought about how to use social media to grow your business? Would the right information inspire you to launch a new service or experience for your customers?

New Perspectives

Meeting the Insurance Needs of the Mass Affluent

This report, based upon research with over 4,000 Mass Affluent households, identifies the types of products already owned by these individuals and provides financial providers with details regarding the types of individuals who may be under-insured and how to meet their needs.

Outside Advisor Usage by Defined Contribution Participants.

How do plan participants make decisions regarding their retirement plan assets?  Do they work with an outside advisor to determine the appropriate asset allocation or rely upon the advisors provided by the plan sponsor? 

Participant Response to Fee Disclosure

In October 2012 most plan participants will receive their first statement in which fees are clearly disclosed.  How do they feel now that they understand the fees?  Do they believe the fees are too high?  Will they change their investment allocation? 

Investment Education and Advice

While plan participants in 2012 consider themselves fairly knowledgeable about investments compared to just a few years ago, their opinions regarding the tools and communication materials available by plan providers indicates they are somewhat lackluster. 

Use of Mobile Technology and Tablets by 401(k) and Defined Contribution Plan Participants

Plan participants are increasingly accessing their personal account information via their Smartphones and mobile tablets.  How long will it be before accessing their plan information via these devices becomes an expectation?  How should plan providers strategically assess how to respond to this changing environment

Personal Trust Update 2011

Trust Update 2011 is an analysis of FDIC data supplemented with information from Spectrem studies. This report takes a view of trends in total personal trust assets and accounts, managed versus non-managed personal trust assets as well the status of common/collective funds. Institutional assets are identified when possible.

Use of Social Media by 401(k) and Defined Contribution Plan Participants

The use of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are becoming increasingly common in social interactions as well as within the workforce.  While predominantly a tool of younger investors, even older households are beginning to use these mediums as communications tools. 

New Market Insights Newsletter

Affluent Index Newsletter

New Market Insights

2012 Annual Affluent Market Insights Report

Spectrem's annual compilation includes: Key Findings, Investor Attitudes, Market Opportunity, Investor Profile, Financial Attitudes and Behaviors, Product Usage, Relationship with Advisors, The Involved Investor, and the Opinions of Financial Providers.