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The Investments & Wealth Institute (IWI) is a professional association for wealth managers, investment consultants, and financial advisors. Members benefit from diverse educational and professional development services, which have been optimized and streamlined by IWI Investments & Wealth Academy.

The Investments & Wealth Academy is the institute's new online education platform, which includes a comprehensive archive of classes, mini-courses, videos-on-demand, and certification programs. The academy was developed by a team of accomplished educators and experienced financial industry leaders focusing on educational materials that students can apply in real-world scenarios. While certification programs are available to all financial professionals, only IWI members can access the Investments & Wealth Academy.

The academy is the product of over three decades of IWI educational services for global financial advisors. IWI has worked to improve programming and better reflect the needs of modern financial professionals. Organizers strive to provide high-quality content and have structured the academy's professional education offerings so members can easily track and fulfill continuing education (CE) requirements. The academy's search function makes it easy to search for specific CE subjects or browse through courses based on professional interest, such as "tax and regulations" or "ethics."

The Investments & Wealth Academy comprises numerous short courses to meet users' needs. Short courses typically feature multiple interactive media components, followed by knowledge assessment queries and guides to related resources, allowing financial professionals to continue searching for information in short, manageable segments.

Microcourses are more direct, emphasizing the most up-to-date industry topics and often acting as introductions to short courses and more comprehensive explorations of financial topics. Microcourse topics include social security planning, cryptocurrency taxation, and explaining blockchain technology and related digital assets to clients.

The academy also functions as the new home of IWI certification programs. IWI offers certificates in six areas: applied behavioral finance, college and student loan planning essentials, endowments and foundations consulting, investment management essentials, private markets for advisors, and private wealth essentials. Applied behavioral finance courses teach professionals to make decisions based on data and trend analysis instead of emotion.

IWI college and student loan planning essentials are more important than ever, with both student debt and the cost of higher education in the United States climbing to record highs. The investment management essential program consists of a 15.5-hour course that financial professionals can complete at their own pace.

IWI certification programming is perhaps best known for the certified investment management analyst (CIMA) designation. Over 8,500 financial professionals worldwide have used CIMA certification to advance their technical portfolios. IWI also manages the popular certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) and retirement management advisor (RMA) certification programs.

Because certain certification programs are open to the public, individuals actively engaged in the IWI online learning environment may wonder if they would benefit from switching to the academy. Transitioning to the academy is seamless and, in many cases, automatic. All previously enrolled courses appear in the Resume Course section of the academy's online platform. All IWI membership benefits remain the same. The IWI Online Education Team can answer any questions about transitioning.

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The All-New Investments and Wealth Institute Academy Online

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The Investments & Wealth Institute (IWI) is a professional association for wealth managers, investment consultants, and financial advisors. Members benefit from diverse educational and professional...

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Digital Transformation in Wealth Management

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Digital Transformation in Wealth Management

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Digital transformation is reshaping the wealth management landscape. It is ushering in a new era marked by the pervasive influence of technologies such as big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). In this rapidly evolving environment, wealth management professionals find themselves faced with new challenges. They must navigate through the complexities of these advances to ensure their seamless integration into their wealth management firms and practices.

One of the positive impacts of this technological revolution is evident in the area of cost management. The digitization of wealth management processes has significantly lowered client acquisition costs. The streamlined onboarding processes not only reduce the expenses associated with enlisting new clients, but also accelerate the account setup phase. This efficiency is paramount in enhancing the overall operational effectiveness of wealth management firms, allowing them to allocate resources more strategically.

Furthermore, the integration of data analytics and AI have proven instrumental in bolstering customer retention strategies. Wealth management professionals equipped with these technologies can identify, well in advance, clients who may require additional solutions or those at risk of leaving. This foresight enables the deployment of customized approaches, fortifying the advisor-client relationship and ensuring a sustained commitment to the wealth management services provided.

The digital transformation has not only affected individual processes, it has also catalyzed improved collaboration across business departments. Silos that traditionally hindered effective communication and data sharing are dismantled by digital tools capable of gathering and integrating data seamlessly across the entire firm. This integration optimizes business solutions, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes holistic wealth management strategies.

The accessibility to a broad client base is another significant advantage brought about by automation and digitization. Overcoming geographical challenges, wealth management firms can now extend their reach to a wider audience. This expanded accessibility is particularly crucial in attracting the tech-savvy generation, who prefer the convenience offered by technological solutions. The ability to cater to a diverse and dispersed clientele positions wealth management professionals to thrive in an increasingly globalized and interconnected financial landscape.

Notably, the integration of tools such as robo-advisors has emerged as a driving force behind increased advisor revenue. These automated systems enhance business revenue streams by efficiently handling a larger volume of clients. The resultant operational efficiency not only boosts profitability, but also allows wealth management professionals to focus on more intricate aspects of client engagement, thus elevating the overall quality of services provided.

The essence of personalized services has been redefined in the wake of digital transformation. Wealth management professionals can now offer a holistic digital experience to clients, tailoring services to individual needs through the application of personalized marketing strategies. This not only engenders a deeper sense of client satisfaction, it positions wealth management firms as pioneers in delivering client-centered solutions in a technologically advanced landscape.

As the digital transformation in wealth management continues, the demand for financial professionals to be well-versed in cybersecurity technology is increasing. Account managers, with their ability to identify risks and implement corrective measures, are now extending this proficiency to address cyber risks. This strategic approach involves the identification of potential risks, a comprehensive review of cybersecurity processes, the development of robust protocols, and the evaluation of cyber risk reporting frameworks. This cybersecurity acumen becomes even more critical when dealing with digital assets, which are highly susceptible to online threat.

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Digital Transformation in Wealth Management

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Digital transformation is reshaping the wealth management landscape. It is ushering in a new era marked by the pervasive influence of technologies such as big data, machine learning, and artificial...

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The Wharton School of Business is committed to advancing business education across country. Through the Wharton Coalition for Equity and Opportunity (Wharton CEO), the school equips leaders with the skills they will need to design equitable organizations, build wealth creation opportunities, and positively impact the business sector and society at large.

In 2023, Wharton CEO partnered with Resilience Education to equip people who were incarcerated with business education, ensuring they will have the tools to thrive in their future careers. The partnership, known as Resilience Education/Wharton WORKS, is headed by Wharton professor Damon Phillips. Resilience Education is a nonprofit founded by Wharton alumnus Tierney Fairchild.

Providing people who have gone through the justice system with business education is necessary to break the cycles of poverty and incarceration affecting people in communities such as Philadelphia. Through Resilience Education/Wharton WORKS, Wharton gives its MBA students opportunities to teach practical business skills to people who are incarcerated. These classes support the justice system's goal of rehabilitation for successful reintegration.

As a start, in the spring of 2023, 16 MBA students taught 25 people who were incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution - Chester. Wharton intends to expand the classes going forward.

In addition to helping people who are a part of the justice system, Resilience Education/Wharton WORKS also benefits MBA students, especially those seeking careers with social impact. The program introduces them to community initiatives.

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Wharton School Partners with Resilience Education

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The Wharton School of Business is committed to advancing business education across country. Through the Wharton Coalition for Equity and Opportunity (Wharton CEO), the school equips leaders with the...

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The end of 2021 finds the Investments & Wealth Institute providing educational opportunities for its members and forming alliances to do so. The organization's mission is to provide its members with the tools and strategies necessary to face the myriad challenges they might face in today's financial services industry. In October 2021, the Investments & Wealth Institute formed an alliance that would increase CIMA certification globally, collaborated with another organization to expand its educational offerings, and hosted Behavioral Finance (BeFi) Week.

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Jake Kagele has served as the managing director of NOVA Financial Services in Tucson, AZ, since 2009.

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CASH HOLDINGS AS AN ELEMENT OF A DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO

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CASH HOLDINGS AS AN ELEMENT OF A DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO

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the needs of Tucson, AZ, clients, Jake Kagele leads NOVA Financial Services and provides tailored advice that meets the needs of individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporate entities. One area that Jake Kagele has extensive knowledge in is designing an allocation strategy that is properly diversified.

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Serving the needs of Tucson, AZ, clients, Jake Kagele leads NOVA Financial Services and provides tailored advice that meets the needs of individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporate entities. One area that Jake Kagele has extensive knowledge in is designing an allocation strategy that is properly diversified.

A recent CNBC article brought focus to the importance of cash holdings within a portfolio mix, particularly during times of high volatility. One aspect of this involves setting aside an emergency cash savings account that will cover all foreseeable expenses over a three-to-six-month period.

For those who have retired, another element is maintaining investments totaling two to three years of income, in holdings that are not subject to loss of value through exposure to the securities markets. Cash accounts are often a major component of this type of allocation.

While cash holdings may eliminate many short-term risks, they do not mitigate the steady erosion of capital due to inflation and cost-of-living increases. For those with a long-term perspective, the stock market should be a central focus, as it has historically always headed in a higher direction, whatever the short-term headwinds, and surpassed previous records. The moment when average investors have dialed back equity holdings and moved to safe havens such as cash may indeed be the best time to purchase stocks for value.

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Cash Holdings as an Element of a Diversified Portfolio

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Serving the needs of Tucson, AZ, clients, Jake Kagele leads NOVA Financial Services and provides tailored advice that meets the needs of individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporate entities. One area that Jake Kagele has extensive knowledge in is designing an allocation strategy that is properly diversified. A recent CNBC article brought...