Advisor Corner

Question: What is/are your biggest challenge(s) in today’s market environment?

Name: Greg Ghodsi Firm: Raymond James & Associates Inc., Tampa, Fla. Assets under management: $200 million Years in business: 20

"The biggest challenge is to restore the trust and confidence of investors. It seems like every day another high profile case reveals another sad story. Same story, different firm. So many leaders have not managed their capital well. As an industry, we need to regain trust one relationship at a time. There are no short cuts. It will take much effort by those of us who avoided the party and were responsible advisors to our clients. The only variable we can control is communication with our clients.”

Name: Jeff Fehrman Firm: SunTrust Investment Services, Augusta, Ga. Assets under management: $150 million Years in business: 16

“I believe the biggest challenge in today's market is keeping clients focused on long-term planning and their progress toward their financial goals, not focusing on the short-term volatility of the market. A secondary issue is educating clients on alternative investment options that are underutilized in the market placed today. For example, TIPS, short term municipal bonds, and hedged equity strategies for downside protection.”

Name: Barbara A. Culver Firm: Resonate Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio Assets under management: $120 million Years in business: 28

"The first challenge is simply in trying to keep up with the tremendous amount of new financial information, regulation and government activity occurring on a daily basis. The second challenge is interpreting this information as guidance for sound investment advice.”

Name: Mark Snyder Firm: Mark J. Snyder Financial Services, Inc., Medford, N.Y. Assets under management: $150 million Years in business: 38

"The biggest challenge facing advisors today is a two-fold one. The first part is to maintain the business in the face of falling revenues. Similarly, you've got to maintain the clients' positions to preserve liquidity so they can take part in the inevitable market recovery. In the midst of a tumultuous market there's a great need among clients for service and information. Therefore, it's vital to maintain or increase communication and visibility by being/remaining proactive.”