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How to build high-net-worth client relationships with an SBLOC Apr 22, 2025 9:00:00 AM Learn 5 benefits of offering an SBLOC for your firm, and how clients can leverage this modern borrowing tool to keep their investments working for them. Securities-Backed-Lines of Credit (SBLOCs) are offered by The Bancorp to Betterment clients. Betterment is not a bank. See more below. High-net-worth clients often face the problem of needing liquidity, but not wanting to compromise their long-term portfolios and interrupt their wealth management plans. You can provide the solution to this problem. Offering an SBLOC allows your firm to meet clients’ liquidity needs. 5 benefits of offering an SBLOC for your firm Incorporating SBLOCs into your advisory practice shows your commitment to providing innovative and client-centric financial solutions. Many prospective or current clients may not be aware of what an SBLOC is, allowing your firm to leverage its benefits to: Attract high-net-worth clients: Use the SBLOC in your marketing materials and in conversations with prospective clients. The flexibility to borrow against a portfolio without disrupting investment gains can be a strong selling point to high-net-worth clients. Deepen client trust and increase retention: As you learn about your client’s financial and life goals, you can offer the SBLOC as part of financial planning conversations. Because of its flexibility, an SBLOC is a powerful planning tool that can be used to benefit a client in many situations (more on that below). Retain investment strategies: By providing liquidity without requiring your clients to sell their investments, an SBLOC allows your firm to stick to long-term strategies. This means you can maintain asset allocation for clients, ultimately helping you preserve their portfolios. Add debt management and liquidity into your planning: With an SBLOC, you can proactively help clients incorporate debt into their financial planning. But an SBLOC also gives clients immediate access to funds when unexpected opportunities or needs arise. The ability to use an SBLOC proactively or reactively adds an extra layer of flexibility to your overall wealth management planning tools. Manage both sides of a client’s balance sheet: Offering an SBLOC enables you to address both the asset and liability sides of a client’s financial picture. While clients continue growing their investment portfolios, the SBLOC provides a structured way to manage liabilities, creating a more holistic and balanced financial strategy. Common ways clients use an SBLOC Although not for purchasing securities, clients can use an SBLOC for many purposes—it’s really based on their needs and goals. Here are several practical use cases that you can share with clients: Purchase or renovate a home Clients looking to invest in real estate might not want to disturb their investment portfolios. An SBLOC can provide the funds needed for a down payment or for home renovations, allowing clients to secure or enhance a property while keeping their portfolio intact. It can also serve as a smart bridge loan for buyers, purchasing a new home while their current one is still on the market. Pay inheritance, estate, or income taxes Large tax bills from inheritance, estate planning, or income taxes can strain liquidity. With an SBLOC, clients can cover these obligations without the need to liquidate investments at inopportune times, preserving both their tax strategy and long-term growth potential. Finance business expenses Entrepreneurs and business owners often require flexible financing to cover operational expenses, expansion initiatives, or unforeseen costs. An SBLOC offers a non-disruptive way to access capital, letting them invest in their business while maintaining their personal portfolio strategy. Pay college tuition For clients planning for higher education, an SBLOC can help cover college tuition and related expenses. This solution provides immediate funds, enabling clients to meet educational needs without having to sell investments that could be yielding returns over time. Manage medical bills Unexpected medical expenses can be financially straining. An SBLOC offers a ready source of liquidity to manage high medical bills, ensuring clients can address their healthcare needs promptly while continuing to benefit from a long-term investment portfolio. Pay for a wedding Weddings can be one of life’s most memorable—and costly—events. Instead of disrupting their investment strategy, clients can use an SBLOC to cover wedding expenses, enjoying their big day without sacrificing future financial growth. The Betterment SBLOC process Betterment Advisor Solutions, in partnership with The Bancorp, has streamlined the SBLOC process to ensure a swift and efficient experience for both advisors and clients. Automated application: Clients benefit from a simple, automated application process that can be completed quickly, ensuring access to liquidity when needed. Collateral pledge: Eligible securities held in Betterment taxable legal accounts—including individual, joint, and trust accounts—are pledged as collateral. This protects the client’s portfolio while securing the credit line. Establishing the credit line: The Bancorp assesses the portfolio’s value to determine the credit line. Typically, clients can borrow between 50% and 95%* of the value of their pledged assets, depending on the nature and stability of the investments. Accessing and repaying funds: Once established, the credit line is available for draws as needed. Clients pay only interest on the outstanding balance each month, with the flexibility to repay the principal at any time. Interest rates are variable, tied to the WSJ Prime Rate plus a margin, keeping the financing competitive. Maintaining collateral value: In the event that the value of the pledged securities falls below a required threshold, a maintenance call is issued. This may require a reallocation of the portfolio to obtain higher borrowing power, the deposit of additional funds or securities, or partial repayment of the loan, to ensure the collateral remains sufficient.

What's new from Betterment Advisor Solutions Apr 4, 2025 9:35:50 AM Discover the latest products and features launched in Q1 2025, designed to enhance user experience, drive innovation, and meet the needs of financial advisors. Table of Contents Solo 401(k)s Billing Plan advisor improvements Account aggregation Advisor Exchange We’re excited to share a range of powerful platform updates, designed to help improve and streamline your client-management tasks. From a new solo 401(k) built for the self-employed to flexible billing options and improved account aggregation, check out all the latest upgrades. And, don’t miss our new video series Advisor Exchange, hosted by Tom Moore (more on that below). A better solo 401(k) is here We’re excited to share that solo 401(k)s are now available on our platform. With higher contribution limits (compared to SEP and SIMPLE IRAs) and no income restrictions, solo 401(k)s can help you maximize retirement savings for your self-employed clients. Offering solos can help you: Expand your service offering. Attract clients with self-employment income and solo business owners. Streamline wealth management. Consolidate clients’ accounts in one place, fostering more holistic planning. Strengthen client relationships. Provide diverse, tax-efficient retirement solutions and long-term planning. The Betterment solo 401(k) features: Fast, paperless account opening and e-Signature on plan agreements Digital funding for both employer and employee contributions (ACH or bank deposit) Spouse participation at no additional cost Roth and traditional tax strategies Record-keeping services provided by Betterment. –See the new solo 401(k)– Easy fee billing from Cash Reserve We’ve expanded our billing options. Now, you can assess fees directly from clients’ Cash Reserve accounts, increasing flexibility and efficiency in fee management. This can help: Improve cash flow management: You can help clients avoid liquidating investments to cover advisory fees, reducing potential tax implications. Create a seamless client experience: Ensure fee payments are handled smoothly from available Cash Reserve balances, which lets clients maintain their investment strategy without interruption. Customize billing plans: Tailor the fee structures to client preferences, and provide a more personalized approach to portfolio management. Cash Reserve offered by Betterment LLC and requires a Betterment Securities brokerage account. Betterment is not a bank. FDIC insurance provided by "Program Banks", subject to certain conditions. Learn More. * Get greater visibility into plan-level information We understand that every advisor has a unique approach to plan management. Whether you manage investments yourself or rely on Betterment’s 3(38) services, our 401(k) solution gives you the flexibility you need. With our latest unlock—the “Investment Options” tab—you’ll get access to different investment details depending on who holds the 3(38) role. 3(38) advisors: View the active fund menu for each plan, select fund details and view more information like expense ratios, fund performance, benchmark performance and prospectuses. You can download your active fund menu and aforementioned details to a .CSV file as well. Betterment 3(38) / sub-advisory role: See all available model portfolio strategies (with Core as the default QDIA investment), and select a portfolio to view its performance history, projections and holdings based on an example allocation or risk. This clear, centralized view of fund menus and portfolio options helps improve decision-making and streamline plan management. Unlock faster, actionable data with 20 new reports We know you often need to access plan data quickly ahead of client meetings. That’s why we’ve added 20 new reports—now available directly in the advisor experience on the Betterment platform. These include both participant-level details, like deferral rate history and inactive participants, and plan-level insights, such as unallocated funds and investment activity over time. With time-based metrics and a deeper view into plan performance, these reports equip you to lead more informed, impactful client conversations. –Explore our 401(k) solution– Link external accounts to joint and trust accounts We’re happy to announce this once sought-after feature is now a reality: Clients can now connect external accounts with their joint and trust accounts. Using Betterment’s advanced aggregation features, you can: Get visibility into your clients’ held-away assets so you can craft more informed investment strategies. Move money faster, now that clients have even more ways to fund their investments and manage trust distributions without the hassle of manual transfers. Tune into our brand new video series Hosted by Tom Moore, Head of Betterment Advisor Solutions, Advisor Exchange will feature financial advisors and innovators across the industry, unpacking their success stories: highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way. Because no one understands the unique challenges and opportunities of financial advising as those living it. –Tune in– And, you can always suggest a topic or nominate an advisor who has inspired you. We’ve had a jam-packed quarter, and there are even more upgrades planned for Q2. Stay tuned. If you’d like to learn more about Betterment Advisor Solutions, book a demo.

An advisor’s guide to the benefits of solo 401(k)s Feb 27, 2025 8:00:00 AM As you work with self-employed clients, here are five big reasons why a solo 401(k) may be right for them (and your firm). A solo 401(k) might just be the biggest retirement savings growth hack for your self-employed clients — and you can help them navigate it. As more people shift toward freelance work, consulting, and small business ownership, RIAs are increasingly asked about retirement planning by clients who don’t fit the traditional W-2 profile. Enter the solo 401(k): A lesser-known retirement account that just might be the ultimate savings vehicle for self-employed clients of RIAs. However, many advisors overlook the solo 401(k) or assume it’s too complex. In reality, it can be a straightforward, flexible, and powerful option for those who have no full-time employees beyond themselves (and possibly a spouse). The basics: What exactly is a solo 401(k)? A solo 401(k) is a one-participant 401(k) plan for self-employed individuals of owner-only businesses. It works similarly to a standard 401(k)—with employee and employer contribution components—but is designed specifically for businesses that do not have full-time employees other than a spouse. It’s different from SEP IRAs (which only allow employer contributions) and SIMPLE IRAs (with lower contribution limits). For many advisors (and their clients) who are less familiar with solo 401(k)s, two misconceptions commonly get in the way of using one for savings: “Solo 401(k)s are too complicated.” Some solo 401(k) providers (like Betterment Advisor Solutions) offer streamlined setup and modern digital account management. This makes it simple to manage. Once the plan is established, annual maintenance is often minimal—though advisors and participants should be mindful of certain administrative requirements, such as filing Form 5500 once the plan balance exceeds $250,000. “They’re only for high-income earners.” Contribution limits are high (we’ll cover more on that in a minute), but that doesn’t mean a lower-income entrepreneur can’t benefit. Contributions are flexible each year, so clients can scale up or down depending on business performance. Solo 401(k)s are really a simple way for self-employed individuals to save for retirement. And, they offer some added financial benefits that savers can’t get through other plans. Top 5 benefits of solo 401(k)s for your clients As you work with self-employed clients, here are five big reasons why a solo 401(k) may be right for them (and your firm). Benefit 1: solo 401(k)s are tailored for solo entrepreneurs Sole proprietors, consultants, and gig workers have unique needs. They’re juggling business expenses, unpredictable income streams, and personal financial goals. A solo 401(k) allows them to save aggressively in profitable years, and dial back contributions if cash flow tightens. Solo 401(k)s also have the added benefit of allowing spousal contributions. If a spouse is also on the payroll, he or she can contribute just like the primary business owner. This effectively doubles the family’s retirement savings potential and can significantly reduce household taxable income if making pre-tax contributions. What does this mean for advisors? More opportunity. The rise of online platforms, remote work, and freelance marketplaces means self-employment is only becoming more popular. In fact, conservative figures estimate that there are 16 million self-employed Americans. By offering guidance on solo 401(k)s, you can expand your practice to a growing client segment that often has questions about retirement planning but limited employer-sponsored options. Your firm can offer an opportunity they may not have realized they had. Benefit 2: High contribution limits One of the biggest draws of the solo 401(k) is the dual role contribution approach: Employee contribution: In 2025, individuals can contribute up to 100% of compensation or $23,500 (or $31,000 if age 50 or over). Employer contribution: As the business owner, they can also contribute up to 25% of net self-employment income (20% for sole proprietors/partnerships). Total contributions to a participant’s account, not counting catch-up contributions for those age 50 and over, cannot exceed $70,000 for tax year 2025. Combined, dual-role contributions can lead to substantially larger total contributions than are available through SEP IRAs or SIMPLE IRAs. For instance, a SEP IRA lacks the employee deferral option, so having both an employee and employer bucket in a solo 401(k) can help maximize tax-advantaged savings. Benefit 3: Tax advantages The tax benefits are very real when it comes to solo 401(k)s. By helping clients understand these benefits, you can have a significant impact on their tax burden, both now and in retirement. Pre-tax contributions: Similar to a traditional 401(k), clients who want immediate tax relief can fund their solo 401(k) with pre-tax dollars, reducing their current taxable income. This is particularly appealing to self-employed individuals, looking to lower their overall tax burden in years of high income. Roth contributions: Many solo 401(k) providers now allow Roth contributions. This means after-tax money goes in, but withdrawals in retirement are generally tax free. Offering both pre-tax and Roth options gives clients flexibility in managing their present and future tax situations. SECURE 2.0 Automatic Enrollment Tax Credit: Many miss this one, but under the SECURE 2.0 Act, if an eligible solo 401(k) adds an auto-enrollment feature to their plan, they can claim a tax credit of $500 per year for 3 years. Benefit 4: No income restrictions on contributions Unlike Roth IRAs, which have strict income limits, solo 401(k)s do not cap your ability to make Roth contributions based on income. High earners who would be locked out of a Roth IRA can still enjoy the potential for tax-free growth through a Roth solo 401(k). And let’s not forget about catch-up contributions: For clients over 50, an additional $7,500 (as of 2024) can be contributed to the employee deferral portion. This “catch-up” feature allows those who got a late start on saving to accelerate their retirement funding. Benefit 5: Prior year contributions for new plans The SECURE Act 2.0 introduced a key benefit for solo 401(k) plans: Business owners can establish a solo 401(k) by the previous year's tax filing deadline (including extensions). Employer contributions for the prior calendar year can be made up until the business’s tax filing deadline. Example: How prior contributions work If your client sets up a new solo 401(k) in March 2024, it can still count as a 2023 plan. Your client can make 2023 employer contributions until April 15, 2024 (or October 15 if they file an extension). This is a powerful opportunity for clients to catch up on retirement savings they might have overlooked during a busy year. Adding value: The advisor's role in a client’s solo 401(k) Although solo 401(k)s can be self-directed by a client, you have an opportunity to add value by guiding your client to the right plan for their overall retirement needs. Here are four ways your firm can help clients navigate solo 401(k)s: Contribution strategy: Help clients determine whether pre-tax or Roth contributions (or a mix) best suit their goals. Timing contributions strategically—especially near tax deadlines—can optimize tax savings and cash flow. Investment guidance: solo 401(k)s often offer a wide range of investment options. Advisors can provide asset allocation and diversification strategies based on each client’s risk tolerance and timeline. IRS rules and compliance: While solo 401(k)s are relatively straightforward, there are filing requirements (e.g., Form 5500 for account balances above $250,000) and rules about loans from the plan. Advisors can help keep clients on track. Long-term retirement planning: A solo 401(k) should be one part of a holistic retirement strategy. Advisors can integrate Social Security planning, insurance, and estate considerations to round out a client’s financial picture. Tips for getting started: Choosing a solo 401(k) provider When recommending or setting up a plan for your clients, look for a provider that offers transparent fees, an intuitive digital experience, and proven knowledge in compliance and recordkeeping. Also, consider the breadth of services a provider offers. Some providers also offer tools for RIAs, like custodial services or portfolio management, which can streamline your overall practice management. Introducing the Betterment solo 401(k) The Betterment solo 401(k) integrates smoothly with our all-in-one custodial platform purpose-built for independent RIAs. Modern, digital-first experience: Simplify plan set-up and ongoing management with a 100% digital process. We eliminate the administrative burden traditionally associated with solo 401(k)s by digitally opening and funding accounts with no paperwork required. Seamless ongoing management: We provide compliance support for your firm with no need to manually track contributions. Cost-effective plans: Minimize costs while maximizing savings potential for your self-employed clients. Give clients access to low-cost investments paired with the high contribution limits of a solo 401(k). Plus, clients can include spouses at no additional cost. Roth solo 401(k) option: Give your clients the flexibility to optimize their taxes by using a traditional solo 401(k) or a Roth, whatever is best for their situation.

RIA guide: How to explain tax loss harvesting to clients Feb 24, 2025 9:13:37 AM Tax loss harvesting can be a confusing topic for clients to understand. This guide gives you simple talking points to help explain it to your clients. Clients having trouble grasping the concept of tax loss harvesting? From a simple one-sentence explainer to details on how Betterment’s automated Tax Loss Harvesting+ works, we’ve got you covered. Table of Contents: In one sentence: “What is tax loss harvesting?” Five key concepts: The building blocks of tax loss harvesting How does tax loss harvesting work? How Tax Loss Harvesting+ works with Betterment Advisor Solutions How to answer other tax loss harvesting FAQs Explaining complex financial topics to clients is challenging. You want them to understand but, at the same time, not overwhelm them. This guide can help you explain sophisticated tax strategies to your clients without causing extra stress for them. In one sentence: “What is tax loss harvesting?” So, your client asks: “What is tax loss harvesting?” Rather than delivering a complex answer, start with a single sentence: “Tax loss harvesting aims to lower your tax bill by selling investments at a loss to offset capital gains from other investments.” Now, stop there. Ask your client if they want you to break down the details of how it works. If they say yes, start with the five key concepts below. Five key concepts: The building blocks of tax loss harvesting When talking with clients, you can share that these concepts are the building blocks that make tax loss harvesting possible. You can walk through the table below, providing examples to clients. How does tax loss harvesting work? Now that you have explained what tax loss harvesting is in one sentence and shared the five building blocks, you can explain to your client how the process generally works in three steps. Step 1: Identity your capital losses This involves looking for investments in your portfolio that have declined since they were purchased. It’s important to note that we don’t sell any investment that is down in value. We strategically select which investments to sell to help maintain the proper portfolio allocation. Step 2: Sell at a loss and replace your investment Once investments with capital losses have been identified, they are sold to “harvest” the loss. Making sure not to break the “wash sale” rule, new investments are bought to fit into your overall investment strategy. Step 3: Use loss to offset your capital gains or income on your taxes The losses you “harvested” can offset up to $3,000 of capital gains from investments or income each year. Any remaining losses over $3,000 can be carried forward indefinitely to offset gains or income in future years. How Tax Loss Harvesting+ works with Betterment Advisor Solutions It’s important to let your clients know that this is the general process for implementing. Performed manually, it can be time-consuming and potentially risky if done improperly. However, leveraging modern technology, like the Betterment Advisor Solutions platform, can help you minimize risk. As a Betterment advisor, you can offer your clients Tax Loss Harvesting+ (aka TLH+). Read the full TLH+ white paper. Here’s how to talk to your clients about Betterment’s TLH+ process As an advisor, you can use the following talking points: Fully automated: Instead of manually implementing tax loss harvesting, Betterment uses an automated algorithm that regularly checks for losses that make sense to harvest. No extra costs: There are no extra trading costs to harvest your losses, so you don’t have to worry if extra fees reduce any potential gains. Automatic reinvestments: Without breaking the “wash sale” rule, every harvested dollar is automatically reinvested rather than held as cash, which allows you to keep your money in the market so you don’t miss out on potential gains. Automatic rebalancing: When shares are sold at a loss, the proceeds are automatically reinvested in the asset classes that will bring your portfolio back into balance rather than simply defaulting back to the asset class they came from. No short-term capital gains tax: Some tax loss harvesting methods switch back to the primary ETF after the 30-day wash period has passed. This can create short-term capital gains tax that may dramatically reduce the benefit of harvesting losses and even leave you owing more in taxes. Our algorithm only moves back to the primary ETF when it is appropriate for your account. IRA harvest protection: Selling an ETF for a loss in your taxable account and then buying the same ETF in your IRA can cause a permanent wash sale, destroying the benefit of loss harvesting entirely. We strive to ensure that IRA deposits do not undermine a harvest. How to answer other tax loss harvesting FAQs Below are common questions about tax loss harvesting, along with talking points to help you respond to clients within the context of Betterment’s TLH+. Is tax loss harvesting right for me? Tax loss harvesting might be right for you if you are in a higher tax bracket or have significant capital gains or losses in a taxable account. In both scenarios, tax loss harvesting may offset your capital gains to help reduce your tax bill. Using Betterment’s automated technology, we can help harvest losses in a way that reduces potential risks. What are the risks of tax loss harvesting? Risks can include extra trading fees, holding too much cash after selling at a loss, an unbalanced portfolio, or violating the wash sale rule. But don’t worry — our tech is designed to help avoid these risks so you can enjoy the benefits of tax loss harvesting. What are the benefits of tax loss harvesting? The primary benefit of tax loss harvesting can be reducing your tax bill. When done correctly using our automated technology, Betterment can lower the tax you would have paid on your capital gains. What if I have more than $3,000 in losses? You can carry forward any unused losses into future years. For example, if you have $5,000 in losses and use $3,000 to offset capital gains this year, you can carry forward $2,000 to offset capital gains or income in any future year. Can I wait until tax day to sell at a loss? No, unfortunately, tax loss harvesting transactions must be complete by December 31 each year. Can I use tax loss harvesting with any of my investment accounts? Tax loss harvesting can only be used in taxable accounts. In tax-advantaged accounts, like a 401(k), you can’t deduct the losses, so tax loss harvesting wouldn’t be applicable. It’s important to note that selling an asset at a loss in a taxable account can still trigger the wash-sale rule if you purchase the same or a substantially similar asset within 30 days in a tax-deferred account, such as a Roth IRA. For instance, selling an ETF at a loss in a brokerage account and then buying the identical ETF within 30 days in a Roth IRA could still disallow the loss for tax purposes. See how Betterment automates tax loss harvesting and more From our proprietary Tax Loss Harvesting+ process to tax-smart investing portfolios, the Betterment for Advisors Solutions platform streamlines your firm’s practices while creating value for your clients.

Going independent: 4 key questions before starting your own RIA Jan 30, 2025 12:00:00 AM Thinking of breaking away to become an independent RIA? Ask yourself these four key questions first to help set your new firm up for success. The data looks promising if you’re looking to start an independent RIA… In 2024, PlanAdviser reported that the average Millennial who works with a financial advisor started looking for advice at age 29. That’s nine years younger than Generation X and 20 years younger than Baby Boomers. The great wealth transfer is now projected to be $124 trillion, and the population of Millennials in the U.S. hovers over 72 million people. There may have never been a better time to start an independent RIA looking to serve a growing high-net-worth market with demand for financial advice. But starting your own firm is a big undertaking–and a daunting one. Building your confidence starts with thinking through important facets of your plan. First, consider what success would look like for you. Many advisors who go off on their own, do so to gain more freedom and flexibility professionally—and personally. So, it’s important to think about what matters most to you. Below, we’ve laid out four key questions, as well as a business plan, to help you build a solid foundation for your firm. Question 1: Who do you need to support your firm? As you start an independent RIA, establishing strategic professional partnerships can help ensure you have the necessary resources and expertise to navigate the transition smoothly. These partnerships provide critical support in areas like compliance, technology, and operations, enabling you to set up a strong foundation for your practice from day one. You’ll likely need support from some, if not all, of the following professionals: Attorney: Throughout the transition, your legal counsel can offer valuable guidance, like reviewing your existing non-compete agreements with your current employer, helping you establish a business entity, and providing overall protection for your interests. Attorneys are a key resource, who can offer expertise on how to register a new business, for example. Online legal solutions can also be a solution if costs are a concern early on. Tax advisor: Having a tax advisor from the outset of going independent can be beneficial in addressing any tax-related questions or concerns that may arise. Thorough tax planning can help your firm remain in compliance and reduce your tax liability as you start a business. For example, your firm may qualify for tax credits available to new businesses. A tax advisor can help you claim all credits and deductions that you may not have known to be available to you. Compliance consultant: As an independent RIA, you will be required to have a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to oversee and ensure the firm's adherence to regulatory requirements. You can take on this role yourself, appoint an employee, or outsource the responsibility to a compliance consultant. Outsourcing the CCO function can be particularly beneficial during the registration phase, as it allows you to leverage the expertise of a seasoned professional, saving you valuable time. For example, a CCO can help with filing Form ADV and related documents, navigating SEC or state registration requirements, drafting tailored compliance policies, transition planning, and setting up necessary systems for recordkeeping and reporting. Marketing agency or freelancer: A polished brand is a key ingredient in ensuring prospective clients view you as a trusted, professional firm. A skilled marketing consultant or agency can help you develop a strong brand identity, create effective marketing strategies, and establish a differentiated brand presence. Services they provide can include website design, social media management, content creation, and lead-generation campaigns. Other RIAs: While you may not want to talk with direct competitors, seeking guidance from fellow RIAs who have successfully navigated the transition to independence can be valuable. By consulting with peers who have started their own RIAs, you can gain valuable insights and advice, which can help increase your confidence and better prepare you for potential challenges. If possible, speaking with RIAs who have made the transition from your current firm can provide particularly relevant and nuanced guidance, as they will have firsthand experience with the unique circumstances and obstacles you may face. We’re here to support you, too. At Betterment Advisor Solutions, we take pride in being a trusted guide for advisors looking to make the leap to become an independent RIA. We provide 1:1 support as you start your firm. Have questions? Talk to us today. Question 2: Where is your time best spent running your firm? When you’re first starting your firm, you’ll quickly find yourself wearing many hats. It’s important to understand your bandwidth and the key actions you need to take to build a successful independent RIA. For example, if you have few clients when you start, then business development, client experience, and business processes will likely require more of your time as you focus on growing your book. As more clients come onboard, your priorities will shift. Once you have a healthy book of clients, you’ll need to evaluate which activities are most valuable to your firm. For example, should you spend your time on investment management and portfolio construction? Or would it be better to outsource these tasks, and devote more time to clients and holistic financial planning? Review the following common activities, and prioritize those you feel are most important for your firm’s success: Business development: Attracting and acquiring new clients to grow your business Client transition and onboarding: Establishing a clear process for account setup and communication, including setting up client households and opening as many different accounts as needed Client experience: Delivering exceptional service and building strong relationships with existing clients and identifying opportunities to offer additional services, like tax or estate planning Business processes: Managing the operational aspects of your firm, such as compliance, marketing, and technology Wealth management: Providing holistic financial guidance tailored to clients' goals, such as retirement, education, and charitable giving Portfolio management: Developing and implementing investment strategies tailored to each client's unique needs and goals In our 2024 Advisor Survey, we found most advisors spend the majority of their time on financial planning. You can use the data below as a benchmark to compare how you spend time, but keep in mind the additional needs of your firm as you start the process of going independent. Question 3: What will your RIA tech stack look like? The term “tech stack” simply refers to the collection of software platforms and tools that you use to do business—and deciding what it looks like is one of the most important decisions for your new firm. Your tech stack can make or break your firm’s efficiency and the quality of service you provide to clients. It will include many different and often integrated software, but at the end of the day, it should be driven by this question: “How do I need to spend my time?” For example, you’ll likely want CRM (customer relationship management) software to track and manage all of your client data and interactions in one place. Without CRM, you’ll spend time manually tracking client engagements in spreadsheets, taking away time from serving clients. The four essential components of an RIA tech stack A comprehensive tech stack for independent RIAs should include the following four essential pieces of software. Custodial solution: Selecting a custodian is one of the most significant decisions for your firm. Your custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the assets, processing transactions, and providing administrative support. Look for a custodian with strong tech capabilities for you and your clients—and the ability to integrate with your broader tech stack. Portfolio management: These technologies enable you to efficiently and effectively manage your clients' investments. The right portfolio management platform can range from providing simple model marketplaces to full-end-to-end tooling, including tax-optimization technologies, portfolio customization options, and more. Some custodians offer built-in portfolio management software, which can help your firm cut costs and streamline your operations. Financial planning: Financial planning technologies allow you to create comprehensive, customized financial plans to help clients budget, set goals, and plan for taxes. Many financial planning platforms integrate with custody software and customer relationship management (CRM) software, enabling a seamless and holistic approach to client service. CRM: CRM software is essential for managing client communications, collaborating with your team, and building long-term relationships with clients. A good CRM should be able to integrate client data from multiple systems and integrate with marketing automation technologies to track your client information and potentially send, or at least enable, personalized communications. Additional tools to support your firm's operations To run an efficient and effective firm, you may also require other tools, which can range from free platforms to robust solutions. Some of these tools you may wish to consider include: Compliance software: Compliance software covers a range of solutions, from simple archiving of firm communications to advanced cybersecurity strategies. In addition to software, your firm may require compliance consulting services, which can be provided by the software vendor or a separate third party. Accounting software: Manages your firm's finances, tracks expenses, and generates invoices. Billing software: As you sign clients, you’ll want to make sure you have billing software that integrates with your tech stack. Betterment’s fully integrated billing solution lets you set a fee schedule for each household during onboarding and automate collection and reporting. Marketing software: Automates marketing campaigns, manages social media, and tracks lead generation. Scheduling software: Streamlines client meetings, appointments, and communications. Video conferencing software: Facilitates remote meetings and collaborations with clients and team members. File management software: Securely stores and manages client documents, contracts, and other sensitive information. AI notetaking software: Automates note-taking, transcription, and data entry, freeing up more time for high-value tasks. As you review different software solutions, we can’t stress enough the need to look for platforms that integrate with each other. By carefully selecting and integrating these tools, you can build a robust tech stack that supports your firm's growth, efficiency, and ability to deliver exceptional services to clients. With Betterment Advisor Solutions, you’ll get a vertically-integrated product that combines custody with your most critical practice software, including onboarding, trading (or portfolio management), reporting, and billing. We recommend reviewing your tech stack on an annual basis to ensure it remains aligned with your firm's evolving needs and goals. Question 4: How will I transition my current clients to my new firm? Your current clients will be your most valuable ones as you start your independent firm. Client onboarding is a crucial phase of going independent. Although you may not be able to discuss your plans to start your own firm just yet, you can begin laying the groundwork for a successful transition. Talk to an attorney: Consulting with your attorney can be a smart move to ensure you're not violating any existing company policies or agreements. If permissible, start compiling a list of clients you'd like to invite to join your new firm. This may include gathering their contact information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and account titles. Select your clients strategically: As you consider which clients to bring on board, take a strategic approach. Starting your own firm presents an opportunity to specialize in a specific niche or target market. Think carefully about the types of clients you'd like to serve and the services you want to offer. By defining your ideal client profile and target market ahead of time, you'll be better equipped to develop effective marketing and business development strategies when you launch your firm. This clarity will help you hit the ground running, allowing you to focus on building strong relationships with your new clients and growing your business from day one. Bonus: Building your business plan A business plan is not only helpful for you, as you start and manage your own firm, but it’s helpful for any key employees and partners of your firm. For example, a marketing agency or outsourced Chief Compliance Officer can use the information in your business plan to better serve your needs as they provide tailored advice and strategies to help grow your firm. Below is an outline to follow along with some tips for completing each section. Independent RIA business plan outline Executive summary: A brief overview of your RIA firm, its mission, goals, and objectives. Try to clearly explain why your firm exists in two to three sentences. The information in your executive summary can serve as a guiding light for many important stakeholders. For example, for you and your employees, it explains clearly why your firm exists. And for clients and potential clients, the language in this section can be used on your website and in other client communications focused on highlighting your firm’s mission. Company description: A detailed description of your RIA firm, including your history and details on any key employees, the business entity structure, and ownership structure. Writing this section ahead of starting your firm can help you have a clear understanding of steps you may need to take, such as creating an LLC and planning who will serve in key roles at your firm. For example, this section should detail who (internal employees or outsourced consultants) will oversee investment management, technology operations, compliance, and day-to-day operations. Market analysis: An analysis of your firm’s target market, including demographics, financial needs, and trends, as well as a competitive analysis of other RIAs in your market. You can conduct a market analysis yourself or work with a market research agency to assist with more in-depth analysis. If conducting market research yourself, you can leverage free data from the United States Census Bureau or Data Commons and then add paid data sources as needed. Services and products: A description of the investment services and products offered by your firm, including but not limited to portfolio management, financial planning, and other advisory services. Your services and how you price them should align with the needs of your target market defined in your market analysis. For services like financial planning, list out exactly what that will entail for your clients, including services like cash flow management, tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and risk management. Being very detailed in this section will allow you and your clients to understand what they are getting from your services. Marketing and sales strategy: A description of your firm’s marketing and sales strategy, including how it will attract and retain clients. One common approach to outlining a marketing strategy is using the “4 Ps” for your firm. The 4Ps help you document Product, Price, Place, and Promotion to help you build a strategy for promoting and distributing your services to the right audience. See our guide for creating a marketing plan using the 4Ps. If you have larger growth plans, this section can also describe your firm’s growth and expansion plans, including its strategies for increasing revenue, expanding its client base, and entering new markets. Operations and management: A description of your firm’s operational structure, including its management team, staff, and technology infrastructure. This section should cover the hardware, software, and network systems needed to run your firm and clearly explain how you plan to integrate your tech stack to run your firm efficiently. Financial projections: Financial projections, including revenue, expenses, and profit projections, as well as a breakdown of your pricing and fee structure. More formally, these projections should be used to create a three-year income, balance, and cash flow statement forecast to help with planning and goal setting. Also, as you transition from your current job to your independent firm, consider the funds you may need to set aside for personal expenses as you start your firm without much or any income. Compliance and risk management: A description of your firm’s compliance and risk management procedures, including its regulatory requirements and internal controls. Risk assessments should be conducted for regulatory compliance, market volatility risk, cybersecurity risk, and other practice areas such as marketing, advisor compensation, and trade execution. Human resources and staffing: A description of your firm’s human resources and staffing plan, including its staffing needs, training programs, and employee benefits. This section will be more straightforward if you’re a solo advisor, but it's important to clearly define staffing needs and roles if you have additional team members. Betterment Advisor Solutions is your partner for going independent Going independent means wearing a lot of hats as you grow your own firm. With Betterment Advisor Solutions, you get an all-in-one custodial platform that integrates and automates your most essential practice management and portfolio management tasks. From onboarding new clients to performing operational tasks and ongoing portfolio management, our team and technology will help advisors like you get set up with tooling to ensure you can cover many of your bases early on. We support hundreds of RIAs, helping them streamline their practices’ operations and technology. Take Eric, for example… “I run a solo practice — having a solid tech stack is essential to running my business successfully, especially with back office responsibilities. Having a partner like Betterment helps me streamline client onboarding and ongoing investment support so I can focus on other aspects of my business.” —Eric Rodriguez, WealthBuilders We’re here to answer your questions and be your guide as you set out on your independent RIA journey. Ready to talk?

How to set up the Elements integration Jan 24, 2025 2:24:58 PM Overview Elements is the way to deliver financial conversations at scale. With the financial vitals framework, giving advice quickly has never been easier. Advisors can connect their firm’s client data to Elements through Betterment’s data feed to ByAllAccounts. The information sent through the ByAllAccounts feed includes: Account information Balance details Enabling the integration You can set up this integration for your firm by taking the following steps through Betterment: Log in to your advisor dashboard and navigate to Settings > Integrations. Select Morningstar from the list and click Connect to Morningstar ByAllAccounts. You will see confirmation that the integration has been enabled. Data will be sent to ByAllAccounts within one business day. To link ByAllAccounts to Elements: Log in to Elements and navigate to the puzzle piece icon. Hit view details under the ByAllAccounts and request access. Be sure to save your username and password to BAA at this stage. Once you have these credentials you can set up the feed: Navigate to BAA through the Elements platform as above. Go to the “Credentials” tab at the top. Click “Create Credential.” In the pop-up window search for “Betterment Advisor - SFTP Access.” Select it and click “Next” at the bottom. Fill in the ID and Password you set up from the previous emails. Click “Save and Aggregate” at the bottom.

RIA software: How to select custodians and tech providers Jan 17, 2025 1:30:39 PM See what software is most important to other financial advisors and get tips (and a free tool) to help your RIA firm navigate tech decisions. In 2024, Betterment Advisor Solutions wanted to explore trends we saw emerging in the RIA space from the next generation of advisors. We surveyed 500 independent RIAs, of which 72% were Millennials (Download the survey). Below are our key takeaways on RIA software, along with tips and tools to help your firm implement new tech strategies. Table of contents: The top-ranked RIA software features Common challenges RIAs face when buying software Three tips for minimizing RIA software buying challenges RIA software ranking tool The top-ranked RIA software features We found that advisors generally find all features at least somewhat important to their daily operations. This stresses the important role that technology plays in the success of independent RIAs. The Top 3 most important features that an RIA software provider could offer for advisors were billing (52%), financial planning software (51%), and performance reporting software (51%) In our RIA survey, we asked the question, “How important are each of the following types of technology/software to your daily operations?” Respondents ranked their selections on a five-point scale, from “Not important at all” to “Very important.” Billing Financial planning software RIA Performance reporting software Tax management tools Cash management solution CRM Model marketplace Risk analytics Digital account opening software Portfolio management software Common challenges RIAs face when buying software Many advisors know the value of technology but are unable to implement new tools effectively for various reasons. When asked about their biggest challenges in implementing technology at their firms, advisors highlighted poor customer service and time spent training their team on new tools. Three tips for minimizing RIA software buying challenges If your firm is in the market for new technology, keep the following tips in mind during your buying process. 1. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of your current tech stack Before you start implementing any new technology, it’s important to first make sure that you understand the ins and outs of your current system so that you know what to look for in the future. There are two important reasons for this: Setting expectations: Knowing details about your current tech stack will help you understand how easy (or difficult) system migrations could be. Depending on your current tech stack, certain tech vendors may be more challenging to migrate to or integrate with. Knowing this will help you map out realistic timelines and costs for your project. Finding unused features: A firm may think they need to migrate off of a certain piece of technology, but in reality, they simply are not aware of all the features that a tech platform offers. This could be the case if you have been using a tech vendor for years and have not explored their updated features. If you are considering changing tech providers because of feature limitations or issues, contact your current vendor and see if they have a solution. Once you have a solid understanding of your tech stack, you can map out a forward-looking strategy involving migrating to new vendors where needed. 2. Map out your firm’s tech strategy Before you start browsing new tech providers, you’ll want to document the strategy and goals you expect to achieve. Ask yourself questions like: Is a simple, easy-to-use interface most important to you? Or maybe, it’s having customizable features? Are you looking to consolidate vendors for ease of management or leverage multiple vendors for best-of-breed tech? Work backward from your strategy and goals to help understand what needs to be done and what type of tech provider you should partner with. There are usually tradeoffs with technology. For example, the easiest tech to implement and provide training on may not offer the most customizable solution. On the other hand, highly customizable tech may be more complex to manage and take longer to get up and running. 3. Create a change management plan Regardless of your tech strategy, having a change management plan will help your team transition to new technology. A strong change management plan will incorporate the following areas: Change management team: Establish a dedicated change management team, or at the very least one leader, who will oversee the implementation process and manage stakeholder engagement, communication, and training. Project plan: Develop a detailed project plan outlining key milestones, timelines, and resource allocations. This should include both technical and non-technical tasks, such as software installation, user testing, and change management activities. Risk assessment: Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential issues that may arise during the implementation process. Develop mitigation strategies to address these risks and ensure the successful adoption of the new technology. Stakeholder analysis: Identify key stakeholders who will be impacted by the new technology, such as employees, clients, and partners. Assess their interests, concerns, and potential resistance to the change. Communication plan: Develop a comprehensive communication strategy to inform and engage stakeholders throughout the implementation process. This may include emails, regular meetings, training sessions, and one-on-one discussions. Training and support: Provide training and support to employees (and clients if impacted) to ensure they understand the new technology and how touse it. This may include online tutorials, in-person training sessions, and ongoing support from technical experts. Monitoring and evaluation: Establish a system to monitor and evaluate the implementation process, including progress against milestones, stakeholder feedback, and performance metrics. Use this information to make adjustments and improvements as needed. RIA software ranking tool Creating a strategic plan of action for your tech stack doesn’t have to be complex. Using the ranking tool below, you can help guide your firm’s strategy in as little as 30 minutes. How to use the tool? As you think through your tech strategy, use the table below to rank each type of RIA software based on its importance to your firm’s goals and level of satisfaction with your current software. You can compare the level of importance to the level of satisfaction to help identify software that you may need to replace with an improved solution, or software that your firm wants to keep and invest in continuous improvements. Complete this ranking tool once or twice a year to help monitor your tech stack’s performance. Pro tip: Print out this chart to manually fill it out.

What’s new from Betterment Advisor Solutions Jan 6, 2025 10:49:41 AM Discover the latest products and features launched in Q4 2024, designed to enhance user experience, drive innovation, and meet the needs of financial advisors. From an expanded model marketplace and a new donor-advised fund to seamless integration management and improved user access, explore all the latest platform upgrades in Q4 2024. Read on for the highlights and more of what’s in store this year. Table of contents Expanded model marketplace Dimensional's Core Plus ETF Wealth Models Crypto ETF model Donor-advised fund (DAF) A new donor-advised fund New integrations Manage integrations in your dashboard Billing New 401(k) plan fee statements Advisor experience Enhanced controls for secondary users Manage beneficiaries Two-factor authentication Dimensional Fund Advisors: Core Plus Wealth We added new models from leading asset manager, Dimensional Fund Advisors, to our marketplace. Dimensional's Core Plus ETF Wealth Models are designed to pursue higher expected returns for clients, while maintaining broad diversification and managing costs. By combining Betterment’s technology with Dimensional’s consistent, process-driven investment approach, advisors can streamline investment management without sacrificing performance. This launch underlines our continued commitment to expanding our off-the-shelf offerings, which are designed to save time, compress costs, and help you do more for your clients. Take a closer look at Dimensional’s Core Plus Wealth Models. Crypto ETF portfolio Check out our new Crypto ETF portfolio, a new way to help your clients interested in crypto gain exposure to two of the largest and widely traded cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin and Ethereum. Unlike traditional exchange trading, Betterment provides clients with diversified market exposure that’s carefully vetted by our in-house investment analysts. With this automated portfolio, crypto can now serve as a diversified component of your clients’ broader investing strategy at Betterment. –Learn more– Help your clients make a donation—and an impact—with our first donor-advised fund provider, Daffy. This cost-effective, subscription-based DAF lets clients: Donate appreciated assets for immediate tax deductions. Avoid capital gains taxes and costly processing fees. Set annual, automated giving goals to support over 1.5 million charities. Advisors can manage donations, recommend charities, and easily access tax receipts through Daffy’s advisor portal. With this new DAF, you can help your clients maximize their impact and achieve their philanthropic goals, starting at just $3/month. –Learn more– Unify your tech stack We’ve made it even easier to manage your custodial feeds in one place. Connect, disconnect, and oversee all third-party integrations directly in the advisor dashboard. Our latest unlock helps you: Set up integrations with the rest of your tech stack even faster. Synchronize data and reduce workflow inefficiencies. Improve client planning decisions with better insights into client behaviors, market trends, and portfolio performance. Explore and subscribe to any of our existing feeds under dashboard Settings. You can also learn more about our full integration ecosystem and request new solutions here. You asked, we listened: Betterment will send fee statements for all 401(k) plans going forward. The revamped process will mirror how we manage fees for your wealth clients. Here’s what you can expect: A PDF statement and CSV report, detailing fees accrued during the billing period. Email notification to firm admins confirming when statements are available and how to access them in the advisor dashboard. This year, we will continue to improve our billing solution to give advisors more fee flexibility while staying compliant and building client trust. Stay tuned for future updates. Enhanced permissions for secondary advisors Secondary advisors now enjoy the same access to client activity as primary advisors. With the new and improved functionality: Secondary advisors can now be assigned to an account during onboarding to help manage the client or household. Advisors can filter client data based on whether they are the household’s primary or secondary relationship. Primary and secondary advisors can toggle between personal client and firm-wide client account data. –Explore your dashboard– Manage beneficiaries Advisors can now assign primary and contingent beneficiaries to all legal accounts in their clients’ portfolios. Clients can conveniently review and verify the designated beneficiaries as part of their onboarding experience. This new functionality streamlines the account setup process and helps advisors to support their clients in planning for effective wealth transfer. Increased security We’ve elevated platform security by introducing mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA) for advisor profiles. While 2FA has long been required on client profiles, advisors can now add 2FA to better protect client data and reduce risks of unauthorized access—adding an extra layer of security. Your clients trust you with their most sensitive information, and you can trust us to keep it safe. As always, we welcome your feedback. Read up on other updates you might have missed, and keep an eye on your inbox for more quarterly updates. We’ve got a busy roadmap for 2025 and will be sure to alert you to new products and features to come! If you’d like to take a look around with someone from our team, book a demo.