ADVERTORIAL

Helping people make smart financial decisions

An Odd Word With a Big Advantage: Defining a "Fiduciary"

Merriam-Webster defines fiduciary this way: “one that holds a fiduciary relation or acts in a fiduciary capacity.” Not all that helpful... 

For a word that’s been around since 1631, it sure has done a good job of escaping understanding. 

But by consulting another dictionary, one might finally understand what all the hype is about. Dictionary.com defines fiduciary this way: “a person to whom property or power is entrusted for the benefit of another.” That’s better.

Click Your State to Get Matched With Financial Advisors Who Serve Your Area

After you choose your state and answer a few questions, you can compare up to three advisors that serve your area and decide which to work with.

______

Some financial advisors are fiduciaries, obligated by law to act in your best interest as they manage your assets or money. Rather than operating out of self-interest (such as recommending insurance policies or investments in pursuit of fees and commissions), a fiduciary advisor is obligated to make recommendations that benefit you, the customer.

The benefits of a fiduciary are clear: Americans who enlist fiduciary advisors report increased investment gains and benefit from increased assurance regarding financial decisions. A 2020 Northwestern Mutual study found that U.S. adults who work with a financial advisor report “substantially greater financial security, confidence, and clarity than those who go it alone.”¹

Yet knowing how to find a reputable fiduciary advisor is, for many, the most confusing task of all. Common Google searches related to the topic reveal a desperate search for direction. “Fiduciary financial advisors near me,” “best fiduciary financial advisor,” and “financial investment advisors near me” are searched for hundreds of times per day.

Finding a fiduciary shouldn’t be that hard. Thankfully, it isn’t.

Our free matching tool helps Americans get matched with up to three advisors that serve their area so that they can compare and decide which advisor is right for them. 

IN THE PRESS:

now matching

over 50,000  people a month

Put Your Money to Work

Get matched with up to 3 advisors

SmartAsset

This is not an offer to buy or sell any security or interest. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Working with an adviser may come with potential downsides such as payment of fees (which will reduce returns). There are no guarantees that working with an adviser will yield positive returns. The existence of a fiduciary duty does not prevent the rise of potential conflicts of interest. 

SmartAsset Advisors, LLC (“SmartAsset”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Financial Insight Technology, is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser. SmartAsset’s services are limited to referring users to third party registered investment advisers and/or investment adviser representatives (“RIA/IARs”) that have elected to participate in our matching platform based on information gathered from users through our online questionnaire. SmartAsset does not review the ongoing performance of any RIA/IAR, participate in the management of any user’s account by an RIA/IAR or provide advice regarding specific investments. 

We do not manage client funds or hold custody of assets, we help users connect with relevant financial advisors. 

Other than application and licensing fees, SmartAsset did not provide compensation for the aforementioned awards. 

Sources:
1.Northwestern Mutual study 2020.

Get Smart with Your Assets

Terms of Use  |  Privacy Policy  |   About Us  |  Form ADV Part2A


© 2022 SmartAsset