Dalal Salomon named one of Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors for 2022
As global pandemic worries take a back seat to the economic fallout from the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, the professionals on the Forbes/Shook 2022 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list have a proven record of guiding their clients through volatile markets.
Methodology:
The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.
Click here for the Forbes Best-In-State ranking and more.
Advisors can complete a survey for upcoming rankings at SHOOKresearch.com.
Research Summary (as of April 2022)
We don’t want 300,000 nominations so we set thresholds to minimize the quantity we receive:
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- 34,925 nominations received, based on high thresholds and qualifications
- 19,640 invited to complete online survey
- 14,476 telephone interviews
- 2,657 in-person interviews at advisors’ location
- 1,311 Web-based interviews
The Research Process
SHOOK scours the financial services industry—banks, brokerages, custodians, insurance companies, clearing houses and others for nominations. SHOOK accepts advisors who meet pre-determined minimum thresholds and acceptable compliance records. As of this date, SHOOK has received almost 35,000 nominations—advisors who meet SHOOK’s thresholds. SHOOK invited 19,640 of these nominees to complete an online survey.
Unlike other advisor rankings, SHOOK is not a “robo-ranker”—numbers such as production and assets don’t tell the whole story, especially when much of the data is self-reported. SHOOK Research creates rankings of role models—advisors that are leading the way in offering best practices and providing a high-quality experience for clients. A focus on both quantitative and qualitative factors, including telephone and in-person meetings, is imperative.
SHOOK Research is the only rating firm that interviews advisors via telephone and in person at advisor’s location.
Basic Requirements
- 7 years as an advisor
- Minimum 1 year at their current firm, with exceptions (acquisitions, etc.)
- Advisor must be recommended, and nominated, by their firm
- Completion of online survey
- Over 50% of revenue/production must be with individuals
- Acceptable compliance record
Quantitative
- Revenue/production; weightings assigned for each
- Assets under management—and quality of those assets—both custodied and a scrutinized look at assets held away (Although individual numbers are used for ranking purposes, we publish the entire team’s assets)
- Client-related data, such as retention
- Portfolio performance is not a factor; audited returns among advisors are rare, and differing client objectives provide varying returns
Qualitative
- Telephone and in-person meetings with advisors (if an in-person meeting cannot be accomplished, exceptions are considered in which the interview will occur after a ranking has been published).
- Advisors that exhibit “best practices” within their practices and approach to working with clients
- Compliance records & u4s: Some “dings” can be overlooked (e.g., firm or product failure beyond the scope of an advisor’s due diligence; the older a ding, the less we look). Since there are many gray areas, the SHOOK team is willing to listen to a firm that is willing to stand behind the advisor with written support from leadership.
- Advisors that provide a full client experience: Service model; Investing process; Fee structure (higher % of fee-based assets earns more points); Breadth of services, including extensive use of Firm’s platform and resources (eg, liabilities); Credentials (years of service can serve as proxy); Use of team & team dynamics; Community involvement; Discussions with management, peers, competing peers; Telephone and in-person meetings
U4/Compliance Issues
The following conditions will be considered in order to lessen weightings infractions
- Infractions that are denied or closed with no action
- Complaint arose from a product, service or advice initiated by a previous advisor or another member or former member of team
- Length of time since complaint
- Complaints related to product failure not related to investment advice (some limited partnerships, adjusted-rate securities, etc.)
- Complaints that have been settled (must be proven) to appease a client who remained with the advisor for at least one year following settlement date
- Complaints that are proven to be meritless
- Actions taken as a result of administrative error or failure by firm
Once an advisor’s compliance rating falls into a tenable category, the following conditions must be met:
- An advisor’s rating must be among SHOOK’s highest qualitative measures including in-person interview
- Letters of recommendation from firm
Ranking Algorithm
The algorithm is designed to fairly compare the business practices of a large group of advisors based on quantitative and qualitative elements. Data are weighted to ensure priorities are given to dynamics such as preferred “best practices,” business models, recent business activity, etc. Each variable is graded and represents a certain value for each measured component. These data are fed into an algorithm that measures thousands of advisors against each other.
Disclosures:
*Please Note: Limitations. Neither rankings nor recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that the client will experience a certain level of results if the investment professional or the investment professional’s firm is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A fee was not paid by either the investment professional or the investment professional’s firm to receive the ranking. The ranking is based upon specific criteria and methodology (see ranking criteria/methodology). No ranking or recognition should be construed as an endorsement by any past or current client of the investment professional or the investment professional’s firm. ANY QUESTIONS: Salomon and Ludwin, LLC’s Chief Compliance Officer remains available to address any questions regarding rankings and/or recognitions, including the criteria used for any reflected ranking.
Neither rankings nor recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that the client will experience a certain level of results if the investment professional or the investment professional’s firm is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services.
