When we launched our Wealth Builder offering in November 2023, we were motivated to address a growing challenge in our country: the so-called advising gap in who can access meaningful and personalized financial guidance.
Studies show that nearly 90% of Americans don’t receive professional financial advice.1 A report from Cerulli Associates found that only 16% of banks offer tailored wealth services to households with under $100,000 in investable assets — even though these households make up the majority of the population.2
That’s a problem because financial guidance shouldn’t just be for the wealthy — it should be for anyone planning for the future or facing important life transitions. When you’re buying your first home, having children, changing careers, or approaching retirement, the stakes are high, and the right decisions can set the foundation for a secure future.
Unfortunately, far too many people go it alone, and the consequences of not having a financial plan can be significant. Without guidance, people are more likely to miss key tax savings opportunities, make suboptimal investment decisions, or take on debt they can’t afford. Small mistakes early on, like underfunding retirement accounts or misunderstanding insurance needs, can compound over time, leading to financial stress or instability when it’s hardest to recover.
For most of us, our financial lives are becoming more complex as the years go by. Rising costs of living, student debt, volatile markets, and an evolving job landscape mean that we should be weighing our financial decisions with careful consideration and a long-term view. Yet most people may not have the training, time, or confidence to navigate it all on their own. Financial literacy remains surprisingly low in the U.S., with many adults unable to answer basic questions about inflation, interest rates, and risk.3 And while DIY tools like index funds and robo-advisors have made investing more accessible, they still fall short when it comes to helping people tie those decisions into a broader financial strategy that aligns with their life goals.4
That’s why we believe individualized financial advising matters. Plenty of people manage their finances well on their own, but many of us need a human on the other end of the line — someone who can look at our full financial picture, understand our unique circumstances, and walk alongside us through major life decisions. Personalized advice, delivered with empathy and insight, can make a meaningful difference, especially during times of transition or uncertainty.
Wealth Builder focuses on foundational financial planning for individuals and families. Our advisors take a team-based, hands-on approach to help clients ranging from young professionals to growing families to empty nesters preparing for retirement. Whatever each client’s stage of life, we recognize they face a unique set of circumstances and financial goals, and we’re proud to play a part in helping them manage toward achieving their vision.
“Part of what I believe makes Wealth Builder such a unique offering is that it gives so many members of our Curi Capital community a foothold to help introduce the next generation to financial advising.”
We often see our longtime clients get excited when they realize we can also help those closest to them as they establish a solid financial foundation for the years ahead. We’ve been introduced to children, parents, siblings, and friends, often with the common thread of people recognizing they need financial advice and simply not knowing where to start.
Ultimately, our goal is to help close the advising gap, not just by making advice more available but by making it more personal, more relevant, and more actionable. We believe that everyone deserves the clarity and confidence that comes from knowing they’re on the right financial path.
How an Advisor Can Help You
Financial Education
A financial advisor can help you continue to build your knowledge of key financial concepts to help planning feel less intimidating and more personalized to your wants and needs.
Goal Planning
An advisor can bring structure to your ambitions by helping you prioritize objectives, develop tailored strategies to reach your targets, and stay on track as circumstances evolve over time.
Making Smart Transitions
A planning partner can help evaluate your options and make well-informed decisions across life stages, such as making the most of your compensation package or strategically drawing down funds in retirement.
Responding to Volatility
One of the most important things an advisor can do is to help you maintain confidence in your plan and stay the course during challenging times. They can also help you identify opportunities in the moment that can work to your advantage, such as buying into a market dip or rebalancing your portfolio.
Schedule a conversation with Ryan to discuss how Wealth Builder can be the right fit for you.
- Annuity.org. 2021, August 6. From the Experts: Closing the financial advice gap. https://www.annuity.org/2021/08/06/closing-the-financial-advice-gap/.
- Laise, E. 2021, December 9. 84% of banks lack tailored wealth services for mass-market investors, Cerulli study finds. Financial Planning. https://www.financial-planning.com/news/cerulli-study-84-of-banks-lack-tailored-wealth-services-for-mass-market-investors.
- World Economic Forum. 2024, April. Financial literacy: Why money education needs to start young. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/04/financial-literacy-money-education/.
- Brown, K. 2023, October 31. Are robo-advisors still worth it? Morningstar. https://www.morningstar.com/personal-finance/are-robo-advisors-still-worth-it?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
The opinions and analyses expressed in the article are based on Curi Capital, LLC's research and professional experience. The information and data in this article do not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment or other professional advice. Investors should consult with their trusted professionals prior to taking any action.
